Today’s companies face ongoing pressure to compete. With customers growing increasingly dependent on immediate access to whatever they want, businesses know they must have a reliable third-party logistics (3PL) provider that can help get orders out efficiently without making expensive mistakes.
Here are a few vital attributes to consider when sourcing a new 3PL provider.
Flexibility
We’ve all been there. It can be frustrating to have your entire day mapped out, only to have an urgent request come in. That’s why it’s critical that your 3PL provider is flexible enough to take last-minute projects.
If your 3PL provider is experienced and has access to powerful logistics software they can typically adjust their schedules to accommodate anything new that comes up.
Market Knowledge
The transportation industry moves at a breakneck speed, and it’s important that you stay on top of changes and updates to remain relevant. If regulations change the hours drivers are allowed to spend on the road, for instance, you need to know as soon as possible to plan accordingly and avoid costly delays. Follow our industry news to make sure you don’t miss important updates.
Your 3PL provider should stay on top of these changes and build them into the services they provide just in case you miss something.
Quality Assurance
Businesses that regularly engage in quality assurance practices tend to be more successful. To get started, though, you’ll need to know how you’ll measure your success.
Setting up key performance indicators is a great way to create a baseline that you can monitor moving forward. In doing this, you’ll list out each of your company’s objectives, as well as what you need to do to reach those objectives. As part of the information-gathering process, your 3PL provider can help you pull past TMS data and reports that will show you areas that need to be improved.
Custom Reports
Tracking performance is crucial for improving processes and keeping costs down. The canned reports you receive from your 3PL provider may not provide enough feedback. Be sure your reports are customized to track your specific key performance indicators.
The Right Partners
You can’t do it all alone. That’s why you have business partners that can help.
Each of your chosen vendors plays an important role in your company’s success. In addition to providing the best services at reasonable prices, your partners should also bring experience in the industry and existing relationships to the table. These relationships can then be leveraged to help you grow and reach new customers. GW Transportation Services has more than three decades of experience in the transportation industry and uses that experience to help a wide range of companies.
If you’re interested in taking your business to the next level, a reliable 3PL provider can help. GW Transportation Services will create a custom plan to meet your business’s unique needs and scale as your company grows. With the right practices in place, your company will be prepared to thrive.