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The pick and pack fulfillment service is an extremely popular management system that helps both large and small companies maximize their efficiency with minimal cost. Savvy business owners know that paying a small fee to have an existing pick and pack warehouse store goods, process orders and ship products is much cheaper than the alternative of owning their own warehouses, hiring and training and maintaining their own staff, and shipping items from their own offices.
Third party logistics providers have become an increasingly popular option for companies of all sizes. There are several reasons for this. First and most importantly are the costs associated with logistics. A modern logistics network includes a warehouse, a transport company and a logistics team. At the bare minimum, a company will need to rent a warehouse, lease trucks or hire a courier service, and hire a warehouse staff including a logistics manager.
As you might imagine, starting a logistics team from scratch is extremely expensive. Not to mention the fact that they rarely perform efficiently at the start. It can take a warehouse months, even years to run like a well-oiled machine. That why many companies outsource this essential service.
When searching for a third party logistics provider, there are several factors you should consider. The first thing you should look for is turnaround time. The average pick and pack warehouse will ship goods within 48 hours. Some truly efficient operations can even guarantee same day delivery if the customer places an order before a certain time, often 1 P.M. If the turnaround time is much more than 48-72 hours customers might start to get upset so look for service providers who can guaranty a short turnaround time.
Another factor to consider is where the company ships items to. If you require worldwide shipping, you must locate a fulfillment company that has access to a reliable courier service. Shipping internationally can give you access to a whole new sales market but it also means that you need to work with a company that is knowledgeable about all aspects of international shipping.
Contracting with a pick and pack warehouse requires a little research to find a company that will fit well with the goals and policies of your company but once you find the right one you will be amazed at the speed and efficiency these warehouses can provide for you and your customers.
