Outsourcing your order fulfillment to a 3PL (third-party logistics) provider can be one of the most critical decisions you make for your high-growth product business. We’ve done the legwork for you, putting over 80 3PLs through our rigorous 25-point Evaluation Process.
Only 1 in 10 achieve our coveted Bluprint Certification.
We use the proven process below to find and set up the best 3PL to support your needs — now and into the future.
1. GATHER REQUIREMENTS
We'll learn about your product lines, inventory, order types, shipping requirements, customer locations and growth trajectory to assemble your company profile.
2. list of potentials
Guided by this profile, we'll generate an extensive list of 3PL partner candidates in locations best suited for your shipping needs.
3. request for quotation
Our team will send a detailed RFQ to each of the 3PLs we believe meet your requirements based on our initial research. The RFQ will include company details, product information and order forecasts to allow for the most accurate quotations possible.
4. SITE VISITS
We will conduct in-person site visits and score each candidate on our proprietary 25-point 3PL Bluprint Evaluation which looks at everything from capacity to cleanliness to technology. Due to our high standards, most 3PLs are eliminated at this stage.
5. negotiate & decide
We will narrow the field down to your top three choices and will begin contract negotiations focused on the specific areas that will provide you with the most benefit. With your input, we will decide on the best long-term 3PL partner.
6. setup & launch
To ensure a smooth transition, we will assist with technical systems integration and procedural documentation for product receiving, packing and returns inspection. In addition, we'll provide quality control checks during the next 4 weeks to ensure your inventory is handled properly and orders are being fulfilled according to your specifications.
7. qc & monitor
We provide detailed quality control checks for four weeks post-launch to ensure your inventory is handled properly and orders are being fulfilled according to your specifications. We also schedule a three-month check-in to review your new 3PL’s performance and address any issues that may have surfaced.
8. next steps
If you would like us to be the primary point of contact for your 3PL moving forward, we can provide ongoing operations support via our Ops Partner Program, as well.