Within the logistics industry, you will find a variety of business models that seek to provide a solution at each step of your supply chain, for this reason, there are a vast amount of warehouses focused on different aspects depending on the nature of your operation. However, investing in infrastructure could result in expensive and time-consuming, as well as inefficient if you just need storage intermittently. During the reading of this article, we’ll learn about the services a 3PL warehouse can offer, how these services can boost your operation, and of course, the benefits of a reliable partner to lead the process.

3PL Warehouse services:

Apart from personalized storage based on your inventory, a 3PL warehouse helps you with:

– Pick and Pack: Even if your business is online or in a physical store, the pick and pack process is carried out by a 3PL warehouse once a pick list of products is received, then the products are identified in the warehouse and they are packed, labeled if required and shipped.

– Reverse logistics: This process takes place when your product is returned, a 3PL warehouse receives the product, examines the conditions of each item taking visual tests, and finds the best place to return the product into stock.

– Kitting Fulfillment service: Once your merchandise was received into the warehouse and you need it to be distributed by custom orders, the 3PL warehouse will proceed to identify the different SKUs, select them as required on the custom order and create a new SKU ready to be dispatched to your client. Among the advantages that this kind of service represents for the optimization of the processes, it includes the constant movement of your supply chain in a safe and fast manner.

– Shipping: With a 3PL warehouse you are not attached to traditional carriers, thinking about improving the transportation process, you could receive a quote from different carriers to reach your pricing expectations and shorten the delivery time.

 

 

Benefits of counting on a 3PL Warehouse

– Control over your inventory: Working with a 3PL warehouse implies linking this company with your business, allowing access to real-time inventory information, preventing stockouts, and providing accurate updates to inform your customers about inventory levels and items out of stock.

– Quick scale-up of business operations: Don’t limit the growth of your company because you can’t handle the volume of work you are receiving, with a 3PL warehouse you’ll be able to move to the rhythm of the market, expanding and complementing your operation quickly.

– Expand your network to new places: If you have a winning product that is being successful, get out of your secure place and go for more. A 3PL partner can help you to expand your business offering storage nationwide.

– Regulatory compliance: If you lean your operation on a 3PL warehouse, you can be sure that they will provide a facility that according to the features of your product, even if it needs any special treatment to be handled, you’ll be provided with a warehouse that complies with all the laws and regulations.

In a nutshell

3PL warehousing services have come to stay, hand in hand with a 3PL you will find the experience required to take your business to the next level, they have expert teams at your disposal, specialized in the latest trends of the industry. Besides that, you will save resources by delegating the pressure of fulfillment services to reliable partners that count on a great network of purveyors to resolve any challenge you may face and concentrate all your energy on getting the best out of your company.

 

Are you ready to take the next step? In CARGO CARE SERVICES we support you on your path to success, we can cover all your 3PL warehousing needs with integrity and expertise, and in this way, you can focus on what really matters.

 

Contact us to get more information.

 

The warehousing facilities can be as valuable to your success as the products themselves. In this post we’re going to check some factors you need to consider to determine which warehousing facilities and features will best match your business.

Outsourcing

When researching warehousing and storage, consider that the facility you will use probably won’t be yours, but rather another business outsourcing it to you.

It is important to research which warehouse companies are credible and offer the services you want at a rational price. But before that comes determining its location first.

Planning

Plan carefully what your business needs from its storage services. You should keep in mind how long you plan to be using that facility and which services you need the most.

It’s imperative that you take your time finding warehousing facilities that serve the best interests of your product needs.

 

Some Tips to Find the Right Warehouse

Location

Location is among the most important warehouse selection aspect to consider when choosing a new warehouse. Since your warehouse will likely be used for shipping and receiving, it’s essential for it to be in a convenient location to carry out both processes, commonly close to airports or ports.

Specialized Storage Facilities

Depending on the nature of your merchandise, you may need to think about accommodations for hazardous materials, food products, flammable items, or chemicals. It’s important to take note of these things as early as possible in order to avoid disasters later and ensure the proper environment to keep the good conditions of cargo. Also, keep in mind that not all warehouses can handle all types of goods.

