For business owners who are putting their efforts into running and growing their company, dealing with the issues of logistics can take up precious time and resources. The increase of globalization, shorter delivery expectations, and competitive diverse product selections all contribute to the growing complications and difficulty surrounding logistics.

​A 3PL partner will alleviate the headaches associated with convoluted logistics problems by ensuring that your projects are completed in a timely and efficient manner. Furthermore, an exceptional 3PL company will put forth the effort to understand your supply chain and customers in order to create an ideal strategy for your company. This strategy includes pin-pointing creative and profitable solutions in the coordination of:

• Special care for fragile or perishable goods
• Packaging that is custom for your products
• Appropriate loading and unloading of items
• Acquiring special permits for heavy or oversized loads
• Short or long term warehouse storage
• Optimal transportation modes and routes for distribution
• Reverse logistics

 
Here in Vancouver, British Columbia, 18 Wheels Logistics can handle all 3PL needs including warehousing, trucking, and co-packing. Let our professional and experienced team create a 3PL strategy to suit the needs of your business. 

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​In today’s current challenging times it’s crucial that businesses have the support and flexibility of their supply chain partners. With changing laws and updates every day, 3PLs are adjusting their practices and re-evaluating their operation strategies. Luckily, many 3PLs are willing to be flexible and make necessary changes for their clients in order to help keep supply chain operations moving forward.

As COVID-19 continues to spread, protocols of local and federal officials are continuously changing. One protocol requires that non-essential workers and companies discontinue working for the time being, while those that are deemed essential are given permission to continue operation. Today’s changing environment can render a new order to be executed, and it’s a 3PL’s job to keep track of these updates and ensure that they’re in compliance with them.

​In order to keep business efficient and running, 3PLs are also implementing safeguard operations in order to deal with the increase in demand. Internal measures and adaptions must be taken in order to keep work environments safe, facilities clean, and supply chain operations moving. Some measures may include:

• Hygiene guides for employees to minimize spreading
• Social distancing measures for employees that are in compliance with legal protocols
• Protocol for visitors in order to reduce the risk of exposure or possible virus spread
• Strict cleaning protocols for all facilities and surfaces  
• Employees to work from home, when possible

 
These measures taken by 3PL providers will protect teams and help keep supply chain operations moving forward. Many 3PLs are showing clients that they’re willing to go above and beyond to ensure the continuity of their clients’ operations.

18 Wheels Warehousing and Trucking in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada is well equipped to handle any supply chain needs during COVID-19. Contact us for all your co-packaging, transportation, and distribution needs. ​

It’s important for any small industry to produce quality products at a continual speed to ensure success and growth. Still, for many industries, like food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals, there needs to be a proper packaging system in place. Surprisingly, many small industries can’t handle the specific or large-scale requirements of industrial packaging. Fortunately, that’s where contract packaging comes in handy. Any small industry or business must understand how contract packaging works to ensure a smooth supply chain for its clients.

Vancouver Industrial Real Estate Market Update in one word “Balance”.
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The GVRD industrial warehouse market for the next quarter looks to be balanced by both short term and long-term demand and supply constraints.

Demand

• Industrial properties are tied to many essential services leaving a bright outlook for the industrial warehouse market.
• Construction in Vancouver of new industrial warehouses is slowing as there are less trades people available to work due to some staying at home, in addition BC may follow suite of Ontario’s shut down of all non-essential industrial construction. 
• Companies are needing to adapt quickly to more of an online business model as people are social distancing and ordering products online. 
• Short term leases are on the rise as companies look for extra space to store overflow product. This is balanced by non-essential businesses are starting to sublease extra warehouse space available.
• Availability for industrial warehouse is still tight from the previous quarter.

Supply
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• COVID-19 has caused an abrupt slowdown in the industrial activity in the Greater Vancouver Area. 
• Industrial warehouse tenants in Vancouver are submitting notices to their landlords requesting extensions for paying rent.
• Buyers and tenants looking for new industrial property have hit the pause button for the most part and are now in the “wait and see” category.
• Prior to the pandemic lease rates were on a steady rise in 2019, and in 2020 they were starting to slow in growth, post COVID-19  lease rates  are now stabilizing
• China’s initial supply chain shutdown has caused disruptions.
• The economy is expected to slow due to people losing net wealth in their stock portfolios combined with the loss of jobs.  Consumer spending is slowing.

Need help with overflow warehousing or trucking services in Western Canada? Contact us today at sales@18wheels.ca

A recent study from SupplyChainNetworks SCN on the key geographic areas targeted for massive growth for 3PL distribution for 2020 include the areas of: New York, New Jersey, Vancouver British Columbia, Ohio, California, Washington, Montreal Quebec, Toronto Ontario, Florida, and Illinois.  SCN has identified these geographical cities, states, and provinces to be markets that continue to emerge faster than others. 

As consumer demands grows for online purchasing 3PL warehousing is becoming more important.  Especially 3PL distribution near key metropolitan areas as vendors have a need to distribute close to residential communities.

The acceleration of demand to these specific areas has attracted the attention of Real Estate Industrial Funds.  In 2020 the forecast of capital allocated towards investing in industrial real estate in these areas is estimated to be up to 10% of the industrial capital deployed to all of North America.