For Amazon sellers, selecting the right 3PL is crucial for unlocking new revenue streams and scaling operations beyond FBA. This episode highlights how a strategic 3PL partnership can transform fulfillment from a cost center into a competitive advantage by enabling product customization, new SKU creation, and diversified sales channels.
Key takeaways
Evaluate 3PLs not just on storage and shipping costs, but on their value-added services like kitting, bundling, and custom personalization (e.g., embroidery, custom printing) to create unique product offerings.
Leverage a 3PL to quickly test new product variations (e.g., different pack sizes, color combinations) through FBM without large upfront manufacturing commitments, using FBA for proven core SKUs.
For products requiring customization (e.g., Amazon Custom orders), ensure your 3PL has the capability to access Seller Central, pull customization details, perform the customization, and then ship, effectively integrating with your Amazon workflow.
Prioritize 3PLs that offer robust digital integration, such as customer portals and seamless integration with your Order Management System (OMS) or Inventory Management System (IMS) for efficient data flow and operational visibility.
Examine a 3PL's receiving process to understand their efficiency and accuracy in handling incoming inventory, as this directly impacts product availability and your ability to scale (e.g., check for transparency, speed, and error rates).
Marshall Taplits is the owner of ShipItDone 3PL Warehouse in Pennsylvania and a co-founder of 3PL Max, a SaaS warehouse management system for 3PL's. He is a highly qualified business and technical leader, with a passion for all things supply chain, economics and cryptocurrency. Marshall is an expert at systems integrations and sees that as a main competitive advantage in the 3PL space. Takeaways: Try to find where to put the money in terms of the PPC. And I think if you look at 3PL'...
Frequently asked about this episode
What does this episode say about 3pl selection & optimization?
Evaluate 3PLs not just on storage and shipping costs, but on their value-added services like kitting, bundling, and custom personalization (e.g., embroidery, custom printing) to create unique product offerings.
What does this episode say about e-commerce growth?
Leverage a 3PL to quickly test new product variations (e.g., different pack sizes, color combinations) through FBM without large upfront manufacturing commitments, using FBA for proven core SKUs.
What does this episode say about inventory & fulfillment strategy?
For products requiring customization (e.g., Amazon Custom orders), ensure your 3PL has the capability to access Seller Central, pull customization details, perform the customization, and then ship, effectively integrating with your Amazon workflow.
What does this episode say about product customization?
Prioritize 3PLs that offer robust digital integration, such as customer portals and seamless integration with your Order Management System (OMS) or Inventory Management System (IMS) for efficient data flow and operational visibility.
What does this episode say about 3pl selection & optimization?
Examine a 3PL's receiving process to understand their efficiency and accuracy in handling incoming inventory, as this directly impacts product availability and your ability to scale (e.g., check for transparency, speed, and error rates).
