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West Coast and California Logistics Blog

Happening Now: Truckers Applaud FMC Container Fee Rule

The Federal Maritime Commission's (FMC) new ruling on detention and demurrage (D&D) charges, effective May 28, is welcomed by the trucking industry, particularly for those involved in international container transport. Previously, truckers had been burdened with D&D fees levied by ocean carriers for delays at ports and inland rail facilities, awaiting reimbursement from shippers.

Key considerations in finding an alcohol logistics services provider

When looking for an alcohol logistics services provider, there are several considerations you should address to ensure that your products will be handled and distributed safely, securely, legally, and efficiently. In this article, we’ll tackle some of the most important of these and help you identify the type of 3PL that may be right for your business.

Happening Now: US Companies Expand into Mexico

According to Transport Topics, the nearshoring trend, which involves companies moving offshore operations closer to home, has spurred transportation and logistics investments near the Mexican border to leverage expected growth. This movement is underscored by U.S. Census Bureau data highlighting Mexico as the leading importer at 14.8%, reflecting the country's central role in nearshoring practices.

What to look for in an apparel logistics services provider

Economic uncertainty, sustainability initiatives, and a crowded consumer marketplace are just a few of the challenges facing apparel manufacturers at the moment. To mitigate these challenges, apparel brands are increasingly reliant on nimble, flexible 3PL providers that specialize in apparel logistics. Ideally, these partners are not only equipped with the resources and capabilities to execute efficient distribution operations but also possess the agility to adapt to real-time changes. In this article, we’ll examine some of the ways that apparel and clothing 3PLs can support your operations, particularly in the Western US.

Happening Now: Port of Long Beach cargo volumes up 18% in January

According to Supply Chain Dive, Port of Long Beach volumes reached over 674,000 total TEU in January. This marks an 18% YoY increase from last January. The Port’s CEO, Mario Cordero, attributes the growth to retailers who “stocked their warehouses in January ahead of the slower import activity we typically see during Lunar New Year celebrations.”

Happening Now: A Shipping-Market Rebound Taking Shape

According to The Wall Street Journal, the logistics and shipping industry is witnessing signs of recovery after nearly two years of downturn, marked by an increase in demand and rising freight rates as retailers begin to restock inventories.

Storage of corrosive chemicals: 5 warehousing essentials

The storage of corrosive chemicals, whether liquid or solid, is a tightly controlled process. Many risks present themselves if proper specifications and handling methods are absent. Fires, explosions, leaks and human injury are a few of the unfortunate circumstances that could occur if the warehouse is inadequately constructed, and if warehouse personnel are not sufficiently trained in corrosive storage and handling.

Happening Now: The Supply Chain Agreement goes into effect this month

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that the Supply Chain Agreement, part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, will come into effect on February 24, 2024, marking a significant milestone. The agreement, involving 14 partners including the U.S., Australia, and Japan, aims to enhance coordination in building resilient, efficient, and inclusive supply chains, addressing challenges like those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Happening Now: Red Sea concerns may boost West Coast shipments

According to FreightWaves, the recent spike in shipping costs resulting from ocean carriers avoiding the Middle East conflict poses a potential long-term threat to rates. Retailers are currently making decisions to redirect back-to-school and holiday import shipments to West Coast ports.

5 advantages of partnering with a regional truckload services provider

When you’re shipping freight within a region of the US, you have options for the type of carrier you partner with. You can work with one of the large long-haul carriers that operate nationwide. Or you can work with a regional carrier that specializes in your chosen region. In this article, we’ll examine regional truckload services and the many advantages you can gain by working with a regional carrier.

What is inventory postponement in the supply chain?

We all know that speed is a key part of supply chain efficiency. It may seem counterintuitive that a service with “postponement” in its name could increase speed and efficiency, but it can. We’re talking about inventory postponement and, in this article, we’ll explain what it is, what its benefits are, and how to find a provider that can handle it for your supply chain.

Happening Now: West Coast imports expected to surge

According to The Loadstar, US West Coast ports are anticipating a surge in imports due to a combination of supply chain and geopolitical disruptions. These disruptions include transit difficulties through the Panama and Suez canals, and concerns at East Coast ports related to ongoing labor contract negotiations.

Happening Now: a Lean transformation in action

A recent article from Supply Chain Digest was written in conjunction with the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI). The article focuses on the Lean transformation recently undertaken by aerospace manufacturer, Re:Build Cutting Dynamics – a transformation which has already yielded impressive results.

Happening Now: Optimism for Manufacturing in 2024

According to Supply Chain Dive, the US manufacturing industry ended 2023 with growing optimism for a 2024 rebound. Both the ISM and S&P Global PMI indices pointed to rising business optimism and increased investment in advertising. While inflation remains a concern, cost increases are slowing down, suggesting subdued industrial price pressures.

Weber Logistics’ Top 3 Most-Read Blog Posts of 2023

As we bid farewell to another eventful year in the logistics industry, we take a moment to reflect on the content that resonated most with our readers. In 2023, our blog covered a wide range of supply chain topics, but these three articles garnered the most attention.

Happening Now: Optimistic signs for 2024 Transportation Market

According to FreightWaves, the gap between trucking supply and demand is narrowing, which bodes well for 2024. Tender volumes are about 10% higher this December compared to last, continuing the trend of increasing demand that started last winter.

Drayage Companies in California Must Meet New CARB Requirements as of January 1st

With the new California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations taking effect on January 1st, 2024, it's crucial for businesses to ensure their drayage providers are compliant. These regulations aim to significantly reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, including drayage trucks, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment.

Happening Now: Freight volumes down in Atlanta, up on West Coast

According to FreightWaves volume data, Atlanta’s share of the US freight market has fallen more than 11% over the past year. While, over the same period, the freight markets in California are recovering more of the market share they had lost to the East Coast.  

Alcohol Warehousing in CA: What to Look for in a 3PL Provider

California, renowned for its wine country and craft beverage scene, presents unique challenges and opportunities for business that require alcohol warehousing. In this article, we examine the key characteristics that your 3PL provider should have to safely and efficiently store and distribute alcoholic beverages from its warehouse.

Happening Now: Guarding Against Cyber Risk is a Key Logistics Focus

According to Inbound Logistics, “about half (51%) of transportation companies worry about the potential for compromise, theft, and/or loss of customer/client records due to theft.” The article then goes into detail about what transportation and logistics companies can do to be better equipped to combat threats.

Understanding the potential disruption with East Coast imports

As the negotiations between the West Coast ports and longshoremen dragged on in 2022 and 2023, some companies began redirecting import freight into the East Coast. Since then, however, the ink has been dry for quite a while on a new multi-year West Coast port contract, and there are now negotiations on the East Coast that are causing trepidation among importers. In this article, we’ll look at potential ramifications for East Coast imports and tell you what you can do to avoid disruption to your supply chain.

Happening Now: Asian Imports Shifting Back to West Coast

According to The Loadstar, the market share of containerized imports from Asia to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has risen over the last three months – increasing from 42% to 46%. The Ports are currently in the process of scaling up to meet increased demand.

Happening Now: Air cargo peak season boost not likely

Industry experts were hoping to see a late-2023 surge in air cargo demand. According to Air Cargo News, however, that doesn’t appear to be happening. Data shows that demand for air cargo only rose 2% in October as compared to September: a lower increase than many had hoped to see.

Happening Now: Price is again the main consumer driver

According to an article in Grocery Dive, the priorities of shoppers has changed due to recent price increases related to inflation. New research by Bazaarvoice shows that price is now the main driver in customer purchasing decisions.

Hazardous Material Storage: Frequently Asked Questions

If done incorrectly, hazardous material storage of commercial inventory can be extremely dangerous. A single slip up or oversight doesn’t just impact line items on a balance sheet, it puts lives at risk. With the right provider, however, hazmat storage and distribution can be just as safe as the storage of any non-hazmat item.

Happening Now: Peak Season Outlook

According to Supply Chain Brain, supply chain experts believe that 2023 peak season volumes will be similar to those seen before the pandemic. This involves an October uptick, a drop in November, and then larger volumes in December in January.

