Pioneers and dominating forces in every industry will tell you that success does not occur without collaboration. One man simply cannot do it all. That notion remains to reign true throughout all aspects of business, and it even applies to life itself. When it comes to growth and scaling your business, teamwork is essential. What stands between you and exponential growth could be a master coalition. 3PLs are great ways for operators to reach the heights they are aiming for. In fact, 90% of Fortune 500 companies use a 3PL. Despite that, we understand that there are a lot of misconceptions and ambiguities when it comes to these types of logistics services. Luckily, we are here to help unpack the mystery.
What Are 3PLs?
A 3PL is a third-party logistics company. These types of operators provide a variety of businesses with a solution for supply chain logistics. When businesses need to hold excess inventory and are looking for eternal support, 3PLs are able to come in and offer refuge. We’ve previously referenced the use and importance of 3PLs, and we’ve touched on the fact that they provide lower expenses, access to experts, and customizable plans, making them ideal for those looking to build an experience that works best for them. However, here, we will take an in-depth look at their importance and if they are a good fit for your organization.
Why Are 3PLs Important?
As businesses, 3PLs can be all that stands between you and an increase in profit. 3PLs offer logistics solutions for companies, expand their customer base, and help foster a positive consumer experience. If you are in the market for external support and expertise to run a supply chain more efficiently to gain a competitive advantage over your competition, then consider utilizing 3PLs.
What Are The Benefits?
Gives You Time To Focus
The utilization of 3PLs grants business owners the ability to focus on other facilities and aspects throughout their establishment. 3PLs alleviate the struggles of handling every single task within their organization. As a result, business owners are freed up to concentrate on the more important tasks within the company.
Allows Growth and Expansion
The overall purpose of a 3PL is to drive your business’s growth. They achieve this by giving companies access to resources and markets where they don’t already have a presence. One of the key advantages of third-party logistics is the fact that businesses do not have to spend their dollars on warehousing, equipment, or labor since it’s all provided for beforehand.
Improves Customer Satisfaction
Because companies are able to focus on their growth and scale their business, these benefits lead to improved services which directly translate to happy customers. It is the goal of every good business to aim to satisfy its clients at all times.
Selecting The Right Partner
How do you know how to select the right 3PL partner for you? When searching for the right partner for your company, consider your goals and requirements. Clearly define what it is you are looking to achieve and your non-negotiables regarding service. Do you need warehouse logistics taken care of? Or are you looking for IT infrastructure management? Knowing your needs will help you narrow down the playing field.
Additionally, narrow down your 3PL providers and check out their capabilities and if they have customizable options. There is no reason to select a provider if they do not provide a service that aligns with your core needs. Lastly, we recommend consulting with other businesses and clients to see their feedback on the 3PLs you are considering. There is nothing like getting valuable information right from the source. This way, you can easily check the validity of the 3PLs service to see if they align with what you are trying to accomplish.
The Takeaway
Investing in a 3PL is a process that requires attention to detail. If you are looking for an operation to invest in, we welcome you to take a look at our corporation. Here at WarehousingIt, we have plenty of solutions to help grow your business. With over 1500 facilities throughout the country, we are confident that we have the ability to help you see the results you are in search of. If you are interested, we’d love to chat with you; send us an email or give us a phone call; we’d love to get started.