Sometimes warehouses start to go off the rails for whatever reason. People quit. Shelves fall apart. Systems break down. Products pile up even though they should have been shipped out… last week! There are safety issues galore. It can get ugly– and that’s when warehouses need to find help that truly helps make their place better organized and running smoothly, again… How can you select the right third party to help with your logistic needs?
When searching for third party logistics help, you want to find a partner who will support your goals while being in alignment with the various aspects of your business. You want, ideally, “a good fit.”
Where You’re At and Where You’re Heading
First, know where your business currently is and where you want it to go in the future. Define the good and bad that’s happening right now. That way you have an idea where improvements need to be made and can express those challenges to your potential partner. Will volume be picking up in the coming months and you just can’t handle all the extra work without help? Let them know.
Shipping Requirements
Next, consider shipping requirements. Everybody wants everything quickly these days. And that’s quite a challenge, even for the most well-run warehouses. Consider which channel or channels matter most to your company– for instance, are you focused on e-commerce, B2B, wholesale, retail, or something else? Whichever channel is the one you most need logistic help with is the one that your potential partner should “excel” at– you want to align with a company that is great at what they do in a specific channel when it comes to shipping requirements.
Pricing
Also, keep in mind pricing as it relates to things like the number of items picked, pallet storage, packaging, etc. Figure out anticipated costs so you can then determine what you’d save by partnering with certain partners.
Data and Technology Assistance
Finally, what about data? You’ll want to make sure you’ve got master SKUs set up for your products, as well as UPC codes/barcodes, so everything can be tracked on your end… and by your third party logistics partner.
If you’re looking for a reliable third party logistics company, learn how Affiliated Warehouse Companies can help.