What to Look for in a Pet Food Logistics Provider

For millions of Americans, the term ‘family’ applies to both humans and our four-legged friends. Many pet owners will spare no expense in protecting the good health and longevity of their furry family members. As such, manufacturers of pet foods are tasked not only with producing high-quality products but also ensuring that quality is maintained throughout the supply chain. In this article, we’ll look at the role that pet food logistics providers play in keeping supply chains safe and efficient.

Happening Now: Panama Canal reduces the maximum number of ships

According to the Associated Press, the Panama Canal recently announced that it will reduce the number of ships allowed to travel the Canal to 31 per day. This is down from 32 per day in August. The reason for this reduction is the ongoing drought that has limited the supply of fresh water available to operate the locks.  

Happening Now: Industrial Real Estate Market Shows Resilience

According to the Wall Street Journal, the amount of available warehouse space remains historically tight. The article details the current industrial real estate landscape, with a variety of graphs charting industry metrics like available space, industrial leasing activity, and retailer inventory-to-sales ratios.

Q&A: Are 3PL Dedicated Trucking Services a Good Fit for Your Organization?

With dedicated trucking services, your company can hire a 3PL provider to manage your transportation operations. The 3PL will dedicate equipment and staff solely to your business and will operate as though it is your company’s own transportation arm. The 3PL makes all investments in equipment, staffing, systems, and maintenance and charges you accordingly.

Happening Now: Rising fuel prices leading to higher trucking costs

According to the JOC, the price of diesel fuel has increased by 20% over the last three months. This increase in fuel prices is likely to impact trucking companies and their customers as we head into the new year.

What Does an Agile 3PL Look Like?

The recent Weber Logistics eBook,Supply Chain Agility: The New Logistics Superpower, describes the importance of having an agile 3PL partner that can anticipate disruptions and help you meet them head on. This ready-for-anything approach to logistics can keep your business responsive to changing markets and customer needs.

Happening Now: US container imports continue to rise

According to FreightWaves, import container volumes in August were up 0.4% from July and up 5.5% from June. August volumes were also 2.5% higher than pre-COVID volumes in August 2019, showing “continued consistency with 2019 results.”

Happening Now: Contract Talks Begin at East Coast Ports

The current contract for dockworkers at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports is set to expire over a year from now, in late September 2024. According to The Wall Street Journal, unions representing workers at ports from Maine to Texas have already begun contract talks with the ports in hopes of coming to an agreement well ahead of that expiration date.

Rely on omnichannel distribution from a 3PL warehouse

To maximize sales revenue, brands often need to keep two sets of customers happy. Retail partners require compliance with their rigid vendor requirements. And eCommerce customers want their orders delivered fast and error free.

Shipping container weight: why bigger is better into LA

Whether container rates are up or down, chances are you’d like to pay less to import containers. Fortunately, there’s a straightforward way to reduce shipping costs when shipping into the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach. In this article, we’ll discuss the practice of importing products using higher shipping container weights and making use of the Overweight Corridor.

Can your 3PL perform kitting in the warehouse?

The products that you have sitting in your warehouse – or that of your 3PL warehousing partner – may not be in the configuration that they need to ship to the end customer. For example, you may need to combine multiple component products into one new re-configured (or ‘kitted’) product. Or you may need to break apart an existing kitted product into multiple component products. There are multiple variations of these configuration challenges.

Top-100 3PL, Weber Logistics, Supports Growth with Agile Supply Chain Solutions

Weber Logistics has been named to Inbound Logistics’ 2023 list of the top 100 3PL providers. Weber, a provider of integrated, agile supply chain solutions, was selected out of a pool of hundreds of US 3PL companies. This is the third time that Weber has received this honor in recent years.

West Coast Port Labor Contract Brings Renewed Optimism

After 13 long months of talks and negotiations, there is finally a new West Coast port labor contract. Logisticians far and wide have been able to breathe a sigh of relief as one of their most significant supply chain hurdles is removed.

So, what’s next?

Happening Now: Deal reached in West Coast port negotiations

After a long and arduous 13-month negotiation process, the JOC reports that a tentative deal has been reached between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).  It is a 6-year deal covering all 29 ports on the US West Coast.  With the deal reached, there is optimism that discretionary cargo shippers had diverted away from the West Coast will soon return.

Happening Now: Recap of recent West Coast port news

As negotiations (hopefully) continue between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), the situation at West Coast ports remains fluid. Here are a few updates to get you up to speed.

West Coast Supply Chain News Brings Cautious Optimism

Around this time last year, every article about the West Coast supply chain painted a dire picture. There was an armada of ships waiting to enter the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach; there was no warehouse space to be had; and trucking capacity was scarce. Because of these and other factors, logisticians began to look seriously at non-West Coast options for their freight and distribution.

A year later, however, the news is changing. And for the better.

An update on West Coast port negotiations

The eyes of concerned logisticians remain focused on the ongoing West Coast port contract negotiations between the longshoremen’s union and the region’s shipping ports. The longshoremen have been without a contract since July 2022 and the expectation was that an agreement would be reached by the time the contract expired.

Happening Now: US Imports continue to rise

Volumes of US imports are rising again, approaching the “normal” levels seen before the pandemic. According to an article in Freight Waves, US imports are up 9% in April compared to March, and up 5% from April 2019 – the April prior to the pandemic.

What can 3PL companies in Southern California do for your supply chain?

Southern California is home to many things: Hollywood, beautiful weather, and storied sports franchises. More importantly to you, however, it’s a launch pad for reaching your Western US customers and home to the 3PL providers that help you do it. In this article, we’ll review some of the main services that 3PL companies in Southern California can provide for your business, as well as some things to look for when selecting a provider.

Looking to reduce drayage fees? Here's how

Over the years, port drayage has become increasingly complicated. In the “good old days”, the trucker arrived at terminal gates, quickly found the right container mounted on a steamship line supplied chassis, checked out, and was on the way with few delays. Fast forward to today, where the number of moving parts to haul a container has increased exponentially. The number of critical stakeholders has also increased. What has followed is a sharp increase in the number of fees. In this article, we review drayage fees and four key ways that you can reduce them.

Key Transportation Terms and Definitions in Logistics

 

Whether you’re a shipper booking freight or a new logistician starting out in the industry, you’ll find that there are many terms you need to understand in order to speak the same language as your transportation provider. The following is a list of logistics terms and definitions that are common within the transportation industry.

For a more comprehensive list of supply chain definitions, check out Weber Logistics’ online glossary of logistics terms.

What California’s AB5 law means for the trucking industry

Does your company hire truck drivers in California? If so, are the drivers your employees or independent contractors? If you said, ‘independent contractors,’ you’ll want to double check that. California’s AB5 law affects truck driver classification in the state so that drivers you think you’re hiring as independent contractors may actually be seen as employees in the eyes of the law.

Weber Logistics Appoints Gary Kendle to succeed Jerry Critchfield as VP of Transportation

Weber Logistics has promoted Gary Kendle from Sr. Director of Transportation to VP of Transportation. Gary succeeds Jerry Critchfield, who is retiring after decades of leadership in Weber Logistics’ Transportation division.

Agile supply chain solutions: 5 3PL characteristics to look for

Volatile supply chains demand agile supply chain solutions, whereby your logistics operations adapt to market changes as they happen. 3PLs can be key enablers of more agile, resilient distribution operations. In this article, we’ve identified 5 traits that help set truly agile 3PLs apart from the competition.

Weber Logistics Named a Multichannel Merchant Top 3PL

Weber Logistics has been named a MCM Top 3PL for 2023, joining other leading third-party logistics providers selected by Multichannel Merchant in its 8th annual directory.

Happening Now: President Biden signs legislation avoiding rail strike

President Biden has signed legislation today that imposes a labor agreement on rail workers.  According to Supply Chain Dive, this legislation helps the country avoid a national strike that could have cost the economy $2 billion per day. 

