Should you choose a multi-user 3PL partner?

Stephen Stafford • 4 April 2024

What makes choosing a multi-user 3PL a perfect option for your business?

Given the uncertainty in global supply chains, many businesses requiring warehouse space are looking at multi-user 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) warehousing as a way of reducing risk and improving efficiencies in their logistics operations. So, your first question should be; what is a Multi-user 3PL?

Multi-user 3PL warehousing can be defined as outsourcing the management of warehousing operations to a company or space that contains multiple clients and offers additional value services such as:

Dedicated Account Manager - Your primary point of contact who will work with you closely to understand your project needs, ensure smooth execution, and deliver high-quality results.
Loading/Unloading – Whether it be by oversea container shipping, local collections, cross docking, palletised or loose loaded, your product will be manifested into the warehouse and uploaded onto a cloud-based warehouse management system (WMS).
Picking – When picking, be it case or full pallet picking, you can expect products to be packaged safely and prepared to be dispatched swift and efficient manner.
Dispatch – With several ways of delivering your items, parcel, pallet network through to full load RDC deliveries, you will have experience warehouse operatives handling your products, with POD’s returned to you within 24hours.
Returns – Handling returned goods and expediting them back into the warehouse or reselling or repurposing them if not fit for resale.

At NJP we realise these services can be expensive in terms of personnel and administrative, which means that for small to mid-sized businesses, multi-user 3PL warehousing can be cost-effective. It’s a service that also works very well for companies with seasonal peaks.

So, what benefits can you expect from a multi-user 3PL?