Working with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider can be a great solution for fashion and lifestyle brands looking to power their growth ambitions – while minimising the cost of scaling up. But a 3PL can be so much more than just a service provider. Indeed, they’re ideally positioned to help you grow at both an operational and strategic level. That’s why a 3PL relationship that prioritises transparency, integration and collaboration can be extremely valuable. We spoke with Joris van de Westelaken, Director of Client Services at Bleckmann, to find out more about the benefits of an integrated 3PL partnership.
The value of an integrated 3PL partnership
3PLs provide a wide variety of services, from freight forwarding to last-mile fulfilment and value-added services such as product photography and gift-wrapping. But working closely with your 3PL can bring benefits beyond the operational. “Many 3PL relationships start when a brand is looking to achieve a specific objective, such as expanding into a new market,” says Joris. “However, once you get to know the client’s needs better, you can respond to them in a more holistic way. Our role as a 3PL gives us deep insights into the logistical, regulatory and strategic challenges brands face – across different product ranges, audiences and markets – allowing us to develop more impactful solutions.”
Indeed, the most collaborative 3PLs will go beyond the traditional supplier-customer relationship, acting as a natural extension of their clients’ businesses. “From the very first onboarding session and throughout the regular check-ins we schedule with clients, we’re always looking for ways to play an active role in improving the security and agility of our clients’ supply chains,” Joris continues. “This allows brands to focus on what they do best, while we leverage our expertise and networks to help optimise the efficiency of their logistics operations and deliver a consistently excellent customer experience.”
Targeted solutions, tailored support
However, a truly collaborative 3PL doesn’t limit the scope of its support to its own operations. “During our monthly and quarterly business reviews with clients, we’ll often discuss how they can improve other areas of their business,” adds Joris. “For example, our robust data collection and analysis framework allows us to easily share the latest data and identify trends. So, if we see that, say, a large number of customers are returning a particular SKU, we can flag this with the client and work out how to address the issue together. This helps respond effectively to change and unlock new opportunities.”
This dedicated support can be particularly valuable when it comes to helping brands navigate the challenges of a changing logistics landscape. “When post-Brexit regulations began to complicate the returns process for some of Bleckmann’s clients, we quickly developed a streamlined solution,” says Joris. “To help brands minimise cross-border customs administration, we set up a returns consolidation hub in the UK – with returned items being returned to active stock for the UK market. This ensured that parcels weren’t sent back to the EU unnecessarily, reducing costs and improving inventory levels.”
Committed to continuous improvement
One of the most important factors in a successful 3PL partnership is close alignment with a brand’s strategic goals and operational priorities. “Whether a brand’s primary focus is delivery speed, sustainability or cost efficiency, we work hard to ensure that all of our solutions meet and exceed their expectations,” concludes Joris. “The closer we can work with our customers – by maintaining short lines of communication, sharing valuable insights and prioritising continuous improvement – the easier this is to achieve. This helps ensure that, whatever the project or objective, we can help clients to optimise their networks and expand their operations with confidence.”
Interested in discovering an end-to-end logistics solution tailored to your brand’s requirements? Get in contact today for a free consultation with a Bleckmann expert.