What An Agile Logistics Company Can Do For Your Housewares Supply Chain

Increasing SKU count, fluctuating inventory, shifting omnichannel distribution, demanding retail compliance…these are just a few of the major supply chain challenges you’re facing as a housewares company. Fortunately, these are also challenges that logistics companies that specialize in the housewares space can help you meet head on.

But not all 3PLs are equally capable.

5 strategies for working with a West Coast 3PL transportation company

There’s no shortage of 3PL transportation companies vying for your business. To get the most out of any 3PL relationship however, you need to identify your needs. In this article, we’ll start you off on the right foot with 5 key traits to define in a prospective 3PL provider on the West Coast.

Happening Now: Storage and Labor Woes Continue to Hamper Warehousing

Weber Logistics’ EVP, Strategy & Marketing Fred Gilbert is featured in an article from Transport Topics which examines the current state of warehousing in relation to space and labor scarcity. Gilbert observes that “product is not leaving the warehouse as quickly as expected, leading to very full warehouses.”

5 Problems the Right Warehousing 3PL Partner Can Solve

Whether you’re changing providers, going from DIY to third party, looking for B2C fulfillment, B2B fulfillment, or both, there is a warehousing 3PL out there for you. The trick is not simply to start 3PL shopping but rather to first identify what you need from a 3PL partner and then find the right one for your business. In this article, we discuss 5 common warehousing-related challenges often raised by brands and how these should drive your partner selection process and, in turn, supercharge your distribution operations.

Weber Logistics Opens 418,000 Sq. Ft. Inland Empire DC in Perris, CA

Weber Logistics has secured a 418,000-square-foot, omni-channel distribution center (DC) in Perris, CA. This new, multi-client facility is the company’s 8th DC in Southern California’s Inland Empire region, and its 17th facility in California.

Keep it moving: What is a cross docking warehouse?

Getting product to market fast, and at the lowest cost. While these goals sometimes conflict, there are times when logisticians can achieve both simultaneously. Cross docking is one of those opportunities and in this article we’ll take a closer look at this distribution-speeding process.

Happening Now: Inland Empire Warehousing Expansion Halts in Some Areas

Several communities within Southern California's Inland Empire have issued moratoriums on warehouse construction as they seek to better understand the impact of these facilities on the environment. These moratoriums come at a time when warehouse capacity is already non-existent and new construction is sorely needed.

Logistics integration and compliance: a Q&A with Weber’s newest VP

Mimi Ma, recently appointed as VP Integration and Compliance, has steered Weber Logistics and its customers through the murky waters of logistics compliance, facility and customer onboarding, and systems integration for many years. In this article, we interview Mimi to discuss what supply chain professionals should know about these items for to ensure more successful 3PL relationships.

Happening Now: Container ship logjams have returned

Container ship logjams at US ports are (unfortunately) back in a big way. This time, however, the congestion is spread out across the US – especially the East and Gulf Coasts – instead of being concentrated on the West Coast.

Happening Now: Landstar Tells its CA Owner-Operators to Relocate out of State in Light of AB5

In a stark example of the practical fallout from California's new AB5 labor law, Landstar is telling its owner-operators in California that they would need to relocate out of State to continue as independent contractors with the carrier, according to a recent article in Transport Dive. California agencies have yet to clarify when enforcement could begin.

Happening Now: LA Out of Warehouse Space

Commercial Observer just reported that the LA area is effectively out of warehouse space. Any space returning to the market has a waiting list of tenants before it's even listed as available. Asking rents in the area just rose for an 8th consecutive quarter. 

Weber Logistics Promotes Key Leaders to Support Continued Company Growth

Weber Logistics has promoted three key company leaders to vice president roles, strengthening the company's ability to help customers drive supply chain excellence in an increasingly complex marketplace. All will report to Weber EVP & CFO, Maggie Movius.

The importance of 3PL inventory management in 2022

The supply chain environment has seen incredible change over the past few years, from panic buying to supply shortages to historic inflation surges. These changes have all had a profound impact on how suppliers, distributors, and retailers manage inventory. These days, however, inventory is back in a big way – whether intentionally or not. In this article, we’ll look at the state of inventory management and how a 3PL can help your operations.

7 Essential Logistics Metrics: Key Performance Indicator (KPIs)

Your customers are more data-driven than ever, and your success or failure in the eyes of those customers is partly determined through logistics metrics that measure your performance. It is therefore important that you have a firm handle on your customers’ key performance indicators (KPIs) as well as your ability – or that of your 3PL – to meet or exceed those KPIs.

Coping with higher warehouse costs

Warehousing costs are sky high at the moment and aren’t likely to decline anytime soon. Companies will need to address this added cost burden, but how? In this article, we’ll examine the current state of warehousing costs in the US and explain how you can best navigate the current environment.

Supply Chain Growth in a Challenging Market: A Conversation with Weber’s CFO, Maggie Movius

Weber Logistics’ CFO Maggie Movius has been busy. She’s navigated a worldwide pandemic, a partnership between Weber and Stellex Capital Management, and a doubling of Weber’s warehousing footprint in California – all within the past two years. In this article, we interview Maggie to discuss these topics, as well as the company’s ability to continue its growth in the face of marketplace challenges.

Happening Now: Why You Should Care About Rising Diesel Fuel Prices

A recent FreightWaves article makes the case that every American should be concerned about the rising cost of diesel fuel. While every passenger car driver is well aware of the price increases of gasoline, many don’t know that diesel has increased by $1.57 a gallon since February 1st.

Understanding current and upcoming California CARB regulations

For logisticians operating in the Golden State, there is no shortage of regulations to comply with. Many of the most stringent and expensive trucking regulations are determined by CARB – the California Air Resources Board. In this article, we’ll examine current CARB requirements as well as new regulations that will soon come into effect.

Happening Now: SoCal Industrial Vacancies Fall to New Low

According to Connect CRE, industrial vacancies in Southern California reached a new low in Q1. At the same time, industrial rents are 25% higher than a year ago.

Weber Logistics Acquires Pacific Coast Warehouse Company to Continue Strong Growth Pace

Weber Logistics has acquired California warehousing provider, Pacific Coast Warehouse Company (PCWC). The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

PCWC will be rebranded as Weber Logistics. All current PCWC employees will become Weber employees by May 1, 2022.

Should Shippers Avoid West Coast US Ports Due to Port Contract Talks?

“Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…” This famous tagline for Jaws 2 may well apply to importers into West Coast US ports these days. These shippers are still contending with port congestion and delays, while also getting ready to navigate a new challenge of possible slowdowns due to contract negotiations at West Coast ports.

Weber Logistics Appoints New Leaders To Drive Continued Expansion

Weber Logistics has announced two new senior leadership appointments today as it continues to build a best-in-class supply chain organization to exceed customer expectations in an increasingly complex marketplace.

Q&A: Why is it impossible to find California warehouse space?

The quest for California warehouse space is more challenging than ever. Whether you’re partnering with a 3PL or looking to secure space on your own, you’re going to need deep pockets, perseverance, a competitive spirit, and a little luck. To get more insight into the situation, we spoke with Weber Logistics’ Chief Executive Officer, Bob Lilja.

Happening Now: $450 million in new port grants announced

According to an article in FreightWaves, the U.S. Maritime Administration has announced nearly $450 million in FY22 competitive grant funding “for projects to help ports speed cargo flows and ultimately lower costs for consumers.”

How to find capacity with LTL companies in 2022

No matter what type of trucking services you’re looking for, you already know that capacity is hard to come by. Capacity from LTL companies is no exception. In this article, we’ll look at the current state of LTL trucking and share 5 tips for finding LTL capacity.

5 Benefits of Outsourcing Supply Chain Services in 2022

Supply chain disruptions are continuing to cause headaches, but they don’t all need to be your headaches. By partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) company, you can remove key supply chain responsibilities from your plate and entrust them to an expert. In this article, we’ll look at why outsourcing supply chain services makes particular sense in 2022.

Happening Now: Inland Empire Warehouse Rent Costs Continue to Surge

A new article in the Sourcing Journal reveals that industrial rents in the Inland Empire climbed 59.6% in the fourth quarter of 2021, while the vacancy rate declined to 0.6%.

