Warehouse Basics Blog

Georgia: 3PL Logistics Sweet Spot

Posted by Ken Watkins on Wed, Nov 19, 2014 @ 01:02 PM

Source:  http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/georgia-logistics-sweet-spot/

Many elements make The Peach State appealing to site selection teams. But the seeds of its success are firmly planted in its logistics assets.

Ray Charles may have put Georgia on everyone's mind, but when it comes to manufacturing and distribution site selection, it is the state's ships, planes, trains, and trucks that keep Georgia top of mind.

"Georgia is so fortunate to have tremendous logistical advantages—combined with a central geographic location, highly skilled workforce, and business-friendly environment," said Chris Carr when he was named commissioner of Georgia's Department of Economic Development in 2013. "In the three years since Governor Nathan Deal took office, Georgia successfully attracted more than 75,000 new jobs and $14 billion in investment to the state. As the old saying goes: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'"

While there may be nothing to fix, somehow the state still finds new ways to solidify and improve its position of logistics leadership.

Third-party logistics (3PL) providers and transportation companies in Georgia gain competitive efficiencies and strategic business advantages by operating in the transportation "super hub" of the Southeast. Locating operations at the crossroads of north-south and east-west travel in North America enables them to move products quickly and easily via air, road, rail, and sea to global markets in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

Four of the top 10 warehouse providers in North America are headquartered in Georgia, and 90 percent of the top 25 global 3PLs maintain operations in the state. Tier 1 companies leverage Georgia's 4,700 miles of railway, 118,777 miles of top-ranked public highways, the world's busiest and most efficient airport, and two deepwater seaports to connect with customers.

This built-in logistics ecosystem fuels competitiveness throughout the state, and provides a solid foundation for sustainable growth. Businesses save time and money by seamlessly connecting airports and seaports with rail and roads, enabling companies to compress shipping and delivery cycles.

Progress at the Ports

Central to Georgia's role as a logistics leader are the activities of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA). The organization is committed to maintaining the state's competitive edge by developing leading-edge technology, marketing, and operations to move cargo faster. In addition, the GPA works to identify what must be done today to sustain growth, performance, and security tomorrow.

"Since 1945, Georgia's ports have served as magnets for international trade and investment, enriching the state's economy," says GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. "The Georgia Ports Authority is dedicated to providing customers with the most efficient, productive port facilities in the nation, and to creating jobs and business opportunities to benefit more than 9.1 million Georgians."

Gateways to the World

Georgia's deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick—together with inland barge operations in Bainbridge and Columbus—are the state's gateways to the world. "Ports are the critical conduits through which raw materials and finished products flow to and from destinations around the globe," Foltz says.

As a quasi-state agency, GPA activities are governed by a 13-member board of directors appointed by the governor to serve staggered four-year terms. As chief executive, Foltz implements policy directives, administrative duties, and managerial controls.

One of the state's largest public employers, the GPA directly employs nearly 1,000 trained logistics professionals. GPA operations—together with private sector, port-related operations—account for some 352,000 jobs statewide, $66.9 billion in sales, and income exceeding $18.5 billion annually.

Georgia's port operations include:

  • The Port of Savannah.Two modern, deepwater terminals—Garden City Terminal and Ocean Terminal—comprise the Port of Savannah. Together, these facilities exemplify the GPA's exacting efficiency and productivity standards.

    At 1,200 acres, the Garden City Terminal is the nation's largest container facility. Because the entire terminal is owner-operated, the port's operations are streamlined to serve shippers and carriers.

    At some other ports, for example, truckers must check in to one shipping line's leased terminal to drop off an export box, then repeat that check-in process at another line's terminal to pick up an import box. At Garden City Terminal, however, truckers check in once, navigate to drop-off and pick-up points, and enjoy much quicker turn times.

    By the same token, Garden City features nearly 10,000 feet of berth space that is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Ships don't have to wait on a limited number of berths leased to a specific company. As a result, both maritime and landside port users can get cargo moving more quickly and efficiently.

