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Cross border ship ping solutions can be difficult to find, especially as the trade imbalance between Canada, the United States, and Mexico increases. Last year trade tension between Mexico and the United States increased further as storage capacity issues forced products moving between the two countries to sit at a standstill. But as demand for exports in Mexico keeps growing, it is important to revitalize your cross border shipping process. Without a proper method of shipping products within the continent, business may slow down or even come to a halt. By outsourcing your logistics services, you can feel confident in knowing that you have effective shipping solutions and can dedicate your time elsewhere. The Right Link  With 3PL Links you can ensure that your cross border shipping and other logistical issues are handled with care, and that you’re following international laws and mandates. An important step we take is building rapport with transportation companies that are able to have large freights per trip. This allows a higher amount of product to be shipped at one time, saving you both time and money. Having only one or two possible shipping options is not helpful, especially when short on time and money. Additionally, by having a large list of possible transportation options, 3PL will be able to find the right fit for your needs. Mexico Shipping Services 3PL is able to provide outstanding cross boarder shipping services and support to our clients by having years of expertise. The team of experts take care of every detail to do with the procurement of transportation from Canada or the U.S.A to Mexico, and the reverse. They will maneuver through the complications of the different trade agreements, paperwork, and the administrative processes that can take up excessive amounts of your time. Whether you are shipping a full truck of items or just a few pallets, 3PL Links will ensure that your cargo arrives and is delivered in good condition. 3PL Links also handles warehousing, distribution, freight audit and compliance programs, inter-modal and air-freight services, customs brokerage and consulting services. These services ensure that whether your product is being transported by truck, train, or flown in, there will be no difficulty in pleasing your customers. Full Speed Ahead There are no signs of the exports from Mexico to the U.S.A slowing down, or slowing the challenges that the trade imbalance is presenting. The best way to ensure that your logistic needs are met, or even well exceeded, is to outsource the job to experts. Let 3PL links handle your difficult cross border shipping needs. Contact us today for more information!

In the construction industry, transportation and logistics are at the core of implementing supply chain management that will gain you a competitive advantage. An effective transportation and logistics system ensures on time delivery of the right materials to your site, while reducing your costs. The following six tips help to create an effective transportation and logistics system for your next construction project. Develop a Logistics Plan For every construction project, create a logistic plan at an early stage of your project. Make sure that all the key players, including special contractors and key manufacturers, are on board with your plan. Coordinate with Design Professionals During the design stage, your design professional should create a process map. A bill of materials should be created to show the flow of materials needed on a project and ways of minimizing holds on material. All this will help you efficiently execute your transportation and logistics plan. Communication  As part of creating your logistics plan, ensure you have open communications with all your key manufactures, suppliers and distributors. Look for ways to improve communication constantly, and make sure no one is accidentally being ignored. Understand Tariffs and Non-Tariff Trade Barriers Familiarize yourself with special trade programs like NAFTA so that you can take advantage of classification duty rates and eligibility. Also, be aware of non-tariff trade barriers. These restrictions can increase your liability and compliance costs. Logistics Centres Employing a logistics centre can give you many functions at your fingertips. These functions include: Storage Transport Distribution Direct Shipment Cargo Consolidation Sorting eCommerce Package Tracking The main benefit of using a logistics centre is it can help you with the variations in supply and demand for resources that create challenges within your transportation and logistics network. The challenge is uncertainty, this creates inefficiency and unresponsiveness within your supply chain. Because a logistics centre has the technology to streamline all the functions in your supply chain, you can lower your costs and complete your project on time. Partner with 3PL Partnering with 3PL can eliminate the headache of handling material logistics and allow you to focus on your core skill: constructing beautiful buildings. Partnering with  3PL Links  will help you do the following: Consolidate: If you have many suppliers in one country, we can combine your materials into one shipment to lower your costs. Also, you'll always have a full container load shipment that makes your project more cost efficient. Informed Decision Making: We'll always inform you of the cost of freight for each service, the reliability of each channel, and the true cost of carrying inventory so that you can make informed decisions. Automate Compliance Processes: We have software solutions to automate trade compliance. As a result, you'll experience less delays at border crossings, which ultimately results in on time delivery, proper inventory and avoiding fines. Control of Costs: We help you determine all your shipping costs so that you can easily determine which mode of delivery is most cost efficient for you. Also, we help you account for materials needed immediately at your site. This gives you control of your shipping costs even when you might have to use an express service level. These are some of the ways you can make the transportation and logistics of your construction project more effective.  At no cost to you, 3PL Links can analyze your current transportation and logistics network and show you how to make it more effective. Contact 3PL Links today to make your construction projects more effective.

