Inbound Logistics | July 2023

There's no such thing as TMI when third-party logistics providers work diligently with shippers to help them navigate macro changes and to provide accountability, transparency, efficiency, and streamlined supply chain operations. It’s 3PLs FTW. By Karen Kroll

T he market for global logistics business outsourcing was estimated to top $194 billion in 2022, and is forecast to grow 7.7% annually through 2032, research rm InsightSLICE reports. Behind this increasing demand is the explosion in ecommerce, extensive global supply chains, and growing interest in integrated supply chain solutions, the report notes. As they consider logistics outsourcing, shippers look for several capabilities. One is accountability. Shippers are focusing on key performance indicators, particularly order and inventory accuracy, and shipping timeliness and accuracy, says Michael C. DeFabis, vice president of sales and marketing with IDS Fulllment. Transparency and the ability to monitor operations in as close to real- time as possible are also critical, he adds. And as shipping costs increase, clients ask their logistics providers to help them nd ways to help cut this expense. Options often include changing shipping methods or time frames. Logistics providers work diligently with their shipper clients to help them navigate these macro changes and to provide accountability, transparency, efciency, and streamlined supply chain operations. The rms highlighted here are among them. B

challenged Boxzooka to help them cut shipping costs without hurting customer service or compromising delivery timeframes and accuracy. “They did,” she adds. One step was to examine dimensional weight. Boxzooka’s Client Success Team traversed Bandier’s warehouse oor and studied packaging operations to identify potential changes. The improvements included resizing boxes to eliminate excess space, shifting some shipments from cardboard boxes to poly mailers, and making sure any air gaps were eliminated from mailers to avoid additional dimensional weight. “The changes are of no impact to the customer, but they lower costs,” Lau says.

as ecommerce and wholesale divisions. Through Studio B, it hosts virtual and in-person tness classes. DOUBLE DOWN ON ONLINE Like many retailers in 2020, Bandier had to shut its physical stores and double down on online initiatives. Boxzooka, which offers order fulllment and other services, has been helping

Bandier leverage exponentially higher ecommerce volumes and streamline operations.

For instance, shipping costs had been eclipsing fulllment expense. “That ratio didn’t work for a company looking to grow,” says Melanie Lau, chief nancial ofcer with Bandier, which then

Streamlining Ecommerce? NBD

It has been a busy nine years for Bandier, which offers fashion-forward activewear brands. The company launched with one location and now operates several physical stores, as well

Activewear company Bandier worked with a fulfillment solutions provider to optimize packaging and warehouse operations. The improvements lowered costs with no impact to customer service.

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