    Savannah's dedicated breakbulk and roll-on/roll-off facility, Ocean Terminal, covers 208 acres and provides customers with more than 1.3 million square feet of covered, versatile storage.

  • The Port of Brunswick.Composed of three GPA-owned deepwater terminals, the Port of Brunswick is one of the fastest-growing auto and heavy machinery ports in North America. More than 20 major auto manufacturers, supported by five auto processors, use the Colonel's Island Terminal, which is also home to the Southeast's fastest-growing bulk export/import operation. Agri-products from Georgia and the U.S. grain belt, as well as import products, flow smoothly across the Colonel's Island docks.

    The Port of Brunswick's Mayor's Point Terminal facilitates exporting Georgia's valuable forest products, while Marine Port Terminal specializes in handling breakbulk and bulk commodities.

  • Port Bainbridge and Port Columbus. Georgia's inland terminal operations provide a strategic advantage for bulk commodities moving to and from the southeastern United States.

An important facet of the GPA's success is Georgia's geographical advantage. "The Port of Savannah's location makes it a hub for the export of American-made products from cities such as Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, Louisville, and Charlotte," explains Foltz.

Another location-related advantage: room to grow. "While Georgia's ports currently handle about three million 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) annually, the GPA's strategic plans will allow us to handle 6.5 million TEUs without increasing our physical footprint on terminal," Foltz says. "Off terminal, a wealth of industrial real estate near the port and major interstates is available for development."

Further competitive assets include interstate access, two Class I rail lines, and the largest portfolio of containership services in the U.S. Southeast. Immediate access from the Port of Savannah to I-16 heading east-west, and I-95 stretching north-south, means motor carriers can reach key cities and manufacturing points throughout the U.S. Southeast and Midwest within a one- to two-day drive.

Thanks to on-terminal rail yards, cargo shipped by rail is not limited by highway weight restrictions. Service from both Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation delivers more choices for reaching the hinterlands.

With 5.4 million people in the Metro Atlanta area, and a state population of 9.9 million, Georgia is more than a formidable singular market. Its transportation infrastructure makes it a springboard to reach the entire U.S. Southeast.

Ship to Rail

Rail connectivity from the Port of Savannah means cargo owners enjoy daily service to every major destination east of the Mississippi. GPA's Network Georgia provides the fastest rail connections of any East Coast port to Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas, as well as overnight service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, and Charleston.

"The Port of Savannah is 100 miles closer to Atlanta than any other port," Foltz notes. "This is significant because Atlanta serves as a major hub for rail and truck traffic."

As the only East Coast port featuring two Class I rail providers on a single terminal, Savannah offers two-day service to Birmingham and Huntsville, Ala.; Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, Fla.; and Memphis and Nashville, Tenn. Norfolk Southern and CSX service at the Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal averages 18 inbound and 18 outbound trains weekly, delivering more choices to reach inland markets.


Prime Logistics Location. Taking full advantage of its geographic location at the crossroads of north-south and east-west travel in North America, Georgia provides shippers easy access to a wealth of major interstates, rail networks, airports, and sea ports. Abundant warehousing space rounds out the offerings, which add up to a convenient and efficient logistics sector.


"Our two on-terminal intermodal facilities also mean shippers don't have to haul their goods to remote rail yards, and can get cargo to DCs or other destinations more quickly," Foltz says. "What's more, fewer truck miles mean shorter transit times, resulting in improved speed to market and lower storage costs."

Superior infrastructure at the GPA is matched by more flexible service. "In the past, many shippers equated intermodal directly to rail. But today, the GPA focuses on how intermodal moves fit into the port's overall efficiency," says Griff Lynch, the GPA's chief operating officer. "The current view encompasses the whole process from ship to destination, and beyond. It includes establishing routes before a container is even shipped."

The 30 employees who coordinate the movement of cargo to and from GPA rail yards are now also part of a larger and more flexible group that includes all of operations. Developed over the past few years, this operations strategy allows the GPA to absorb increased volume in different sections of the terminal, with the flexibility to move skilled workers to where they are most required at the time.

