In this post, we look at 10 questions to ask a freight forwarder when in the process of recruiting the right partner for your business. We hope the below pointers prove to be helpful. Could Pinnacle be your ideal fit, global logistics partner? 

1.      Who’s responsible for insuring my goods?

Your cargo will travel hundreds to thousands of miles, so there’s always the possibility that something could go wrong, including loss or damage. Having the right insurance cover is essential. Most freight forwarders offer marine insurance as an additional service or you might include marine insurance as part of your business insurance. Either way, make sure that you do put insurance in place for transport and/or storage of your goods with third parties. Pinnacle can provide marine insurance upon request. 

2.  How credible and experienced is the freight forwarder?

As logistics is a key pillar of many businesses, it’s crucial that you find a credible and reliable UK freight forwarder. It’s no good entrusting your valuable cargo to a freight forwarder who isn’t fit for purpose and it’s always good to avoid a pitfall if possible.

Think about the following:

• How long have they been established for?
• What accreditations and assurances do they hold?
• What specific services do they offer and are they predominant in any of them?
• Are they experienced in the specific trade lanes that you operate in?
• Do they offer customer testimonials and case studies on their website?

Here are some examples of the key assurances that you should be looking out for. A freight forwarder holding the below assurance examples will help to give you confidence that they are competent.

• British International Freight Association (BIFA)
• The Road Haulage Association (RHA)
• ISO 9001
• International Air Transport Association (IATA) Cargo Agent

You can see Pinnacle’s assurances on our website www.pinnaclefreight.com

3.      Do they specialize in or handle similar cargo to mine?

Some freight forwarders focus on specific types of cargo like, hazardous, foodstuffs or work with many companies within an industry such as automotive. If you need a specialist logistics partner for your goods, then do focus on relevant areas for the best service. However, most freight forwarders handle general ‘freight of all kinds’ and may specialise in some areas too. Finding out what a freight forwarder offers and specialises in is key to helping you to find the right fit.

You can see Pinnacle’s service offer on our website www.pinnaclefreight.com 

4.      How extensive is their network?

A freight forwarder is only as good as its network. You should be looking for a company with well-established international relationships and whose global partners are accredited and credible in their own right. Feel free to ask for more information regarding the origin or destination partner of your potential new freight forwarder, so that you can be assured your cargo will be in good hands.

Pinnacle has been established since 1972 and our core network of trusted partners is longstanding. 

5. Do they manage customs clearance?

Most freight forwarders handle customs clearance. Pinnacle manage customs clearance for our customers shipments in-house. 

6. How can I track my cargo?

Having an online tracking system for shipments is, in this day and age, an absolute fundamental service for any credible freight forwarder. If you’re considering a freight forwarder that does not offer this service then it might be wise to discount them.

Having access to a facility that enables you to track your cargo is invaluable. It allows any delays to be communicated to your business and then to any relevant customers or contacts as soon as possible. Most innovative online tracking systems will allow you to check on the status of your consignment at any time and can also provide automated updates in your inbox.

Pinnacle can provide customers with online tracking and one point of contact for communication when managing a shipment. 

7. How quickly can I get a quote?

Timing to provide rates will vary depending on many different factors including; origin and/or destination and relevant time zones to request rates, spot rate requirements vs standard shipments using tariffs, goods ready date, departure date, carrier service and requirements, volume of shipment and others. 

8. Working to shipping deadlines?

If you have urgent cargo, let your freight forwarder know immediately so they can plan for it. Keep in mind that getting your cargo onto the first-available sailing/flight date and vessel/aircraft may sometimes mean higher prices. Pinnacle staff will ask you about this when discussing your shipment. 

Sometimes, it may be worth it to pay a little bit more to get faster transit or a direct service for better reliability. Some shippers prefer to get their cargo to its destination as soon as possible, while others prefer a more affordable option.

9. Can the freight forwarder scale up with your business growth?

It is sensible to suggest that the majority of companies have growth plans as a part of their business strategy. When you’re planning which freight forwarder to partner with, the ability for them to support your planned scalability could be key. If this is essential for your business, ensure that you make this element a crucial part of your selection process.

