Fast, efficient order fulfillment is a critical component of effective supply chain management for any business. But as your business experiences growth, you may need to seek help from an outside fulfillment provider to keep up with the rise in demand. Third-party logistics (3PL) providers help firms save time and money by storing inventory, packing products, and shipping orders. The result is a streamlined supply chain and faster order process for customers. Are you wondering if the time is right to outsource your fulfillment needs to a trusted fulfillment partner? Here are a few indications that your company could benefit from outsourcing order fulfillment:
You want to save time
As a business leader, you’re always looking for ways to improve efficiency in your operations and save time for you and your team. After all, your time is valuable! One way to save time is by outsourcing your company’s fulfillment process to a trusted third-party provider. Outsourcing to an expert will ensure your orders are fulfilled accurately and delivered on schedule.
You want to cut overhead costs
Another ” growing pain” your business may encounter is rising overhead costs. The costs associated with running a warehouse, purchasing equipment, managing inventory, and hiring extra labor can all add up quickly, but when you outsource fulfillment to a third party, you eliminate many of these expenses. Working with a fulfillment provider that offers warehouse space, inventory storage, equipment, and a large, experienced labor force will allow you to cut down on overhead costs and save more money in the long term.
You have a seasonal uptick in orders
Most companies experience sales spikes during certain seasons, only to have sales drop or remain stagnant at other times of the year. For example, maybe your firm has a dramatic increase in sales around the holiday season. Is your team prepared to handle the sudden uptick in orders? Does your warehouse have the capacity to store your inventory and packaging materials? If not, partnering with a third-party fulfillment provider for temporary contract labor on a seasonal basis may be an ideal solution.
Your internal staff needs support
Is your in-house staff having trouble keeping up with your firm’s fulfillment needs? Without enough support, your team may accidentally miss orders or deadlines. Poor customer feedback and dissatisfied employees are a clear sign that it’s time to seek outside help. Rather than spending the time and resources to hire and train new staff, partnering with a third-party provider will allow you to augment your existing workforce with a large pool of skilled employees. Ultimately, outsourcing fulfillment enables business leaders to scale their operations with the business as it grows.
At Ohio Valley Goodwill, our Industrial Services Division helps businesses in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana manage growth while simplifying operations and lowering costs. Our large-scale, highly motivated labor force specializes in order fulfillment, assembly, kitting, and custom packaging services for businesses of all sizes. Our business development professionals will work with you to determine an outsourcing solution that fits your timeframe and budget. When you put Goodwill to work for your business, you and your team will have more time to focus on core business activities.
Most importantly, our Industrial Services Division provides meaningful employment to individuals with disabilities in the Greater Cincinnati area. When your business partners with Ohio Valley Goodwill, you become a part of our mission to change lives through the power of work! To learn more about our Industrial Services Division and take a free tour of our facilities, contact us today.