What’s the Difference Between Public Warehousing and a 3PL Company?

Public warehousing, 3PL—what’s in a name as long as you get the services you need, right?

These two terms are often used interchangeably, yet there are clear differences between them. To help clarify, we turned to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, a global authority on supply chain practices.

“Supply chain management encompasses the planning and management of all activities involved in sourcing and procurement, conversion, and all logistics management activities. Importantly, it also includes coordination and collaboration with channel partners … In essence, supply chain management integrates supply and demand management within and across companies.” – Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)

What Is a Public Warehouse?

A public warehouse is a business that provides storage space to multiple companies on a short- or long-term basis. Public warehouse companies typically own the equipment and employ staff to manage facility operations.

Businesses use public warehouse companies to handle overflow inventory, seasonal demand, or to supplement their private warehouse capacity. Public warehousing can also be a cost-effective solution for small or mid-sized companies that don’t need a dedicated facility.

So, “what is a public warehouse?” — it’s essentially shared space with flexible terms, designed to help businesses store and manage inventory without large upfront investment.

What Is a 3PL?

3PL stands for third-party logistics. A public 3PL company provides storage plus a broader range of logistics services such as:

• Transportation and freight coordination
• Inventory management and order fulfillment
• Packaging, labeling, and kitting
• Cross-docking and distribution
• Real-time tracking through a warehouse management system

So, “what is a 3PL?”, it’s a logistics partner that can handle your supply chain from end to end—from warehousing and fulfillment to delivery.

The Difference Between Public Warehousing and a 3PL Company

At Brendamour Warehousing, we provide warehousing, fulfillment, and distribution services that fit both definitions. However, not all logistics companies in Cincinnati or across the Midwest 3PL landscape operate the same way.

Here are the main distinctions:

Public Warehouse	3PL Company
Focuses primarily on storage	Provides complete logistics management
You manage inbound/outbound scheduling	They coordinate transportation and inventory
Limited to facility operations	Includes technology, tracking, and fulfillment
Ideal for overflow or short-term needs	Ideal for ongoing supply chain partnerships

A public warehouse company concentrates on storage as its main function, while a 3PL integrates warehousing into a larger logistics system. With a 3PL, you get comprehensive management, from receiving goods to delivering to your customers, often supported by modern WMS software for real-time visibility.

Brendamour: Your Fulfillment and Distribution Center Partner

At Brendamour Warehousing, Distribution & Services, Inc., we go beyond traditional warehousing. Since 1983, we’ve provided fulfillment and distribution center solutions that keep your operations efficient and your costs low.

We offer:

• Distribution Services: Order processing, fulfillment, stock rotation, and cross-docking.
• Processing Services: Custom packing, labeling, inspection, stretch wrapping, and kitting.
• Office Support: Rental offices, call handling, and administrative services.
• Foreign Trade Zone Benefits: Import, assemble, and export goods without incurring duties.

As a trusted Ohio 3PL and Midwest 3PL, Brendamour combines the flexibility of public warehousing with the full-service capabilities of a logistics company, helping you scale without the overhead of managing your own facility.

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FAQs About Public Warehouses and 3PL Companies

What’s the difference between a public warehouse and a 3PL company?

A public warehouse provides shared storage space, while a 3PL company manages the entire logistics process, including warehousing, transportation, and fulfillment. Think of a 3PL as your outsourced logistics department.

What services do public 3PL companies provide?

Public 3PL companies typically offer warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment, transportation, labeling, and returns handling—providing an all-in-one logistics solution.

When should a business use a public warehouse?

Use a public warehouse if you need temporary or overflow storage without long-term contracts or infrastructure investment.

When does partnering with a 3PL make more sense?

If you need to outsource logistics entirely, especially if your business ships nationwide, a 3PL partner can handle storage, order management, and delivery coordination more efficiently than managing it in-house.

Are Brendamour’s facilities considered public warehouses or 3PLs?

Both. Brendamour functions as a public warehouse company and a third-party logistics provider, offering flexible solutions for businesses throughout Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and the Midwest.

Whether you’re looking for flexible public warehouse companies or a full-service fulfillment and distribution center, Brendamour Warehousing has the experience and scale to keep your business moving forward.

Call (513) 247-0077 or request a quote online today.