Pet Food Distributors Lean on Wholesale

Distribution Software to Manage Product Recalls.

Not a day goes by that we don’t read about this drug or that food product being recalled out of serious health concerns. And it’s not human beings companies are concerned about. In the last few months and years there have been numerous recalls of pet food, mostly related to the presence of salmonella. Manufacturers, as stewards of their brands, must rely on their wholesale distributors to effect swift, comprehensive and accurate recalls from retailers shelves. Wholesale distributors, in turn, are in a much stronger position if they can rely on wholesale distribution software to manage this difficult situation as efficiently as possible.

Wholesale distribution software, in almost cases, has built-in product tracking capabilities. Incoming shipments of pet food from any number of vendors are logged by lot numbers as part of a routine inventory transaction. At each step of the distribution process, as items are stored, picked, packed and shipped, lot numbers follow as a key data record. In a worst-case scenario, product location on a lot number by lot number basis can be searched in the wholesale distribution software’s underlying database. That works in both forward tracking, based on a manufacturer’s alert, or backward tracking, derived from a customer complaint. Retailers can be given precise directions on making product returns of appropriate lots and untainted product can be shipped to replace the returned product. Likewise, manufacturers can be alerted to product problems so that the can reach out to their other wholesale distributors.

Having a well-defined and comprehensive recall management program enables pet food distributors to manage product recalls effectively and efficiently with retailers, manufacturers and government/regulatory agencies. Wholesale distribution software ensures pet food distributors have documented and repeatable processes and procedures to accurately execute a product recall.

Wholesale distribution software, of course, goes far beyond helping pet food distributors—or wholesale distributors in any industry-- manage product recalls.  Most systems will provide order management with easy order entry as well as returns processing. Purchasing management tools help manage multiple vendors with multiple locations, various promotions and returns processing. Inventory management and warehouse management provide visibility into shelf life, manage stock rotation and multiple picking methods. Accounts receivable modules add receipt of payment of multiple invoices and integrated credit card processing.  Wholesale distribution software helps manage multiple warehouse locations and intra-company transfers, too. 

Written by :

Amy Cruz