It is fantastic news that you have decided to put your idea of setting up your own logistics department to the back of your mind because you have found out that it would not be cost effective to do so and it would cause you and your staff many headaches. All you need to do now is to find yourself the best logistics provider and that is a lot easier said than done. There are many reputable providers out there and there are also many fly by night chancers with a white van, who promise you the world and yet fail to deliver.
The marketplace is very competitive right now and so it’s likely that there are many other businesses offering the exact same product and service that you have and it’s likely that they might be cheaper as well. This is why you need to do something that separates you from the crowd and keeps you ahead of the curve. Investing in high value logistics services is your first step to pulling ahead of your competitors and staying there. If you’re not yet sold on the benefits of contracting out your logistics needs and you’re not sure how to choose the best provider then the following should help you to make the decision.
- Know their reputation – In order to find out if the logistics service provider is going to take care of you and your business properly, you need to find out about their business reputation and you can do this by talking to your fellow retailers and also going online to read about other businesses experiences with them. It is essential that they have knowledge of the particular industry that you are in, that they use E-signature to speed things along and they need to provide you with the best service possible.
- Excellent logistics management – Your logistics provider needs to have the necessary resources to provide you with an excellent service from start to finish and this includes having the right kind of transport, storage and other essential services. Make sure that they offer a packaging service and that their security is second to none.
- The best security & technology – Depending on the type of product that you deal in, it could be something very high-end and so you can afford to have it damaged, lost or stolen in transit. This is why you need to check that the potential logistics service provider has the right kind of security in place and that they are using technology to allow you to keep track of everything from point A to point B.
- All modes of transport – You want to be able to have access to every mode of transport that is out there to get your items to work they need to be. Make sure that they have access to air cargo, and other charter services and express services that you might need.
If you stick to the above four points then it is likely that you should be able to find the best logistics provider for your business. Take your time and choose wisely because this is your reputation that you’re talking about and your business brand as well.