3 key questions about union contract negotiations at West Coast shipping ports

Being a logistician these days – especially one who deals with imports into the US – can feel like playing a game of Whac-A-Mole. When one issue is addressed, another one pops up. The latest issue on the horizon is the contract negotiation between the longshoremen’s union and the West Coast shipping ports. How much of a disruption will these negotiations be to the West Coast supply chain? In this article, we ask three key questions that will determine just that.

4 ways that 3PLs can help with supply chain optimization in 2022

Now that logistics disruptions have become the new normal, at least temporarily, U.S. companies have been reevaluating their supply chains, seeking optimization in both the short and long term. In this article, we’ll look at supply chain optimization efforts that companies are currently undertaking and explain how third-party logistics (3PL) providers can help.

Weber Logistics’ Most Popular Blog Posts of 2021

Another challenging year in the books and we’re ready for what 2022 has to offer. But before we move into the new year, we’ll take one last look back. Here are the 3 articles from 2021 that resonated most with our readers.   

Happening Now: Warehouse Lease Renewal Costs Skyrocket

According to FreightWaves, companies that are renewing – or about to renew – multiyear warehouse leases are in for severe sticker shock.

Weber Logistics Opens New Inland Empire Distribution Center in Moreno Valley, CA

Weber Logistics has secured a 684,675-square-foot, omni-channel distribution center (DC) in Moreno Valley, CA. This brand-new multi-client facility, Weber’s largest, is the company’s seventh DC in Southern California’s Inland Empire region, and its fourteenth DC in California. Construction will be completed in December 2021 and the facility will be being fully operational in February 2022. A time-lapse video of the facility’s construction can be viewed here.

Finding California Inland Empire Distribution Center Now Next to Impossible (without a 3PL)

If your company is looking for a distribution center anywhere in the US right now, you’re going to need a lot more money than you did before, and maybe some luck. And, if you’re looking specifically for a California Inland Empire distribution center, money and luck alone probably aren’t going to cut it, unless you’ve got a lot of time. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Inland Empire distribution landscape and tell you how 3PL providers can be invaluable allies to your search for a DC.

Happening Now: California Drayage Driver Frustration Mounts

According to FreightWaves, recent comments from drayage drivers at California’s major ports reveal that they are “drowning” in supply chain challenges such as long wait times, appointment system issues, and other inefficiencies.

Happening Now: Ports of L.A. and Long Beach to collect Clean Truck fees

As if drayage providers didn’t have enough to content with, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have each announced that they will begin charging Clean Truck Fund Rate fees beginning April 1, 2022.

How can we overcome the current supply chain disruptions?

As we approach the holiday season, the supply chain disruptions that have plagued most of the world for the better part of two years have gone from industry news to front-page news. And everybody has the same question: how are we going to get the supply chain back on track? From what we know and see as a third-party logistics provider, the solutions won’t happen overnight, but they may be far-reaching enough to prevent a crisis like this from happening again in the future.

Happening Now: Shippers can face container dwell fines at Ports of L.A. and Long Beach

In an effort to help relieve congestion at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach, shipping companies will be fined if their containers aren’t moved off-port quickly enough.

Happening Now: Trucking Association Responds to 24/7 Port of L.A. Operations

The Harbor Trucking Association (HTA) has issued a statement in response to the Biden Administration’s announcement that the Port of Los Angeles will operate 24/7 in hopes of clearing congestion at the Port.

Advantages of working with an integrated 3PL for food services

A 3PL provider that performs integrated services is kind of like a puppeteer that controls three or more puppets at the same time. When those “puppets” include drayage, warehousing and final delivery services, you can leverage the 3PL to dramatically improve your port-to-retail-shelf cycle time. In this article, we’ll tell you why food companies would benefit from such an integrated 3PL for food services.

Happening Now: Major retailers resort to chartering ships to avoid delays

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, some of the largest retailers in the U.S. are trying to sidestep import supply chain delays and congestion by chartering their own ships overseas.

Happening Now: Drayage Rates Jump 32% in September

According to an article in DC Velocity, drayage spot rates in September were 6% higher than August, and 32% higher than September 2020.  These rates are only expected to increase, as further hikes of 10% to 15% are predicted for October.

California Port Congestion Woes Continue as Peak Season Hits

When shipping freight into California, or anywhere in the U.S. for that matter, you may feel that you’re leaping over one hurdle after another to deliver your goods to market. The current California port congestion crisis is one of the biggest hurdles right now. In this article, we’ll examine why the current freight system congestion is so severe, and why it’s lasted so long.

Happening Now: Will Vaccine Mandate Keep Drivers Away?

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, trucking companies are concerned that the new federal vaccination and testing mandate which seeks to curb the spread of COVID-19 may keep drivers away from available trucking positions.

Happening Now: Record number of ships in port at L.A./Long Beach

As we head into peak season, supply chain congestion at/near the ports of Southern California is only getting worse – especially when it comes to container ship congestion.

What does AIB certification mean for 3PL providers?

If your company is looking for a food-grade third-party logistics (3PL) provider, there’s a lot of vetting required to make sure it can protect the integrity of your products. From the size and cleanliness of the warehouse to the safety and procedural knowledge of employees, there are many telltale signs that distinguish the best food-grade 3PLs from the rest of the pack. One of the most important of these signs is AIB certification, which shows that a provider truly walks the walk when it comes to food product safety.

Happening Now: Drayage Surcharges from C.H. Robinson

According to an article in Yahoo! Finance, logistics provider C.H. Robinson has announced that it will begin levying drayage surcharges to its customers. These surcharges are a response to continued congestion-related issues at ports across the U.S.

New Weber eBook: outsourcing omni-channel order fulfillment to a 3PL

Weber's new eBook, A Guide to Outsourcing Omni-Channel Fulfillment to a 3PL, identifies 7 key characteristics you should look for in a 3PL provider that can handle both your B2B and B2C fulfillment ops.  The following is an excerpt of the full (free) eBook, which you can access  below. 

Happening Now: Warehouse jobs continue to go unfilled

A new article in Freight Waves shows that the number of unemployed workers that formerly worked within the warehousing industry is much higher than national unemployment levels.

Reasons for drayage truck driver shortage and how the right 3PL can help

The current driver shortage affects every mode of trucking, port drayage included. What you may not realize, however, is that this shortage of drayage drivers is not new – it didn’t begin with COVID-19 or even in the years leading up to the pandemic. In this article, we’ll examine the reasons for the truck driver shortage among drayage drivers and tell you why your transportation provider’s culture is key to sourcing the capacity you need.

Happening Now: Import surge may last into 2022

As 2021 has had its share of supply chain challenges – particularly related to container imports – we all are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel and a semblance of normalcy.

Happening Now: Impact of Driver Shortage on Drayage Ops

While everyone is familiar with the current driver shortage, many overlook the fact that drayage operations are affected by this shortage just as much as long-haul, LTL or other modes of trucking.

Impact of COVID on eCommerce fulfillment operations

In the pre-pandemic world of 2019, eCommerce accounted for 15.8% of all sales in the U.S. That figure ballooned with the COVID-19 pandemic to 21.3% – an increase of 44% – in 2020. This extreme growth in such a short period of time has led to growing pains that are still being felt within the eCommerce industry. In this article, we’ll examine some of the key effects of the pandemic on eCommerce fulfillment operations and explore ways that your company can mitigate these effects by partnering with a 3PL provider.

Happening Now: A recap of the first six months of 2021 in shipping

If you’re looking to catch up on all things container shipping in 2021, a recent article in Freight Waves has got you covered. The article looks, month-by-month, at all of the “stranger than fiction” events in the shipping world in the first six months of this year.

Happening Now: New Peak Surcharges from UPS

According to an article in Multichannel Merchant, UPS is issuing new surcharges which will hit shippers hard during this year’s peak season. These new surcharges will be applied between October 31 and January 15, with pricing based on percentage of package volume over and above February 2020 volumes.

