The health and beauty industry has grown explosively in the last few decades, but that growth has not come without its challenges. Beyond facing strict compliance and regulatory requirements from governmental bodies, there are some key things that complicate the logistics process. Here are a few of the unique challenges that health and beauty companies face, and how third-party logistics (3PL) companies can help. Temperature Control Many formulations in cosmetics and wellness products are temperature-sensitive, so they must be transported in carefully controlled conditions.  In some cases ..read more

Managing a warehouse on your own is challenging. You’ve got to keep track of all the inventory on the shelves, make sure it’s easy to find for picking, and keep the space running, all while dealing with the unique issues that come with employing people. Rather than tear your hair out trying to keep everything going, partner with a third-party logistics (3PL) company to handle your warehouse management tasks. Here are 3 ways choosing a 3PL can help you overcome warehouse management challenges and boost your business: Reduce Labor Costs More than half of companies have trouble finding and keepin ..read more

Managing your stock of auto parts can be done in-house, which makes it easier to quickly grab items your customers need. However, as your business grows, you may reach a tipping point where handling things on your own may not make sense. When your inventory of stored parts outgrows your current storage space, or your demand for parts exceeds the amount of labor you have dedicated to picking the items, it may be time to consider outsourcing your auto parts logistics to a third-party logistics company (3PL). If you’re considering outsourcing your auto parts logistics, here are some things you ne ..read more

Managing logistics for an apparel business is a delicate balancing act. In many cases, your profit margins aren’t particularly large, leaving little room for error in your pricing and fulfillment. These slim margins make it difficult to determine just where you should splurge—and where you should save. Exceptional Service Makes for Repeat Customers If there’s any area where you should focus on spending a little bit of extra money, it’s in creating an exceptional customer service experience. Customers have so many choices when it comes to apparel retailers, and if you don’t give them a customer ..read more

Disruptions to the supply chain can come in many forms: Natural disasters, transportation issues, cyber attacks, and of course, global pandemics.  Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic began, disruption has become the new normal. And with the resulting labor shortage and record-high gas prices, many businesses are still struggling to return to business as usual.  The key to a swift recovery is to always be prepared. Here are 6 tips you can rely on to overcome supply chain disruptions.  Rely on Your Contingency Plan In the event of an emergency, your contingency plan is your best frie ..read more

There’s a reason the supply chain is called what it is—all separate units rely on each other to work efficiently. When one part of the chain faces disruption, its inefficiencies ripple throughout all other parts of the system.  And in the past two and a half years, there has been a lot of disruption to the global market. The pandemic and labor shortage, in combination with skyrocketing demand in e-commerce, has sent many businesses scrambling. Having robust supply chain management is crucial to prevent compounding losses. Here are our 6 tips for minimizing supply chain ripple effects. Kee ..read more

The pandemic caused such a sudden disruption to the global supply chain that is still unsteady nearly two years later.  One of the most obvious effects of this lasting ordeal is the high cost of freight. The cost of shipping and transporting products to businesses, carriers, and customers is higher than ever.  There are a few causes for this. One is rising gasoline prices, and another is the imbalance of supply and demand. As more people are staying home, they are shopping more online. But there is also a labor shortage, which means there aren’t enough workers to help deliver the goo ..read more

There are a lot of moving parts that work to make a business successful. If you are planning to outsource part or all of your logistical operations, you know just how true this is. That’s where an RFP, or request for proposals, can help. This document outlines the requirements and expectations for a potential business partnership. It is a professional and convenient way to find the right third-party logistics (3PL) provider, shipping company, vendor, or supplier to fulfill your business needs. When drafting your RFP, it’s important to be as specific as possible and cover all the necessary info ..read more