3PLs (third-party logistics) are a vital part of the supply chain, but their role is often misunderstood. That’s why it’s important to understand what 3PLs are, how they work, and why they’re so beneficial to your business. The third-party logistics industry is huge – $1 trillion – and growing rapidly. In fact, it’s expected to grow at about 5% a year over the next decade or so. But what is a 3pl exactly?
First, let’s look at what it doesn’t do: take your product from the manufacturer and ship it directly to your customer. It’s called a direct-to-consumer fulfillment service or a direct fulfillment service. Instead, 3PLs help manage everything in between, including transporting and storing goods before they are shipped.
3PLs also play an important role in the supply chain by working directly with manufacturers to determine the type of materials to be used in manufacturing processes (such as recycled materials) and how to transport those materials without causing damage or delays in shipment.
What are third-party logistics (3PLs)?
Let’s define third party logistics companies (3PLs) – they are companies that provide logistics services to other companies. They are involved in the delivery and transportation of goods, as well as warehousing and inventory management. The history of 3PLs is fairly short.
The first third-party logistics provider was created in 1948 by an American businessman named Ralph Taylor. His company, Taylor & Company, provided warehousing and distribution services to customers in the garment district of New York City.
3PLs were first curbed in the 1970s when supply chains became more complex and companies needed help managing operations. As a result, third parties were brought in to help manage logistics for these companies.
They became an important part of many companies’ supply chains, helping them save money and time while increasing customer satisfaction by giving them access to a wider range of products at lower prices than they could get on their own.
In the 1990s, 3PLs really hit their stride as technology became more accessible to small businesses across America. Many large companies are now outsourcing their warehouse management systems and distribution processes to third parties to focus on their core business. The original purpose of 3PLs was to provide more efficient delivery options for manufacturers by giving them access to cheaper modes of transportation, such as trucks or planes, rather than rail. Since then, however, 3PLs have expanded their offerings to include warehousing and distribution services.
Types of Outsourced Logistics and What’s the difference?
But 3pls definition is not enough to understand how does 3pl work. Outsourced logistics is a term that means outsourcing all or part of a company’s logistics operations. Usually the term refers to freight forwarding, which is the process of moving cargo from point to point. However, the term is most often used to refer to the practice of outsourcing transportation tasks to a third party. This can be done in several ways: through 3PLs (third-party logistics providers), 4PLs (third-party logistics providers), and 5PLs (third-party logistics providers).
In this article, we will look at all five types of outsourced logistics services: 1PL, 2PL, and 3PL, as well as 4PL and 5PL outsourced logistics services.
1PL outsourced logistics
Outsourced logistics 1PL is a type of outsourcing in which a company hires another company to provide all necessary logistics functions. The first party is also known as the shipper, and the second party is known as the carrier. This type of service provider is similar to an in-house provider, but it is not owned by the company running the business. 1PL logistics providers usually charge less than other types of providers because they don’t have as much overhead associated with their business activities. They also tend to be more personalized than other types of providers because they serve only one customer at a time. In 1PL logistics outsourcing, a company hires a single provider to handle all of its logistics needs, including freight, warehousing, and distribution. This type of outsourcing is typically used by small businesses that do not have enough resources to manage their own supply chain.
1PL outsourcing is a way to reduce costs and improve business efficiency by outsourcing certain logistics needs to a third party.
The term “1PL” means “one-stop store,” meaning this type of outsourcing can cover everything from transportation to warehousing to distribution. It is often used in conjunction with what is 3pl in logistics services, which specialize in providing direct logistics support to customers.
It is important to remember that 1PL outsourced logistics is not the same as 3PL outsourced logistics, although they are similar, but have a different focus and offer different services.
2PL outsourced logistics
2PL outsourced logistics is a system in which a manufacturer ships goods to an independent logistics provider, who then delivers them to the retailer or consumer. 2PL outsourced logistics differs from 3PL in that it is typically used by large corporations with established brands and existing supply chains in their industries.
