How Florists Can Safely Transport Flowers
Joe Dickman | May 22nd, 2020
Both when business proceeds as usual and during our current coronavirus pandemic, safely transporting flowers is an important task for florists. In a pandemic, this keeps businesses flexible in a time of change, and at other times, allows florists to expand their reach and grow their business. No matter the case, transportation tips always apply. To better your delivery capabilities, read how florists can safely transport flowers.
Use an Insulated Van
While it’s not uncommon for florists to deliver floral arrangements from their personal car, there are several reasons to make the switch to a business-dedicated insulated delivery van. First, an insulated van eliminates the awkwardness of precariously placing arrangements on car seats, in the trunk, or elsewhere. Instead, a van offers a uniform surface that allows you to easily secure your products while expanding how much you can stow.
Also—and this is why an insulated van in particular is helpful—they enable you to transport sensitive arrangements at a consistent temperature. This ensures your deliveries arrive looking impressive while eliminating your worries about your product overheating during the drive.
Get Creative with Packing
Another way florists can ensure they safely transport flowers is by getting creative with how they brace their product during transport. Many florists find cardboard boxes that match their arrangement’s height and cut adequately sized holes in the top. Cushioning your products with towels or an alternative further ensures your deliveries get to their buyer without issue. Additionally, flowers need a consistent water supply to prevent wilting. Placing them in plastic buckets of varying sizes with about four inches of water should suffice.
Be Intentional About Stowing Your Arrangements
Even if you use an insulated van, you must still stow your arrangements properly. Though you should also drive slowly to avoid damaging them, securing them so that they don’t move throughout the ride is your first step. In general, keeping arrangements as low as possible helps prevents tipping or falling over.
If you can’t keep up with your business’s deliveries during this pandemic or simply see the advantages of using an insulated vehicle, consider partnering with Emerald Transportation Solutions. We have quality insulated vans for sale as well as refrigerated vehicles if you’d like a bit more temperature control.
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What does under DOT mean?
Questions regarding DOT requirements come up often. 10,000 lbs GVW (gross vehicle weight) and over are commercial vehicles that fall under the Department of Transportation regulatory requirements.
What is the difference between GVW and payload?
GVW or Gross Vehicle Weight is the entire weight of the vehicle including the payload. The payload weight represents the amount of cargo you are hauling.
What is a self-powered unit and a vehicle-powered unit?
A self-powered unit has its own fuel source and will run independent of the truck. This is the heaviest and most expensive option. While vehicle-powered units run off the engine via a compressor mounted on the engine. These are less expensive and lighter in weight but you must run the truck or plug the electric standby into shore power.
What does K-factor mean and why is that important?
K-factor is a term that stands for the overall insulating value of the container (truck body). Quite simply the lower the K-factor the better the truck body will be able to maintain a given temperature and require less energy to do so.
How much lighter is a Poly Van vs a US spec body?
Poly Van bodies are very light. On average we estimate we are 75-150 lbs per foot lighter than a traditional sheet and post foamed in place body. These weight savings translates to less fuel burn and less CO2 emissions, along with added payload, the most important benefit.
