Are delays and inefficiencies from your current logistics provider affecting your business? Consider changing 3PL providers, upgrading your operations, and skyrocketing your efficiency. But what is 3PL logistics and what should you focus on? Let’s dive into it:

When should you consider changing 3PL providers?

Usually, if your business is rapidly growing, and you need scalability, or if your company has very specific needs, and you need custom solutions that your current provider can’t cover.

Mainly if you feel like your logistics operations have been underperforming, you have tried different strategies already, and you are not seeing the results you want.  

But how to identify when is it time to switch 3PL providers? Here are some common indicators to help you determine it:

Poor performance and delivery delays

When you are getting recurring complaints from customers about

• Late deliveries
• Wrong orders
• Damaged or missing items.

This damages your reputation, causing unhappy customers to turn to the competition, your brand losing credibility and profit loss for your business.

What a logistics provider does is, assume the responsibility for ensuring your order fulfillment is prompt and accurate, and that there aren’t delays, so your customers receive exactly what they ordered and on time. 

At EP Logistics, we understand the importance of this and strive to provide you with services you can rely on. As experts on logistics, we make sure both your order fulfillment and deliveries are accurate, efficient, and on time to keep your customers satisfied. 

Lack of scalability

Another sign for changing 3PL providers is when your business is growing and your provider can’t keep up with the upgrades you need, which results in a loss of opportunities and restraints your company’s expansion.

Some examples of this are

• Not being able to acquire additional storage
• Lack of fulfillment centers that can handle order volume increase during peak season and special events.
• No integration with advanced technologies that facilitate a larger inventory management.   

Changing 3PL providers allows your business to have a logistics partner that can grow with it and that offers flexibility to upgrade or downgrade as needed to adapt to the changing market and adjust to your budget and goals at the moment.

That’s why our services offered at EP Logistics are fully customizable and scalable, so they can grow with you and adapt to your specific business needs. From micro fulfillment centers to large-scale warehouse operations, we have you covered. 

Limited technology integration

If your current 3PL services lack integration of advanced technology systems or use outdated ones, it is time to change your third-party logistics provider.

Your business is missing out on tools that not only give you a competitive advantage but also make your processes easier, cut down costs, enhance your operations accelerate your supply chain, and improve your customer satisfaction.

Your business will greatly benefit from  changing 3PL providers  with modern fulfillment centers that offer integration with:

• Cloud-based systems
• AI tools
• Data and analytics
• WHMS management
• Real-time tracking technologies

Always seeking to bring the best services, at EP Logistics we stay updated and include these integrations in our solutions for your business to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced changing technological world and optimize your supply chain with tools that simplify all.

Key benefits of changing to a better 3PL

Although you might think switching to a more capable 3PL provider won’t make a big difference, in reality, changing 3PL providers can have a huge impact on boosting your business efficiency performance:

Improved efficiency and cost savings

An expert 3PL service will enhance your operation costs and timeframes through:

• Strategic planning
• Offering a one-stop place for solutions
• Use of technological tools
• Route optimization
• Sustainable road freight services
• Localization
• Giving you access to their networks
• Customs brokerage for smooth cross-border trade
• Participation in special tax programs
• and much more

Changing 3PL providers that offer you these and more benefits, will make all of your operations along your supply chain, easier, faster, more cost-efficient, and more efficient resulting in a larger market exposure, profit increase, and greater customer satisfaction.

Our team, at EP Logistics, offers their expertise to help you assess your business requirements and tailor the exact services your company needs to thrive.

Access to advanced technology and automation

Having the advantage of services integrated with the newest technologies and systems gives you access to tools such as automation, AI, and predictive analytics that improve your inventory management order fulfillment accuracy and speed up your shipping and delivery. 

The technologies integrated in our EP Logistics solutions, ensure you have the best tools for your supply chain processes to run smoothie, avoiding delays, complications, and unnecessary added costs.

Scalability and flexibility

When you are working with a 3PL that allows your business to upscale as needed, you save a lot of money in upfront costs, taking advantage of their infrastructure.

It also ensures that you can rely on warehouse storage that will suffice when demand increases, as well as on having a fulfillment center that can keep up with the changes in volume to adjust to the market trends changes.

EP Logistics offers flexible warehousing services and e-commerce fulfillment that can be upgraded or downgraded according to your current business goals and needs. 

Steps to transition smoothly to a new 3PL provider

Although there are some aspects to take into consideration when changing 3PL providers to avoid disruptions, transitioning is easier than it seems. Here are some of them: 

Evaluate your needs and goals

Assess and determine what your new goals and needs are before making the switch. This way you can identify the exact upgrades you need and put possible challenges in perspective. 

If you need guidance assessing and determining what you need, at EP Logistics, our team will gladly help you. From understanding what is a 3PL provider, the different services you can benefit from, and evaluating needs, our team is ready to make the transition easier. 

Research and shortlist providers

Research not only the different services available but also make sure your newly chosen 3PL:

• Has proven experience in the specific service you need
• Ensure they are flexible and scalable
• Integrates the use of advanced technologies across their solutions
• Are known for their experience and reliability.

At EP Logistics, we have a proven reputation of over 20 years helping businesses grow and optimize their operations and increase their customer satisfaction in both Mexico and the U.S. through our professional and reliable logistics solutions.

Communicate with both providers

Once you are ready to transition, keep open and clear communication between both your previous and new providers to facilitate the transfer. Define responsibilities, timelines, and steps to follow, to avoid disruptions and ensure a smooth transition to a new 3PL.

At EP Logistics, our goals during your onboarding are to make the process fast and easy for you and to keep clear and open communication at all times so you can rest assured your processes are being handled by professionals and have peace of mind.

Create a transition timeline

When you have decided to transition to a new 3PL provider, make sure you take into consideration and include inventory transfer, technology integration, and operational handoff in your plan. 

If you need assistance, or if you’re not sure of what is a third-party logistics provider that offers one-stop services can do for your business, our team at EP Logistics can guide you and help you plan making sure all aspects are covered and ensuring your operations are not disrupted.

How EP Logistics supports businesses during a 3PL transition

Our services at EP Logistics are designed to simplify the process of Changing 3PL providers with custom solutions and guidance at every step. We offer:

Customized fulfillment solutions

With our fulfillment services and e-commerce fulfillment services, your business orders are taken care of promptly and accurately.  From micro fulfillment centers to large-scale distribution networks, we ensure your customers get their items on time and in optimal condition.

Seamless supply chain support

We simplify the process by offering you all the needed services in one place. Our services at EP Logistics complement each other and are tailored to your specific business needs, regardless of what industry you belong to.

From storing your goods, inventory management, pick and packing, customs brokerage, transport, and delivery, we have everything your business needs to enhance its supply chain and become more profitable. 

If you’re considering switching to a new 3PL, contact us at EP Logistics today and start benefiting from working with a reliable partner that has all the solutions to boost your operations and business competitiveness.