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10
Aug
2009

It is Always Critical to Choose the Right 3PL Partner

by Michael Kotendzhi | Logistics
It is Always Critical to Choose the Right 3PL Partner

It is the top priority to work with the right logistics partner, especially today. In the global environment, you may need to work with a large 3PL partner. If you choose to work with 18 Wheels Logistics Ltd, you are partnering with a company that has more than 40 years of experience in providing cross-docking, trucking, third party logistics, third party warehousing, distribution, RTD, and other freight services.

3PL service providers have multiple functions. They receive new inventory from manufacturers before shipping it to consumers and they often handle retail distribution and returns. Other services can include packing and warehousing.

Types of 3PL Providers

Not all 3PL providers are created equally. It is important to choose one that fits your organization and meets your needs. To do this, you need to know what kind of service you are looking for. End-to-end? Or something in between? Here is a brief overview of the services they can provide.

Full-Service 3PL Providers 

  • Inventory intelligence
  • Brand the fulfillment experience
  • Easy integration
  • Same-day fulfillment

Warehouse and Distribution 3PLs

  • Warehouse network
  • Pricing
  • Shipping carrier rates
  • Insurance
  • Daily cutoff time for fulfilling orders
  • Delivery service levels
  • Management tools

Transportation Based 3PLs

  • Origin location
  • Destination location
  • Timeframes
  • Shipping methods
  • Service levels
  • Pricing and discounts

Before choosing a 3PL partner, ask yourself these 3 questions to determine if you need a 3PL partner.

  • Are you fulfilling a significant volume of orders each day?
  • Are you running out of storage space for inventory?
  • Can your business’s infrastructure handle the demand?

If your answer is YES to all of these, you definitely need an experienced 3PL service provider to help your business. 18 Wheels Logistics can help any sized business.

For over 30 years, 18 Wheels Logistics has strived to be the most customer-centric trucking, warehousing, and logistics company around. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 18 Wheels relies on experience and integrity to make customers happy and remain on the cutting edge of shipping and logistics management.

If you have any questions about this article or you would like to talk to us about your shipping needs, please call us at (604) 439-8938.


Michael Kotendzhi is President of Operations & Transportation and a partner at 18 Wheels. Michael has over 15 years of experience and is equipped with a degree in Logistics from the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business. As well as a background in logistics from XPO Logistics (formally Kelron Logistics), North America's largest contract warehousing provider.

Michael's experience includes supply chain management, reverse logistics, & domestic transportation. He has developed 18 Wheels' trucking solutions, effectively utilizing the sister company's vehicle fleet and building a transportation supply-chain network across North America.