5 Tips to Find a Great 3PL Warehouse Partner
Many businesses struggle to find a third-party warehouse partner that can meet their capacity needs, keep up with their workload, and provide reliable, quality service. In this blog, we’ll cover some tips for finding the right 3PL warehouse partner for your business.
What is a 3PL Warehouse Partner?
A Third-Party Logistics (3PL) warehouse partner is a company that provides logistics and supply chain services to other businesses. These services may include warehousing, transportation, order fulfillment, inventory management, quality inspection, and more.
There are many benefits to working with a 3PL warehouse partner. Businesses can leverage warehousing technologies that improve efficiency and enhance overall supply chain management. Experienced logistics professionals can offer guidance on shipping strategies, inventory planning, and more. 3PL warehousing also allows companies to scale up or down as needed and expand their distribution reach into new markets.
What to consider when evaluating potential partners
To find a good 3PL warehouse partner, businesses can start by defining their specific logistics and supply chain needs. This will help identify potential partners that specialize in needed services. From there, you can evaluate providers based on factors such as their experience, reputation, capabilities, technology, and pricing.
Some other factors that businesses may want to consider when evaluating potential 3PL warehouse partners include:
Location
Scalability
Industry experience and expertise
Security and safety measures
Quality control procedures
Customer service and communication
Technology and automation capabilities
Environmental sustainability practices
5 Tips to Find the Right 3PL Warehouse Partner
Finding the right 3PL warehouse partner can be daunting as you take into consideration all the various factors. Here are five tips to help guide your search.
Search on Google
One of the most accessible places to search for open warehouse space is Google. Focus on targeted search queries by specifying the service type, industry, location, or other characteristics of the warehouse services you need. Once you build up a portfolio of potential partners, reach out via their contact information or website forms.
Contact Warehouse Associations and Affiliates
The next place to look for great 3PL warehouse partners is in the directories of accredited warehouse associates and affiliates. These groups are made up of logistics and warehousing experts with connections to a vast network of warehouse owners. They can put business owners in touch with reputable and reliable providers.
Look for Certifications and Referrals
When searching for a great 3PL warehouse partner, verify their licenses and certification. Do they meet the necessary requirements and have the right experience to fulfill your needed services? You can also lean into your network and ask for referrals. Sometimes, a five minute conversation with a knowledgeable, connected warehouse rep will save you hours of headaches, quality issues, and future stress.
Test Communication Standards
Communication is key to a successful relationship with your 3PL warehouse provider. Ensure that your provider will provide thorough and continuous updates throughout the process of working together. There’s nothing worse than having your provider go radio silent, which can lead to costly delays and longer production timelines.
Visit and Tour
After you have evaluated the potential 3PL partners, visit and tour their facilities. This will help you assess the quality of their operations, their equipment, and their staff. You can also talk to their current customers and ask for their feedback on their experience with the 3PL partner.
If you’re still unsure about how to find a great 3PL warehousing partner, thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services can help. We operate over 12 million ft² of warehousing space in over 75 distribution centers nationwide. We can design a custom warehouse solution that flexes according to your customer’s demand. Contact us to speak with a distribution expert.