One great thing about businesses is their uniqueness. You could have two companies selling the same type of product, yet they are vastly different from each other. It’s that difference that should be taken into account when evaluating a third-party logistics (3PL) provider to handle your warehousing, distribution and other logistics needs.
Taking some time to determine what you need from a 3PL to meet the unique circumstances of your business, its products and/or services, and its customers will result in a successful partnership.
These four key questions will help you identify the best 3PL for your company.
Question #1: Is Your Product Easy to Distribute?
This is where size, weight, and shape matter. Take a look at your product from a packing and distribution viewpoint. Consider things like:
Is your product oversized or undersized?
Is it an awkward shape or require fragile handling?
Is your product perishable or need to be maintained at a certain temperature at all times?
Does your product need to be assembled, bundled, or require special packaging before distribution?
Since distribution capacity differs among public warehouses with distribution and logistics services, it’s important to select a 3PL, such as Brendamour Warehousing, Distribution & Services, that can accommodate any special distribution needs your product may have.
Question #2: Where Is Your Product Being Distributed?
Currently, your business might require only local or regional distribution, but take a look into that crystal ball to see what the future may hold.
How will your distribution routes change as your company expands?
Will you need cross-country distribution?
Will you be selling your products in other countries?
For most businesses, the market areas they begin with are either modified or increased to respond to product demand. Logistics providers have different distribution routes, so it’s important to select a third-party logistics company at the onset that can handle both countrywide and international distribution.
More importantly, you want a 3PL who has strong partnerships with transportation networks so it can effectively achieve your distribution goals. For example, Brendamour Warehousing distributes throughout the United States, as well as internationally. What’s more, our distribution network spans to all modes of transportation, including train, plane, ship, and truck, to get your goods where they need to go in the most cost-efficient manner possible.
Question #3: Does Your Business Conduct International Trade?
While you might not be selling your product internationally, your business still might have international connections.
For example, does your business work with manufacturers or other suppliers from foreign countries? If so, you need to outsource your public warehousing and distribution needs to a logistics provider who handles international trade needs.
At Brendamour Warehousing, we have the knowledge and foreign trade zone designation to process international imports and exports. With us, there are no barriers to your domestic and international sales.
Question #4: What Are Your Customers’ Needs?
Whether your end customer is a retail store, a big-box store, a small boutique, or an individual ordering direct from your website, each customer has different needs. As such, you need a public warehouse that can handle these diverse needs.
With regards to your customers’ requirements, consider:
How much product will your customers need each month?
Are your customers limited to how much product they can handle at one time?
Do your customers have special requests, such as inventory-related, how they receive your product, etc.?
Do customers have seasonal demands or peaks in sales at certain times of the year?
How quickly can your business respond to increased demands?
Brendamour Warehousing Is Your 3PL Solution
When you partner with Brendamour Warehousing, Distribution & Services, you have a full-service 3PL handling all your logistics needs. Our history of excellence in public warehousing, distribution, and logistics speaks volumes to the extra care we take when handling your goods.
With Brendamour, you have a 3PL that can handle your product’s special needs, as well as the special requests of your customers.
Contact us to learn how we can enhance your company’s distribution and deliver value to your bottom line.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.