Growing with a 3PL: key takeaways
- 01A 3PL should be able to support changes in SKUs, order volume, sales channels, technology requirements and distribution strategy over time.
- 02Brands often start with basic warehousing and case picking, then add e-commerce, retail customers, kitting, transportation or dedicated space.
- 03Changing 3PLs every time the business changes can be disruptive.
- 04Evaluate what a provider supports today and what it can add as you grow.
- 05Taylor combines warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, technology integrations and value-added services.
- 06Technology onboarding is tailored to the complexity of the operation.
What should a 3PL be able to support as your brand grows?
A consumer goods fulfillment partner should be able to support changes in SKUs, order volume, sales channels, technology requirements and distribution strategy over time.
Most brands don’t know in year one which retailers, channels or programs they will add in year three. A provider that already runs the next stage in the same network saves a move later.
How do consumer goods brands typically grow with a 3PL?
A brand may begin with basic warehousing and case picking before adding e-commerce fulfillment, new retail customers, kitting programs, transportation management or dedicated warehouse space.
The order varies by brand. What matters is whether the next step can happen with the provider you already have.
Basic warehousing and case picking
Store inventory and ship cases and pallets to customers.
E-commerce fulfillment
Pick, pack and ship single-unit orders to consumers.
New retail customers
Set up retailer compliance, EDI and routing guides.
Kitting programs
Build gift sets, variety packs and promotional kits.
Transportation management
Coordinate FTL, LTL and parcel with the warehouse.
Dedicated warehouse space
Space, labor and processes set up for your operation.
Why is changing 3PLs disruptive?
Changing 3PLs every time the business changes can be disruptive. Brands should therefore evaluate what a provider can support today as well as what capabilities may be available as the operation grows.
What it supports today
Does the operation fit our current SKUs, volume and channels?
Can we start with the services we need now, without paying for ones we don’t?
What it can add as we grow
Can we add e-commerce, new retailers or kitting in the same network?
Can we move to dedicated space or add transportation management later?
How does Taylor support growing consumer goods brands?
Taylor supports consumer goods customers through a combination of warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, technology integrations and value-added services.
Warehousing
Multi-client and dedicated warehousing.
Learn more →Fulfillment
Retail replenishment, B2B, wholesale and direct-to-consumer.
Learn more →Transportation
Asset-based transportation, freight brokerage, FTL and LTL.
Learn more →Technology integrations
Synapse WMS with EDI and API connectivity.
Learn more →Value-added services
Kitting, assembly, labeling and packaging.
Learn more →Does 3PL technology onboarding depend on the complexity of the operation?
Technology onboarding can also be tailored to the complexity of the operation.
Some programs require relatively simple setups, while more complex operations may require EDI, API, WMS, customer system or retailer integrations before going live.
Some programs require relatively simple setups.
May require these integrations before going live:
Taylor’s teams work with customers during onboarding to define operational requirements, technology needs, inventory processes and transportation workflows.
How onboarding works at Taylor →Operational requirements
Technology needs
Inventory processes
Transportation workflows
What should I ask a 3PL about growing with my brand?
Ask how the provider handles new SKUs, higher volume, new channels, value-added programs, transportation, dedicated space, new integrations and added locations.
Growing with a 3PL: FAQs
What should a 3PL be able to support as your brand grows?
A consumer goods fulfillment partner should be able to support changes in SKUs, order volume, sales channels, technology requirements and distribution strategy over time.
Why is it disruptive to change 3PLs?
Changing 3PLs every time the business changes can be disruptive. A move can mean relocating inventory, rebuilding integrations, re-establishing retailer setups and training a new team, all while orders keep shipping.
How should I evaluate a 3PL for long-term growth?
Brands should therefore evaluate what a provider can support today as well as what capabilities may be available as the operation grows.
What does a typical growth path with a 3PL look like?
A brand may begin with basic warehousing and case picking before adding e-commerce fulfillment, new retail customers, kitting programs, transportation management or dedicated warehouse space.
Can a 3PL add e-commerce fulfillment later?
Yes, if its warehouse system and processes support single-unit picking, parcel shipping and e-commerce integrations alongside case and pallet orders. Ask before you sign rather than when you need it.
Can I move from multi-client to dedicated warehousing with the same 3PL?
Yes, if the provider operates both models. Taylor operates both multi-client and dedicated logistics models.
What does Taylor support for consumer goods brands?
Taylor supports consumer goods customers through a combination of warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, technology integrations and value-added services.
Does 3PL technology onboarding depend on complexity?
Technology onboarding can also be tailored to the complexity of the operation. Some programs require relatively simple setups, while more complex operations may require EDI, API, WMS, customer system or retailer integrations before going live.
What integrations might be needed before going live with a 3PL?
Depending on the operation, EDI, API, WMS, customer system or retailer integrations may be required before going live.
What does Taylor define with customers during onboarding?
Taylor’s teams work with customers during onboarding to define operational requirements, technology needs, inventory processes and transportation workflows.
What are signs a brand has outgrown its 3PL?
Common signs include being unable to add a new channel or retailer, missed peaks, no path to needed integrations, no room for more inventory and growing manual workarounds.
Should a small brand choose a 3PL that can grow with it?
Yes, as long as the provider fits the business today. Weigh current fit first, then what the provider can add as SKUs, volume and channels grow.
Growing with a 3PL: terms, defined
See if we’re a fit.
Tell us where the business is today and where you expect it to go. We’ll tell you plainly where we fit, where we don’t and what we’d need to know next. We’ll come tour your facility, you come tour ours.