"Savannah serves as the Southeast's hub for intermodal moves," says John Trent, the GPA's senior director of strategic operations and safety. "The port is working with its two Class I railroads to strengthen its position, and make Georgia the dominant hub for East Coast rail traffic."

An inland port agreement signed by the governor, the GPA, and rail access provider Cordele Intermodal Services extends the international reach of businesses in Southeast Georgia and adjacent regions of Florida and Alabama by ensuring a direct 200-mile rail route to and from GPA's Garden City Terminal in Savannah.

The Port of Savannah forms a distribution center hub, with more than four million square feet of warehouse space available. "Attracting DCs to the port will generate vessel calls to serve those facilities," says Foltz. "In turn, those calls guarantee more empty container deliveries to support the region's export market."

The Port of Savannah has garnered keen interest among many national 3PLs, prompting them to establish facilities to help serve shippers more efficiently.

"Adding to that momentum was a change in the business model of large retailers," says Stacy Watson, the GPA's general manager of economic and industrial development. "To concentrate on their core business, many big-box retailers outsourced logistics operations."

As big-box retailers locate distribution centers in Georgia, they bring their 3PLs with them. This development created a boom in Savannah's 3PL market, and gave the GPA access to shippers served by 3PLs in other cities.

A key factor in 3PLs selecting the Port of Savannah is the volume of ocean shipping services—which gives shippers more solutions to meet their logistics needs.

"Georgia's growth and prosperity are inextricably linked to the success of its ports, and to the state's ability to complement them with the best surface logistics network in the nation."—Jay Shaw, Chairman, State Transportation Board

"Savannah has more weekly container services than any other port on the East Coast except for New York," says Chris Logan, the GPA's senior director for trade development. "The number of ocean services offers 3PL customers more choices for reaching world markets."

The Georgia Ports Authority is also making significant investments in terminal improvements to increase capacity and boost efficiency—further establishing Georgia as the gateway for trade to the southeast United States. Among the GPA's growth initiatives:

New cranes. Four new ship-to-shore cranes at the Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal bring the number of electric-powered container cranes to 27—the most at any single terminal in the United States. "These new super post-Panamax cranes further enhance the terminal's cargo handling efficiency," says Foltz.

The new cranes help prepare Savannah to better accommodate larger container vessels, expected to increase in number after the expanded Panama Canal opens in 2015.

New roads. Also aiding faster cargo movement is the Jimmy Deloach Parkway extension, which will provide a direct link between Interstate 95 and the Port of Savannah. The Georgia Department of Transportation has broken ground on the project, and expects to complete the 3.1-mile, $72.8-million connector in May 2016. The project will cut 11 minutes from the drive time for vehicles traveling State Road 21 and the Jimmy Deloach Connector.

"The Deloach Connector illustrates the unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration between Governor Deal, the Transportation and Ports Authority boards, and the Georgia Department of Transportation," says State Transportation Board Chairman Jay Shaw. "Georgia's growth and prosperity are inextricably linked to the success of its ports, and to the state's ability to complement them with the best surface logistics network in the nation."

A recently completed overpass on Georgia Highway 307—the main truck route into Garden City Terminal—will also provide better connections for surface transport. The overpass is one of the final steps in a cargo beltway linking the Port of Savannah to the Southeast by way of interstates I-16 and I-95.

The overpass will expedite traffic into the GPA's Garden City Terminal, which handles nearly 8,000 truck moves a day. Through its road and rail connections, the Port of Savannah serves 18 major retail distribution centers, encompassing more than 15 million square feet of space.

"This $22.5-million investment shows the state's commitment to improved cargo movement beyond the terminal gates," Foltz says.

