Moving 3PLs is not a decision that should be taken lightly however it is one that many businesses make as the cost to stay is so high: often for both commercial and emotional reasons. Before informing your current 3PL that you're moving on, there are a number of key things you should do: Review Contractual obligations : Review your contract with the 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) provider to understand any terms and conditions related to termination or notice periods. Ensure that you comply with the contractual requirements to avoid any legal issues. Review Service performance : Evaluate the overall performance of the 3PL in terms of service quality, reliability, and responsiveness. Consider factors such as on-time deliveries, order accuracy, customer complaints, and communication effectiveness. Identify any persistent issues or areas of improvement that have not been adequately addressed. Source an Alternative 3PL : This is an important step and can be done in a very confidential manner to avoid your current 3PL finding out you are getting quotes. This is where Find a 3PL can assist or for more assisted sourcing of a 3PL you could use Andrew at www.omnigrowth.com.au Transition planning : Develop a comprehensive plan for transitioning from the current 3PL to a new provider or an in-house logistics operation. Define the timeline, roles and responsibilities, data migration process, and necessary communication channels. Minimize disruptions to your supply chain during the transition and ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities. Inform your Customers : customers are very understanding as long as you don't surprise them in a negative way. Ensure you let them know that there may be some delays as you transition warehouses. Most won't mind and you can manage the exceptions manually. Monitor the Pack Up : Unfortunately a lot of 3PLs don't show a lot of care when packing up an ex-customers products. This can lead to delays inbounding stock at the new 3PL as well as higher costs. It's important that you not only have a transition plan but that you ensure the 3PL adheres to your agreed expectations. Remember, this is a general list of considerations, and the specific circumstances of your business and relationship with the 3PL may require additional or different factors to be taken into account.

A Few Handy Questions to Ask Your Next 3PL