When it comes to hiring a third party logistics (3pl) provider to handle your logistics management needs, you have to be sure the company you choose is right for you. In order to feel completely confident outsourcing your logistics needs, it’s important to do your research, understand your needs and find a 3pl provider you can trust.

Here are five areas to explore when looking for the best 3pl provider for you and your company.

Location

Is your 3pl provider located in the right region to reach your customers efficiently and in a timely manner? Are they located near major highways, ports, airways and railways? Do their warehouses have enough bay doors and available space to match your needs? These are questions you’ll want to find answers to before hiring a 3pl provider.

Consider all of your needs, where your products are coming from, where they are going, and the fluctuation of your supply-demand chain over time.

Scalability

You need to be sure that the 3pl company your choose to outsource your logistics management needs can handle both the ups and downs of your business’s supply chain. This means that the provider you hire must be able to scale their operations to your company’s needs. When business dips, for whatever reason, your 3pl provider must be able to respond immediately and scale down operations to minimize costs.

Similarly, the 3pl provider you select must also be able meet rising demands when your company begins to grow at an increasingly fast rate. With a 3pl company that can handle both the highs and lows that your business demands, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing your company’s logistics needs are in the right hands.

Innovative Technology

Logistics management is not a low-tech operation. That is why 3pl companies that use cutting-edge technology can create more efficient and cost-effective solutions for you and your company. Your ideal 3pl provider should have the latest systems to provide you with real-time data and feedback on supply chain operations.

Warehousing and Transportation Options

One of the most beneficial parts of outsourcing your logistics management needs is tapping into a large network of warehousing and transportation resources. Having options that suit your operations allows your 3pl provider to offer you the best and most cost-effective solutions for your needs.

Reputation

One area of research that you should not neglect when finding the right 3pl provider is researching a company’s reputation. When you make the decision to outsource your logistics management needs, you need to be sure you can trust your 3pl provider to get the job done right.

Research the company to see if they have long-term customers. Find out if they are known to be a reliable, innovative and efficient company. If you can’t trust a 3pl provider’s ability to satisfy their existing customers, how can you rely on them to handle the needs of your company?

Doing your due diligence might seem like a time-consuming task, but closely examining the 3pl company you choose to outsource your logistics management needs will certainly pay off in the long run. If you want to find a 3pl provider you can trust, with a proven track record and a customer-first mentality, contact Wesder Brand Logistics today.