Rail improvements. The Highway 307 overpass complements a $6.5-million six-track rail yard expansion. Norfolk Southern, the Georgia Department of Transportation, and the GPA worked in tandem on the overpass and rail expansion projects to boost efficiency for both truck and rail transport. The overpass routes trucks above the one previous rail line and the six expanded tracks at the Port of Savannah's Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility.

CSX Transportation has also made significant investments to improve efficiency at Garden City Terminal, including a $5-million track upgrade, which expedites container movement in and out of the facility.

"Combined with other recent improvements, this expansion will reduce Savannah-Atlanta round-trip rail transit by six hours," says Lynch. "The efficiency gains for each container will save money for port customers."

Deeper water. The infrastructure upgrade with the greatest impact, however, is the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, which recently garnered full federal approval. The project will increase harbor depth from 42 feet to 47 feet.

Post-Panamax vessels more efficiently served by a deeper harbor in Savannah will lower shipping costs for containerized trade by $213 million per year over the next 50 years, for a total economic benefit of $10.7 billion during that span, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studies. Reduced costs per container will lower the bottom line for the more than 21,000 U.S. businesses, and thousands of international organizations, shipping via the Port of Savannah.

The Port of Savannah has already positioned itself as the busiest gateway for commerce to the Southeast, notes GPA Board Chairman Robert Jepson.

"Georgia's ports have become leaders because their superb landside infrastructure, geographic proximity to high demographic density, and overall service efficiency enables cargo to move to inland destinations more quickly and cost effectively than other ports through our direct road and rail connections," Jepson says. "The last remaining piece of the logistical puzzle that must be improved is deeper water. With a deeper harbor, the Port of Savannah will improve its service times for the larger and more heavily laden vessels that are the future of global trade."

Infrastructure Rules

Every year, it seems, Georgia takes another giant leap in its quest for logistics leadership. But the starting blocks remain its infrastructure and location.

"Georgia has been rated the best state for doing business, and a lot of that has to do with its supply chain and logistics infrastructure," says Page Siplon, executive director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics, the state's leading resource for fueling logistics sector growth and global competitiveness.

Siplon and his team are charged with helping Georgia maintain and enhance its dominance in the logistics marketplace. The Georgia Department of Economic Development operates six Centers of Innovation focused on strategic industries: aerospace, agribusiness, energy, life sciences and IT, logistics, and manufacturing. In addition to running the logistics center, Siplon also serves as program director for the entire team.

Under Siplon's leadership, the Center of Innovation for Logistics created and now hosts the annual Georgia Logistics Summit, the only industry-driven, state-led event of its kind and size in the nation. The Center also produces multiple publications, including a detailed industry report and a monthly Logistics Market Snapshot that serves as a valuable resource for professionals around the world.

The Center directly helps companies overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities related to freight movement. "We provide focused technical expertise, industry-specific data, connections to state resources, and an extensive cross-sector industry network," Siplon explains.

Siplon and his team are mindful that Georgia's inherent location and infrastructure advantages are not enough to ensure the state remains the leader of the pack in the digital age.

"Consumers are changing the way they buy products, and the timeline in which they demand delivery," Siplon says. "The Centers of Innovation focus on how industries are evolving, and how businesses must adapt.

"E-commerce is flourishing in Georgia," he adds, citing a Home Depot fulfillment center in the Atlanta suburb of Locust Grove, and an Academy Sports + Outdoors fulfillment center in Macon. "We're having exciting discussions about leveraging Georgia as an e-commerce fulfillment springboard."

That phenomenon requires companies to constantly question their strategies. "Businesses analyze how they can keep up with shifting paradigms," Siplon says. "Many markets are changing, and the Centers of Innovation help companies find ways to adapt so they can connect, compete, and grow."

Corporate Gifts from Bearly Memories

Posted by Tom Turner on Thu, Jul 12, 2012 @ 10:29 AM

Do we ever say thank you enough to our customers?  Ever tried to come up with that perfect gift that doesn't look like you are buying their continued business?  You know, something simple, yet respectful...and yes it does say "Thanks" for the business.