Material Handling Capabilities

Another factor that may affect the location of your warehouse is its ability to handle diverse materials and equipment. After deciding what your primary method of transportation will be, you can choose what type of handling equipment your warehouse will need.

Future Growth

When making a decision for choosing a warehouse location and size, you must remember to account for future growth. Finding a warehouse that meets your current needs is important, but it is important to keep in mind selecting something with some room for expansion if you plan on continuing to grow your business. Carefully consider the projected growth of your business in the coming years to avoid the costly and time-consuming adventure of having to move warehouses again.

 

Need warehousing solutions? CARGO CARE SERVICES has the knowledge and experience to handle your cargo safely with strategic locations. CONTACT US!

 

Fulfillment service is a third-party warehouse in charge of managing your inventory, at the same time that it arranges and sends your orders to your clients. In this post we will take a closer look at the advantages of using order fulfillment services for your business.

1. Avoid Sale Fluctuations

Many outsourcing fulfillment offers flexible pricing. When you’re going through a slow period, or a period where you grow too much, they’ll be able to adapt to your needs.

When you have a fluctuation, you should hire staff to deal with it, order more equipment, and more warehouse space will have to be leased. Once it’s over you will have too much extra of all of these things when you don’t necessarily need.

An order fulfillment company will keep all of this regulated so you won’t have to deal with this issue.

2. Be more effective

If you let an order fulfillment company take care of all the big details as they manage your inventory, dispatch orders, and handle your logistics in general, you can rest assured that everything will be arranged well and you are able to focus on the most important activity—growing your business and provide an excellent customer service.

 

3. Save Money

Going with an outsourcing company can save you money in the long term.

As they’re working at a larger scale than you, you can benefit from their logistics costs. By outsourcing fulfillment, you can eliminate overhead costs and begin sharing space and resources with hundreds or even thousands of other sellers.

4. Improve Your Scalability

As your business grows in size, it can become overwhelming to manage it.

If you hire fulfillment services, you’ll be better equipped to handle an increase or perhaps even a massive seasonal influx of orders.

5. Protect your business name

You have to make sure your products and after-sales service are exceptional. This is one of the central benefits of using 3PL warehouse storage. If you hire fulfillment services, your inventory will be professionally managed and shipped when it’s necessary, resulting in minimum risks of incomplete orders or late shipments.

Should You hire Fulfillment Services?

 

By hiring fulfillment services, you will gain the experience of their employees as well as their software and equipment and your fulfillment process can become seamless.

 

Order fulfillment service providers can help you put more time and energy into your company. They have the experience and manpower needed to handle a sudden increase in your sales, and they can save you money in the long run.

 

At CARGO CARE SERVICES we count on partners specializing in fulfillment services included among our WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES NATIONWIDE.

 

CONTACT US for more information!

 

In a few words, a warehouse is a large building where products and materials are temporarily stored before being sold or exported. A large variety of businesses might need access to warehouses.

When a company identifies a need for a warehouse, they should explore the different types of warehouses to choose the best one for their specific products.

 

Let’s explore the most common types of warehouses. Each warehouse type will be utilized for a different type of business, so choosing the best warehouse for your business needs is an important step in your supply chain.

DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Distribution centers hold products for a short period of time and see a much higher velocity of products coming in and going out. Products move within a distribution center much quicker than in a typical warehouse, goods are procured from multiple suppliers and are quickly transferred to various customers

Those are very customer-centric and are typically located close to where the end user is, so they receive products quickly. A distribution center may also provide value-added services, such as cross docking, pick and pack services, labeling or packaging. Because a distribution center offers more services than a warehouse, they are also equipped with much more modern technology to make the processes easier.

Generally affordable for companies that sell to wholesalers.

SMART WAREHOUSE

A smart warehouse is a warehouse where the storage and fulfillment processes are automated with AI, such as robots and drones. These warehouses use automation systems and interconnected technologies to receive products, put them away, pick them for orders, ship them, and keep an accurate inventory count. This type of warehouse use technology to increase production, decrease errors, and minimize the number of humans needed to run the warehouse.

Smart warehouses have been a go-to option for large e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Alibaba that seek to make their order fulfillment and inventory management a more accurate and expedited process.

