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Fulfilment services store and transport goods. They often combine warehouse space with delivery capability and are an important part of the supply chain for many businesses.
Leasing warehouse space avoids the overhead costs and administration of owning and running a stand-alone warehouse. Fulfilment services offer short, medium or long-term leases, which means that you only pay for the space you need when you need it, whether six months or two years, reducing upfront costs and limiting liability.
Fulfilment warehouses are specially designed for goods storage and handling. This means that products are stored in a safe, secure area and are processed by trained pickers and drivers.
Partnering with a professional 3PL service optimised for the efficient storing and shipping of goods can improve the speed and dependability of your business.
Receiving Stock from your Suppliers
When your stock is your business, taking care of it is essential, but storing goods is only part of the story regarding 3PL fulfilment services. How the goods are received and processed is equally important.
The right information must be shared before the first pallet has been delivered, so effective communication between the customer and the 3PL warehouse is key. Each fulfilment service will have its own set of requirements, but as a minimum, they would include; the date of delivery, type of goods, number and size of pallets, and an order number. This allows the warehouse to ensure the space and workforce are ready to receive the goods.
When the stock arrives, it will be inspected and signed off by the delivery driver and the fulfilment team. The proof of delivery (POD) paperwork provides evidence to both parties that the goods have arrived in undamaged condition and in the correct quantities. PODs are an essential part of the paper trail should any issues arise later.
Your third party logistics provider must have the correct type of facilities and insurance to store your goods. BRCGS certification is necessary for food and beverage storage, and some products, such as flammables or chilled goods, will have very specific storage needs. Complete supply chain visibility is essential for these industries; a trusted fulfilment service will provide it.
Warehouse Storage
Fulfilment warehouses contain large quantities of valuable stock, so security really matters. Lockable roller shutters for doors and windows, perimeter fencing and an up-to-date CCTV and alarm system all help to keep the warehouse secure.
The bricks and mortar must also be up to the job. The fabric of the warehouse should be maintained to a high standard and kept clean, tidy and well-organised. Stock can be ruined if stored in the wrong conditions, so choosing a reputable provider that understands your business needs is vital.
Inspecting a fulfilment warehouse is the best way to ensure it meets your requirements. It’s also a great opportunity to observe working practices and ask any questions that might impact your business.
When it comes to storage, there are a wide variety of warehouse systems, each designed for specific loads, so you need to choose a suitable warehouse for storing your stock. Static shelving can’t be adjusted and is usually only suitable for lightweight inventory, but it can work well for goods that need to be picked manually. Mobile shelving is another option for manual picks, and because it’s adjustable, it can help to maximise storage space.
Freestanding or oversized pallets may be stored directly on the floor, although vertical storage space is lost when pallets can’t be stacked. Pallet racking is used by commercial warehouses because it offers excellent weight capacity and is designed for goods to be stored in bulk. These pallet racking systems can be optimised for forklift truck use, making goods receipt and handling safe and efficient.
Processing Orders
The journey from placing an order to receiving the product is usually a five-step process;
- Step 1. Placing the order
- Step 2: Picking the product
- Step 3: Sorting products
- Step 4: Packing the product
- Step 5: Shipping the product
The evolution of online storefronts means that step 1, placing an order, is now very straightforward. Amazon optimised the one-click ordering model so that a customer can shop quickly and easily without needing to enter an address or account details. That expectation has now moved to B2B transactions, where businesses appreciate the time and efficiency savings of online ordering.
For B2C businesses, steps 2 to 5 may be completed by an eCommerce 3PL fulfilment service. These order fulfilment services are optimised for the online market and can help smaller businesses operate without the overheads of a brick-and-mortar store. Fulfilment services for startups usually have a monthly subscription fee and are limited to a maximum number of units a month, plus there is a fee for each item shipped.
Larger businesses and B2B companies will likely need the facilities offered by a dedicated fulfilment logistics centre. These warehouses are designed to efficiently handle, store and deliver palletised goods. Choosing an experienced fulfilment partner, you can trust will help the order process run smoothly. The warehouse stock and paperwork must be in sync, so clear communication between the customer and the provider is essential for a strong supply chain.
Shipping and Transportation
Storage is only part of the picture. What happens when it’s time to transport your goods to the customer? The shift from storage to shipping is one of the most vulnerable points in the supply chain; the potential for loss and damage when goods are shipped is a real risk.
When transporting goods safely from warehouse to lorry to destination, each journey stage is equally important. It’s essential to have clear procedures in place to correctly identify items at every step of the way.
One way to mitigate shipping and transportation risks is to use the same 3PL company for storage and delivery. It’s more efficient since a standard set of processes and procedures will be used throughout, and goods can be loaded straight from the warehouse to the trailer.
Modern technology has also improved supply chain security and visibility. Vehicle tracking technology means keeping tabs on your goods even when they’re out on the road is possible. Real-time delivery updates allow fulfilment services and their customers to track and prepare for goods in or out.
Why are Fulfilment Services Important?
Any product-led business will require a place to hold stock and a means to deliver it. Large businesses may invest in their warehouses, but outsourcing these services to specialists offers greater flexibility and lower overhead costs.
Outsourcing order fulfilment can be a simple but highly effective way to reduce costs and create growth, especially for eCommerce and start-up businesses. Fulfilment services for small businesses in the UK are often located on the outskirts of towns and cities or near the motorway network for easy access.
Dedicated fulfilment services are experienced in the logistics of stock handling, making it easier for businesses to move their stock between storage and delivery. Utilising a specialist company to store and handle stock also saves time, so businesses can concentrate on other areas.
Why Invo Fulfilment?
We’re specialists in the receipt, handling, storage and delivery of pallets, with over 60 years of experience in warehousing and logistics. We’re straightforward and offer competitive service rates with no hidden charges, and we take the time to get to know your business to offer you the best fulfilment solution.
We have fulfilment warehouses in the North-West and the Midlands, so we’re well placed geographically to service the whole UK. Our fulfilment centres operate under the highest service levels in the industry; they’re all AA-rated BRCGS certified, and we’re members of the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), so you can store with us confidently.
We don’t underestimate the trust you’re putting in us to store and transport your goods; that’s why Invo Fulfilment partnerships are built on trust. We are part of Involvement, “Britain’s best team-led business”, and have won awards for customer experience, so choosing us as your fulfilment partner means working with a company that understands the importance of teamwork for businesses success.
Please get in touch to find out more or to arrange a site visit.
Click below to read or download a copy of our report on the benefits of partnering with a fulfilment specialist.
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