The difficult part about trying to select the right 3PL service provider is that they are not providing a physical product. You are assessing them based on their track record and their potential to elevate your company in its logistics efforts and are measuring things like consistency and efficiency without ever having actually worked with this company.
But just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to accurately assess a third-party logistics company’s possible value to your company. You should probably set up a team for reviewing the request for proposals (RFP), with that team consisting of representatives from different departments. Understand that you are likely about to enter into a long-term contract, typically three to five years, so take your time and perform all due diligence necessary before making any decision.
And because you are entering into a long-term contract, be sure to engage with the 3PL team several times prior to settling on any one company; you may not have a chance to work with the 3PL you are considering, but seeing them in action is the next closest thing. One thing that should also be a point of emphasis is their ability to scale. If you are anticipating that your business will be growing over the three to five years you will be attached to this company, then they must have a model that is capable of growing with you.
There are some steadfast rules to choosing the right 3PL service provider. We will now describe the five most important, in no particular order:
APS Fulfillment, Inc. is a Miami-based fulfillment provider. We provide fulfillment services in several different industries and are prepared to partner with companies looking to elevate their logistics. For more information, contact us by phone at 954-582-7450 or by email at info@apsfulfillment.com.
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