 

COLD STORAGE

Cold storage stores temperature-sensitive products at low temperatures. Those allow medicines, perishable foods, plants, cosmetics, artwork, and candles to have longer lives. It might include an entire building or even a specific portion of a warehouse that can accommodate these goods.

It is great if you are into perishable business, climate-controlled warehouses are a must to keep your items fresh. It is also attractive for businesses that require certain conditions for rare products, such as artwork or plants, and commonly it is used by pharmaceutical companies.

 

ON-DEMAND STORAGE

A growing trend in warehousing is on-demand storage due to online commerce. These warehouses connect businesses with a need for warehouse space (temporary, seasonal, or to handle spikes in sales) with warehouses that have excess space.

This type of warehouse is great for merchants that are willing to combine their inventory needs. Also is great for businesses dealing with a sudden spike in inventory. It is Cost-effective for seasonal or temporary warehousing needs

 

BONDED WAREHOUSE

Also called “customs” warehouses, a bonded warehouse is a type of storage is used to store imported goods before customs duties are levied on them. There are different types of bonded warehouses, facilities tend to be versatile to accommodate a large variety of products.

 

Bonded warehouses are perfect for importers, as they can keep their goods duty-free even for a long period until they find their customers. Such warehouses play a crucial role in cross-border trade, making them ideal for businesses involved in international trade.

 

PUBLIC WAREHOUSES

Public warehouses are the ones owned by the government, semi-government bodies, or a third-party. They are rented to private sector companies to stock up on goods upon paying a certain amount of rent.

This type of warehouse is a great option due to its affordability and accessibility, for small businesses and eCommerce startups that are not in a position to own a warehouse and need to store goods for a short time.

PRIVATE WAREHOUSES

Private warehouses are privately owned by large retail companies, wholesalers, manufacturers or distributors that need a significant long-term presence in a specific region. These private companies purchase/manufacture products in bulk for a peak season and store them in the warehouse for the systematic distribution of orders that are bound to come their way.

This kind of warehouse also known as proprietary warehousing, requires capital investments by the owner, hence it’s best for established companies. Although it warrants investment in the beginning it turns out to be exceedingly cost-effective in the long run.

 

Which Warehouse Is The Best For You?

Each warehouse has a purpose of its own. Whichever warehouse you opt for, ensure to keep both your short-term as well as long-term warehousing needs in mind.

 

If you need warehousing services, CARGO CARE SERVICES can assist. We specialize in Public Warehouses, Bonded Warehouses, Distribution Centers, and Temperature control storage.

 

Contact us to learn more about our warehouses nationwide. We offer full-service warehouse management, inventory, and order fulfillment services, that help your business run leaner and more effectively.

 

 

As COVID-19 continues impacting supply chains, we’re looking ahead to the new trends in warehousing that you need to know about, to ensure your organization’s success in 2022.

Adaptability, flexibility, digitalization, scalability, forward-deployed inventory, and supply chain resiliency are among the leading trends that will help companies meet new consumers’ expectations.

 

Moving into 2022, companies may transition from “survive” to “succeed,” as they shift from managing risk and disruption to exploiting future growth. This will require technology to build new supply chain strategies.

 

In the near future, it is not expected that list to include technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and the internet of things. While these advances are growing more, they’re still a long way off from becoming the standard.

Here, then, are some top trends in Warehousing for this year:

1. Elastic Supply Chains

Companies will need to respond to growing volatility in consumer behavior with “elastic” strategies, this is the flexibility to expand and contract capabilities to meet demand within a period of time.

 

The concept of elasticity is especially useful when companies recognize the supply chain as an end-to-end process, including order entry, procurement, manufacturing, inventory and warehouse management, and transportation and distribution.

When it is implemented correctly, an elastic supply chain can scale up or down, even with the most unforeseen demand behaviors.

 

2. Supply Chain Closer To Customer

In 2022, e-commerce is expected to continue growing, with B2B e-commerce sales expected to increase by 17.5% per year through 2027.

Recently, the boom in e-commerce and residential deliveries has accelerated the need to expand warehouse and fulfillment space closer to cities to meet faster delivery times.

 

Companies have to focus on optimizing their geographic location with end-users in mind. This strategy enables shippers to meet customer expectations for fast delivery without the cost of priority shipping on millions of individual packages. Perhaps many companies invest in a warehouse space closer to their customers.