2PL outsourced logistics is similar to third party logistics 3pl in that the company does not own its own infrastructure, but relies on another company for transportation and delivery. The main difference between 2PLs and 3PLs is that 2PLs are more concerned with inventory management, while 3 pls focus on transportation management and other tasks related to getting goods from point A to point B. 2PLs act as intermediaries between the client company and its suppliers, making sure that all materials are delivered on time and in good condition. They also manage the transportation, storage, and distribution of goods between suppliers and customers. This type of outsourcing is usually used by companies that have limited internal resources or expertise to save money on labor costs and reduce risk by relying on an outside supplier who has more experience in managing these types of 3pl operations.
The difference between 2PL and 3PL (third-party logistics) is that 2PLs are responsible for the entire process under an outsourcing contract with the shipping company. This means that they assume all the risks associated with the delivery of orders. 3PLs, on the other hand, typically handle only one part of the process – such as warehousing or shipping – and leave the other parts up to their customers.
3PL outsourced logistics
So what is 3pl then? 3PL outsourcing is a system in which a company outsources its logistics needs to a third-party logistics provider, or 3PL. This is often done when a company’s own internal resources are insufficient to meet its needs, either because they lack the capacity or expertise, or because they are too expensive.
The logistics industry has grown tremendously over the past few decades — it now has an annual turnover of $10 trillion worldwide and employs more than 15 million workers. As the industry has grown, it has become increasingly complex, and many companies are looking to outsource their logistics needs instead of hiring expensive employees or investing in expensive equipment themselves.
3PL outsourcing is usually based on a long-term contract between a 3PL and a client company, where both parties agree to provide services for a certain period of time at an agreed upon price. Let’s look at what are 3pls benefits::
It allows companies to focus on their core business instead of wasting time finding new ways to reduce costs by managing logistics
It provides access to specialized technology and expertise that may not be available internally.
Reduces overhead costs by leveraging the services of third parties who specialize in different aspects of supply chain management
4PL outsourced logistics
Outsourced logistics 4PL is a supply chain management company that provides third-party logistics (3PL) services to manufacturers and retailers. These services include transportation, warehousing, and distribution to customers. 4PL logistics companies work with their customers to develop the most efficient and cost-effective supply chain processes.
As a result, they provide a more flexible option than outsourced 3PL logistics companies. 4PL logistics companies take more responsibility for supply chain design and implementation, while 3PLs typically just handle some aspect of the process on behalf of their customers’ existing systems.
While both types of companies provide similar services, there are some differences between them:
4PL outsourcing logistics companies tend to offer more customized solutions because they are more involved in the overall process than 3PLs; however, some 4PL outsourcing logistics companies outsource some parts of their operations to other organizations when necessary or use technology platforms that automate certain processes for them (such as ERP software).
One of the main differences between 3PLs and 4PLs is that 4PLs provide more services than 3PLs do. For example, 4PLs often offer warehousing services as well as transportation and shipping options; whereas 3PLs may only offer one or two of these services at most.
5PL outsourced logistics
5PL outsourcing is a system in which a manufacturer outsources the delivery of its goods to a third-party logistics service provider. This type of logistics outsourcing can be beneficial to both companies because it allows them to focus on their core business and reduce costs. By outsourcing their logistics needs to a third party, companies can focus more on their core business, reduce costs and increase efficiency. A good example is Amazon, which has outsourced their shipping services to an outside company, Amazon Flex. This allows them to focus on improving the customer experience and creating innovative products rather than worrying about delivery!
Outsourced logistics 5PL is a term that refers to the outsourcing of certain logistics services. These services include transportation, warehousing, packaging and distribution. The 5PL outsourced logistics market was valued at $2.5 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $6.3 billion by 2026 at a growth rate of 9% from 2019 to 2026.
The 5PL outsource logistics market includes commodity distribution services such as air freight forwarding and ocean freight forwarding. It also includes freight forwarding and freight brokerage services. The 5PL outsourced logistics market is growing due to increasing demand for flexible supply chain management solutions from companies in various industries such as manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, food and beverage (F&B), consumer electronics (CE), automotive and auto parts (A&AP), healthcare and pharmaceuticals (H&P), chemicals and materials (C&M), oil and gas (O&G), technology/electronic equipment and components (TECH/EHC).
How Do third-party logistics (3PLs) works?
