And You Thought Were Just Movers! But What Is 3pl?
While we are very busy moving Las Vegas residents and businesses, as moving professionals, Move 4 Less is able to offer our moving services expertise for other things as well. Being able to plan, organize,execute and expertly handle and deliver goods where they need to be and when is what we do best. These skills can also be called logistics, and that’s exactly what we’re talking about when we offer our 3PL logistics services.
Now you may be wondering…
What is 3PL Logistics?
Logistics is how businesses move things as they are bought, sold and shipped from here to there. A firm like Move 4 Less, with our large fleet of trucks, professional movers and drivers and a well-tuned dispatch center, is all set up to help move things around, so you can say logistics is what we do best.
Let’s see how 3PL, or Third Party Logistics, works.
Third-party logistics is the use of an outside provider, or third party, usually a carrier who can handlegoods via ship, train or truck, to help manufacturers and distributors to handle some of the steps along the way for distribution and fulfillment of customers’ orders. This 3rd party logistics provider allows companies to focus on their own specialty, whether it be high tech, healthcare, or gaming, while outsourcing logistics tasks – such as transportation, warehousing, distribution and setup – to a company who specializes in those services. Third-party logistics services are customized to the client’s needs, so items are handled automatically, seamlessly and efficiently, no matter what type of handling is needed.
So what is the logistics story? If this is 3PL, what are the first two layers?
Three Layers of Logistics Service Providers
1st Party Logistics ( 1PL ) are providers of a single service in a specific location. Their business model will be narrowed to certain goods and shipping methods. This might be a shipping port operator, acarrying company (tankers and logging trucks, for example) or the manufacturer themselves if they they have their own warehouses and trucks.
2nd party ( 2PL ) providers usually serve a greater geographic area with a limited contract between themselves and their client business. A 2PL is called in when needed, usually one order at a time, or for a specific shipment(s). Examples would be parcel delivery firms, couriers and ocean shipping companies.
3PL: Full Service Logistics Support
3rd party logistics (3PL ) providers, on the other hand, work very closely with their client over a long period of time, becoming an integral part of their delivery process, virtually part of their regular operations. Because the relationship is long term, they can work as partners, investing in processes and specialized equipment if needed to meet unique company demands. For businesses who need to get goods where they need to go consistently and reliably and at lower cost than doing it themselves, 3PL logistics is a great solution.
So now you know about 3PL. Move 4 Less works with local and out of state firms to receive, store, move, deliver, crate and uncrate, assemble and disassemble their items. We handle items from convention booths to home furnishings to office equipment. When the client has a deadline for a show or convention display, we’re there to get their items delivered on time, set up and ready to use. We deliver specialty items, from furniture to fine art, that needs special handling and setup. Whatever the logistical need, we’re here to help any company, big or small, who has items that need to get from here to there efficiently and reliably every time.