 

 

People photo created by aleksandarlittlewolf – www.freepik.com

 

3. Revise HR strategies

As warehouses are becoming more technological, Human Resources Departments should adapt their warehouse hiring processes.

Companies will require employees with a higher education level in warehouse operations, including IT specialists and engineers with robotics experience. This is motivated by the increasing amount of data collection and automation implemented within warehouses and fulfillment centers to increase employee workload.

 

4. Digital Transformation

Digital transformation across the supply chain will intensify in response to the disruption we have witnessed recently. More rapid adoption is expected of new technologies, such as digital warehouse management systems, which allow customers to see their entire supply chain.

With digital transformation, organizations will take better decisions about their inventory levels and location. Moreover, digitization will help foster collaboration and improve visibility, which will help your supply chain become more flexible.

5. Prolonged talent shortage

The current driver shortage will continue delaying companies’ shipments. Unfortunately, relief is not expected any time soon, with nearly a quarter of the trucking workforce expected to hit retirement in the next decade—retirement accounts for 54% of the driver shortage, according to the National Transportation Institute (NTI).

It’s not just drivers, either. With so many container ships waiting off the coast of Long Beach, there is a need for stevedores too. Supply chain professionals, in general, remain in high demand.

 

6. The crunch for capacity will continue

Currently, there’s too much demand and not nearly enough capacity, it has been exacerbated by the growth in shipping volumes due to COVID-19. Rental prices per ship can be blown out to $200,000 a day, and some brands are paying a premium to move merchandise by air. It will take time to meet demand, and companies will need to make the most of their capacity.

 

Understanding the top emerging trends in warehousing can position shippers for success in 2022. As you develop your logistics strategy, look for collaborative, strategic partners like CARGO CARE SERVICES who have the experience in warehousing services to prepare for any disruption your organization may face. CONTACT US!

 

 

Currently, e-commerce platforms have made a huge impact on how consumers shop. Customer demands increase as they can do their shopping in the comfort of their own homes, so does the need for storage spaces and distribution centers for order fulfillment duties and operations. That´s why eCommerce continuously impacts the warehousing industry today, and we will look into it:

Lead Times

Some years ago, warehouses were built in accordance with zoning regulations. Due to the surge in online shopping, and the fact that most consumers want their orders shipped quickly, it takes importance that warehouse facilities be situated in or closer to large cities.

Single Products Vs. Pallets

B2B shipments used to be in containers. These transportation methods were especially suitable for bulky cargo that required loading from the sides or the top. Today’s retail stores, however, are losing popularity. This indicates that the shipping is now done straight away to the consumers’ homes.

 

People photo created by aleksandarlittlewolf – www.freepik.com

 

Unpredictable Shipping Behaviour

Based on the above there are unpredictable shipping patterns. In the past years aside from the holiday season, sales patterns were more or less predictable and tended to remain relatively stable throughout the year. Due to this level of predictability, it was convenient for warehouses to make the necessary arrangements.

In order to support the changing system, warehouses and distribution centers had to reevaluate the systems for inventory as well as methods of handling storage.

Warehouse Automation

Because of this paradigm, an increasing number of warehousing facilities have turned to robotics and other automated logistics technologies to increase overall efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.

 

Nowadays, warehouses that wish to be at the forefront now invest in a variety of warehouse technologies like drones, artificial intelligence, order picking and order fulfillment tools, and technologies, among many others.

 

If you are looking to expand your warehousing capabilities, you have come to the right place. At CARGO CARE SERVICES, we offer Warehousing Services that will help your operations be more efficient, we have warehouses throughout the United States, contact us today and let us know your project!

 

 

For some businesses, it is better to store the merchandise in an FTZ while others will benefit from a bonded warehouse. Even though these facilities are similar, they have differences, such as the purpose of each warehouse, what you can do with the goods and limitations on storage. So, there are a few key points to consider before making your decision, as below:

Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)

A foreign trade zone is an area located in or near US ports of entry. FTZ is considered to be outside the customs territory of the US for the purposes of duty assessment and entry.

These areas are excluded from paying duties when the shipment arrives. Furthermore, there are also no duties payable on re-exported products. Manufacturing is also authorised within an FTZ with no immediate duties or taxes payable. Payment of duties is only due when the merchandise enters into US territory.

