Various Types of Inventory Shipments & How Alaska Air Forwarding Can Move Them All

When you hear the word “Inventory” what comes to mind? For most of us, we tend to think of everyday items such as clothing, daily supplies and perhaps food. Based on an article we came across recently, inventory is defined as “a stock or store of goods.” This is a good, general description that likely brings to mind images of food, clothing and other types of basic supplies. However, the term “inventory” speaks to a broad range of items, many of which are crucial to a number of production and manufacturing processes. These processes depend on inventory shipments in order to maintain a smooth operation and deliver their goods to the consumer on time.

Since Inventory Shipments are one of our primary functions here at Alaska Air Forwarding, we’d like to delve a bit deeper into the subject and look at the various types of inventory as well as the types of inventory shipments there are.

TYPES OF INVENTORY

Raw materials- are those materials that are used in the manufacturing process. Many think of food items as raw materials but raw materials can also consist of nuts, bolts, ball bearings and even engines. We ship raw materials on a regular basis here at AAF.
Work-in-Process- refers to the type of inventory that is part of a system being produced. For example, a rolling cart will have several pieces that are part of its production process such as wheels, casters, sides, legs, etc.
Finished goods- are those inventory items that are ready for shipment to the customer. Finished goods can be shipped to retailers, or directly to the customer depending on the type of item.

These are the various types of inventory that can be part of any production process and may require shipping during the production process, which is often the case with raw materials, or once the process is completed, as is the case with finished goods. Alaska Air Forwarding ships each of these types of inventory on a regular basis.

TYPES OF INVENTORY SHIPMENTS

Inventory shipments refer to the purpose that the inventory serves, such as transit inventory, buffer inventory and anticipation inventory to name a few. Here’s a breakdown of the types of inventory shipments:

Transit Inventory Shipment- this type of shipment refers to inventory that is in the “pipeline” or in the process of shipping. Sometimes there can be a delay in the shipping process as inventories can get held-up in a regional warehouse facility before reaching the final destination. This is an area where Alaska Air Forwarding can help the process along. We work with traffic managers, purchasing agents and vendors to arrange pick up of inventories, particularly urgent shipments, and get them to their final destination.
Buffer Inventory Shipment- this type of shipment is also known as “safety stock” and is often used by retailers to avoid falling short of demand.
Anticipation Inventory Shipment- this type of shipment is commonly practiced around seasonal times, such as Christmas, Back to School, or Halloween. However, it is not uncommon for retailers in Alaska to require this type of shipment a bit more regularly. Since Alaska’s winters are harsh and there are areas of the state that are very remote, it’s wise for retailers to “stock up” on items that will see residents through the long, harsh Alaska winters. While we are able to reach these remote areas of Alaska to serve the needs of residents, we often will transport an anticipation inventory to certain areas as a means of brining sufficient provision for the season.

Regardless of the type of inventory that is shipping, our process for getting it there remains the same. We provide nationwide and worldwide service. Our connections allow us to pick-up and route anywhere in the US and we can handle all of your inventory shipment specifications. Even if you don’t ship to Alaska, we can help you.

Consider Alaska Air Forwarding for your Inventory Shipments anywhere in the US.