Shippers cannot afford to overlook location when optimizing their distribution strategies. Like any industry, organizational proximity to target consumers plays a huge role in success. Therefore, it is important to find a third-party logistics provider (3PL) that has the proper warehousing network reach and asset utilization that can enable growth, increase profits, and decrease a shipper’s carbon footprint.

A desirable location isn’t the only factor that shippers should focus on when considering their warehousing and order fulfillment needs. Value-added logistics also involves processes like automated picking and packaging services that make product distribution more effective, whether B2B or B2C. With hands-on care and attention from the right 3PL, you can transform the way your inventory is managed and watch as your bottom line benefits.

Make sure your 3PL offers:

A robust warehousing network

A network of facilities built specifically to provide the most cost-effective points of entry to the U.S. marketplace — both in terms of shipping costs and time in transit to end customers. For example, warehousing facilities that are strategically located near popular shipping hubs such as the New Jersey Turnpike, Port of Savannah, the Inland Empire, and the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach create a bicoastal distribution footprint for shippers.

Bicoastal networks help you close the gaps between your products and your target consumers. Additionally, they can lead to huge costs savings and many other significant advantages.

Value-added services

Find a provider that offers services that shorten your last mile, enhance real-time insight, increase flexibility, and improve the reliability of your deliveries. Now, let’s look at some of the most current examples of leading warehousing and distribution solutions:

  • Cross-docking and transloading opportunities
  • Omni-channel distribution
  • RF-enabled software
  • Pick and pack replenishment
  • Same-day drop-ship fulfillment and shipping
  • Kitting/co-packing services
  • Vendor managed inventory
  • Bulk/oversized capabilities
  • Retail consolidation practices
  • Food grade warehouse certifications
  • Optimized small parcel contracts and discounts
  • Real-time small parcel track & trace
  • Shipping cart integrations
  • Full EDI and API connectivity
  • WMS and inventory management reporting

With extra support from best-in-class technology, your logistics partner can also better manage your supply chain from end to end. Therefore, you can improve your service to your customers regardless of if they’re brick-and-mortar retailers or Amazon. Additionally, order fulfillment is the final link to your end customers. Therefore, it should be prioritized.

State-of-the-art warehousing capabilities

Warehouses with impressive features, including clear ceilings, a multitude of dock doors, 24-hour surveillance, guard services, narrow aisle pallet racking, and a fully secured container yard. Additionally, you should identify sites that specialize in services specific to your unique business processes.

The location of your warehouses will determine a product’s speed to market and decrease the potential for delays. Additionally, a strong location will streamline more complex processes like returns by increasing the convenience factor. Furthermore, when you integrate leading value-added services that cut out wasteful warehousing practices, you’re maximizing your operational efficiency while keeping your customer base satisfied.

About O’Neill Logistics

O’Neill Logistics is a leading 3PL with operations in Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Savannah, GA; and Newark/Monroe, NJ. We service many verticals including Garments, Fashion Accessories, Footwear, Furniture, Home Goods, & Electronics. Additionally, our services include omni-channel distribution and all value-added services. Lastly, we focus on retail “drop shipment” fulfillment and item-level fulfillment services with same-day service offerings.

We have over 2 million square feet which are all state-of-the-art facilities, offer dray services to support the warehouses, and handle distribution to retailers and wholesalers.

Our main drive is to simplify your supply chain by delivering exceptional service and optimizing your operational performance. Therefore, we aim to build, protect, and foster strong business partnerships.

O’Neill’s reliable 3PL platform, combining sophisticated technology with robust, flexible processing designs and speed-to-market gateway models, was built by our management team of seasoned executives with backgrounds in transportation, distribution and technology across domestic and international supply chains.