Improving Warehouse Efficiency With Drop Trailer Delivery | North Coast Container

The Challenge: A Delivery Schedule Creating a Bottleneck

One of our long-standing customers had a standing delivery at 6 a.m. for years. While it worked on paper, it was becoming a real issue behind the scenes.

The early-morning arrival of 55 gallon steel drums created a strain on warehouse staffing. Workers were scheduled early to receive and unload the drums, which pulled resources away from other high-priority tasks.

Over time, this began to impact shift scheduling, increase overtime costs, and reduce overall warehouse efficiency. However, it wasn’t flagged as a major concern until our customer brought it to our attention during a recent PSIP (Packaging Supply Improvement Process) review.

As soon as the NCC team became aware of the issue, we responded immediately. Working closely with the customer, we adjusted delivery timing and coordinated a new schedule that better aligned with their staffing and operational needs—without disrupting production.

This quick adjustment reduced pressure on warehouse staff, improved overall efficiency, and reinforced why the customer values NCC as a responsive and flexible partner.

The Solution: A Flexible Drop Trailer Delivery Policy

At North Coast Container (NCC), we believe our job is more than manufacturing and delivering steel drums: it’s also to deliver solutions. 

Working closely with the customer through the PSIP process, we identified a better path forward: switching from a 6 a.m. live unload to a drop trailer delivery model.

Our new process allowed:

• A pre-loaded trailer of 55 gallon steel drums to be dropped during off-hours
• Warehouse teams to unload at their convenience, during regular shift hours
• Reduced need for overtime or early clock-ins
• Greater flexibility for scheduling labor and equipment

This shift gave our customer more control over their time, staffing, and space, which was a huge win for both productivity and morale.

The Operational Impact: Fewer Bottlenecks, Better Use of Time

The drop trailer policy brought immediate benefits. Within a few weeks, our customer reported:

• Improved warehouse efficiency, with fewer interruptions to core workflows
• A drop in overtime hours and early shift starts
• Less congestion at receiving docks during peak times
• Fewer scheduling conflicts between inbound drums and outbound orders

By acting as a partner and listening to their needs, we were able to problem-solve and eliminate a major operational pain point. 

Why NCC Could Deliver This Solution

Our ability to offer flexible delivery solutions is made possible by what sets NCC apart:

• Nationwide footprint with redundant manufacturing capabilities
• A culture of being easy to work with, especially when needs change
• A commitment to service, not just product

Because we manufacture and ship our own 55 gallon steel drums, we have the visibility and control to tailor logistics to each customer’s needs. This is not a one-size-fits-all operation. Our team listens, adjusts, and acts.

Partner With NCC Today

At North Coast Container, we understand that the right packaging solution includes more than the product itself.

Whether you need 55 gallon steel drums delivered weekly or a more flexible schedule to fit your operation, we will work with you to find the best path forward.

Need a steel drum supplier who helps make your warehouse more efficient? Let’s talk.