To help discover which UK freight forwarder may have the ability to scale up with you, ask for some credible customer examples that demonstrate how they have already done this for other relevant customers.

Pinnacle have the flexibility to scale up with your business development. One of our account managers will work closely with you to manage this process.

10. Is the freight forwarder strategically located?

A top-quality freight forwarder will have an established and extensive network of partners, ensuring the best service and well-coordinated global logistics.

If you’re looking for a freight forwarder to physically handle your cargo via warehousing fulfilment services and/or export packing services for example, then their location could be a key consideration.

Pinnacle are ideally located in Virginia Beach, near the port of Norfolk for sea freight shipments. 

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements.

US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com

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As an international freight forwarder, Pinnacle International Freight manages the shipment of cargo to overseas destinations. Pinnacle are familiar with foreign countries’ import rules and regulations, the U.S. government’s export regulations, different shipping methods, and necessary documents for foreign trade. 

We are a freight forwarder, an NVOCC and are licensed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to handle air freight and by the Federal Maritime Commission to handle ocean freight. 

We will recommend the packing methods that will protect the merchandise during transit or can arrange to have the merchandise collected and packed for air or sea freight. As a freight forwarder, Pinnacle can reserve the necessary space on a vessel, aircraft, train, or truck. 

Once the cargo is ready for shipment, Pinnacle will review all documents to ensure that everything is in order. 

International shipping can put a lot of demand on your packaged goods. They must be packaged correctly to keep potential problems at bay; breakage, moisture, pilferage and excess weight. Pinnacle, as your freight forwarder will be able to provide export packing services in order to protect your goods and international compliance in this area. 

Documentation when shipping USA to UK

Forwarders are specialists in the documentation process, so you can rely on Pinnacle to advise you correctly in this area. 

Documentation must be precise because slight discrepancies or omissions may prevent merchandise from being exported, may result in non-payment, or may even result in the seizure of the exporter’s goods by U.S. or foreign customs officials. 

Most documentation is routine for freight forwarders, but as the exporter, you are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the necessary documents. The number and kinds of documents that the exporter must deal with vary according to the destination of the shipment. 

Because each country has different import regulations, the exporter must be careful to provide all proper documentation required and Pinnacle is on hand to advise. 

Choose Pinnacle Freight when shipping USA to UK

If you are looking to ship to the USA from the UK, our team of experts can help you in arranging the most suitable and cost-effective way. 

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. 

US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com. To contact our UK team, call 0845 6216 111 or email us enquiry@pinnaclefreight.com

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With FBA, goods are stored in Amazon’s fulfillment centers and picked, packed and shipped by Amazon, taking the load off the seller and allowing them to focus on scaling their business. 

So, would an FBA seller require the services of a freight forwarder? The answer is yes, and we’ll explain below.

How does Amazon FBA shipping work?

You’ve conducted product research and sourced a winning product to sell on the world’s busiest online shopping platform – Amazon. If you are planning on using Amazon FBA, you have two options available to you:

• Have your products shipped straight to Amazon’s warehouses from your supplier
• Ship your products to another location first before they go to Amazon 

Having your suppliers ship your inventory straight to Amazon seems like the most logical option, however, there are a few reasons why you may choose to ship to another location first. 

For instance, some sellers like to inspect the products themselves. Others like to only send a limited quantity of stock to Amazon at a time. This could be to control FBA storage costs or to avoid having all of their stock ring-fenced by Amazon, allowing them to utilize sales from other platforms or routes to market. 

If sellers decide to go via this route, they’ll need to know how to get their products to Amazon’s warehouses when they’re ready. For Amazon sellers (new or established), preparing your goods for FBA shipments can be a difficult, time-consuming and costly task – particularly if you make a mistake as goods can be returned to you and fines levied.

So, how do you set up an FBA shipment to get your inventory into an Amazon warehouse? This is where a freight forwarder comes in.

Do you need a freight forwarder for Amazon FBA?

Once you have established your supplier base (in this and most instances, your supplier will be based overseas), you will require the services of a freight forwarder.  

