Whether it’s short-term use to provide flex capacity, an interim approach to penetrating new markets, or a long-term strategy of outsourced distribution, FORTE can assist in every aspect of your outsourcing third party logistics (3PL) assessment and selection initiative.

Growth, increased complexity, and customer compliance requirements often force companies to re-evaluate their position on distribution. Usually additional capital funds are required to significantly increase distribution capacity through more space, equipment and resources. Often a viable option to consider is outsourcing the distribution function to a 3PL.

For successful outsourcing, your customer requirements, product characteristics, and expense structure must be a clear-cut fit with the capabilities of the 3PL. Enlist our expertise to help you determine business case justification, define requirements, qualify potential 3PL partners and manage a selection process. Taken a step further, we’ll progress a healthy relationship with your new outsourcing partner, including facility setup, transition management and operations management.

Initially, it’s important to evaluate and understand the ramifications and costs of outsourcing the distribution portion of your business. This includes the receiving, storing, picking, packing and shipping of product. This can also include value-added services and call center capabilities. Reverse logistics and returns processing must also be taken into account. The locations of the 3PL is important given the overall distributed cost of product must be minimized. And of course, throughout the distribution process, high-end quality and customer service must be maintained.

FORTE’s significant experience defining, developing and commissioning state-of-the-art distribution environments advances our ability to develop a comprehensive definition of your unique distribution requirements and identify potential candidates. FORTE partners with you to define the requirements of the outsourced distribution operation. In order to solicit information from potential 3PL providers, FORTE will develop a performance specification, which defines the relative size, scope and requirements of the distribution process.