Tips on Choosing a 3rd Party Logistics Provider

Running a business is about earning a profit and keeping a healthy bottom line. To do that, sometimes you may have to consider how you can cut costs and outsource some of your operations to lower your overhead expenses. If you manage an inventory, you my want to consider outsourcing your storage and shipment to a 3rd party logistics provider. By outsourcing your storage and shipping, you eliminate the need for owning and maintaining a fleet of vehicles to ship your goods and won’t have to worry about hiring experienced truckers to handle and ship your goods. Here are a few tips to consider when looking for the right company to work with.Evaluate Your NeedsThe first thing you should do is evaluate your company’s needs. A few things to consider is how large your inventory is, how frequent you’ll need shipments, how much space you’ll need to store your products, what type of packing your product requires and if you have any special storage or shipping instructions. These are questions any good logistics company will ask, so be prepared before you begin reaching out to companies.Meet with VendorsOnce you’ve put together a detailed list of requirements, you’ll want to put out a request for proposal, or RFP. You should ideally meet with a few different companies to get an idea of their different capabilities and costs before you make a decision. Meet with each vendor and, if possible, visit them on site to see their operations. It can be a lot to take in, so be sure to take detailed notes from each meeting so you can reference them later when making a decision.Evaluate and SelectAfter you’ve met with each prospective vendor, ask them for references. A good business should have a list of them for you to consult so you can ask them for an honest opinion on how they handle business. Compare your vendors and consult with other company stakeholders before you make a final selection.Finding the right 3rd party logistics provider isn’t an overnight process and should be taken into careful consideration. If you’re looking for a reputable company to handle your company's inventory, give the professionals at SureShip a call to see how they can meet your needs.