Freight forwarding is a service industry that involves moving goods around the world on behalf of importers and exporters. A freight forwarder acts as the intermediary or broker between you and the shipping company, airline, rail or road haulage company.

A freight forwarder will be required and save you time and money if you’re importing or exporting large volumes of goods or high-value items by sea or air or road freight. If you’re exporting smaller volumes or regular numbers of packages, it may be simpler, cheaper, and quicker to use a parcel courier. Various couriers can offer free collections seven days a week and tracked delivery. Unlike freight forwarders, courier services generally use their own staff and equipment to make deliveries.

A freight forwarder’s services include:

• Preparing customs and shipping documents
• Advising on a country’s rules and regulations
• Arranging and managing several different transport methods for a shipment
• Negotiating freight charges
• Arranging cargo insurance, if required
• Booking cargo space (for LCL – Less than Container Load cargo, you will save money if you consolidate your shipments)
• Packing goods for export (this requires specialist knowledge)
• Moving dangerous goods
• Managing customs clearance and the payment of import duty at the foreign border

When finding the perfect freight forwarding partner, you should first look for an experienced operator who is a member of the British International Freight Association (BIFA). You can find a freight forwarder on the BIFA website.

When preparing to move goods, the freight forwarder must first receive clear instructions from the importer or exporter, ideally well in advance of the goods being moved.

Each form of transport will have its own required documentation, such as the:

• Air waybill – for air freight
• Bill of lading – for sea freight
• CMR consignment note – for road freight

If you’re using a freight forwarder, they’ll be responsible for ensuring all the documents are provided by the carrier.

If you’re looking for an end-to-end solution from a UK freight forwarder, then consider the following list of solutions and services as standard requirements for your needs: 

• Sea Freight
• Air Freight
• Road Freight
• Warehousing, eCommerce & fulfillment
• System Integration
• Online tracking
• PO Management
• Export Packing
• Well established global network

Freight forwarder experience with Amazon FBA

Amazon is one of the largest retailers in the world and they have precise requirements for items to be packaged, labeled and stored. Yes, you can do this on your own – but it takes plenty of time and there are risks involved. You might end up making mistakes, causing rejections from the Amazon fulfillment center.

Therefore, it is important to work with a forwarder who has good experience in handling Amazon shipments. They will know all of the requirements and further work with the suppliers to meet the criteria.

At Pinnacle, we handle the international shipping process and ensure your FBA inventory gets delivered to Amazon’s fulfillment centers in accordance with their shipping and labeling guidelines. Whether you’re an established brand or an individual Amazon FBA seller we are here to help you grow your business and succeed.

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. 

US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com

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Described as a ‘time machine’ by scientists, the telescope will allow astronomers to study the beginning of the universe shortly after the big bang, 13.8 billion years ago, and to hunt for signs of life-supporting planets in our own galaxy.

You’ve possibly heard about this groundbreaking project in the news recently, as it reached a global audience, unsurprisingly due to its significance. However, why is a freight forwarder writing a blog post about it? The reason is simple and proudly personal to us and our 50-year history as a specialist global logistics provider.

We had a small but crucial hand in this project. 

In this article, we will be exploring this phenomenal project, how Pinnacle supported a vital component of it and in doing so, hopefully demonstrate how a small to medium-sized specialist company can provide a valued skillset to an iconic behemoth like NASA. 

What happened?

Almost 25 years since its conception and designed as a replacement for the Hubble space telescope – still in operation after its 1990 launch – the James Webb telescope is a huge and complex instrument. 

Development began in 1996 for a launch that was initially planned for 2007 with a US$500 million budget. There were many delays and cost overruns, including a major redesign in 2005. Pinnacle’s involvement didn’t happen until 2011 when we managed a shipment including an advance ‘pre-flight’ version of the MIRI (Mid Infrared Instrument, a literally priceless component for the James Webb Telescope) from the UK to The Goddard Space Flight Centre in Washington. 

In 2012 and following the success of the initial ‘pre-flight’ version of the MIRI, Pinnacle were employed again to manage the actual flight model. We were required to manage a temperature-controlled air cargo container (containing the MIRI component). We provided priority airside access, roller bed systems, air cargo security exemptions, and the building of bespoke air cargo slave pallets. 

