As an e-commerce business owner, you understand the importance of order fulfillment. Getting your product into the hands of your customers promptly and in the condition promised is vital to the success and reputation of your company. You may have heard the term 3PL. But what is 3PL and what does it mean for your business?
At C&M Transport, we excel in offering small to medium-sized businesses 3PL management services along with expedited services and specialized equipment. Here, we provide insight into what 3PL logistics are and how your company can benefit from them.
What’s the Purpose of 3PL?
You might assume all businesses handle their own order fulfillment process in-house. However, that’s not always the case. While it might make sense for much larger corporations to manage their own order fulfillment process, many small to medium-sized businesses choose to outsource this component.
Third-party logistics, or 3PL, is a service that involves enterprises relying on third-party businesses to carry out tasks to completion in their supply chain. This allows the enterprise to focus on other components of the business.
Businesses choose to outsource their supply chain management to third-party companies for a variety of reasons. It could be to broaden its customer reach, break into new markets, or improve the overall customer experience. More and more, businesses of all sizes are looking for external support to run their supply chain more to gain a competitive edge.
The Benefits of 3PL in Supply Chain Management
Reliable third-party logistics companies are a viable option for businesses because they can offer efficient solutions for various pieces of supply chain management such as inventory, packaging, and shipping. The advantages businesses can expect when choosing to partner with a 3PL services company include:
Save Time and Money
Third-party logistics companies can help your business save time and money. As a business continues to grow and expand, its costs do as well. Fulfilling orders becomes more expensive because of the need for warehouse space, equipment, supply chain management software, labor costs, and several other resources. By investing in a partnership with a 3PL, businesses eliminate most of these expenses while also saving time.
Better Flexibility and Scalability
In many instances, the world of business can be unpredictable. Depending on the organization and its products, companies may experience times of great profitability while at other times business might be slow during their off-season.
Another advantage of third-party logistics in supply chain management is that it offers companies great flexibility and scalability based on current business needs. This is especially important for cost savings in many situations. When sales are slow-moving, there are no unutilized resources, and when surges in demand occur, companies can quickly adjust and upscale thanks to the infrastructure of third-party logistics companies.
Access to Expertise and Experience
For most businesses, supply chain management and order fulfillment are not their bread and butter. Figuring it out on their own could end up costing them in the long run. Businesses that aren’t knowledgeable in this area can benefit from logistics support and relying on third-party companies to do the heavy lifting.
3PL Management Services from C&M Transport
Managing the packing and shipping of products yourself can significantly hinder your business’s ability to grow. Instead, rely on the professional 3PL management services offered by our team at C&M Transport. Our logistics company is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and has 17 additional locations situated across the country. Our services entail several key components of supply chain management, including ground and air-charter transportation, various warehousing options, cross-docking, and freight forwarding. Contact us today to learn how your company can benefit from our services.