Weber Logistics Adds New Distribution Center in San Bernardino, CA

Weber Logistics has secured a 406,710-square-foot omni-channel distribution center (DC) in San Bernardino, CA. This newly constructed multi-client facility – Weber’s largest – is the company’s sixth DC in Southern California’s Inland Empire region and thirteenth DC within California.

What food logistics services does a 3PL provide?

Food companies looking to optimize their supply chains can do well to entrust operations to a third-party logistics provider (3PL) that specializes in food logistics services. They can distribute your products through the supply chain safely, while optimizing your business’s efficiency in the process. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the many food logistics services a 3PL can provide.

Happening Now: FedEx Freight suspends service to 1,400 LTL customers

According to an article in Freight Waves, FedEx Freight is suspending outbound shipments for approximately 1,400 customers in heavily-congested regions across the U.S. This reduction in service is part of an effort to better manage the high levels of freight that are inundating its LTL terminals across the country. Companies were notified Friday and the changes took effect on Monday.

Happening Now: Crisis at Major Chinese Port

A recent article in Freight Waves examines the unfolding crisis at the Port of Yantian, a major Chinese seaport. Due to a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases in the region, manpower at the Port is down by 70% because due mainly to quarantine restrictions and testing requirements.

Negotiating 3PL Warehousing Contracts

While the supply chain benefits of working with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider are commonly understood, some companies still feel uncertainty when negotiating the warehousing contract at the outset. In this article, we’ll examine some of the key contract considerations and provide helpful tips for getting warehousing relationships off on the right foot.

A primer on overweight container logistics on the West Coast

If you weren’t already convinced of the value of overweight container logistics, 2020 and now 2021 should have made it clear. It’s one of shippers’ most reliable tactics in mitigating the headaches and extremely high rates associated with the current ocean shipping landscape. In this article, we’ll examine these overweight container shipping benefits, with a specific focus on U.S. West Coast shipments.

Happening Now: pallet prices up 400% amid shortage

As if supply chain professionals don’t have enough on their plate these days, we can now add the procurement of pallets to their list of concerns. A backbone of retail and grocery supply chains, pallets are now both hard to come by and much more expensive than they were prior to the pandemic.

Happening Now: Ocean Carrier Shipping Times Surge

Shipping delays that became common in the second half of 2020 continue to wreak havoc on supply chains in 2021. In March of this year, only 40% of container ships arrived on time at ports across the globe – compared to an average of 70% the last two years.

Embracing omni-channel fulfillment

If your company is looking to expand sales channels to embrace omni-channel fulfillment, there are things you should understand before you get started. These include specific system and process requirements to properly expand from business-to-business (B2B) to business-to-consumer (B2C), and vice versa. In this article, we will look at the key requirements for each fulfilment channel to help you ensure you are set up with the unique capabilities that each requires.

Happening Now: Jobs report shows driver shortage not easing

While the logistics industry hopes for good news on the driver shortage front, recent labor statistics are not delivering. April numbers are down from March, and March’s numbers were lower than initially thought.

Happening Now: LTL prices continue to rise

If you have priced LTL transportation for your products in recent months, chances are that you’ve seen prices rise. A lot.

Happening Now: How retailers can support sustainable returns

While they may not realize it, consumer returns come at a substantial cost to consumers. For every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer is incurring $106 million in merchandise returns. That is over 10%. These costs are ultimately passed on to consumers as prices are inflated to cover the cost of returns.

Understanding 3PL Warehouse Insurance and Liability

If you’re considering working with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider for warehousing, it’s easy to get excited about the many services the 3PL can provide for your products. Before you sign on the dotted line, however, it’s important to understand and agree upon what happens in the event of an accident and/or damage to those products. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 3PL warehouse insurance, including “who’s responsible for what” between you and your 3PL partner.

Happening Now: Record U.S. Imports from Asia Continue in March

An article from the JOC shows that U.S. imports from Asia continued to climb in March. In fact, March was the second-busiest month on record, with imports jumping 22% from February and a whopping 90.5% compared to last March.

Ship overweight to combat high container shipping rates

Record-breaking shipping volumes into the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach continue into Q2 and show no sign of letting up. This has contributed to container shortages and extremely high container shipping rates. In this article, we’ll explore a tactic to help mitigate some of the headaches associated with the current importing landscape: shipping overweight containers.

Happening Now: Inventory levels tumble

In our new segment, “Happening Now,” we share timely industry articles to keep our readers up to speed on important logistics news.

West Coast Chassis Pool Challenges at Ports of LA and Long Beach

As we examined in our recent blog post on port congestion, ports across the U.S. – most notably the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach – are experiencing severe backups due to increased import activity after the initial pandemic-related slowdown of 2020. The effects of these backups continue to be felt throughout the supply chains of importers. In this article, we focus on one piece of this port congestion puzzle: the West Coast chassis pools, specifically those at the Ports of LA and Long Beach.

Attracting and retaining logistics workforce talent during COVID

Contrary to the high unemployment reported in other industries since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, competition for logistics workforce talent is more heated than ever. In this article, we’ll examine the current logistics labor landscape and provide tips on how to attract and retain the talent you need to keep your operation moving forward.

Happening Now: The Costs of Honeycombing

In our new segment, “Happening Now,” we share timely industry articles to keep our readers up to speed on important logistics news.

A new article from Storage Solutions examines the costs related to honeycombing in the warehouse.  Simply put, "honeycombing" is the act of creating dead or vacant space in the warehouse that results in operational inefficiencies and higher costs.  

Understanding parcel rates and parcel commitments in 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed eCommerce business and eCommerce fulfillment. Shopping from home created unprecedented demand for parcel services, which the leading carriers responded to with higher parcel rates and, ultimately, diminished capacity. In this article, we’ll review the current parcel landscape and help you identify additional ways to lower your overall eCommerce costs.

Happening Now: Video shows scope of West Coast port congestion

In our new segment, “Happening Now,” we share timely industry articles to keep our readers up to speed on important logistics news.

Congestion issues at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are still creating a mess for trans-Pacific importers. Check out this Freight Waves article, which includes a flyover video of ships anchored within San Pedro Bay.

What types of products benefit from the California Overweight Corridor?

If you’re importing containers into the U.S., you may be limiting the weight of your containers in order to meet U.S. road weight limits. This is often a mistake as you’re likely shipping more containers than you need to and spending more for the entire import transportation process. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of the shipping overweight containers into the California Overweight Corridor and tell you what types of products make the most sense to ship overweight.

Why a mid-size 3PL provider may serve you better than a huge one

If you’re looking for a 3PL provider, you may begin to feel a bit like Goldilocks. You’ll encounter providers that feel “too big” and many that feel “too small” to handle your business effectively. For many companies, the “just right” 3PL is the mid-size provider that has the resources you require, plus the focused, personalized attention you expect. In this article, we’ll explore the advantages of working with a mid-size provider and help you determine if such a 3PL is “just right” for your business.

Navigating Port Congestion Challenges at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach

The impact of COVID-19 has been felt all along the supply chain. For ocean shipping and import operations, this impact continues to be severe, with ramifications expected to be felt well into 2021. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at one of those ramifications – port congestion at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach – and get you up to speed on what’s happening at the Ports and what, if anything, you can do about it.

Weber Logistics’ Most Popular Blog Posts of 2020

Ready to say goodbye to 2020? We can’t say we’re sad to see this year go either. But before we move into the new year, we’ll take one last look back. Here are the 5 most-read articles in our West Coast and California Logistics Blog this year.

Case Study: Refrigerated Transport Services for Legendary Chocolate Maker

If you’re a fan of chocolate (and who isn’t), chances are you’re very familiar with Lindt & Sprüngli. The renowned chocolatier has been in business since 1845, serving chocolate lovers all over the globe. A few years ago, they turned to Weber Logistics to provide a variety of refrigerated transport services in a very specific part of the globe – the U.S. West Coast. We recently wrote a case study on the relationship, which we preview in this article.