The project was managed by our UK and USA based teams and lead by one of our Directors, Paul Huston, who met the temperature-controlled airfreight container at Washington Dulles Airport and accompanied the unit to its delivery point at Goddard, ensuring its successful offload and handover to NASA. 

A year later, we were again involved in the project by managing the escorting of the original pre-flight model to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles. A long and arduous but ultimately successful shipment that benefitted from a personal and ‘white glove service’ again. 

“Although we pride ourselves on doing everyday logistics and freight operations well and, on occasion big projects with flair and commitment, these are almost exclusively of commercial importance to ourselves and our clients. It’s rare to participate in great historic events,” said Paul Huston of the project.

Our involvement in the NASA project was in association with the University of Leicester’s Space Research Center (SRC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Here’s what Jonathan Sykes, Senior Engineer, Leicester University Space Research Centre Uk had to say about Pinnacle’s role in this specialist project: 

“Delivery to NASA of the MIRI instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope was the highest value shipment that we have ever been responsible for in 50 years of space research and the most difficult from a logistical point of view. Pinnacle were instrumental throughout the planning, organisation and ultimately the highly successful implementation of the delivery plan. We look forward to working with them again on similar future projects.”

What’s happening now/next? 

So now that this feat of human engineering has been successfully launched and is currently in space, what’s the latest news regarding its mission? 

Well, the latest (as of the 8^th January 2022, at the time of writing) is that the giant mirror of this space telescope was successfully unfurled. Over two days, NASA teams have remotely opened the telescope’s 6.5-metre (21ft), gold-coated mirror, which had been flat-packed into the rocket’s nose cone like a drop-leaf table, meaning it can now be prepared for its scientific missions. 

Its tennis-court size sun shield – which will keep its delicate instruments cold – was already deployed, so now the secondary mirror, the Webb’s main mirror, will collect light from the furthest depths of the universe. 

The James Webb, named after a former NASA administrator, still has to travel 400,000 miles to its destination and will then need five more months for its instruments to be carefully calibrated.

For astronomers, the James Webb offers the prospect of capturing images of the first galaxies to form after the big bang, understanding how stars are born and evolve, and investigating the potential for life to appear in planetary systems. All this will have to be done in a decade, it’s maximum likely lifetime. After 10 years, it is expected the telescope will run out of fuel and slowly drift off course, which is a sad but true prospect.

We’d like to wish the James Webb Telescope all the luck in the universe for a successful journey. We’d also like to thank it in advance for the new wondrous discoveries it will unveil to us and also for letting us be a small but important part of its creation. 

From the simple and common logistics requirements to the complex and literally priceless, contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our team of global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. 

US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com

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A report by Gartner regarding the B2B Buyers Journey, shows how buyers typically complete a set of jobs to make an end ‘purchase’ or ‘selection’ in this case:

• Problem identification. “We need to do something.”
• Solution exploration. “What’s out there to solve our problem?”
• Requirements building. “What exactly do we need the purchase to do?”
• Supplier selection. “Does this do what we want it to do?”
• Validation. “We think we know the right answer, but we need to be sure.”
• Consensus creation. “We need to get everyone on board.”

So, in the interest of this article, let’s assume that you’ve reached the ‘supplier selection’ stage. You’ll be looking at how to best gather your supplier options. This tends to be driven by two routes. The first route that we look at in this article is using your referral network of peers, colleagues and or ex-colleagues to gather information on the suppliers that they use and which they’d recommend. This may not be possible but if it is then it can form a reliable part of your supplier selection process. 

Although recommendations can be really effective, it has become a less relied upon route and is more likely than not accompanied or replaced by online research as B2B buyers look to find their best supplier candidates.  A Forbes report on what B2B Buyers ideally need during the buyer’s journey showed that buyers in all industries are using digital content to make their purchasing decisions, and B2B is no different. An overwhelming majority (89%) of B2B researchers use the internet in their research process and they conduct 12 searches prior to engaging on a specific brand’s site.

