Were brown suits ever in style?  Perhaps, but today they are typically not the first choice for fashionistas.  For those who don’t follow fashion trends, however, a brown suit might seem like a good option when sifting through the rack of 42 regulars at Men’s Wearhouse. 

At that point, the right advice is critical.  Does the salesperson make the quick sale because it’s what the customer asked for or does he dig a little deeper to determine the exact right style, size and material that will better fit the customer’s precise need?

So it is with 3PL providers.  Some will quote a price for the exact services requested, period.  But most 3PL companies will accompany, or substitute, that price quote with questions:

• How does this service integrate with the entire supply chain process?

• Are there better alternatives?

For the mid-tier manufacturer who lacks the budget to employ a large logistics team, using 3PL providers in an advisory role can be a huge asset.  They have experience across a wide range of customers and have likely come up against the sort of challenge you are facing. 

When choosing a logistics partner, seek out a reputable 3PL that will act as an extension of your company.  One that looks after all logistics, meets the service requirements of your customers, and proactively advises you on ways to keep your supply chain lean and productive.  Beware of providers that simply accept the information that you give them without delving into your supply chain needs and learning about:

• Your objectives
• Your specific distribution service requirements
• Your pain points in cost or customer service

Mid-tier manufacturers can benefit from investing in their relationships with their 3PL provider to encourage more of a partnership that, in the end, delivers excellent value for money.  The alternative is a more tactical supplier that responds dutifully to your requests, but does not have the capability or the perceived authority to introduce different and better solutions.  

That brown suit may come cheap and fast, but it’s still a brown suit. 

Weber Logistics has been offering 3PL services for nearly a century.  If you are a mid-tier manufacturer that has a limited budget for supply chain requirements, contact us to learn more about our approach.  We won’t sell you a brown suit.  Instead, we will enhance your distribution network with a proven service that our customers have come to rely on.  Contact us at 855 GOWEBER (469-3237).