With more emphasis on streamlining the supply chain, companies are outsourcing some services to capable third-party supply chain management providers.
Working with a competent partner on supply chain managed labor can give a business a huge advantage. Outsourcing can help to save money on operations by increasing efficiency, freeing up warehouse space, and saving valuable time. A third-party supply chain management provider can also bring with them an entire network of product and service suppliers, enabling volume discounts and savings that can be passed on to their clients.
In short, outsourced managed labor can provide a way for businesses to expand into other markets without the usual barriers, and to decentralize and diversify distribution.
Standard Services for Warehouses
A well-established supply chain managed labor partner should provide the following.
- Janitorial and custodial services
- Sanitation, disposal, and recycling
- Pallet sorting and management
- Tote and container sorting and management
- Shipment processing
- Security staffing
- Trailer striping, washing, spotting, and inventory
- Parking lot striping and maintenance
- Loading, unloading, and stocking
- Scheduling, analysis, and auditing
- Labeling and packaging
These, of course, are just some of the services commonly provided by quality warehouse services. An experienced provider will be fully staffed with dependable employees skilled in their respective areas of expertise. A good provider can help you plan and implement a customized suite of services, and to build a team that understands your goals (as well as the issues you want to overcome) and will work tirelessly to help you achieve them.
Some clients have needs that go above and beyond the standard set of warehouse services. If this is you, make sure you hire a third party service that can work outside the box. So, what are some specialized services that can be contracted out to a third-party provider?
Specialized Labeling
Sometimes labels need to be changed last-minute or in unconventional ways to suit companies and their customers. A good partner should be able to cater to labeling needs as they come in, and should have the resources to do it quickly.
Heavy Hauling and Rigging
Sometimes the standard trucks, tractors, and forklifts just don’t cut it. Large, heavy, or odd-shaped products and equipment that cannot be transported using standard implements may require special rigging and heavy-hauling equipment. Your partner firm should be able to handle any of these needs for you, whether it is a regularly scheduled service or on an as-needed basis.
Customized Storage
Unusual products that are not standard in size, shape, or makeup often call for unconventional storage solutions. This is another specialized service that your provider should be able to handle for you — whether your product needs strict temperature control, requires an oversized storage space, or needs to be kept highly secure.
Supply Chain Consolidation
Ask your supply chain managed labor partner how they can help you consolidate and combine services and processes to improve your efficiency and lower costs. You may be able streamline your operations considerably by changing the way you do things such as process information and receive shipments.
Light Manufacturing/Light Assembly
Sometimes it makes sense to outsource your light manufacturing or assembly work. Moving things like light-duty drilling or cutting to an external location may free up valuable space, time, and employees so you can run a more dedicated, efficient facility.
Whatever you could use some help with, talk to your provider about how they can work with you to make it easier and more efficient. If they can’t, it may be time to shop around for a new provider. A good supply chain managed labor partner will work with you to create a customized service plan, with the perfect blend of standard and specialized services to keep your warehouse running smoothly and your customers happy. A quality supply chain managed labor partner will also work with you to regularly analyze your operations and to optimize them as needed.
To stay ahead of the competition, you must be able to adapt to industry changes and market demands as they happen. The right supply chain managed labor partner will help you ride those waves successfully by taking care of all the details.