28 Jan The Biggest Pain Points in the Logistics Industry- and How to Avoid Them
Running a successful business — whether big or small — is no easy task. From product development to quality control, marketing and ad spend, budgeting and staffing; there are no shortage of considerations existing at the forefront of a business owners’ mind. And surely, after all that carefully calculated work, the distribution of goods shouldn’t be the bottleneck standing in the way of your company’s projected ROI.
That being said, the supply chain can represent a rather complicated piece of the puzzle, and the logistics industry grapples with its fair share of pain points. Is your supply chain agile, flexible and reliable? Are you working with the right carriers? Do you have access to the transportation tools you need? Are you getting the best price?
Fortunately, with the right third-party logistics (3PL) expertise at your disposal, finding the most appropriate carrier, mode and shipping method to best suit the needs of your business becomes, well… rather easy.
1. Reputation
As a business owner, reputation plays an integral role in the process of vetting and selecting partnerships. So, why should the transportation of your goods be any different? Carriers play an important role in the grand scheme of your business and, with this in mind, Mactrans actively vets carriers on behalf of each client to ensure a streamlined process. After all, in many ways drivers are your ‘ambassadors on the road’, and every business should have access a fleet of clean and skilled carriers, who understand the ins and outs of the industry.
In that same breath, the treatment of carriers should also be top of mind. The relationship between a business and their preferred carrier is dynamic, and the needs and requirements of both parties should be considered throughout the process. As with most relationships, open communication is often the key to success, and Mactrans helps to facilitate this by matching their clients with the right carrier partner, based on their unique needs.
2. Transparency and Honesty
From a client’s point of view, there are few things worse than getting hit with unexpected costs and fees hidden throughout the supply chain. Unfortunately, the logistics industry has traditionally struggled in the realm of visibility, and business owners were frequently left in the dark when it came to their supply chain and, moreover, the true cost to get their products from point A to point B.
With the help of a dedicated transportation expert who boasts a wealth of carrier and distribution experience, you gain a new, more informed perspective when analyzing your shipping procedures. We ensure clients have complete access to pertinent information affecting their supply chain, including detention and waiting times, ideal routes, potential issues, and all applicable fees and costs. With so many years in the industry as a reliable third-party provider and unbiased facilitator, we have developed a transparent and pro-active approach to logistics that suits each customer’s exact requirements. Leave the transportation expertise to us, so you can focus on running your business.
3. Finding Experts in Specific Verticals
Finding the right transportation mode, carrier and route for your business is hardly a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the vertical of your business, your supply chain will be subject to different needs and requirements. In many instances, large suppliers might find themselves reaching out to numerous companies in hopes to find something to move their large freight, but what if those carriers don’t have the skill or appropriate resources to move that freight? Further, what if they aren’t honest about their ability to successfully yield that request? Who is advocating on their behalf to ensure they get the best mode, with the right capabilities, for the best price?
As a business owner, especially one who deals with large freight, it is ever-important to find a 3PL company that has expertise in specific verticals. They should be able to transform your supply chain into a tactical advantage with ease, able to negotiate appropriate rates, plan and execute the ideal rate and mode, optimize routes and establish a collaborative relationship with carriers. No matter the industry, no matter the type of transportation, they should be able to design, implement and oversee the best strategy and resources for your business.
Ready to transform your transportation strategy? We can help. Contact us for more information.