Third Party Logistics Providers (3PL)

Kyle Sera Amy Irvine Scott Andrew Carrie Schmidt Ryan Lancaster

Overview

What are 3PLs Why use them Tips for implementation of 3PLs 4PLs

Types of 3PL Providers

Transportation Based
Services extend beyond transportation to offer a comprehensive set of logistics offerings. Leveraged 3PLs use assets of other firms. Non-leveraged 3PLs use assets belonging solely to the parent firm. Examples: Ryder, Schneider Logistics, FedEx Logistics, UPS Logistics

Types of 3PL Providers

Warehouse/Distribution Based
Many have former warehouse and/or distribution experience. Examples: DSC Logistics, USCO, Exel, Caterpillar Logistics, IBM

Types of 3PL Providers

Forwarder Based
Very independent middlemen with forwarder roles. Non-asset owners that provide a wide range of logistics services. Examples: AEI, Kuehne & Nagle, Fritz, Circle, C. H. Robinson, Hub Group

Types of 3PL Providers

Financial Based
Provide freight payment and auditing, cost accounting and control, and tools for monitoring, booking, tracking, tracing, and managing inventory. Examples: Cass Information Systems, CTC, GE Information Services, FleetBoston

Types of 3PL Providers

Information Based
Significant growth and development in this category of Internet-based, business-tobusiness, electronic markets for transportation and logistics services. Examples: Transplace, Nistevo

Logistics?

Logistics: Managing the flow of information and goods inbound from suppliers and outbound to customers. Why be good at this? Core competency?

Why Use 3PLs?

Save time

Dont need to invest in:

Trucks Training Development

Help expand

New markets International

No roads

Why Use Cont.

Narrow your focus

Allows you to focus on your strengths Dont get spread too thin Can ensure delivery times can help a company run leaner

Reach more customers more effectively

Management Focus

Furthering your company Consider potential benefits and drawbacks 3pls can increase profitability Can you be a 3PL to someone else?

Levels of Outsourcing

Transactional Outsourcing: Based on transactions, with no long term contracts and no bonding between the 3PL and the outsourcing company. Tactical Outsourcing: Outsourcing on a long term basis with negotiated contacts and integrated IT systems to facilitate free information flow and create supply chain visibility.

Strategic Outsourcing: Based on long-term relationships with successful outcomes, 3PL companies become partners in supply chain management and establish transactional transparency.

3PL Defined

Can be ambiguous as there are many definitions

Some say all or a significant part Some say at least one part Businesses that provide one or many of the following logistics services: Transportation Management Public/Contract Warehousing Distribution Management Freight Consolidation

Best definition is probably a combination:

As a Manager Which 3PL Provider Do I Choose?

Inbound Logistics recognizes top 10

Uses its readers to conduct vote Over 300 companies nominated with 3,000+ votes Top 3 this year:

1) UPS Supply Chain Solutions 2) Schneider Logistics 3) C.H. Robinson

How is a 3PL Differentiated From a Transportation Provider?

Transportation provider gets product from point A to point B Could be considered a 3PL Just one function of logistics 3PL provider assists in multiple functions

Successful Implementation of 3PL

Why you want to select the right provider the first time Only about 65% of companies believe their provider is doing a good job. 55% of logistics outsourcing contracts end in 3-5 years The source had a list of 14 key tips for success, but we are going to focus on the 5 most important issues.

Tips for Successful Implementation

1) Have an outsourcing strategy.

Know what your outsourcing strategy is. It needs to be well thought out and measured against in house solutions and capabilities. SWOT analysis. As a company you should understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of outsourcing logistics, rather than keeping them in house.

2) Do your homework.

Do a comprehensive study
Clearly document advantages, challenges, costs and benefits.

Document expectations
Set down expectations in clear terms and include current costs.

Tips Continued

Create a robust selection process.

Invite companies in to give a formal presentation without giving requirements. This can help document their strengths and weaknesses. Make a site visit to the 3PL, and talk with its existing customer.

3) Measure and review performance

Have a efficient and accurate measurement system.

Qualitative measures that focus on effectiveness and quantitative measures that focus on efficient utilization.

Have an efficient costing system

This will help you to understand the costs involved in outsourcing. Are we making money doing this?

Tips Continued
4) Create an Implementation Strategy

Create a project plan road map

Be clear who does what, create a project management team with members from both organizations and review progress vs. planned milestones.

5) Nurture the Relationship

Both Parties must nurture the relationship to make outsourcing successful.

Create mutual trust, respect and a sense of integrity.

4PL Providers

Manage and direct the activities of multiple 3PLs, serving as an integrator Refinement on the idea of 3PLs 4PLs are not asset based like 3PLs Assembles and manages the resources, capabilities, and technology of its own organization and other organizations to design, build and run comprehensive supply chain solutions

Transways Express 4PL

One stop transport and logistics supplier Work with suppliers and customers

Questions?

Sources

3PL definition: http://accuracybook.com/glossary.htm Top 10 3PL providers: http://www.inboundlogistics.com/3pl/awards.shtml Successful 3PL implementation: http://logistics.about.com/od/thirdparty/a/uc041805a.htm Sangam, VK. (2006). Implementing Third Party Logistics. Retrieved May 5th, 2006. From Massey University, About Business and Finance website: http://logistics.about.com/od/thirdparty/a/uc041805a.htm Red Prairie: http://www.redprairie.com/Industry%20Solutions/Third%20Party%20Lo gistics.aspx Class lecture slides: http://logistics.about.com/od/thirdparty/a/uc041805.htm