On top of that, Forbes also state that B2B customers today progress more than 70% of the way through the decision-making process before ever engaging a sales representative, so if that’s true for you then having a good grasp of the fundamentals of freight forwarding and a handful of the right questions during your research period, will stand you in good stead.

For some supply chain purchasing managers or logistics managers on the buying side, this next part could be almost too basic but that won’t be the case for all. Let’s go back to basics and establish the fundamentals.

What to consider during your search for a US freight forwarder

There is a lot to consider when trying to find your perfect freight forwarder. If you have a freight forwarder in mind, ask yourself the following questions.

How credible and experienced is the freight forwarder?

As logistics is a key pillar of many businesses, it’s crucial that you find a credible and reliable US freight forwarder. It’s no good entrusting your valuable cargo to a freight forwarder who isn’t fit for purpose and it’s always good to avoid a pitfall if possible. 

Think about the following:

• How long have they been established for?
• What accreditations and assurances do they hold? 
• What specific services do they offer and are they predominant in any of them? 
• Are they experienced in the specific trade lanes that you operate in?
• Do they offer customer testimonials and case studies on their website?

Here are some examples of the key assurances that you should be looking out for. A freight forwarder holding the below assurance examples will help to give you confidence that they are competent.

• Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)  
• International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA)
• National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America NCBFAA  
• Customs Trade Partnership Against terrorism (CT-PAT)  
• Cargo Network Services (CNS an IATA Company)

Can the freight forwarder scale up with your business growth?

It is sensible to suggest that the majority of companies have growth plans as a part of their business strategy. When you’re planning which freight forwarder to partner with, the ability for them to support your planned scalability could be key. If this is essential for your business, ensure that you make this element a crucial part of your selection process.

To help discover which US freight forwarder may have the ability to scale up with you, ask for some credible customer examples that demonstrate how they have already done this for other relevant customers.

What technology do freight forwarders provide?

Ideally you should look to work with a freight forwarder that invests in technology and innovation and provides live tracking / track & trace as a minimum standard service. Depending upon your needs as a business, you may also require PO Management. This is a more advanced technology and requires the input of your suppliers to update a shared platform. 

Which Warehouse Management System (WMS) do they use and what level of reporting can they provide you with? Automated reports, like weekly stock reports in CSV format that can be easily imported into your in-house ERP or stock management system. 

You’ll be looking to drive efficiencies, so find a freight forwarder that puts value on continual improvement, has the ability to adapt to new technologies and, most importantly, can integrate with your systems.

Can the freight forwarder provide bespoke solutions?

The best freight forwarders don’t tend to offer generic off-the-shelf services. They prefer to work closely with their customer’s specific needs. Every business is different and comes with unique logistics requirements. A freight forwarder that recognises and accommodates this can become an extension of your business – almost your very own logistics department, supporting your strategy for efficient growth.

Look for case studies as these can be an insightful way to determine how the freight forwarder works in partnership with its current customers. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for current client recommendations too.

What level of communication can you expect from the freight forwarder?

Reliable, timely and consistent communication from your freight forwarder is crucial. With long distances and transit times for your cargo to travel through, not to mention multiple transport modes, there is potential for delays and challenges along the way. In most instances, your freight forwarder may not have control over these eventualities but making sure that you are aware of them is key.

A combination of communication mediums is best. For example, auto alerts into your inbox from their track and trace system and one point of contact to manage your shipment and system integration. Having these types of services reliably in place can leave you feeling reassured that your valuable cargo is in good hands.

What is their service and value offer?

If you’re looking for an end-to-end solution from a US freight forwarder then consider the following list of solutions/services as standard requirements for your needs: 

• Sea Freight
• Air Freight
• Road Freight
• Warehousing  fulfilment, ecommerce
• System Integration
• On-line tracking
• PO Management
• Export Packing
• Well established global network
• Key accreditations (as listed above)

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our Leicestershire based team of global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. 

US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com

The post How to Find Your Perfect Freight Forwarder US Partner appeared first on Pinnacle.

If logistics is a key pillar of your business then it’s crucial that you identify good quality and relevant fit potential 3PL’s (3rd Party Logistics) partners from the off.

