When it comes to finding and selecting the “right” third party shipping company, there are a lot of things to think about, some more significant than others. But how vital is experience? As it turns out, it’s quite important. While the allure of something (or someone) new is hard to turn away, here are a few awesome things to consider about industry veterans.
Experience is more than just a number—it’s a declaration. An experienced 3PL provider hasn’t just been in business for a long time, they’ve seen and handled it all. It’s not guaranteed that a newer company will know how to handle never-before-seen situations, nor is it certain that they’ll know how to plan for the future. An experienced 3PL provider will know what to do because they can refer to previous successes and failures, and they understand the ins and outs of most industries.
We do what works because it works. But that doesn’t mean we’re afraid to change. At DTS, for example, we adapt and evolve—we’re flexible, cautious, and smart. Change can be a scary thing, especially if someone is moving away from what’s worked. Newer companies might be afraid to fit the growing demands of their customers, especially if doing so forces them to make a change that could lead to unexpected results. Experienced 3PL companies make appropriate moves that are backed by studies, industry experience, and patience.
Whether it’s to satisfy customer demands or the world market, industries are always changing—which means we have to change, too. Experienced 3PL providers aren’t just familiar with the shipping needs of numerous industries, we’re familiar with the shipping patterns within those industries. Why is this important? Predictive analysis will save you money, and it will also help you plan. We know the best way to ship your goods at any given time, and we can even create a plan for the future.
Experienced companies have little to prove—we’ve already done that. But we have everything to lose. Reputation is everything, especially when you’re shipping goods to various parts of the world. While pride is a dangerous thing, to be sure, there’s nothing more dangerous than a company with something to prove. Experienced logistic companies don’t act recklessly or from the shadows, and every risk is calculated (before the fact) and discussed at length with the customer. Experienced logistic companies are proud, but we don’t let that pride control us.
Every company within every industry is different—we get that. In fact, we live it. Newer companies might not understand the very unique needs of the industries they work with, which can cause a lot of problems, problems that have a terrible habit of forming when you least expect them to. At DTS, we have experience serving the following industries:
There are many different ways to ship freight, and some are typically more expensive than others. Given your needs and budget, we can determine the best solution that extends the value of your dollar. From choosing the wrong or inappropriate mode of transportation to making costly mistakes elsewhere, an inexperienced provider could end up costing your more—even if it seems like they’re going to save you money out of the gate.
If knowledge is power, then failure is the ultimate catalyst. Generally speaking, inexperienced logistic providers haven’t been around long enough to truly learn from their failures. Failure can happen at any level, regardless of experience. But good companies study their failures and learn from them. There’s a common (and very dangerous) misconception out there that “decades of experience” translates to “decades of perfection.” It’s important to think of the “why” and the “what” when reading such a statement. Why have they been around for so long? What does “decades of experience” really mean? You’ll quickly come to understand that “failure” and “learned experience” are at the heart of every company that stands the test of time. Do you want to choose a start-up company who hasn’t failed yet and who might not know what to do when they do, or do you want to choose a company that has failed in the past, only to recover stronger than ever? We’ll take experience every time.
With years of experience under our belt and more just sitting in our back pockets, we have industry connection after connection after connection. The freight industry, and supply chain management in general, is deeply competitive, and no company is going to survive without lasting relationships; however, fruitful relationships can be hard to start, especially for new companies who have nothing to show and little to offer. Not only do experienced 3PL providers have connections both continentally and internationally, we know what it takes to create and establish more.
Perhaps the summation of all our efforts, experienced logistic companies can typically offer more services. At DTS, our experience allows us to offer a host of shipping services, including expedited freight services, trade show logistics, truckload logistics, international logistics, and more.
When choosing a 3PL company, consider the whole picture, from the full spectrum of services to the value of multi-industry experience. Inexperienced companies are often more affordable at the start—it’s how many get their foot in the door, attract your business, and keep you on. But ultimately, this is no way to conduct business long term, of any kind—it’s manipulative, dangerous, and reckless. We don’t mean to disparage “the little guy,” as it’s a gross and ignorant assumption to lump everyone together. And indeed, there are many upsides to working with someone new—we were new once, too, albeit a long, long time ago. What we want to do, however, is keep you informed. If you have any questions about our experience and what it can do for you, or if you want to put it to the test, give DTS a call today.
Whether you're a company looking to improve one facet of your supply chain, your entire supply chain, or simply looking for a transportation and logistics consultation, we can help.