Bearly Memories offers a set of keepsake boxes that you can customize or personalize with your customer's name or business unit stenciled on the box.  Great to sit at the receptionist's desk for business cards, or marketing brochures, candy, or a guest sign-in book.  These boxes are attractive enough to sit on the boss's desk, bookshelf, or in the lobby.

Offering a variety of styles, shapes, and colors, these keepsake boxes can be stuffed with interesting and imaginative products that help get your message across.  Salt water taffy candy is a popular stuffer, or tootsie rolls make a nice touch.  Some have even put gift cards for the employees or coupons for their products as a stuffer.  The goal is too say thanks.

Some of the keepsake boxes have pre-printed sayings such as: Celebrate, Christmas Cheer, Faith Family Friends, Freedom Box, Live Love Laugh, others are just decorative.

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Just a few examples of keepsake boxes many of our clients have purchased to say "Thanks" 

 

Tags: keepsake boxes, Bearly Memories

Bearly Memories asks for help in fulfillment

Posted by Tom Turner on Thu, Jul 05, 2012 @ 03:05 PM

Why is it so hard to find a good fulfillment partner?  Someone who can pick, pack, and ship my products faster, better, and cheaper than I can myself, or who I have currently fulfilling my orders?

Getting a better understanding of the transportation charges for shipping UPS, FedEX, USPS, or International.  How do incentives work?  Is it cheaper for me to go out and set up a UPS account and have everything 3rd party billed to my own account, or just let the provider who does the pick and pack, ship the products on their account?

Bearly Memories asked Warehouse Basics to provide a quote to do their fulfillment.

Bearly Memories is a producer of Keepsake Boxes, Gift Sets, and accessories and other unique gift giving ideas, shipping throughout the U.S. from their on-line retail store. With customization and personalization of many of their products, there were many questions about the cost viability of outsourcing this function.

 Bearly MemoriesHelping Bearly Memories understand the costs to process an order, manage the inventory, the handling costs from inbound receipts to pick, pack, and shipping charges.  How the communications from order entry to end of day billing for transportation and invoicing for warehousing will be handled.  The use of call tags for returns and extra charges for residential delivery versus business addresses.

 

Setting crystal clear expectations became very critical to give the customer what they want, when they want it, and for a cost that makes sense.  Keeping the communication clean, and removing as many assumptions as possible helped reduce errors, returns and disappointed customers.

Warehouse Basics, Inc. has been handling the fulfillment for Bearly Memories for several years now.  We put some extra effort upfront to ensure we all understood the unit of measure, how often we felt it necessary to communicate, and most importantly, to fully understand all the costs associated in the supply chain. 

 

Need fulfillment help?  Give Warehouse Basics, Inc. a call and get a free quote. 

 

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Tags: warehousing, fulfillment

Warehouse Basics, Inc. Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Posted by Tom Turner on Tue, Jun 26, 2012 @ 04:40 PM

15 years in business...who would've thunk it?

On July 1st...Warehouse Basics, Inc. will be celebrating their official 15th year since incorporating in Georgia.  My how time flys when you are having this much fun.

The last couple of years have been a little tougher as the economy continues to struggle along, however, with the team that continues to gut it out everyday, we are making a difference.

We have had some good years and we have had our share of some lean years, but I would not change a thing.  The learning experience of having some of the best customers you could imagine make getting up each day a pleasure.  Something to look forward to, and getting paid for what you love to to...it just doesn't get much better.

 

Warehouse Basics, Inc. Atlanta, GA

I want to take the time to say thank-you to all our customers...current, past, and hopefully future prospects.  Thanks to our employees, vendors, suppliers, and all who have contributed to the success of Warehouse Basics, Inc.   

IMG 0303

In particular, I want to thank Ken Watkins, my partner, and most of all, the glue that has made the company what it is today.  I just recently returned from a two month sabbatical, along with a trip to Alaska.  To be able to do that after 42 years of working is nothing short of phenomenal, knowing the company was in good hands while I was off.  Thanks Ken.