3PL is an acronym that stands for “third-party logistics,” and refers to a company that specializes in outsourced logistics. Outsourced logistics is the process of outsourcing the actual performance of your company’s logistics operations to a third-party provider. This means that instead of handling all of your shipping and deliveries yourself, you can outsource these tasks to a third party. This is the kind of service that allows a company to outsource their logistics needs. 3 pl logistics outsourcing is one of the most popular forms of outsourcing, especially in industries such as manufacturing, where there are high levels of inventory and large quantities of goods passing through the warehouse. 3PL outsourcing logistics companies usually specialize in specific areas such as warehousing or trucking/transportation. The biggest advantage of outsourcing 3PL logistics is that it allows businesses to focus on their core competencies while ensuring that their logistics needs are met. In addition, outsourcing can help companies save money by reducing costs associated with labor and equipment maintenance. In other words, Outsourced Logistics 3PL is a way to outsource the management of your supply chain. In other words, it’s a 3 party logistics company (3PL) that handles the distribution of your products from the point of production to the point of sale. You don’t have to worry about keeping up with time and technology; you don’t have to worry about finding new suppliers or hiring additional employees; you don’t have to worry about labor issues or possible disputes with employees. Plus, your 3PL has access to thousands of warehouses around the world, so they can get your inventory where you need it, quickly and cheaply!
Core Services of 3PLs
In this section, we will discuss the services that are the most basic in 3PL. In third-party logistics (3PL), there are a number of basic services that need to be performed. These include receiving, picking, packing, shipping, and returning. In the supply chain, receiving is one of the most basic services that must be performed. And so what is a 3pl provider? Once your 3PL provider receives shipments from suppliers, they may need to inspect or test the goods before sending them to you. Receipt is the first step in the supply chain. It is important to note that receiving is not limited to physical goods; it can also be used for digital products, such as software downloads.
Receiving
Receipt is the most important stage of the supply chain cycle. It includes the handling, storage, and transportation of goods, as well as their handling by transportation carriers or other service providers.
As a result, receiving services provide customers with high-quality logistics services. They also help companies reduce costs and increase efficiency.
The main advantage of receiving services is that they can be tailored to specific requirements. For example, what is 3pl warehouse in your business, if your company uses a lot of new equipment and materials? you should consider investing in specialized software to receive goods from suppliers. This will help reduce costs and prevent errors in order fulfillment.
Another advantage is that pickup services allow you to take advantage of third-party logistics service providers who have experience in this area. These companies will offer you flexible terms that fit your needs as a customer!
Whats a 3pl issue with it? You need to make sure that your receiving personnel have the training and skills to perform quality inspections on all incoming shipments, including live animals. It’s also important that your receiving staff can identify any potential problems with the shipment (such as damage) so that you can inform the shipper of what needs to be done before sending a new shipment.
You should also make sure that your receiving team follows proper procedures for handling live animals, including ensuring that all animals are properly identified and properly cared for until the final recipient picks them up.
The benefits of pickup services include:
- Saving time inspecting goods during delivery;
- Ensuring all merchandise is intact;
- Sorting and labeling goods according to their intended use;
- Reducing the risk of theft during transportation;
- Reducing the costs associated with transporting the goods.
Picking
Picking is a service that allows you to upload order information and then, with the click of a button, have third-party contractors pick and pack it. This service is most often used by e-commerce companies that need to fulfill orders quickly and accurately.
Picking services are becoming increasingly popular because they allow companies that provide them to scale quickly while keeping costs low. They also allow companies to focus on their core competencies: in this case, marketing and selling goods rather than managing logistics.
The biggest advantage of picking services is speed: when you use such services, your inventory is picked as soon as you receive your order – instead of having to wait until all the inventory is received or until you have time to pick it yourself.
Another important benefit is accuracy: when workers aren’t familiar with your business practices or processes, they can make mistakes that can cost money if they go undetected before packing (or worse, after packing is complete).
The main benefit of bundling services is cost savings. Often companies with large warehouses outsource their picking services, saving time and money on labor costs.
The main disadvantage of picking services is the loss of control over the quality of the work being done. The company you outsource picking to may not have the same standards of accuracy and timeliness as you do, so there is always some risk involved in such a move.