Logistics got its start in the military as a way to deliver equipment and supplies to troops. Its evolution into a "tool of the trade" began in the 1950"s, when complexity dictated that businesses find a way to globalize supply and demand by shipping products via an international supply chain. Fast forward to today, and those complexities still exist. Be it at the point of origin or the point of consumption, management is essential. This means that a solid distribution services plan vital in the global marketplace. Why are distribution services so important? According to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), logistics is the management of inventory, at rest or in motion; the flow of these goods is both forward and in reverse. At times both directive flows are happening simultaneously, as goods are shipped to suppliers and also returned by suppliers. From procurement to disposal, logistics is what makes the supply chain go around. That being said, there is a misconception when it comes to the planning and management behind that supply chain. Many small business owners believe that a distribution services plan is only necessary when the company has reached a certain size. Yet, even small businesses face the following challenges: The struggle to find suppliers and build a network of support for contingencies. How to transport their goods to stores around the country and/or around the globe. Managing inventory, storage, and warehousing. How to handle reverse merchandise when goods are returned or service is refused. While you may not be dealing with all four logistical fields, distribution services come into the picture no matter your size. If you are dealing with any of the issues listed above, you realize why planning is necessary. In a nutshell, it strengthens your supply chain by eliminating breakdowns, a lack of vendors, and delays. It also protects your business against financial losses. How is that possible? With two words: third-party logistics. What does a distribution services plan entail? The distribution process tackles three main questions: Where are the products going? When do the products need to arrive at their destination? How are the products getting to their destination? On the surface, these questions seem to have pretty simple answers, but add wrenches like: information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material-handling, packaging, the integration of sub-sectors, motor vehicle repair, and suddenly doing everything in-house just isn"t feasible anymore. A 3PL Links Logistics Management Specialist can design, build, and run comprehensive supply chain solutions. It all starts with a no-cost analysis of your current distribution services plan. Then our specialists give advice on improvements in product quality control, inventory management, packaging, order processing, the transportation of goods, and materials management and handling. The goal is to implement a plan that:  Uses inputs better  Increases productivity  Decreases the amount of excess inventory A plan that ultimately links suppliers, producers, and customers together to streamline the distribution process. Logistics is one of the main functions within a company, and the supply chain is a complex and sometimes fragile global endeavor dependent on a network of independent, yet interconnected, moving parts. It requires professional management. A specialist can take responsibility for your company"s distribution services and take that weight from your shoulders. Contact a 3PL Links specialist to cut costs, reduce your in-house workload, and stop wasting time and materials. They can execute logistics activities and make it look effortless.

The purpose of global logistics management is to ensure that your company"s goods transfer from their point of origin to their destination in the most cost-effective way. Efficient and effective transportation is what you can expect, but how does it affect your company"s bottom line? Why Global Logistics Management?  This means that professionals take care of international freight. There are fewer technological solutions to manage the various parts of global logistics, so experts who know the ins and outs can save on your costs by fully integrating your global supply chain partners. They will help you control your bottom line by ensuring the lowest cost for shipping and storage for your products anywhere around the globe. How Can You Get The Lowest Costs? Global logistics is complex, and changes in price for freight and storage are routinely changing. There are various international laws to negotiate security compliance programs, and often a multitude of languages and currencies to understand. A global logistics management company cuts through these complexities, and helps you understand what needs to be done. Savings that your company might expect from running your global logistics in house can be easily lost due to small errors, given the job requires considerable skill and training. To realize the lowest costs, and to take daily worry off your shoulders, utilize a global logistics management provider. How Valuable Is Your Time? International freight services are important for all businesses, but when your employees spend their time attempting to manage this service, they lose productive time. A global logistics management company will manage and monitor your international freight services on your behalf. This will save you both cost and worry, and will allow your employees to work on their own tasks instead. It"s a win-win combination that gives you productive time savings and lower costs, the dream combination for your company"s healthy bottom line. How Will Business Grow? Satisfied customers ultimately lead to business growth, be it through customer referrals or repeat orders. This satisfaction however is impossible without the product getting to them on time and in pristine condition, which is the goal of global logistics management. When you know where your product is at all time, from the warehouse to the customers’ hands, you can be confident that your customer will be satisfied. However this can be tedious and require constant monitoring, meaning that time and money will be lost to routine check in’s.  When you have a global logistics management team working on your behalf, it becomes their responsibility to ensure customer satisfaction. This will result in your employees affectively working in their rightful positions, and customer satisfaction. Happy customers’ results in financial growth, and your business will reflect that growth. For these reasons, your bottom line will be well protected with global logistics management. Your company will benefit from insider expert knowledge that will do difficult tasks on your behalf; be it efficiently move and store product, free up your time to realize revenue, or help you serve and satisfy more customers. 3PL Links will start by carrying out an analysis of your supply chain at no cost to you. By pinpointing what causes delays and financial loss, an action plan to optimize your distribution line will be created. Contact 3PL Links and get linked to happier customers and a better bottom line.