With continuing our push to lower costs, increase revenues through crossdocking, fulfillment, warehousing and distribution, the future looks bright.  Our entire team is hitting on all cylinders, and we seem to have the right people on the bus in the right seats...Hold on, 25 years is just around the corner.

Need any help with warehousing, crossdocks, distribution, fulfillment, inventory management, or other supply chain or logistics solutions....give us a call @ 404 346-1848 or see more info at www.warehousebasics.com

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Tags: warehousing distribution, warehousing, crossdock, crossdocking

Warehouse Basics, Inc. knows "Crossdocking"

Posted by Tom Turner on Tue, Jun 26, 2012 @ 11:24 AM

Crossdocking in Atlanta, GA

Have you ever arrived at destination and were told the customer can't take the load?  Might be a couple of days before they will...who are you going to call?  You have another appointment for a pick-up at another location...full trailer, and now your stuck...Well are you really?

Nope...just call Warehouse Basics, Inc.  404 346-1848

We will unload your trailer, get you on your way, and re-deliver the freight to your customer when he can accept it.  This is a typical "Crossdock" situation.

Typical minimum charge is $150.00 for a palletized load up to 24 pallets for the unloading and the re-loading at our facility.  Re-delivery and transportation charges will be based on destination.

We will hold your freight up to 3 business days with no additional storage charges.

That is just over $3.00 per pallet handling in and the same out for handling an emergency and keeping the truck on-time to meet all your financial responsibilities. 

Flexibility, reliability, and overall ability to unload, load, provide all appropriate paperwork and communication to you and the customer is what we do.

Open Monday to Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm we can react to most needs.  Typical in and out of the building in under 2 hours...most of the time under one hour.  Help us help you solve this appointment problem.  Want to know more click here...http://mce_temp_url/

 Click meCrossdockingWarehouse Basics in Atlanta

 

 

 

 

Tags: warehousing distribution, storage, handling, crossdock, crossdocking, appointment, trucking, re-delivery, pricing

Rising Fuel Costs impact 3PL logistics

Posted by Ken Watkins on Thu, Jan 27, 2011 @ 10:52 AM

 As fuel costs rise the impact is felt throughout the industry a3pl logistiscs, atlanta cross dock, warehousend ultimately the consumer.  Foreign and domestic policies, clean energy initiatives and off shore drilling are potential long term solutions, but the results of those intitiaves will not be felt for years or decades.  The immediate solution is for logistics companies and consumers to adapt to the current issue of rising fuel costs.  Consumers and businesses are paying more attention to where their money is going and fuel costs are certainly at the top of the expense category.  Ultimately the increase in fuel costs will be imbedded in the price of goods purchased by consumers.  Businesses can help offset those increased consumer prices by better managing their supply chain solutions.  Freight carriers have the biggest opportunity to help offset the cost to consumers.  By maintaining equipment, combining partial loads and reducing idle times carriers are able to reduce their fuel costs.   Carriers can also partner with 3PL warehouses to help better utilize their equipment.  Third party warehouses give the carriers an opportunity to max out their LCL loads by giving them a location to cross dock mutliple shipments for local deliveries.  Building a relationship and a network of 3PL warehouses throughout the country provides a quick solution to problems that arise everyday for carriers/drivers.  The fuel savings a carrier can gain by having a quick solution to problems can ultimately lead to less fuel waste and unnecssary expenses that ultimately lead to higher margins for the carrier and reduced costs to consumers.

Tags: third party logistics

Third Party Logistics Solutions

Posted by Ken Watkins on Thu, Sep 30, 2010 @ 10:26 AM

The big buzzword sometimes used by marketing folks in the logistics industry is “flexible warehousing.” For those of you who are new to third party logistics or are still in the discovery phase of outsourcing part or all of the management of your company’s supply chain I thought I would provide a description of the phase and how it can help you.

