Warehousing Services You Should Expect From 3rd Party Logistics

By Author: Lori Martinez
Total Articles: 4
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Specializing in integrated operation, warehousing, and transportation, 3rd party logistics providers scale and customize these services to customer's needs depending on a variety of factors, including market conditions, delivery service requirements, and the demands for their materials and products. Of course, warehousing services offered from one 3rd party logistics company to the next can vary. Here's a look at what you should expect in warehousing capabilities and service.

Generally speaking, warehousing should include extensive safety features, like covered docks, sprinkler systems in case of fire, reliable 24 hour security, to name but a few. Easy access to major transportation such as highways, seaports, rails, and airports is highly desirable.

Here are some additional warehousing services you should be looking for in 3rd party logistics.

Cross-docking is receiving full loads by containers or trailers, stripping them for delivering domestically or onto overseas containers, which reduces the customer's operating costs.

Consolidation ...
... is receiving several small shipments then combining them into a full load for exportation. They should also store freight until a full-container load is accumulated.

Deconsolidation is organizing your product into smaller, easily managed pieces, enabling a quicker delivery to market, including breaking down shipments into destination specific distributable units.

Pick and Pack is deconsolidating any quantity of products, picking out specific products destined for a specific destination, and repackaging them including an invoice and a shipping label generated by the 3rd party logistics company.

Shrink and Stretch Wrapping should be available, which increases security of the cargo with wrapping materials that offers product protection, which in turn reduces damage possibilities and thereby reduces claims.

Labeling should be available, generated by the logistics company for customer's cargo.

In addition, you may wish to inquire as to whether the following services are offered:

Bonded Cargo Handling

Box/Crating

FedEX, DHL, USP

Slip sheeting

Truckload and LTL

Packing and Repacking

Same day shipping

Kitting

Of course, warehousing is only one part of what 3rd party logistics offers clients, but it is extremely important that it offers your company a full range of services.

Lori Martinez is a freelance writer for Spectrum Logistics, a premier 3rd party logistics company in Jacksonville. Visit the Spectrum Logistics website for more information about international transport companies.