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Any growing business must inevitably evaluate its fulfillment process from time to time. Beyond fulfillment, many companies that want to scale growth or transform themselves to compete in the world of manufacturing and e-commerce, typically turn to a 3PL provider. The reasons behind this are simply because most small or midsize companies don’t have the resources or what it takes for successful supply chain redeployment – such as the in-house experience, WMS (Warehouse Management Software), or seasoned labor support to effectively make it happen. Third-party logistics providers typically have a network of operations including warehouses, mobile handling equipment, a truck fleet, and experienced warehouse forklift operators and pickers/packers.  Read More

Topics: Rise of 3PL Fulfillment Services

Remember your first brand new car? What a well-oiled machine it was?  Read More

Topics: Outgrown Your Warehouse

When Spartan Logistics began to build a presence in Northwest Ohio in 1990, we quickly realized the untapped potential for warehouse and fulfillment services for our customers. From a single location, we expanded to a footprint of over 1.4 million square feet of warehouse storage and distribution. Our approach to 3PL is highly personalized. No task is too large, no detail too small, no storage and handling project too complicated. Spartan’s Northwest Ohio DCs and warehouses are often in proximity to major transport routes and terminals. For global manufacturers and suppliers looking to accelerate performance in today’s competitive marketplace, all roads lead to Toledo, Ohio. Although Toledo has a "rust belt" automotive reputation because of its manufacturing history, companies continue to move everything from raw materials to finished products to and from Toledo. If you haven’t had the pleasure—a day spent in the warehouse district is a day well spent. There’s renovation and resurgence going on in Toledo’s Warehouse District—It’s growing in leaps and bounds with great entertainment, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. It’s the new urban playground of what was once known as “Glass City”.  Read More

Topics: Warehouses in Toledo Ohio

The Ohio State University hosted a discussion of Disruptive Innovation in Logistics at the Harvard Business School of Columbus in Columbus, OH. Spartan Logistics President, Steve Harmon, was asked to give a presentation to an audience, piggy- backing the discussion. Steve's presentation —Big Data in Logistics, focused on how big data is revolutionizing many fields of business, and logistics analytics is one of them. The complex and dynamic nature of logistics, along with the reliance on many moving parts that can create bottlenecks at any point in the supply chain, make logistics a perfect case for big data. In case you are not familiar with the term…Big Data- It is essentially the ability to mine billions of data points to make better predictive decisions. Logistics- especially the 3 V’s of Velocity, Volume, and Variety has always been reliant on forecasts; if there is one thing we know about predictions about the future it is that they are always wrong. Supply chains have always been dependent on measuring statistics, point of sale data, and quantifiable performance indicators. Big Data is something else- it is driving the car more effectively with a better roadmap, rather than just a rear-view mirror.  Read More

Manufacturers and retailers used to value 3PLs for their physical assets.The very idea of outsourcing transportation and logistics functions evolved as all the elements of the supply chain became part of a single management perspective. Thirty years ago, pricing was king, contracts were short, and performance was measured in three-year bids. That has all changed. It seems like only yesterday when "3PL" was just a new acronym thrown about at industry conferences and logistics trade magazines to describe a different kind of transportation and warehousing company. Today, Spartan Logistics is appreciated more for our cerebral approach and adaptability to define your strategic direction and execute it. Let’s say you are the owner of, or you are responsible for, a company that sells or distributes footwear to a segment of the population. Before commiting, ask these five questions of a 3PL provider:  Read More

Topics: Common 3pl Questions

Losing a key client can be devastating for any business. This devastation is not limited to just financial loss or tarnished company brand. There is the declining employee morale associated with the loss as well. No business has a perfect record when it comes to retention. Even your best customers will eventually move on at some point, and not necessarily because of your lack of performance on your end. When you come to terms with this reality, you'll be prepared for when it happens. I've personally worked with entrepreneurs who have experienced loss at all levels. But the one thing that stings these solitary geniuses the most is losing one of their biggest clients. Take the necessary steps to recover from a major customer loss so you're positioned to recover quickly: Be flexible with your staffing. Creating the right types of efficiencies will ensure that your company isn't overstaffed, even on your biggest accounts. Even if employees are dedicated to certain accounts, make sure that you have a plan for migrating your people to other areas of the company should you lose that client. Laying people off and then hiring more resources again creates a highly volatile environment.  Read More

Topics: Customer Service Lessons

It seems some of the most successful Fortune 100/500 companies have been able to grow their business profitably by outsourcing their logistics needs. Admittidely, the word "partnership" with a service provider has become exhausted — I prefer marriage. Just like marriage, you are truly in it to reap the benefits for the long-term. However, outsourcing isn't for everyone. There are companies that feel they want total control, and that they can deliver a lower cost per order by handling warehousing, fulfillment and freight internally. Doing so, some find that there is a greater impact on the bottom line. On average, a 3PL can provide a lower cost per order compared to internally managed operations. For those that are interested din utilizing a 3PL, but haven't taken the leap, here are 5 ways we have seen a number of clients get the most out of outsourcing. Keep in mind that some of the points need to become a part of the negotiation process and expectations early on. 1. Creating a "Win/Win" for Both Parties I recently spoke with the Director of Logistics of a multi-million dollar manufacturing company. He stated that their average customer had been with them just over 10 years. They have 10 manufacturing facilities and very little square feet for production overrun in the U.S. and offshore; and they need to be closer to their customers. Think about that for a minute — that says a lot about finding a 3PL in a time when quality, low cost, and time-to-market are key to the business and profitability. Creating a true union and win/win scenario should be the ultimate goal for both parties. Here are a couple of things to think about: From your perspective, what are the short and long-term 3PL services you require to grow your business? Are there new systems and services a 3PL partner will invest in to provide first-rate services for your company?  Read More