Flexible Warehousing Many warehousing companies tend to use “flexible warehousing” as a way to describe their main benefit to potential customers. If I were to pick one of the biggest advantages of outsourcing to a third party logistics provider I definitely would say its the flexibility they provide. By flexibility they mean the ability to alter your logistics program to fit your current needs at any moment. By the business quarter, by the month, by season etc.. One disadvantage to companies who run their own distribution centers or network is they don’t always have this kind of flexibility. If your product has a very heavy seasonal inventory build followed by months of very low inventory levels then usually flexible space is going to be the best solution.

Using a 3PL offers flexibility in:

* labor

* storage

* handling

* equipment

* location

By using a flexible “variable cost” solution companies can ramp up inventory during their busy seasons and then bring inventory levels significantly down, or opt to completely cease storage of inventory with a provider for a period and then start building inventory again in peak season. Another term that is also sometimes used is “scalability.”

Source: http://www.logisticslist.com/flexible-warehousing-solutions.html#ixzz111KtLIYO

Tags: third party logistics

Solutions for carriers when a delivery problem occurs

Posted by Ken Watkins on Mon, Aug 30, 2010 @ 04:05 PM

Carriers would all agree that when the wheels are not turning, revenue is not being generated.  The biggest problems facing carriers are distressed loads. Distressed loads can be as small as the driver missed their appointment to as big as the load shifted in transit and the consignee has refused to unload the load.  All of these delays create heart ache for dispatchers and drivers.  In this tough economy delays add up to costly expenses and loss in revenue.

*Refused by consignee                                         **Ready for delivery

distress load, cross dockingcool storage atlanta, distribution services atlanta

The best solution for the dispatcher is that they have a reliable warehouse in the area that can correct the problem.  The warehouse has to be flexible and reliable offering a variety of labor and equipment to complete the work and keep the costs as low as possible.  A great warehouse will ask questions over the phone to determine what the problem is with the load.  If the problem is simply a missed appointment, a great warehouse will charge a fee to handle the product into their warehouse and offer transportation to redeliver the load at the newly scheduled time.  This is usually done as a cross dock service, which elimates the need to charge a storage fee. This service allows the company driver to be on their way to get the next load that is waiting on them.  If the problem is the load has shifted the great warehouse will ask questions over the phone to determine what will be involved.  Once the driver arrives, the warehouse will take pictures and email them to the dispatcher.  The warehouse will then estimate the charges to rework the shifted load and the time to complete so that the dispatcher can make a determination whether to keep the driver on the load or allow the local warehouse to deliver the load.  At the end of the day the warehouse partner you choose should provide a flexible, reliable solution.

                       distressed load, shifted load, atlanta warehouse

 

 

Tags: warehousing distribution, warehousing, third party logistics

Customer Service...Why is it so hard to find?

Posted by Ken Watkins on Wed, Aug 25, 2010 @ 11:47 AM



Good customer service is the lifeblood of any business. It is even more important when providing a service, such as third party logistics.  You can offer promotions and slash prices to bring in as many new customers as you want, but unless you can get some of those customers to come back, your business won’t be profitable for long.

Good customer service is all about bringing customers back. And about sending them away happy – happy enough to pass positive feedback about your business along to others, who may then try the product or service you offer for themselves and in their turn become repeat customers.

Here's a collection of inspirational Customer Service Quotes.

To my customer.
I may not have the answer, but I’ll find it.
I may not have the time, but I’ll make it.

UNKNOWN

If you make customers unhappy in the physical world, they might each tell 6 friends.
If you make customers unhappy on the Internet, they can each tell 6,000 friends.

JEFF BEZOS

The Customer is King.
UNKNOWN

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.
ROGER STAUBACH

Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it.
It is what the client or customer gets out of it.

PETER DRUCKER

Do what you do so well that they will
want to see it again and bring their friends.

WALT DISNEY

If we don’t take care of our customers, someone else will.
UNKNOWN

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify!
HENRY DAVID THOREAU

 

Customers don’t expect you to be perfect.
They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong.