In this article, we will look at some of the ways to go about identifying your best fit 3PL partner and identify why Pinnacle International Freight could be that very 3PL that you’ve been looking for and/or need right now.

What are YOUR Needs?

Obviously, in order to find the best fit logistics partner, you need to clearly know and understand exactly what your own requirements are, as a business. It is really worth writing a list of the core competencies you require fulfilling; this way you can more easily identify the best fit candidates of freight forwarding companies. 

How can Pinnacle International Freight meet your needs?

As a long established Freight Forwarder (since 1972) and an SME, Pinnacle International Freight have built a successful business based on a personalized and high quality service. Our predominant markets are non-European international air and sea freight (import and export), domestic warehousing & eCommerce fulfilment in the UK and USA and Export Packing. 

We remain competitive and provide a top quality service, through our long established network of partners and direct relationships with air lines and shipping lines. We continually invest in technology to drive efficiencies, visibility and to consistently develop the standard and enhancement of services we offer our customers.

Air freight

When you’re working to tight deadlines on time-limited projects, we are well equipped with extensive knowledge and years of air freight experience to help you get your air cargo to its final destination. Whatever the size, shape, or volume of your air cargo, we offer tailor-made solutions to suit any requirements:

• Export, import, and cross trade
• Direct / indirect consolidation
• Temperature-controlled air cargo
• Security screening
• Air charter
• Courier
• Door-to-door

We can provide air freight services to and from almost any destination in the world.

Sea freight

We can assist you with cost-effective sea freight shipping options for cargo of all kinds. Whether you need to ship LCL or FCL or you need our expert advice on how best to ship your cargo, we are on hand to make sure you find the perfect shipping solution. Our focus on delivering outstanding service means that you’ll be in the safest of hands.

• Export, import & cross trade
• Loading, lashing & securing
• Temperature-controlled cargo
• Container CSC plating
• FCL & consolidation
• Breakbulk & charter
• PO management
• Track & trace

Export packing

When you choose Pinnacle International Freight for your export packing services, you are choosing a dedicated team who truly care about keeping your cargo safe and protected. Able to provide export packing services throughout the US our team will advise you on the best materials and level of packing required to ensure the utmost protection for your cargo. Our export packing services include:

• ISPM15 approved case and pallet supplies
• Export packing on-site or any US location
• Protective case linings
• Foam protection
• Package indicators (tilt/shock/humidity)
• BS1133 compliant
• Moisture protection
• Dangerous goods packing

Warehousing, fulfilment & distribution services

With Pinnacle’s warehouse facilities, we offer the full package from importing your goods from point of origin right through to delivery at your customer’s door. We understand how important and invaluable it is to have a fast, efficient, and accurate supply chain and have support for eCommerce businesses with our system integration technology. Our warehousing services are extensive and cover every single part of the process:

eCommerce

• IT integration (customer website, Magento, Amazon, eBay, plus many more)
• B2C customer service
• Same day dispatch

Warehousing

• Stock management service
• X-Dock
• Secure on-site storage
• Pallet racked and bulk storage

Pick & Pack

Bespoke fulfilment services

Reworking & Value Added Services

• Packing
• Repacking
• Co-packing
• Labelling
• Assembly

Domestic Distribution

• Full & part load
• Pallet service
• Parcel service
• Multi-drop
• Dedicated and economy

Secure outside storage & container storage

• Floodlight area
• Access to site
• Security fencing
• Secure vehicle parking
• Monitored CCTV
• Own container with key access

We also offer the following: 

• Specialist Freight Solutions
  • Transatlantic Shipping
  • Dangerous Goods Freight
  • Defence & Aerospace Freight
  • Special Projects
  • Pharmaceutical Logistics
  • Space Tech Logistics
  • Retail Display Logistics
  • Export Packing
  • Compliance & Commercial
  • Information Technology

Could Pinnacle be the right fit 3PL for your business? Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our Leicestershire based team of global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. 

US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com

The post Why Should Your Business Partner with Pinnacle International Freight? appeared first on Pinnacle.

Outsourcing your logistics can be a challenging task to complete. There are a wealth of 3rd party logistics (or 3PL) providers out there, but how do you determine which providers will work best for you? Choosing between them can seem tricky, so knowing what factors to consider can be vital in making the right decision. 