Topics: Common 3pl Questions

Learning the difference between a Third Party Logistics (3PL) and Fourth Party Logistics (4PL) as well as 1PL, 2PL, and the rise of even Fifth Party Logistics (5PLs) is both confusing and highly debated among those in the supply chain industry. While each layer of a logistics provider serves a specific purpose, it's important to remember that there are varying degrees of expertise and capabilities among each. What exactly defines a 3PL? A third party logistics company is one that manages another company's logistics operations department. 3PL is the action of outsourcing all or much of a company's logistics operations to a specialized company. For instance, Spartan Logistics provides its customers with turnkey 3PL services- warehousing, cross-docking, inventory management, fulfillment, and transportation services. In 2008 legislation passed declaring that the legal definition of a 3PL is "A person who solely receives, holds, or otherwise transports a consumer product in the ordinary course of business, but who does not take title to the product." We 3PL's have a large footprint throughout the country. This makes it viable to service clients in remote regions at a much lower cost than doing it themselves. 3PL's tend to "walk the extra mile" to accommodate many of the responsibilities that would assume a 4PL's role ultimately. What exactly defines a 4PL? The concept of a 4PL provider is an integrator that accumulates resources, capabilities and technologies to run complete supply chain solutions. A 4PL company takes over the logistics section of a business, managing the entire process, and at times, the 3PL. An example here would be an appliance importer-The main function is to import appliances. However, they need to have spare parts (fans, motors, etc.) for these appliances-a 4PL would manage the total logistic operations for the spare parts business. Ok, so what about all the other "PLs?  Read More

Topics: Common 3pl Questions

Spartan Logistics prides itself on giving employees the tools they need to live a healthier lifestyle- encouraging overall well being through a Corporate Wellness Program. In August of 2015 Spartan engaged the help of an outside professional to sucessfully incorporate a company-wide program. It took leadership and support and strategic communication to engage employees. The goal is to create a culture where employees choose to live a healthier lifestyle, rather than being forced to do so; and it comes with no monetary cost to the employee, other than a commitment to be accountable. No one ever says...I can't wait to take my next insulin shot, I want to be on medication for the rest of my life for depression, or I want to feel like crap all the time. The Wellness Program A program can be successful when the experience is shared either through communal goals or - taking the opposite approach - pitting employees against each other to create healthy competition environment. In my experience, different people are motivated by different things, and everyone loves a little competition to light a fire under their rump.Employee wellness is all the rage at many corporations today . More companies are jumping on the bandwagon each day as a means to decrease absenteeism, increase job satisfaction, and productivity. Employees are reaping the rewards through lower health care premiums and wellness discounts. These programs are no longer your "way back in the day" doctor check-ups. Wellness programs today often use qualified Wellness Coaches to address health on multiple levels, including emotional well-being, mental and physical health and financial wellness. It's adaptable because health and wellness can be taken in different contexts. There's No Wrong or Right Way There really is no wrong or right way to incorporate a wellness program. Employee wellness programs can look different across many companies. The health outcomes of corporate wellness programs are many including, quitting smoking, weight loss, obesity prevention, diabetes, and blood pressure and cholesterol management. It means finding wellness activities employees want to be a part of, and addressing issues that are actually a challenge. The challenge is to migrate employees from simply participating for a reward (external incentive), to a place where the new learned behavior or habit is satisfying and worth maintaining (internal incentive), such as walking while listening to your favorite music to move more. Keep in mind, no one should ever be made to feel like they can't keep up with the others. Employees should be monitored individually with personal goals and annual results of their engagement in the program.  Read More

Following Labor Day 2016, I knew I would be starting my new role as Marketing Manager with Spartan Logistics and it would be a short week; who wouldn't be excited about that. I was informed that I was going to experience my first annual team building Managers Retreat at the end of the week, spilling into the weekend. I've been part of many Sales/Operations meetings in my 20-year tenure, but Team Building was never implied, or practiced. I couldn't wait to see how it was received. By Friday, all of Spartan's Managers flew or drove into Columbus, OH. We were all expected to meet early morning in Delaware, OH at the Black Wing Shooting Center. Following a catered breakfast and a quick 'Who Am I" game, the first team building event started with two indoor separate target shooting excercises, experiencing the feel of a .22 and 9mm. It encouraged everyone to break out of their comfort zone and create friendly competition. As I photographed the first Spartan team shooting targets, I noticed support and laughter among new and long-term employees as they viewed their target papers. Thankfully, no one got shot. Although I'm no Annie Oakley, I really enjoyed my first indoor shooting experience. Following lunch, we were all more settled in. We paired off in groups of five for the outdoor course to use a 12-guage shotgun to shoot at sporting clays, which by the way, seem to move at the speed of light. We moved through the entire course, cheering and supporting each other along the way. Upon completion of the course, prizes were awarded to the best shooters. I would definitely shoot skeet again.  Read More

Topics: Logistics Teamwork, Logistics careers