DONALD PORTER

Give trust, and you'll get it double in return
KEES KAMIES

The quality of our work depends on the quality of our people.
UNKNOWN

One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing
is what we do for others.

LEWIS CAROL

The goal as a company is to have customer service that is
not just the best, but legendary.

SAM WALTON

Mistakes are the portals of discovery.
JAMES JOYCE

Being on par in terms of price and quality only gets you into the game.
Service wins the game.

TONY ALESSANDRA

People expect good service but few are willing to give it.
ROBERT GATELY

Well done is better than well said.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

To my customer.
I may not have the answer, but I’ll find it.
I may not have the time, but I’ll make it.

UNKNOWN

Here is a simple but powerful rule - always give people
more than what they expect to get.

NELSON BOSWELL

In business you get what you want by giving other people what they want.
ALICE MACDOUGALL

You’ll never have a product or price advantage again.
They can be easily duplicated, but a strong customer service culture can’t be copied.

JERRY FRITZ

Although your customers won’t love you if you give bad service, your competitors will.
KATE ZABRISKIE

Customer service is not a department, it's an attitude!
UNKNOWN (Submitted by Mandy)

The way to gain a good reputation,
is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.

SOCRATES

 

 

Tags: warehousing, third party logistics

Warehouse Distribution top 5 pricing guidelines

Posted by Tom Turner on Tue, Aug 03, 2010 @ 04:09 PM

When looking to price warehousing distribution services, there are 5 critical areas to keep in mind:

 

1. Storage...there are typically 2 types of storage pricing...the initial storage is the 1st time entry of the goods into the warehouse...this can be figured through split month if the product comes in on the 1st of the month thru the 15th you should expect to pay a full months rent...if however, the products arrive from the 16h thru the 31st of the month you should figure on paying half a month's rent.  Some companies might average the days or use a formula of 75% of the recurring monthly rent.

The second type of storage charges are called recurring, that is whatever number of the unit of measure, cases, pallets, sacks, totes, or whatever you agree on is billed for the quantity stored on the 1st day of each new month following the original entry. 

 

Things to watch out for are:  product arrives on the 14th of the month and goes out on the 1st day of the new month...you are paying 2 months rent for 16-17 days storage...timing is everything.  If you hold off one more day...you could save a half month of rent...or at least you have something to negotiate...

 

Handling charges...these charges cover the inbound and outbound handling of the goods.  Again, back to the unit of measure you agree on.  What are some items that impact the handling price....weight, size, stackability (bulk or rack storage) number of SKU's (stock keeping units) and number and complexity of the times the product wil need to be touched.  Whether product is handled by hand, pallet jack, or special forklift with specialized attachment.

 

Order entry / Admin costs:  Typically the cost associated with handling all the Bill-of-lading, to phone calls, faxes, emails, scans, and paper shuffling.  End of day reports, parcel and LTL shipments with tracing and tracking numbers all have an impact on the price.  Complexity, and information technology can either add to the price or minimize "fat fingering" info into the database.  Watch out for the pesky transaction fees, they can add up very quickly.  If you require web visibility of your inventory management, typically the costs will sometimes get buried in this line item.

 

Next are accessorial charges...this can be anything and everything from pallets, stretchwrap, banding, UPS charges, phone charges, labeling, inventory cycle counts, and the change in scope...you forgot to tell me about this charge...all-in-all, this becomes a catch-all.  Agree that these charges should only apply if agreed upon in advance.

Last but not least are "Contract terms and conditions"...Net payment terms, 30 day contracts, limits of liability, claim handling, insurance, and extra services.  Ask lots of questions...don't assume anything...

Most contract terms and conditions in the public and contract warehousing business are boilerplate agreements...but keep one eye on the fine print. 

If this still pretty confusing...give us a call @ 404 -346-1848 or email at warehousebasics@gmail.com

We will help you anyway we can...you are the customer...demand nothing but the best.

Tags: warehousing distribution, warehouse pricing, storage, handling, contract warehousing