LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA – This month at the 2017 PMA Fresh Summit in New Orleans, produce companies conspired to bring thousands of pounds of produce to the Big Easy. And one of the exhibitors providing the tools to undertake these kinds of logistical challenges, Allen Lund Company, was there on hand showcasing both their impressive transportation capabilities and, of course, their monstrous Allen Lund Company truck.

“The last six months in the industry have seen higher prices; it’s been difficult to move product into the marketplace,” Kenny Lund, Vice President of Allen Lund and its sister company ALC Logistics, told me. “Our offices work with over 21,000 trucking companies to make sure we move product, and we’ve seen a 17 percent increase in our volume of movement—even in a capacity crunch.”

While a challenging transportation environment and increasing regulatory control have made shipping fresh fruits and vegetables more difficult, Allen Lund and ALC Logistics have been hard at work developing tools to make shipping more transparent and efficient.

“From the information side, the ALC Logistics Transportation Management System (TMS), we’ve added more modules, and this technology lets you work more closely together with your carriers to get better rates and have better visibility of loads out on the road,” Kenny added. 

With ELD regulations set to take effect in December, Allen Lund’s dock scheduling tools will be important than ever for shippers looking to stay competitive.

“It’s really important to have a dock scheduling program. First come first served is no longer viable in the industry,” said Kenny. “You’ve got have an efficient system, and we are able to provide that through our TMS.”

For more, check out my brief video interview above. And for more on all things produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

Allen Lund Company