Logistics Outsourcing Consultants
Logistics outsourcing relationships can be hard to establish, manage, and maintain.
We’re here to help you identify and solve your outbound delivery challenges so you can keep your customers happy and stay profitable.
The Challenges of Logistics Outsourcing
For many Small to Medium Enterprises, Logistics Outsourcing is often a very difficult relationship to establish and manage. A lack of understanding of how to go about the outsourcing process can lead to unexpected costs and customer service impacts.
As 3PL consultants, we can help you deal with your third party logistics providers, from finding the right provider through to negotiating the contract. We have been dealing with Logistics Outsourcing contracts since 1990 and have helped hundreds of businesses through these challenges.
How We Can Fix Your Outsourcing Issues
To fix a Logistics Outsourcing relationship that isn’t working as it should be there are three main options:.
Try to fix the existing Logistics Outsourcing contract/relationship
We always start by trying to optimise your current outsourcing arrangement. To do this we will review your current contract, service level agreements and operational efficiency. Through site visits and data analysis we identify areas for improvement in warehouse management systems, inventory management and picking efficiency. We work with your current 3PL provider to implement solutions that improve customer service levels and reduce costs. This can involve things like renegotiating contracts, improving communication channels or introducing new technology. By improving your existing relationship we aim to improve operational performance and customer satisfaction without changing partners. Just like marriage guidance counsellors, we always start with the objective of fixing the existing relationship, so feel free to reach out and contact us if you need help.
Change to a different Outsourcing partner
If your current logistics operation isn’t meeting your business needs then we can guide you through the process of finding a new partner. We start by understanding your company’s logistics requirements and conducting a wide range of market research to find potential freight forwarders or fulfillment centres. Our consultants will help with the solution design so that potential partners can meet your specific needs. We can then help you evaluate proposals, negotiate contracts and establish service level agreements.
Bring the functions back in-house
In some cases, the best solution may be to internalise your logistics operation. We conduct a full cost-benefit analysis to determine if this is right for your business. If so, we guide you through the entire process of setting up an in-house logistics operation. This includes designing the warehouse layout, implementing inventory management systems and setting up transportation networks. We will work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to your supply chain.
SME Logistics Outsourcing Audit
Conducted with 2-3 weeks and at a cost of under $10,000 + GST, our approach will give you the following benefits:
- Logistics Outsourcing Contract review, to establish the commercial relationship and arrangements.
- Logistics Outsourcing Specification review, to establish the agreed services and service standards.
- Logistics Outsourcing Rates review, to establish the rate structure and the behaviour it drives. We also check the actual rates for market competitiveness.
- Contractor Performance Analysis to identify those areas needing improvement.
- A tailor made Key Performance Indicator report to manage contractor relationships ongoing.
- A customised roadmap to improved Outsourcing Performance.
- A 2-hour workshop with selected staff to explain and impart the performance improvement roadmap.
- Membership to our 12-month online Supply Chain Education Program (valued at $800) for up to four staff.