 

The benefits of using FTZs are:

 

• Merchandise is not subject to U.S. duty or excise tax, they are paid when the goods are transferred from the zone for consumption.
• There is an unlimited amount of time that the goods can be warehoused in a foreign trade zone, whether or not subject to duty.
• Some tangible personal property is generally exempt from state and local ad valorem taxes.
• Goods may be exported from the FTZ free of duty and excise tax.
• CBP security requirements provide protection against theft.

 

Work photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com If you are storing foreign goods for export, Customs bonded warehouses could be the best choice.

Bonded Warehouses

Bonded warehouses are a building or other secured area in which imported dutiable merchandise may be stored under the direct control and supervision of the US customs officials. As with a FTZ, duties are not charged until the goods are removed for consumption and the export of the items is also duty-free.

Bonded warehouses are only allowed to hold foreign goods and manufacturing is not allowed. Under this kind of program, each product must have a customs entry filed and duties and tariffs are assessed upon entry. Moreover, customs maintains primary control of all products and determines where, when, and how they can be moved. Unlike FTZ, there is a five-year limit on products being stored in this kind of warehouse.

There are 11 different types of bonded warehouses, as well as premises that are owned or leased by the government; private warehouses for the storage of imports; and public-bonded warehouses for the storage of imported products.

 

The benefits of using a Customs Bonded Warehouse are:

 

• Goods stored there can be transferred between other bonded warehouses.
• In the U.S. imported goods are permitted to be stored for up to five years. This creates a chance to delay the introduction of a product to market until there is greater demand.
• Importers have greater control over their finances because no duty is collected until the product is withdrawn for consumption. If an importer is unable to find a buyer in the U.S., the products can be exported without paying duty.

• Duties owed on products that have been manipulated are decided at the time of withdrawal from the bonded warehouse.

Which one is the best for you?

 

The difference between bonded warehouses and FTZ warehouses essentially is based on how much control you want over the customs process and your products.

Bonded warehouses may look like with too many restrictions, but importers who want to sell goods domestically won’t benefit much from using FTZs.The advantages of FTZs mainly apply to shipments that will ultimately end up back overseas for sale. Shippers who depend on the domestic marketplace for retail will need to study the pros and cons of bonded warehouses.

Also if you are storing foreign goods for export, Customs bonded warehouses could be the best choice. In CARGO CARE SERVICES we count with Bonded Warehouses overall the US, contact us and we will let you know our best rates available.

 

Written by: CubiQ

 

The optimization of space and processes in a warehouse is a priority aspect, which directly influences operators’ productivity, operating costs, and the time required for the execution of tasks such as the reception and dispatch of goods.

 

For this reason, new technologies that emerge as solutions for the logistics industry come to support this process to increase its efficiency and productivity. The company that implements these technologies obtains better results and can assume a greater demand for orders without affecting delivery times and customer satisfaction.

 

An optimized warehouse is the first of the necessary steps to guarantee that the supply chain system works efficiently. It is also essential to consider that companies lose large amounts of money every year due to a lack of stock, returns, and human errors.

 

According to the magazine “Logística Supply Chain” these are some of the main technological trends for the optimization of storage in warehouses:

1. WMS (Warehouse Management System)

This technology is beneficial for the management of warehouses. It allows precise and real-time control of the operations, allowing the logistic chain to have more accurate traceability and be more agile and efficient.

It is worth noting that this tool can identify the goods and show their identification and manage the resources when they are being moved. Therefore, it allows to regulate the labor force, eliminate empty movements, and reduce operation times.

2. SGA Systems

It is a tool that allows you to have the inventory updated and to know the quantity and exact location of each of the products stored in the warehouse in real-time. This allows for greater traceability of the existing inventory and contributes to timely decision making.

 

An optimized warehouse is the first of the necessary steps to guarantee that the supply chain system works efficiently. Box photo created by vanitjan – www.freepik.com

 

3. Voice Picking

This feature allows the operator to receive instructions through a headset and a microphone, allowing them to have both hands available to complete other tasks, improving order preparation times in the warehouses.

Additionally, from CubiQ we highlight the entry of two new technologies that revolutionize warehouse management when implemented.

