What should I look at in a supply yard’s bins, scales and site layout?

Begin at the gate and follow the flow. Is there room for a loaded truck to turn without backing up? Do customers queue on the road in busy weeks? Ask staff where the bottlenecks are, since they feel them every day. Watch a busy hour if the seller permits, because layout problems that stay hidden on a quiet visit show up under pressure.

Look at the bins and storage. Check their condition, whether walls are sound, whether products are kept apart and how much room each has. Ask what happens when one product runs short or when a delivery fills a bin faster than it sells.

Examine the scale. Ask who services and certifies it, when it was last checked and whether customers have ever disputed a weight. A scale that people doubt damages the whole yard’s credibility. Finally, ask about the land. If it is leased, read the terms on use and expansion. If it is owned, ask your advisers whether the site could handle a change in use. Note how much space is left for stock and equipment, since growth needs room. Check drainage as well, since pooling water and mud around bins and the scale slow down the work and damage stock.

Key takeaways

• Follow a loaded truck through the yard and note the bottlenecks.
• Inspect the bins, and ask who services and certifies the scale.
• Check lease or ownership terms for expansion room.