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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
“Consume less, share better.” - Herve Kempf
Shared warehousing, also known as public warehousing, can’t sound anything other than cost effective, right? Your goods are received, stored and distributed by a 3PL provider who has made all of the investment in buying or leasing land, building, equipment and labor. Certainly that keeps cash flow in your pocket. But are you getting the biggest bang for your buck for public or shared warehousing?
Storing chemicals is no easy feat; there are numerous rules and regulations that have to be followed. On top of this, regulations change and get stricter over time so it is important to do a thorough investigation of a facility before deciding where to store your product. Here are the top 4 things to consider when choosing a chemical facility:
With any good relationship’s foundation you will find trust. We constantly hear it. Just trust me. Without any backing or reasoning, just TRUST ME. Now if referencing dinner, okay… I trust you, but let’s raise the stakes… your life? your children’s lives? Not so easy now. Well for many their company is their life or their child. You can’t expect someone to trust you with their company’s livelihood just because you say so.