Picking is one aspect of 3PL that has evolved rapidly over the years. Bundling services focus on choosing the best place to bundle your goods among many warehouses. They work with multiple warehouses, so they can offer you a better price than if you worked directly with one warehouse.
When it comes to picking services, there are several factors to consider before hiring someone:
- Location – Is it close enough? Would it take too long to deliver the goods? How much will it cost?
- The size of the warehouse – Do they have enough space? Will they need additional storage space?
- Cost per piece – How much will each piece collected cost? This may depend on the volume or size of the items collected (i.e. small and large items).
Packing
Packaging is a vital part of the supply chain, and it must be done carefully to ensure that your product arrives at its destination intact. Packaging is one of the most important parts of any company’s product because it protects it from damage during shipping.
Packaging can be done manually or by machine, but either way it is important to make sure that it is done correctly. There are many different types of packaging available today, including plastic bags, bubble wrap, wooden crates and pallets, cardboard boxes, etc. Some companies even choose to make custom packaging specifically for their product. However, this can be very expensive and time-consuming, so it may not be worth the investment if you don’t plan to sell many products over time (or if you need something simple).
If you plan on doing the packing yourself, make sure all the tools and materials are readily available so you don’t have to waste time looking for them in an emergency!
In my experience, pay attention to the pricing structure when using 3PL services. Many 3PLs charge by the pallet or cubic foot, others charge by weight or volume. Some even charge for distance to pickup and delivery!
The advantage of using 3PL services is that they allow you to outsource your shipping needs so you don’t have to worry about managing them yourself.
Packaging services can include:
- Filling containers with products
- Labeling containers with product information
- Sealing containers with stretch wrap or shrink wrap, Stacking on pallets and securing them to pallets with tape or strapping
- Pallet labeling
- Conditioning of pallets (e.g., waxing)
Shipping
Delivery is one of the most important processes in any 3PL company. It is a complex process that requires a lot of attention and knowledge, as well as a good understanding of the needs and requirements of both the customer and the carrier.
To begin with, ask yourself again, what is 3pl warehousing. There are many different types of services offered by different companies. Some offer only transportation services (i.e. moving cargo from point A to point B), while others offer additional services such as warehousing or storage.
The essence of a moving service is that it allows you to rent or lease your own storage space in a place with low or no taxes. That way, if you don’t have enough space yourself, you can still get your goods without having to buy expensive storage space yourself.
The 3PL shipping process is pretty straightforward. The first step is to choose a carrier, and then 3PL will take care of all the details involved in shipping your goods.
When you choose a carrier based on your needs. For example, if you are sending something that needs to be delivered within a certain time frame, you may choose a carrier that guarantees delivery within a certain number of days. If you’re sending something that doesn’t have a time limit, you can choose a less expensive carrier that doesn’t offer such guarantees.
The 3PL will then prepare all the paperwork necessary to ship your goods, as well as any other documentation required by law or by your contract with the 3PL. They will then load your shipment onto trucks or planes at their own facilities (or those owned by their partners), which are equipped with state-of-the-art cargo tracking technology to ensure that it arrives at its destination intact and on time.
Highlights of the 3PL shipping process:
- Delivering products from one location to another;
- Provision of warehousing facilities for storage of products;
- Execution of documents for customs clearance;
- Transportation of goods by air, sea, or land;
- Distribution of materials (e.g. samples) to warehouses or suppliers/customers;
- Loading and unloading freight containers at ports;
Returns
Returns services in 3PL companies are a very important part of their business. Since returns are part of the logistics process, they play an integral role in any company’s operations.
Returns can be divided into two main categories: exchanges and returns. Exchanges occur when a customer decides to replace a received item because it is damaged or defective. In such situations, the exchange can be done at no cost to the customer. Returns are more complicated, as in this case it is not a damaged or defective product that is returned, but simply one that is unwanted by the customer. Such returns can occur for a number of reasons, including a change of opinion, poor fit or style choice, etc., and may require some reimbursement from the company accepting the only third party return warehouse (e.g., shipping costs).
There are many considerations to keep in mind when providing return services to 3PL customers. For third party logistics example:
What types of merchandise does your company accept? Will you accept everything from books to electronics? Or are there certain restrictions based on size or weight?