A business owner or manager interacts with people daily that help to improve the company’s bottom line. They have to know the right people and organizations to build relationships with, which will be able to promote the correct interests and help guide them to increased revenue. This is why business partnerships and connections are so important, but for many companies it cannot just be a single person doing this work. Third Party Distribution Companies Third party logistics are particularly important. These are partnerships with those in the chain of distribution, such as suppliers, transport and other order fulfillment persons. A third party distribution company will ensure that every function in this operation goes smoothly, and that your customers’ expectations are met. Outsourcing this function to a company that specializes in these functions can make a big difference, to both efficiency and cost savings. The best third party distribution companies will provide you with a one stop solution for your needs. Through customized services, your employees will not have to worry about distribution concerns and instead be able to focus on revenue generating activities. With distribution duties outsourced to experts, you will be able to deliver products quicker and further. This may mean branching out from local or regional shipping limitations, bringing in new clients and new revenue. Another advantage of using a third party distribution service is that you will be able to cut transportation costs significantly. You will not have to make capital investments into delivery trucks, tracking equipment, warehouses or distribution needs. Additionally, you will not have to pay for the additional human labour costs associated with these distribution functions. When you outsource these jobs to a third party distribution company, you will pay the company a sum, instead of broken down and scattered fees. Which Companies Can Do This For Me? This role is something that 3PL Links  specializes in. We are a Canadian based third party distribution company that provides custom services to companies, so that you can build strong and meaningful relationships with important contacts and customers. The distribution management services we offer focus on successful partnerships and connections that have a direct impact on the success of your business. These may be internal or external, but customer satisfaction is always number one. By responding to customers in the shortest timeframe possible and use of the best data solutions, we are able to retain their trust and loyalty. 3PL Links offers services in the areas of: Logistics Supply chain solutions International solutions Vendor auditing and payment handling Cross-border shipping to the United States and Mexico Distribution and warehousing We have a successful history with various industries, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, construction, forestry, hospitality, construction, retail and technology. Our company has its headquarters in Toronto, Canada but also has multiple offices in the United States and Mexico. Getting Started 3PL Links will start by carrying out an analysis of your supply chain . Done at no cost, it will establish what is causing delays in your supply chain and how they are costing you. Based on these findings, a customized plan will be created to best optimize your system and have it put in place. Contact 3PL Links today and get connected to happier customers and a better bottom line.

Years ago if your company first entered the market, you invested heavily in infrastructure and facilities, and logistics companies handled shipping and warehousing only. Innovations in technology and business models now allow logistics companies to manage more of your business services from the supply chain and customer service, to sales support. Here are some of the most important benefits to expect when you hire a 3PL company: Access to resources Your company will have access to the resource networks that would otherwise be closed to you. These networks are what allow providers to price your freight and storage at the lowest costs. Their contacts give them efficient and effective routes that bring your goods to destination faster and cheaper. Your company would have to make a substantial investment to gain the expertise and access to resources equivalent to that of 3PL Logistics. Expertise Our staff at 3PL Links are experts in their field. Our job is to be state-of-the-art in all aspects of their work, from inventory control to technology. Your company will gain expertise and technology through us without making the investment.  Efficiency Your main savings when hiring a logistics company will derive from eliminating your company's investment in logistics infrastructure. 3PL Links can build a global network to bring in a higher return and lower risk. We'll also manage the day-to-day paperwork; everything from customs documentation to audits. Efficiency will translate ultimately into lower costs, on-time delivery, better customer service, and a stronger financial outlook for your company. Flexible and scalable With a logistics company, you can take advantage of the economies of scale in labor, transportation and space within your company's needs. When the industry is going through peaks and valleys, we can increase or decrease the space and resources you need to keep costs down and maintain your competitive edge. If you want to enter a new market, or your business volume rises in a short period of time, we'll be there to grow with you. Even if your company has already invested in infrastructure or facilities, that investment is fixed and so are the costs, whether you use half the warehouse or all of it. With a 3PL company, you pay only for what you use, so your shipping costs will be lower than what you could achieve on your own, and will stay lower throughout your business cycle. Up to date analysis Another benefit of 3PL Links is access to up to date information on your shipments. We can measure your success using performance indicators and give you business intelligence and reports critical to analyzing performance. Do what you do Hiring a logistics provider does not render your in-house operations redundant. However, you can now put those minds and resources to better use doing what you do best and leaving the logistics to the experts. For more information on our services, please call us at (905) 850-9002, send us an email or use our Contact Us form and one of our specialists will call you back as soon as possible.