Weber Logistics Partners with Stellex Capital to Position Itself for Growth

Weber Logistics has announced that Stellex Capital Management (Stellex), a middle-market private investment firm with significant transportation and logistics experience, has partnered with Weber’s management team in a recapitalization focused on accelerated expansion. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

How to outsource logistics operations to a 3PL

No matter what your company sells, you’re in the logistics business. From receiving and storage of your products to getting them out to customers, there are many logistics operations that your business handles or oversees daily.

But, unless logistics is your business’s core focus, these key supply chain operations may be better left to the experts – while you focus on the elements (e.g., manufacturing and sales) within your realm of expertise.

Retail Compliance Requirements: Common Chargebacks

Retail compliance requirements are more numerous than ever these days, creating challenges for retail vendors as they try to meet routing guide demands and avoid chargebacks. These chargebacks – vendor penalties for not following the retailer’s shipping guidelines – add a layer of stress for retail vendors and a solid revenue stream for the retailers themselves. In this article, we’ll examine the most common retail chargebacks that we see and tell you what you can do about them.

Ship Overweight Containers to Reduce Import Costs

When importing containers from Asia and other overseas markets, many companies limit their container weights to meet U.S. road weight limits. This is often a mistake as shipping overweight containers can offer you very significant ocean cost savings. In this article, we will examine the benefits of overweight container shipping – and how a 3PL located near your chosen port can help you realize them.

Is Your Company Ready for the Outsourcing of Logistics Services?

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.

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

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.

What You Need to Know About Chemical Warehousing

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.

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

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.

Accelerate Your Ecommerce Warehouse Operations with a 3PL Partner

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.

What port logistics services can a 3PL provide?

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.

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

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.

Speed and Cost Advantages of West Coast eCommerce Fulfillment

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.

Multi-Channel Fulfillment: Key Considerations

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.

Hazmat warehousing: Is your 3PL audit-ready?

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.

Chemical Warehouse Requirements: What is CFATS?

When you entrust your chemical products to a 3PL, it’s critical that you partner with an experienced provider that is compliant with modern chemical warehouse requirements.  Chief among these requirements are the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS).  In this article, we’ll examine CFATS and explain why compliance is essential to chemical warehousing operations.

4 Key Considerations for Choosing a Chemical Storage Facility

Finding the right chemical storage facility for your products is an involved process. You’re not only looking for a third-party logistics (3PL) provider that can comply with all regulatory requirements, you’re looking for a partner that truly knows your product and can fit seamlessly into your existing supply chain. In this article, we’ll try to simplify the sourcing process and identify the top 4 factors you’ll need to consider when finding the right chemical 3PL partner.

How 3PLs can keep your supply chain operations moving during COVID-19

When a disaster strikes such as the current COVID-19 outbreak, it’s a time when your business will truly need the support of its supply chain partners. Many 3PLs are showing that they will go to great lengths to ensure the continuity of customers’ operations. In this article, we’ll look at some of the ways your 3PL can keep your products flowing during this crisis – and what you can do to help.

Weber Opens 5th Inland Empire Distribution Center

Weber Logistics has added a 353,361-square-foot distribution center (DC) in Jurupa Valley, CA to its warehousing and distribution network. This multi-client facility, Weber’s largest, is the company’s fifth DC in Southern California’s Inland Empire region and twelfth DC within California.  

Weber Logistics Expands Pool Distribution Network into Pacific Northwest

Weber Logistics has recently established new pool distribution hub operations in Kent and Vancouver, WA to deliver candy, snack and other food products to retail distribution centers throughout the Pacific Northwest. This new operation fills the hole left by United Warehousing’s exit from the market in the region.

How to find refrigerated LTL carriers on the West Coast

In our last blog post, we examined some of the characteristics you should look for in a refrigerated truck carrier – specifically one that specializes in candy and snack products. In this article, we’ll drill down a step further and discuss what you need to look for in refrigerated LTL carriers, particularly those that operate on the West Coast. While most of these characteristics are the same across the country, there are a few West-Coast-specific items to keep an eye on.

What candy companies should look for in refrigerated truck carriers

Candy companies and other food and beverage companies need to move products to retailers ever faster, while remaining compliant with stringent food industry regulations. You can keep pace with these demands by installing effective logistics providers throughout your supply chain. In this article, we’ll examine one set of those providers – refrigerated truck carriers – and help you identify the right one for your business.

What cold chain logistics services do 3PLs provide for candy products?

Candy products come in all shapes, sizes and colors, but share many of the same needs from a logistics standpoint. They all need to be carefully handled throughout the supply chain so that they reach customers exactly as intended. In this article, we’ll examine the cold chain logistics services a third-party logistics provider (3PL) can provide to protect the integrity of your products every step of the way.

Pool Distribution Services for Confectionery Products

Freight logistics professionals can learn something from Match.com - the dating service that links you with complimentary partners.

In freight, the perfect match can cut your freight costs 8% to 10%. This happens when like shippers who lack the volume to ship in full truckloads utilize pool distribution services to combine their freight into lower-cost truckload moves.

The trick is finding other shippers whose freight requirements match your own.

The Top Weber Logistics Posts of 2019

Before we look ahead to the new year, we’d like to look back at the year that was. Specifically, we’re going to share our top 3 blog posts of 2019, as determined by reader popularity. As we are a West Coast 3PL that writes a lot about West Coast logistics, it comes as no surprise that our most popular articles of the year all have a decidedly West Coast bent.

What is Contract Warehousing and When is Your Operation Ready for it?

When your business is growing, shared warehousing with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) enables you to scale your warehousing investment to match your order volumes. Need more or less space? You can add or remove it based on your needs.

But, what happens with a mature business that is flying high and wants a more customized distribution solution? Companies in this situation often turn to a contract warehouse model to support their supply chains. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at contract warehousing and when it may be a good fit for your operation.

The Benefits of Using One Integrated Logistics Services Provider

Conventional wisdom tells you not to put all your eggs in one basket. In the logistics industry, however, this isn’t always good advice. By leaning on one third-party logistics services provider (3PL) for each leg of the distribution cycle, you may find greater efficiency and improved operational success than you would sourcing à la carte.

In this article, we’ll examine the benefits of an integrated logistics services approach.

What should you expect from your 3PL's WMS?

It wasn’t that long ago that simply having a sophisticated warehouse management system (WMS) was a major selling point for third-party logistics (3PL) providers. Over time, however, this technology has become commonplace, with just about all 3PLs having their own WMS bells and whistles to advertise.

But, while having a full-featured WMS may no longer be a differentiator for 3PLs, the way a 3PL uses the system certainly can be.

How 3PLs can help you create a more efficient CPG supply chain

For consumer-packaged goods (CPG) companies, efficiency is the name of the game. Your online customers expect faster delivery, while your retailer KPIs continue to multiply and grow in importance. Understandably, many CPG companies struggle to keep up with these increasing demands. In this article, we’ll examine where many companies are falling short, and show you how third-party logistics providers (3PLs) can be invaluable allies in overcoming CPG supply chain inefficiencies.

Understanding Millennials and Other Warehouse Labor Challenges

Warehouse labor is hard to come by. With national unemployment the lowest it’s been in 50 years, there are simply more jobs than there are people to fill those jobs. There is no easy remedy for attracting and retaining warehouse talent in this economy, but there are ways to adapt. Following are some important ways that your warehousing operation can navigate this ‘full employment’ economy.

What is ‘full employment’ doing to warehouse recruitment efforts?

When there’s not enough supply of a product to meet demand in the marketplace, consumers of that product are negatively impacted until the product is available again. But, what happens when the ‘supply’ refers to the very people responsible for moving products through the country’s supply chain?

As the economy continues to thrive, there simply aren’t enough warehouse workers to fill the number of warehousing jobs available. In this article, we’ll examine the current challenges associated with warehouse recruitment and give you insight into the way some third-party logistics (3PL) providers are handling the situation.

New Enhancements Aim to Speed Container Drayage at Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports

If you’ve been following operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in recent years, the trend looks something like this: the Ports continually break new volume records, truck turn times remain high, and officials vow to speed things up.  The calls for speed reached a fever pitch in Q1 of this year as freight piled up at the Ports in the wake of U.S.-China tariff announcements.  Fortunately for shippers, enhancements are in place to speed container drayage in Los Angeles and Long Beach now and in the future.

