Third party logistics is becoming more and more popular as the supply chain becomes more complex. With the rise of e-commerce and its inevitable need for a delivery process, logistic solutions are becoming necessary in this process.
As new businesses start up and begin to grow to a stage where a warehouse is necessary, it can be tough to fulfil that need on their own. Being able to find a provider that can handle these processes is essential to ensure that customers remain satisfied.
Here are some factors to consider before choosing your 3PL warehouse provider.
Good fit
Different 3PL providers have different strengths and offerings. It’s a good idea to examine what your potential third party logistics providers have and whether it suits your business’ needs.
For example, some companies specialise in pick and packing, so if that’s an integral process to your company, it’s important to consider this!
You want to choose the warehousing provider that fits you best, so make sure that you do your research and understand whether you are getting the solution you need.
Innovative
In our modern society, things are constantly changing due to evolving technology. Warehousing and supply chain management are reliant on good IT systems which help to track the movement of products.
Because of this, it is integral that you choose a company which is innovative and up to date with IT solutions. Knowing that your 3PL provider makes the effort to continuously innovate and improve their processes shows a lot about their ability to maintain a good performance.
An indicator of this is having an integrated online tracking system which allows you to view the status of your inventory. Their ability to develop technical solutions that suit you is important for your business’ efficiency.
Process optimisation
Your 3PL provider should be attentive to your business’ objectives in order to ensure their processes are optimised to meet your needs. When deciding on your third party logistics warehouse, it is important to find someone who takes the time to understand the requirements of your business.
This is a good indicator that they will work on ensuring their processes are optimised for your goals. Finding a provider who puts in the effort to learn about your company’s objectives is a good sign!
Customised solutions
This is particularly important if you are looking for a 3PL solution which goes beyond simple storage and delivery. Finding someone who offers customised solutions such as product assembly can give you a comprehensive service which saves time immensely.
Having a 3PL solution who delivers customised service may give you peace of mind that when tough situations arise, your warehouse can be flexible in helping you to solve them.
From sourcing extra materials to printing, these extra services can be a lifesaver in tough circumstances. If you can think of times where they could come in useful, it’s worth considering whether your third party logistics supplier offers them!
3PL warehousing is an efficient and cost-effective way for businesses to ensure their logistic processes are sound while being able to focus on their core competencies. Finding the right solution can be hard, but considering these factors may help you make your decision.
