Logistics partnership a key to supply chain success

November 5 2013

When it comes to the business world, relationships with vendors and solution providers can become a valuable asset that helps push operations to a new level. It is easy to understand why. Would you rather call and ask a friend for a favor or an enemy? While that is not to say every vendor should be a friend, those that you have a positive relationship with are easier to work with than those that you do not.

One area where this can be especially impactful is in the supply chain. In many cases a reliable relationship with a strong third party logistics provider can have a much larger impact on operations than many businesses realize.

We have all been shown a new way to do something that is simpler and more effective than out previous method. The same can be said of logistics. We have all shipped a package, but business shipping and supply chain systems are a different animal that a 3PL can help optimize. Companies are dealing with the what, where, how and when of material shipping, along with warehousing, just in time parts and repeat delivery—this adds up to a complicated system.

A recent article from The Daily MBA examined several different ways that companies can optimize their logistic solutions. The piece touches on proper planning, staying calm, not being overconfident and learning from mistakes. It also touches on the importance of cultivating strong relationships along the supply chain.

"Logistics managers know that their entire operation is only as strong as the weakest link in the supply chain," the article reads. "So they take great pains to forge strong and honest relationships with their suppliers and vendors so that the goodwill they earn keeps their operations moving flawlessly. They know that even one bad relationship can sour the entire supply chain and cause failure."

The logistics chain in any operation can be a complicated system to maintain. With ever changing technology, staying efficient is not as simple as it would seem to be. Businesses need to stay updated on all the most recent skills needed for the supply chain to be as efficient as possible.

By partnering with a quality logistics solution provider that handles every aspect of the supply chain, companies can be sure that every delivery is carried out with the utmost care as well as in an effective manner.