How should customers handle returns? Do you have an online portal where they can initiate the return process themselves? Or do they need to contact someone directly? Can they mail the item back?
How does 3PL pricing work?
This is an interesting question. It’s worth sharing what we’ve learned about 3PL pricing.
There are three main factors that affect 3PL pricing.
First is the cost of doing business. This includes not only the cost of the service itself, but also other costs associated with running the business (insurance, salaries, etc.).
Second, it’s the competition. If you want to hire a company to handle your orders, you probably have several options to choose from, based on price and reputation. Companies that offer lower prices may cut back on quality or customer service, which could come back to bite you in the long run. So if you choose a cheap company because you don’t want to pay for quality, make sure it’s what you really need before you put your signature on the dotted line!
Third (and most importantly), there is demand for services at any given time. When demand is high or there are fewer competitors offering similar services in the area (because not everyone can afford it), prices will rise accordingly; but when demand drops or more people start offering similar services at lower prices because they can’t compete with newcomers.
How 3PL Can Benefit a Business
One of the key advantages of using a third-party logistics provider is that it can reduce your company’s transportation costs. This is especially true if you are looking to reduce the amount of capital investment required to set up your own logistics. A 3PL also has access to IT capabilities and WMS software, which allows them to handle complex tasks such as controlling inventory levels and ensuring products are shipped on time. This can help you go paperless, which will save you money and time in the long run.
3PL services can also be useful because location matters: they can help you keep track of your shipments, no matter where they are going or how far they may be from the point of origin.
3PLs can provide a number of benefits to a business, including cost savings, reduced capital and shipping costs, IT capabilities and WMS software, and a move to a paperless format.
The first major benefit is cost savings. When you outsource your warehouse needs to 3PL, you no longer need to invest in equipment or hire employees to perform those tasks. You also don’t have to pay for the space needed for storage. This means that you will save money on storage space as well as the equipment needed for storage.
In addition to saving on storage costs, you can also reduce your shipping costs by using 3pl’s services. You won’t have to pay for shipping containers or trucks because they are provided by the 3PL company you use. This means that instead of spending thousands of dollars each month on shipping costs, which can increase over time if not monitored carefully enough, small businesses like yours (or even large ones) will only pay a flat fee per month based on the number of shipments during that time period, which can significantly reduce those costs over time!
While the benefits of 3PL are many, they all boil down to one thing: location matters. If you need help transporting goods across the country or around the world, 3PL offers the most efficient method of getting your shipments to where they need to go.
Disadvantages 3PL for Business
Using the services of a 3PL company has several disadvantages.
First, you often can’t get the same level of service from them as from your own employees. Your employees are probably more familiar with the practices and processes of your business, which means they can handle the situation better than an outside person. There is less flexibility associated with 3PLs because many companies require fixed contracts or commitments before they will agree to work with you – this can make it difficult for startups who want to try different options without putting too much money up front or having long-term contracts with only one vendor.
Second, if something goes wrong in the process, it will be harder to figure out who is responsible for fixing the situation. For example of third party logistics, if there is a problem with moving inventory, you may not know who should handle it until it happens. With 3PLs, you have less control over your own inventory management and warehousing 3pl system, which can make it difficult for companies to track inventory levels and even lead to lost goods if the company does not have enough employees to perform such tasks on a regular basis.
Finally, 3PL companies often set huge minimum amounts for orders and require strict payment terms that may not fit your business model. The cost of using 3PL services may be higher than other options because the company takes on more responsibility for inventory management and warehouse needs than you do as an individual business owner.
Conclusion: Third-party Logistics (3PL)
3PL allows small businesses to compete in the global marketplace with larger organizations because it reduces the cost of shipping goods and services. If a company manufactures its own products, it can have special warehouses to store materials, finished goods, and other consumables. With 3PLs, companies are not stuck in one market, but can expand distribution to different markets. Business development in growth is not limited to expanding the range of services and products, but also includes the development of business processes. Business processes are a formal description of the flow of activities occurring in an organization. In this case, to maintain momentum and maintain positive cash flow, the company must focus on inventory management. This is possible with the help of an effective third-party logistics service provider. With the high likelihood of risk and complex and confusing logistics issues, having a reliable partner is critical. 3PL can be your 6th sense of the supply chain.