On-Demand Capabilities in Private Fleet vs Dedicated Transportation Debate

For companies of a certain size, there’s an age-old debate over how to best handle transportation services.  Is it best to go-it-alone and handle your own transportation through a private fleet?  Or, it is better to partner with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider that offers dedicated transportation services?  We’ll take a fresh look at these two options in this article while adding a new wrinkle: the option of partnering with dedicated providers that can also offer on-demand transportation.

What shippers should know about driver misclassification by California drayage carriers

With the state supreme court’s Dynamex decision, followed by its Senate Bill 1402 (SB 1402), California’s position on the hiring of independent owner-operators by drayage carriers is now firmly established.  In short, the state asserts that many of these contractors are not independent after all – and those that claim to be acting as employees of the hiring companies have solid legal ground to sue for wages and benefits. 

Many beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) have seen the writing on the wall and are protecting themselves from possible legal and financial penalties by turning away from drayage carriers who engage contractors.  Others are not yet reacting, while still others may not even be aware of recent legal precedents.  In this article, we’ll get you up to speed on these developments and help you determine whether your prospective carrier’s drivers in California are actually considered to be on that carrier’s payroll or are sub-contractors.

Weber Logistics Named 2019 Top 100 3PL Provider

Weber Logistics has been named a 2019 Top 3PL Provider by the editors of Inbound Logistics Magazine

Why Experience Matters for Drayage Drivers

Drayage is technically just another transportation service.  A driver picks up a load and then delivers it.

With port drayage, however, this simple process becomes much more complex.  Navigating seaport terminals is a tricky business on a good day and can become extremely difficult as rules change from terminal-to-terminal, or even hour-to-hour.  To navigate the ports effectively – and avoid wasting time and money – shippers need to ensure the drayage carriers they work with have a roster of experienced drayage drivers. 

Life After FBA: Amazon Seller Fulfillment of Your Prime Orders

If you’re selling online, chances are you’re selling on Amazon.  And, if you’re selling on Amazon, you want to be Prime-certified to reach Amazon’s 100+ million Prime customers.  These ‘frequent flyers’ spend an average of 1,400 per year[i] on the site. 

To become Prime-certified, many sellers go straight to the source and let Amazon handle fulfillment through their Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program.  But there is another Prime-friendly option available to you: Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP).  In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this Amazon seller fulfillment program and the ways in which it differs from FBA.

Update on the Southern California Logistics Services Market

When it comes to Southern California logistics, there’s never a dull moment.  The region is home to the busiest ports in the country, while the state continues to dramatically alter the way logistics gets done through an array of unique regulations.  In this article, we’ll get you up to speed on some of the recent SoCal supply chain developments during the first half of 2019.

What You Need to Know About Retail Compliance

If you’re a manufacturer, supplier or any other type of company seeking to do business with big box retailers, a key word to consider is “compliance.”  Every retailer has its own distribution infrastructure – complete with its own processes and procedures that allow products to flow through to stores in the most efficient manner possible.  They expect vendors to adhere to these processes and procedures. In this article, we’ll examine the most important aspects of retail compliance so that you can enjoy successful, long-lasting relationships with your retail partners.

The Four Cs: Choosing Between Shared and Dedicated Warehouse Services

You’re ready to outsource your warehousing operations to a 3PL that has the expertise, technology, and capabilities to handle your unique business day in and day out.  One of the first questions a 3PL will ask is if you are interested in dedicated or shared warehouse services.  Or, if you have been in a shared 3PL service contract for a while and your business has grown significantly, would it benefit you to move to a dedicated solution?  In this article, we’ll briefly explain what each of these services entails and then examine ‘the four Cs’ to consider when choosing between the two choices.

5 Key Criteria for Evaluating a Food-Grade Carrier

If your company produces or markets food and beverage products, the safety and integrity of those products mean everything to your business.  It’s ill-advised then to entrust key components of your supply chain to just any 3PL.  With product safety and integrity in mind, we examined 5 things to look for in a food warehousing provider in our previous blog post.  In this article, we’re going to move things out of the warehouse, onto the loading dock and into the trailer as we examine 5 things you should be looking for in a food-grade carrier. 

5 Things to Look for in a Food Warehousing Provider

When you entrust your food and confectionery products to a food warehousing provider, you’re relying on that company to be much more than a provider of space.  You’re really relying on them to be a partner that will work to protect the integrity of your products through every step of the supply chain.  And, while every 3PL warehousing company will promise to be just that, you must find one that truly “walks the walk.”  In this article, we identify 5 things that you should look for in a warehousing provider before entrusting them with your food or confectionery products.

Why Carriers are Stepping Away from Independent Truck Drivers in CA – and Why Shippers Should Care

Carriers are having a rough go of it as of late.  The truck driver shortage has left them scrambling to find new drivers to fill seats vacated by those retiring, leaving the industry, or switching jobs.  There just aren’t enough new drivers to fill the void. 

In most parts of the country, carriers can augment their company driver force with independent truck drivers (“owner-operators”) to fill in service gaps.  When it comes to logistics in California, however, this has become difficult due to regulations and landmark court decisions that alter the way drivers are classified in the state.  In this article, we’ll examine some of these and explain why the ramifications ultimately affect shippers just as much as carriers. 

Are AIB Standards Adequate for Your Food Grade Warehouse?

AIB International works with companies to elevate their food safety and production processing capability.  If you look through the current AIB standards for food distribution centers, they seem quite comprehensive.  If your food-grade warehouse meets all or most of the standards, you will receive a relatively high score.  During inspections, each infraction will result in a 5 point reduction on your score.  So the question is, is it enough just to keep your superior rating with AIB?

Understanding the Impact of the California Truck and Bus Regulation

California may be the Golden State, but its green initiatives are the most far-reaching in the U.S.  The state has a host of agencies and regulations whose aim is to substantially reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions.  At the heart of these efforts is the California Truck and Bus Regulation, which seeks to reduce emissions from heavy trucks and buses. 

3PL as Alternative to Traditional Food Distribution Companies

Food manufacturers who sell through traditional food distribution companies must absorb a significant price mark-up on route to the retailer, raising their prices on the shelf.  Some food companies could benefit from using a third party logistics provider (3PL) that specializes in storage and distribution of food products direct to grocery chains. 

Weber Announces New Leadership Team Members

With two new additions and one well-deserved promotion, Weber Logistics is pleased to announce the newest members of its leadership team.   These new team members bring over 50 combined years of experience to Weber customers. 

Logistics in California: Stay Compliant with State Regulations

If you’re looking to establish a logistics hub on the West Coast, California makes practical sense. Its ports and transportation infrastructure, as well as its economic and population advantages, make the state one of the world’s foremost logistics centers.

But doing business here requires an understanding of the state’s unique regulatory environment. In this article, we will examine some of these regulatory hurdles and provide you with information to navigate them effectively.

Logistics in the Chemical Industry: 7 tips for choosing a 3PL partner

If you are a chemical company seeking third-party logistics support, you’ll want to do a careful evaluation.  There are many liability and safety risks associated with hazardous material storage and shipping.  This is particularly true in the heavily regulated California market. 

Overweight Container Logistics at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach

Shipping containers across the ocean to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is a big job with a big impact on your company’s supply chain.  It can also come with a big price tag, especially when you’re dealing with overweight containers.  This price tag can be greatly reduced, however, by partnering with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) that specializes in overweight container logistics. 

Warehouse Labor Management Considerations During a Strong Economy

A strong economy means good times for business, right?  Generally speaking, the answer is yes, but there are some nasty side effects of economic strength.  In the logistics industry, one of these side effects is the difficulty in attracting and retaining talent in a high-employment market.

Let a 3PL’s West Coast Distribution Center Help You During the Driver Shortage

The three states that border the Pacific Ocean are home to 48 million people, with the states just slightly inland adding millions more to the population of the “Western U.S.”  With such a sizable chunk of the U.S. population residing in these Western states, West region distribution is a vital part of the supply chains of companies whose products originate in the Central and Eastern U.S. 