4.Drones

These devices are used in storage centers for stock control since it allows the reduction and optimization of the costs involved in performing a physical stock control

The use of drones achieves a reduction in operating costs, increases the activity’s productivity, and reduces the time needed for its completion.

5. Automated measurement and cubing systems

This equipment allows the automation of a process as repetitive as the sizing of goods, allowing companies to optimize operating costs and increase its logistics chain’s productivity.

 

In CubiQ we design technology solutions that go beyond the sizing of goods, achieving a quick transcription of the label’s information using modern technologies such as OCR, contributing to the digitization of information in the warehouses of transport and logistics companies, freight consolidators, and retail operators.

 

Photo: Courtesy of CubiQ

 

 

It is worth mentioning that significant benefits have been obtained in the retail companies that have installed CubiQ solutions in their warehouses. Among the benefits that stand out in this industry are:

 

– Optimization of storage space by an additional 25%.

– Reduction of the amount of freight by over 8%

– Reduction of up to 160% in data capture and incorporation into the WMS system times.

 

Additionally, in the cargo consolidation companies that have CubiQ in their warehouses, the processes have been optimized and costs reduced in the following way:

– Reduction of labor costs by more than 150% generating savings of approximately USD 800.000.

– Increase in operator productivity by up to 200%.

 

Now, don’t forget! The automation of processes logistics chain’s optimization, especially in warehouses, is a must-do project because if the warehouse storage is optimal, your company can reduce unproductive time, increase operators’ productivity, reduce labor costs, and meet increasing product demands.

Now, what do you think about the automation of the logistics chain?

 

Written by: CubiQ

Are you struggling to ship your perishable goods with complete efficiency?

If you or your customers trade products that are temperature sensitive, the assistance of a specialized company with a temperature-controlled warehouse is essential, either freezer or cooler, their importance is stronger than ever.

Without the services of such warehouses, it becomes very difficult to ship goods from one site to another. Temperature-sensitive products are mostly perishable and require a suitable environment. This may mean investing in short and long-term temperature-controlled warehouse storage, which can help to protect certain items.

What is a temperature controlled warehouse ?

Temperature-controlled warehouses are specialized in maintaining a specific temperature by incorporating a method of cooling or heating. The temperature maintained in these warehouses is approximately to be around 60-75 °F. These temperature-controlled warehouses are used to store products that need refrigeration to conserve the quality and ensure that the shelf life of the product line is maintained and reaches the final customer in perfect conditions.The types of products that require cold storage warehouses are Perishable Food and Beverages, Supplements, Makeup, pharmaceuticals, and others.

The assistance of a specialized company with a temperature-controlled warehouse is essential |Food vector created by upklyak – www.freepik.com

 

Advantages of a Temperature Controlled Warehouse

We’ve listed some of the main advantages of temperature-controlled storage and how it can benefit your business. These include:

1. Protects goods and increases shelf-life

These warehouses enable the stocking of products even during unfavorable conditions. The services offered by these warehouses ensure that the product quality does not degrade even during harsh conditions.

Moreover, other products that may need higher temperatures for storage can also need the services of temperature-controlled warehouses. The storage cells can also accommodate products that do not need refrigeration also.

2. Experienced professionals and safety

The professionals that operate these temperature-controlled warehouses have years of experience in this field. The environment inside these warehouses is very different, due to the temperature, it is not always safe or ideal to work in. However, special measures are incorporated to ensure optimum safety for the employees and for the products stored.

3. Peace of Mind and Customer Satisfaction

Shippers can now rest assured that the quality of the goods produced is maintained at all times. The final consumers also attain complete satisfaction as quality products are delivered to them.

When your supply chain has temperature-sensitive products must be functional as there is limited time to meet consumer demands. Assistance from temperature-controlled warehouses helps shippers to not worry about damages and spoilage. In this way, the risk of incurring losses is significantly mitigated.

Be sure to seek assistance from an expert third-party temperature-controlled warehouse, that’s why CARGO CARE SERVICES can help you to find overall the USA the best temperature-controlled warehouse for your needs, your products will be kept secure and in optimal condition even in adverse conditions.

Contact us today to check availability for temperature-controlled warehouses!