TOC Logistics is what some in the industry call a boutique-style freight forwarder. We develop, create, and manage according to each customer’s unique needs. As a 3PL provider, we’re here to optimize customers’ supply chains by saving time and money, increasing opportunities for continued market expansion, offering ongoing optimization tactics, and remaining flexible.
Here are some tips on how to work effectively with a 3PL like us, based on previous years’ market conditions and the current industry chaos.
Stay Educated
Unless you’ve joined this industry within the last year, you know the current market is absolutely wild. In the face of uncertainty, the best weapon is, well, certainty.
That’s why we’re here to help keep our customers educated on the current market by providing news articles, insights, and breaking industry updates as much as possible. We also encourage our customers to educate themselves on the ongoing delays and sudden supply chain snags. The more knowledge that a customer arms themselves with, the better equipped they are to face the uncertainties, and the more efficiently we can work together to develop a solution.
Plan Ahead
When it comes to our customers, TOC Logistics is a partner, not a vendor. Still, some customers who are new to working with a 3PL may misunderstand our role and believe that we control the logistics, drivers, railyards, and driver and equipment shortages. We work with you to optimize your supply chain and get goods where they need to go, but to do so, we rely on relationships and best practices. We don’t drive the trucks ourselves.
Because of that, it’s very important for customers to submit POs or release dates to suppliers with adequate lead time for everything to run as smoothly as possible. This helps us help customers’ organizations in the long run! If you have questions about this, you’re always welcome to reach out to your TOC representative.
Know Your Supply Chain
We encourage our customers to keep open communication with their freight forwarder through weekly meetings, bi-weekly meetings, or whatever timing is crucial for their organizations’ needs. It’s important to stay in touch with your 3PL provider and constantly keep your finger on the pulse of the ever-changing market.
To put it lightly, the supply chain pre-Covid and now are two different animals. TOC Logistics partners with your organization to help you understand the challenges of the current market and come up with a plan to rise above it whenever possible. Reach out to your TOC representative today to learn more about how we can work together more efficiently.