California Logistics Blog | West Coast

Is Your Company Ready for the Outsourcing of Logistics Services?

Oct 8, 2020 / by Bob Lilja posted in 3PL Outsourcing

The outsourcing of logistics services can be the move that supercharges a company’s operations, replacing headaches related to scale, staffing, and inefficiency, with a more efficient, flexible solution. Arriving at the decision to outsource, however, is not always easy. You need to determine if your operation is ready for such a leap, and then hurdle the barriers – whether real or perceived – your company may have about outsourcing. In this article, we’ll examine characteristics of companies ready to outsource and address the barriers that many prospective outsourcers have.

Sep 24, 2020 / by Richard Grennon and Todd Naramore posted in Logistics Technology, Electronic Data Interchange

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If you have retail customers, you are likely familiar with EDI. From shipping notices and order updates to purchase orders and invoices, EDI remains a workhorse of modern supply chain transactions – including those in eCommerce. In this article, we take a closer look at EDI in logistics, including its ramifications on vendor compliance.

Sep 10, 2020 / by Weber Logistics posted in Chemical Logistics, Chemical Storage

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Chemical warehousing, including the storage of hazardous materials, is a highly regulated undertaking with a substantial investment in both the physical storage environment and rigorous adherence to associated protocols, practices and paperwork required to ensure safety and compliance. If you are responsible for the storage and distribution of commercial chemicals, this article serves as a primer on key safety and compliance basics.

Aug 27, 2020 / by Todd Traut posted in West Coast Distribution, Warehouse operations, Northern California 3PL

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With its huge and growing population, California often serves as a key location for a company’s overall distribution operations. It’s usually Southern California – with its bright lights and huge ports – that people consider to be the region’s logistics hub. But with each passing year, more and more companies are learning about the benefits of basing operations a bit further north.

Let’s take a closer look at one of these major logistics markets – Stockton – and why a having a warehouse in Stockton could reduce your costs and improve overall distribution operations.

Aug 13, 2020 / by Arlene M. Slivka posted in eCommerce Fulfillment, Multi Channel Fulfillment

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Do you need to accelerate your ecommerce strategy due to the recent 2020 pandemic? You are not alone. There has been a dramatic increase in online orders and the bar for service excellence is set high.

The B2C shipping channel is very different from B2B. Smaller orders, faster turnaround, more labor-intensive overpacking and parcel processing require system capabilities and expertise to maintain your margins. The right third-party logistics (3PL) partner can guide you through these changes, while offering the eCommerce warehouse infrastructure and experience you need to grow your direct-to-consumer business.

Jul 23, 2020 / by Jerry Critchfield posted in Southern California Ports, West Coast Distribution, Port Logistics, Transload, 3PL Outsourcing, Drayage, logistics in California

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When you’re importing products into the U.S., there’s a lot that needs to happen before your items hit store shelves or a customer’s doorstep. And it often starts with port logistics services such as those provided by a third-party logistics (3PL) company. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at those services and the options you have for getting your goods quickly from port to consumer.

Jul 9, 2020 / by Todd Naramore posted in Vendor Compliance, Chargebacks

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All major retailers issue chargeback penalties for non-compliant shipments from their suppliers. The specific penalties are explicitly laid out in each retailer’s routing guide and range from, in our experience, about 1% to 5% of a supplier’s gross invoice amount.

For example, Walmart’s On-Time in Full program charges 3% of item value for products that are late or missing.

Jun 25, 2020 / by Bob Lilja posted in Southern California Ports, Shared Warehousing, west coast warehouses, 3PL Outsourcing, eCommerce Fulfillment, Direct to Consumer, logistics in California

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When companies seek to optimize their eCommerce operations, they’re generally looking to do two things: improve distribution speed and reduce costs. These factors of speed and cost are affected by many factors, including the location where fulfillment services are performed. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the advantages of West Coast eCommerce fulfillment and show you how – when it comes to speed and cost – the West may very well be the best for your operation.

Jun 11, 2020 / by Bob Lilja posted in 3PL, eCommerce Fulfillment, Pick and Pack

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According to the Census Bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, eCommerce sales accounted for 11.8% of total sales in the first quarter of 2020. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, Q2 eCommerce figures are likely to grow more rapidly, as eCommerce sales through most of April were 49% greater than a similar period in March.

No matter what your company sells, it’s imperative that your eCommerce operations can keep pace with this growth. It is also important, however, that B2C growth doesn’t come at the expense of your B2B execution.

May 21, 2020 / by Selma Myles and Mimi Ma posted in Chemical Logistics, Chemical Storage

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When you partner with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider for chemical and hazmat warehousing, there’s a lot to consider during the vetting process. Among other steps, you’ll want to take a tour of the facility, interview management and associates, and ask for referrals. However, there is one other crucial component you don’t want to overlook: the auditing process.

West Coast and California Logistics Blog

Is Your Company Ready for the Outsourcing of Logistics Services?

A Key to Vendor Compliance: What is EDI in Logistics?

What You Need to Know About Chemical Warehousing

Looking for a Warehouse in Stockton, CA? Smart decision.

Accelerate Your Ecommerce Warehouse Operations with a 3PL Partner

What port logistics services can a 3PL provide?

How Chargebacks in the Retail Industry Work and What Can You Do About Them?

Speed and Cost Advantages of West Coast eCommerce Fulfillment

Multi-Channel Fulfillment: Key Considerations

Hazmat warehousing: Is your 3PL audit-ready?

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