Transportation Logistics: Getting Goods from A to B, Stress Free!

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Matt Grossi

19148602_s Transportation logistics providers make life much easier for customers. Not only do they have expertise in logistics, they are also efficient, technically sound and highly scalable. If you are interested in using a third-party logistics company, you are on the right track! You will be amazed how easily goods reach from one point to the next without any problem, resulting in better customer service and increased profitability.

Benefits of Using a Third-Party Transportation Logistics

There are various advantages of hiring a logistics service provider. They are dependable and definitely cost effective, leading to increased performance of any business. Here are a few benefits of hiring a third-party transportation logistics company:

3PL Links Case Study: Retail (Home Improvement)

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Matt Grossi

As a staple in the home renovation industry in Canada, 3PL Links’ customer has been the go to store for do-it-yourselfers and contractors alike for more than 15 years. This big block retailer operates over 75 stores in convenient locations across Canada and is headquartered in Ontario, Canada. At any given time the customer can stock as many as 40,000 home improvement products; tailored to the communities they serve.

3PL Links’ customer caters to do-it-yourselfers, as well as home improvement, construction and building maintenance professionals. Under its roof, the retailer provides various value-add features such as installation services, where the homeowner can choose to have qualified professionals complete home renovation projects for them. In addition to the installation services they provide, a tool rental service is available at selected stores throughout the nation.

Read the full retail home improvement case study here

Outsource Your Warehousing and Distribution to a Reputable Logistics Company

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Marco Grossi

Outsourcing warehousing and distribution to a 3PL (Third-party logistics provider) carries with it numerous benefits for the enterprising business owner or manager. It’s a long held rule of savvy
business: If someone else can do it more efficiently, it’s probably worth letting them do it. By leveraging the strengths of a 3PL in optimizing your warehousing and distribution, you can refine your business to new heights—and new profits. Here are just a few reasons to consider third-party warehousing and distribution:

Shared Costs

Sharing a resource means sharing the expenses—without losing anything in the exchange. With third-party logistics, the equipment, resources, and man-hours that would go wasted if you handled the matter in-house end up tasked to others; that increased efficiency would put money in your pocket even if a 3PL had nothing else to offer over in-house warehousing and distribution.

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3PL Links Case Study: Food & Dairy

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Matt Grossi

Working with world-renowned multinational companies is always a privilege. Since 2010, 3PL Links has been working with a prominent dairy company with operations in Europe, Latin America, North America, Australia, China and South Africa. With over 100 years of brand heritage in the Canadian dairy industry, our customer is committed to the health and wellness of Canadians and markets a variety of high-quality food products under multiple brands.

Read the full Food & Dairy Case Study Here

5 Things to Consider When Hiring Transportation Companies

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Marco Grossi

Many businesses rely on transportation companies to move their product across the country or borders because they know that lowering transport costs is critical to maintaining their business’s healthy bottom line. If your business is examining the costs versus benefits of outsourcing its freight requirements, here are five important factors to consider.

Experience

Since on time delivery is so critical to your company, do your homework to ensure that the transportation companies that you are considering have the experience in the specific areas that you need. Not only should the transportation company have experience in transportation in your area, but a transportation company in business and with a track record matters, too. A transportation company that can demonstrate excellent customer service over the years is more likely to deliver those same results to your business

Logistics Management: An Integral Part of Any Business

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Marco Grossi

Logistics management is the part of the supply chain management that plans, controls and implements the storage and movement of goods and services (and all their related information) from a point of origin to the final destination or point of consumption. If done correctly your company will benefit from efficiency, cost saving and will be known for great customer service.

As the demands of your market change and grow, your company needs to be able to change with it and still maintain your high standards of quality, price and on time delivery. Making the decision to work with a logistics management company is a great first step to ensuring you are set up for future success.

A logistics company such as 3PL Links is an excellent example of a logistics management company that will put your needs first. It is not a transportation company that is simply trying to sell you their shipping services. It is a company that understands the need to learn the specifics of your situation and to come up with the best solution possible that is customized for your company. Continue Reading

5 Reasons You Should Consider Warehouse Services from 3PL Links

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Marco Grossi

When your business is transporting goods from one place to another, it is crucial you have a secure warehouse to place these goods. The warehouse should be guarded around the clock to ensure your goods are not vandalized, damaged or stolen; and if you have special storage needs, such as climate control, the warehouse should be equipped to offer the service.

If goods get damaged or a theft occurs, it is not just a monetary loss to your company, it is also is loss of credibility in front of your customers due to delayed deliveries. These are issues that can cost your company dearly, both in terms of money and reputation. You should choose your warehousing partner with care. Without the right warehouse services, your business can suffer in many different ways.

Below are 5 reasons why you should choose professional warehouse services offered by 3PL Links.

Expertise and Experience

3PL Links employs highly trained professionals who ensure all your logistics supply chain requirements are handled seamlessly. The company brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise and hence, is equipped to provide warehousing solutions to suit your needs and budget. This storage method minimizes risks and also ensures expedient and fast service. You never have to contend with inexperienced and untrained employees which increases the risk of loss and damage. Continue Reading

When you should Consider Consulting with a Third Party Logistics Provider

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Marco Grossi

Any company that sells products must have a reliable delivery system in place to ensure that all items are delivered to customers on time and in perfect condition. For this to be possible, the delivery system must include warehousing, picking, packing, and shipping operations, which are gathered under the generic name of logistics.

Unfortunately, managing logistics is a major challenge for many businesses. Without streamlining logistics operations, a company can easily run into cost overruns, which will negatively impact its overall activity. How can you reduce the risk of cost overruns and outright failure? By simply consulting with a third party logistics provider, or 3PL. Continue Reading

3PL Supply Chain Management Metrics to Look at

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Matt Grossi

Supply chain management metrics are designed to give your company the analytical tools to assess the performance of each piece of the supply chain. The matrices should be straightforward to use, but aligned to specific business requirements. Three important matrices critical to effective supply chain management and bottom lines are: carrying cost of inventory, inventory to sales ratio, and inventory turnover.

Carrying Cost of Inventory

The carrying cost of inventory is one of the supply chain management metrics that measures the costs of keeping inventory, whether over the short- or long-term. Carrying cost of inventory can help you to determine expected profits on current inventory, and if more product, or less, is required to ensure income levels or to cover expenses. It can also impact more strategic decision-making like sourcing. Continue Reading

Should you Consider Supply Chain Segmentation?

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Marco Grossi

Business success is contingent on maintaining a competitive edge. Maximizing supply chain activities allows businesses to operate at highly proficient and effective levels. Supply chain management integrates all facets of business operation and production, including product development, procurement, construction, and logistics. Businesses are discovering that they are unable to maximize customer value using a single supply chain strategy. The same supply chain stratagem will satisfy some customers but the desires of other consumers may go unfulfilled, and for others, the costs may be too great. As a business owner, should you consider supply chain segmentation? The answer is yes.

Supply chain segmentation means grouping services or faculties together to meet an explicit set of requirements. Segmentation allows businesses to meet their customer needs at the lowest cost. It provides an organizational framework that consistently delivers value and business control the complete life progression of a product. Supply chain segmentation generally follows these steps:

Step One – Group Products and Delivery Channels

The first step for segmentation involves grouping products and delivery methods and creating a matrix, where all combinations are represented. Each combination is considered an individual supply chain. The distinct supply chains are rated using business revenue factors of gross profitability and sales. Continue Reading