In recent years, however, multiple factors – the truck driver shortage chief among them – have made long-haul truck runs to the West Coast increasingly unreliable and inefficient.  The response of many companies has been to focus less on shipping West and, instead, store products in a West Coast distribution center operated by a third-party logistics provider (3PL).

4 Ways to Move Drayage Freight Despite the Driver Shortage

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: we’re in the midst of a truck driver shortage.  

While we may feel that we’ve reached the saturation point in hearing – and reading – about this shortage, the related headlines aren’t going away any time soon.  That’s because the shortage isn’t going away any time soon.  In fact, we can only expect to hear more about it as the impact to the trucking industry and the nation’s economy continues to worsen. 

With logistics in California, one of the major areas where this impact is being felt is container drayage.  The shortage of drayage drivers has recently returned to the headlines as there aren’t enough drivers to handle rising volumes in advance of tariffs and an interest rate hike.  In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this shortage and what you, as an importer, can do to keep your drayage freight moving to and from the ports. 

The Top Weber Logistics Blog Posts of 2018

We’re coming to the end of 2018 and preparing for 2019 – and you know what that means: year-end “best of” lists.  And, while our list may not be as entertaining as the “top 10 movies of 2018” rankings you’ll see in your social media feeds, we hope that you find it valuable.  Here, we present the three Weber Logistics blog posts that were most popular among our readers in 2018.

Can One Warehouse Store Different Temperature-Sensitive Products?

Storing different temperature-sensitive products together is a little like running a pet store.  While they may have very different care requirements, a lizard, a puppy, and a goldfish can all co-exist safely under the same pet shop roof provided their individual needs are met. 

The same holds true in the warehouse, as products with totally different – and often opposite – requirements can be stored together safely as long as appropriate measures are taken. 

Collaborate and Save: Pool Distribution with Temperature-Controlled Trucking Companies

If you need to get across town fast and your choices are a taxi cab or public transit, you’d likely prefer the cab.

Times being what they are, however, the price of that cab ride might drive you to the bus stop. But what if you could share an air-conditioned cab ride with others going to the exact same place, and pay about the same as the cost of the bus ride?

Welcome to pool distribution. Direct car service for a mass transit price.

The Importance of Scalability in ECommerce Order Fulfillment

Growing from 100 orders per month to 15,000 per month.  For most companies, that’s a dream come true.  But if you have the wrong solution in place for eCommerce order fulfillment, that’s a dream that may never materialize.  Here at Weber, this type of quick growth spurt can, and has, happened with eCommerce order fulfillment clients.  The only way to handle it is to have an operation that can seamlessly scale to meet the uptick in demand. 

California SB 1402: What You Need to Know

Does your logistics operation source drayage services in California?  If so, read on as new legal developments in the state can put you on the hook for damages if the drayage provider you hire is misclassifying employees as independent owner/operators.

This latest shot across the bow in California’s labor battles comes in the form of California Senate Bill 1402 (SB 1402).  The Bill was signed by Governor Brown on September 22, 2018 and will take effect on January 1, 2019.  In this article, we’ll summarize the new Bill and explain what it means for shippers and other companies that hire port drayage companies in the state of California.

The Difference Between Crossdock Services and Transload Services

In the supply chain, there is sometimes confusion about what is transloading and what is cross docking.  The strategies are different, but both work to accomplish the same goal – to reduce supply chain costs.  Crossdock services and transload services both includehandling the product and delivery to multiple destinations on a different truck or container than the inbound shipment.  

Finding the Optimal California Warehouse Space for Your Products

California.  A very big state with a very big population.  In fact, it’s the largest consumer market in the U.S. and thus a very sensible place to have a distribution center.  Making California even more sensible, from a distribution perspective, is the fact that most of the Pan-Pacific freight arrives via its ports.  For many companies, these combined facts make logistics strategy simple: place a DC in California close to the arriving port and the West Coast distribution riddle is solved.

Looking a bit closer, however, we can see that West Coast distribution isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.  In this article, we’ll take a closer look at choosing the right California warehouse space for your company and the impact it has on your port-to-market speed.

How to Reduce Your Chassis Rental Fee

When considering all the costs involved in getting your containerized goods from port to market, it’s easy to think of all the “big” things that drive up your spend.  These big-ticket items include your ocean carrier, drayage, and warehousing costs. 

As your container makes its way through your supply chain, however, there’s a smaller – but cumulatively significant – cost that is likely eating away at your margins: the chassis rental fee.  In this article, we’ll examine key ways to reduce this fee and improve the profitability of your operation.

Back to Basics: An Answer to Improving Warehouse Efficiency

I just finished reading the results of the latest annual Warehouse and Distribution Center Operations Survey (Peerless Research Group).  One of the clear takeaways was that companies need to take cost out of operations, but they are carrying out warehouse efficiency initiatives that don’t involve major investments in systems and equipment.

How can you preserve your capital while still driving costs out. Consider a “back to basics" approach to warehouse operations, whether you are a shipper or third-party fulfillment company. 

Select an Asset-Based Carrier for Drayage to Speed Distribution

Many companies will choose to have their ocean carrier perform “port-to-door” drayage services.  While this approach may be convenient, it can also be detrimental to your port-to-market distribution speed as it’s easy to become a small fish in a big ocean carrier pond. When you turn to an asset-based carrier such as a 3PL provider for drayage, its assets are as good as yours.

Importing from Asia: Selecting the Right Shipping Port

Your company has made a cost-driven decision to manufacturer in Asia and import from Asia back into the U.S.  The by-product of that decision is a much lengthier supply chain and cash cycle.  Your job, in logistics, is to mitigate the negative impacts of your import supply chain by designing an efficient U.S. distribution strategy.  And one of the first things you will need to decide is your destination port. For this decision, you’ll need to look at the impact of port location on time-to-market, customer satisfaction, freight costs and inventory costs. 

Weber Opens New Long Beach Drayage Facility

Weber Logistics has opened a new port drayage facility in Long Beach, CA, less than 1 mile from the port.  Situated within the Overweight Corridor, this new facility will handle Los Angeles and Long Beach port drayage services, as well as transloading, and weight reduction for overweight loads to make them compliant with California highway regulations. 

FROM PORT TO MARKET: How to Speed Distribution of Asian Imports to West Coast Ports

There’s a new supply chain mantra in the post-Amazon era, and that mantra is SPEED.

Whether you are delivering to retailers or consumers, or both, customers want products faster in a more predictable time window.

If you import from Asia, your company has made a strategic decision to lengthen its supply chain to lower actual product costs. While you can’t control this decision, you can control how goods are transported and what happens once a container hits U.S. shores. It’s here that you can make a real difference to your company’s financial health by reducing supply chain cycle time and shrinking the cash cycle.

Weber Adds New Inland Empire Warehouse

Weber Logistics has opened a 300,000-square-foot warehouse in Eastvale, CA (Inland Empire Region) for distribution of food and consumer packaged goods for multiple clients.

Container Drayage Companies: Securing Capacity Despite the Driver Shortage

As container volumes at West Coast ports continue to increase year after year, it’s becoming more difficult to move those containers inland.  The problem?  Container drayage companies simply don’t have enough drivers to meet demand.  And, when you are fortunate enough to secure dray capacity, you can expect to pay 10 to 15% more than you were just a few years ago. 

eCommerce Fulfillment Services: Thinking Outside the (Amazon) Box

Just as Scotch is to transparent tape and Kleenex is to tissue paper, Amazon is synonymous with eCommerce.  If you’re selling products online, chances are a sizeable portion of your efforts take place on Amazon’s site with its 197 million users per month. 

But, just because Amazon’s marketplace is where you want your products to be, doesn’t mean that Amazon’s fulfillment service (Fulfillment By Amazon – FBA) is the best method for you to store your products and ship them after sale on Amazon or anywhere else.  There are many third-party logistics (3PL) providers that, although smaller than FBA, are just as adept at handling your eCommerce fulfillment services.

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