Are you shipping freights? Chances are high that you have already been introduced to the term 3pl. Because 3pl for third party logistics is an integral part of the freight shipping industry. If you think that 3pl is as same as a freight forwarder, you are not right. A freight forwarder negotiates pricing, transportation modes, and routes with other third-party carriers on behalf of your business. And a 3pl provider will be more involved in the physical progress of the storage and movement of your goods.
Does your business need a third-party logistics provider?
Well, that’s a tricky question, and you can answer it better. But we can tell you what benefits a 3pl provider offers and what to expect when you hire a third-party logistics for your business. Though every 3pl provider may have its own suite of service offerings, they all stick to a set of standard services. Some of the benefits you can expect from your third-party logistics provider are:
A team of industry professionals: when you partner with a 3PL, you can guarantee work with people who know the ins and outs of the industry. When you manage the logistics from within your own company, not necessarily your team will match the industry standard. And without proper information and guidance, you will end up having poor logistics management.
A 3PL service provider consists of a team of professionals with expertise and knowledge in the logistics industry. And by handling your logistics needs to 3PLs, you can focus upon your core business operations.
A strong network: When you work with a 3PL service provider, you can benefit by connecting to a developed network of carriers, warehouses, routes, and professionals. Commonly a professional 3PL service provider develops and leverages an organized network to benefit its customers. The better the network, the better service you get as a customer.
Additionally, you will get the best rates while working with an excellent 3PL service provider.
Transparency in shipment: Third-party logistics providers work as the mediators between the carrier and the shipper. And as you are hiring a third-party logistics service, the company will provide customer service while being in touch with the carrier to keep you informed about the duration of the shipment life cycle.
If you have any complaints regarding the carrier, you can easily reach out to 3PL’s customer service. A third-party logistics provider provides you with complete transparency of your shipment.
Cost-cutting on additional employees: When you outsource your shipments to a third-party logistics provider, you get a professional team of people without the liability of paying them every month. You also can ignore the hassle of interviewing, training and managing an in-house team for logistics.
Depending upon the contract agreed upon by the 3PL and your company, you can even deal with more significant issues quickly and cost-effectively. A 3PL service provider ensures providing efficient services within budget.
Reduced downtime: One of the greatest advantages of hiring a third-party logistics service provider is that it saves your company a lot of time. It takes much time to manage your shipment in-house as it includes time-consuming tasks such as invoicing, auditing, data entry, and carrier negotiations. And as the 3PL does everything on your behalf, you can have a hassle-free experience of shipment.
When you outsource your company’s work to some service provider, it is essential to be clear about your expectations. And the 3PL you are hiring must align with your company’s unique needs. If you are looking to partner with professional third-party logistics providers, visit https://redstagfulfillment.com/order-fulfillment/