Many people ask relevant contacts or colleagues to recommend a freight forwarder / 3PL that they use or have used in the past, but this isn’t always possible. Even if it is, the answer still may not provide the right fit for your business requirements. In which case, you’ll likely be scouring google for freight forwarders / 3PL’s and other related search terms for rich pickings. Whether you have recommendations or not, you should still consider some key factors in order to inform your important first step in the process of finding 3PL for you. In this article, we’ll look at 6 different areas to help you make this process as full proof as possible.

1.  Credibility & Experience

As logistics is a key pillar of many businesses, it’s crucial that you find a credible and reliable freight forwarder / 3PL. It’s no good entrusting your valuable cargo to a logistics partner who isn’t fit for your purpose. Here are some questions to ask to help you narrow down the list of available providers: 

1. How long have they been established for?
2. What accreditations and assurances do they hold? 
3. What specific services do they offer and are they predominant in any of them? 
4. Are they experienced in the specific trade lanes that you operate in?
5. Do they offer customer testimonials and case studies on their website?

There are some key assurances you can look for when choosing a 3PL. A 3PL holding the below examples will help to give you confidence that they are competent. 

• CT-PAT
• CNS
• NSBFAA
• Federal Maritime Commission

2.  Ability to Scale 

It is sensible to suggest that the majority of companies have growth plans as a part of their business strategy. When you’re planning which freight forwarding / 3PL  provider to partner with, the ability for them to support your planned scalability could be key. If this is essential for your business, ensure that you make this element a crucial part of your selection process. To help discover which 3PL’s may have the ability to scale up with you, ask for some credible customer examples that demonstrate how they have already done this for other relevant customers.

3.  Technology

Ideally you should look to work with a 3PL provider that invests in technology and innovation and provides live tracking / track & trace as part of standard service. Depending upon your needs as a business, you may also require PO Management, which is a more advanced technology and requires the input of your suppliers to update a shared platform.

Make sure you ask about which Warehouse Management System (WMS) they use, and what level of reporting they can provide you with. Automated reports, like weekly stock reports in CSV format that can be easily imported into your in house (ERP / stock management system).  You’ll be looking to drive efficiencies, so finding a freight forwarder / 3PL partner that puts value on continual improvement and the ability to adapt to new technologies is vital. It’s also important that their technologies can be integrated with your existing systems.

4.  Bespoke Solutions

The best freight forwarders / 3PLs don’t tend to offer generic off the shelf services in favour of working closely with their customers specific needs. Every business is different and comes with unique logistics requirements, so a freight forwarder / 3PL partner that recognises and accommodates this can become an extension of your business, almost your logistics department and supporting your strategy for efficient growth. Look for case studies as these can be an insightful way to determine how the freight forwarder works in partnership with its current customers. Don’t be afraid to ask for current client recommendations too.

5.  Strong Communication

Strong communication from your freight forwarder, warehouse and/or 3PL is crucial. With long distances and transit times for your cargo to travel through, not to mention multiple transport modes, there is potential for delays and challenges along the way. In most instances your freight forwarder may not have control over these eventualities but making sure that you are aware of them is key.

A combination of communication mediums is best. For instance, having one point of contact at their company to manage your shipment and system integration whilst also receiving auto alerts into your inbox from their track and trace system. Having these types of services reliably in place can leave you feeling reassured that your valuable cargo is in good hands.

6. Service & Value Offer

If you’re looking for an end to end solution from your logistics partner then consider the following list of solutions / services as standard requirements for your needs: 

• Sea Freight
• Air Freight
• Road Freight
• Warehousing  fulfilment, ecommerce
• System Integration
• On-line tracking
• PO Management
• Export Packing
• Well established global network
• Key accreditations (as listed above)

If a 3PL provider doesn’t provide any of the above, consider whether it is something you need within your business. If you don’t need it right now, will you need it in future as you grow? This will help you find a partner that not only meets you needs now but can continue to meet your needs moving forward. 

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our Virginia Beach based team of global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. 

US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com

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