The Ultimate Guide to a 3PL Business

There are several definitions of 3PL. These include:

• Third-party logistics (3PL) is the function by where the owner of goods outsources numerous components of the supply chain to a 3PL company that can perform the management function of the clients’ customs, inbound freight, distribution, warehousing, order fulfillment, and outbound freight to the client’s customers.

All of your logistics requirements should be taken care of with a full-service 3PL. These services include:

Although many merchants might not have a physical shop, physical goods have to be stored at a specific location. Typically, a 3PL business will take care of your warehousing necessities. In order to efficiently run a warehouse, the 3PL will invest in the necessary technology and space. In general, warehousing by a third party provider is more cost-efficient. This is because they are able to spread their overheads over several clients.

To have a successful business, you need to have a well-maintained supply chain . Therefore, if your inbound freight delivery specifications are taken care of, 3PL has done its job!

It’s important to note that order fulfillment isn’t merely making sure that the specified goods reach the buyer. Nothing is done if a business has not fulfilled its orders. E-commerce is often plagued with invalid order fulfillment. The goods that reach the customer must be :

• The right goods
• Received on time
• In good condition

Consolidation service is one of the many services delivered by a 3PL provider. Typically, eCommerce suppliers send many small goods to the same, exact location. In this situation, if all the small goods are consolidated into one shipment – the shipping charges are then considerably lower. A service provider that sends various small packages as one larger package is known as a consolidation service. It is also referred to as a cargo or freight consolidation.

There are lots of reasons why a company might turn to a third-party logistics provider. Here are the five main reasons :
Reason #1
To provide supplementary supply chain support to test out new regional countries or markets where your company does not currently have a presence. This can be done without having to open a new distribution center.

Reason #2
Companies with seasonal businesses can use a 3PL provider that allows you to scale your labor, warehousing space, and transportation to provide full support during your busy business months while scaling back during slower months.

Reason #3
Using a third-party logistics provider that has higher quality technology and processes than your in-house operations will help realize efficiencies with the management of your inventory and increase on-time performance.

Reason #4
By employing a third-party logistics provider, you can take advantage of lower transportation rates that are provided by the 3PL firms. These firms have substantial buying power as a result of their ability to leverage load consolidation, backhaul opportunities, and the volume of freight they deal with.

Reason #5
With lower risk, you can quickly build a multi-location distribution network. This can be done without the major capital investment that is often associated with building out your own network. Full support during your busy business months while scaling back during slower months.

Reason #3
Using a third-party logistics provider that has higher quality technology and processes than your in-house operations will help realize efficiencies with the management of your inventory and increase on-time performance.

Some of the many benefits of using a 3PL provider include:

• Improved Customer Service

With faster shipping times, the relationship you have with your customers is improved. The fast and efficient service your customers receive can, therefore, increase your returning customers.

• More Flexibility and Scalability

Depending on your type of business, 3PL allows you to scale back your operations over varied time frames. For example, if your prime business time is at Christmas, using 3PL will allow you to increase the scale of your business during this busy time period and reduce the size of your operations during the summer months.

• More Resources

3PL service providers have a large resource network in comparison to in-house supply chains. This improved resource network allows your business to be more efficient (as well as save costs) at every part of the logistics process. This also allows the 3PL provider to optimize each step of the supply chain which will allow the overall service to be faster and more effective.

• Saving Time and Money  

All that is required with 3PL is entering your order, exporting it, and importing the 3PL warehouse information. When you use a 3PL provider, you no longer need to invest in several areas of your business . These include billing, training staff, audits, transportation, technology, and warehouse space. 3PL providers can help your business avoid expensive mistakes – you will have a higher return with lower risk. This can help your business build a global logistical network at a fraction of the cost. 3PL is quicker than in-house fulfillment.

• Professional Service

In logistics, software, hardware, and equipment are constantly being upgraded. Third-party service providers are continuously educating themselves on the latest trends and emerging technologies within the logistics industry. 3PLs employ advanced monitoring and reporting techniques to track and manage your inventory which ensures the most efficient service possible. By outsourcing your logistics services, you have time to concentrate on the other elements of your business.

• Responsiveness

The flexibility to respond quickly to varying business environments and peak periods, as well as fluctuating market trends without major disturbances to distribution operations, is a huge benefit of 3PL.

If you decide to use a 3PL business, you must decide which 3PL provider suits your needs. The three types of third-party logistics providers are :

• Asset-Based

These companies use their own warehouses, lorries, and personnel to operate their business.

• Management Based

These companies offer the managerial and technological aspects needs to operate the logistics functions of their clients. They do this by using the assets of other companies – they do not necessarily own any assets.

• Integrated Providers

These companies are usually either management or asset-based. In general, they supplement their services with the specific needs that are required by their clients.
out major disturbances to distribution operations is a huge benefit of a 3PL business.

It’s important that you ask your third party logistics service provider the following important questions before making your final decision:

• Is the 3PL located near your business?
• Are your customers’ demands and priorities supported by the specific competencies of the 3PL?
• Can the 3PL proficiently scale their operations to fit your companies’ changing needs?
• Does the 3PL provider offer both direct-to-consumer and direct-to-retail fulfillment and distribution services?
• Does the 3PL have a modern technology platform backing up their business?
• Does the 3PL have numerous transportation and warehousing options available to choose from?
• Is the 3PL financially stable?
• Does the 3PL have a list of previous partners?
• What is the 3PL’shistory with their partners?
• Does the 3PL have a proven track record of delivering a superior service?
• Does the 3PL have many long-term clients?
• Does the 3PL have high-quality industry references?
• Does the 3PL have the necessary expertise and experience to help you improve your company’s logistics activities?