Whatever market share a company enjoys, there are always competitors working to grab it. In the whole chain from manufacturer to consumer, the goal should be not just to make the customer happy, but to keep them happy. What keeps them happy is competitive prices and product availability. Supply chain solutions companies ensure that customers who know and like your brand are never disappointed on these two points. The difference they make  Our supply chain solutions reduce costs and improve service to customers by ensuring timely supply to the market. We use radio-frequency identification technology to automate the distribution chain and ensure visibility. It's difficult to manage what cannot be seen. When the supply manger cannot track goods, they cannot ensure that products are delivered into the market and to customers on time. One thing that supply chain solutions do is ensure end-to-end visibility. This streamlines the chain so that when goods move from the factory or are imported by road, air or rail, they can be tracked. If there are any anomalies, they can be detected early and arrangements can be made to take care of the hold-up so that goods are delivered on time. Business owners can track the whereabouts and status of their deliveries in real time. When outlets have this assurance, they will want to do business with such a company. Automation cuts costs in more than one way. Firstly, it eliminates manual processes which are prone to error. Secondly, relying on people can also cause delays. Thirdly, it eliminates the need for a business to invest in the machinery and equipment needed to automate the supply chain. A fourth cost that is eliminated when the distribution chain is outsourced, is the cost of hiring full-time personnel to work round the clock to oversee distribution. When the service is outsourced, a company only pays for service and equipment when they are in actual use. Investing into expansion When operations are optimized with on-time deliveries and lowered operation costs, a business can concentrate on their core activities. They can also think about growth which may be by supplying more items or expanding operations to other areas apart from their immediate locality. With distribution guaranteed, it will certainly be easier to do so. Make the right link Even if you believe your supply chain is beyond reproach, it will do no harm to have it analyzed. 3PL Links, is a leading Canada-based supply chain solutions company. We offer a free initial analysis  that allows us to customize a plan to optimize your chain. Get in touch with us today!

In the corporate world, the catch-all term “logistics" describes any and all activities involved in the transportation and warehousing of goods. Commercial logistics adopted the concept from its military application, where the procurement, maintenance and transportation of materials, facilities and personnel are all of equal importance. In essence, logistics is the science of supply chain management. Providing logistics solutions to the hotel and hospitality industries is a very particular discipline, one that’s practiced almost as an art form at 3PL Links. A Specialized Area of Expertise Interestingly, logistics is defined as “the handling of the details of an operation.” Few business environments are more exacting than the hotel and hospitality industries, so supplying logistics solutions in those areas requires extremely detailed, up-to-the-minute expertise. We understand the challenges faced by the hotel and hospitality industries. ADR (average daily rate) discounting has become far more commonplace in recent years, as have restaurant value deals, and - while both initiatives can boost traffic - they also cut into the bottom line. Minimized cost of sales, coupled to maintained or increased levels of service, are the twin keys to success, and working with 3PL Links makes both goals simultaneously realizable. By cutting costs in the supply chain, while sacrificing neither reliability nor customer service, our detailed, expert approach to logistics can improve service to all major operational challenges: Food and beverage Furniture, fixtures and equipment Operating supply and equipment Experienced and Detail Oriented Through our network of suppliers and clients, 3PL Links serve some of the world’s largest, most prestigious hotels and restaurant chains. We provide services including storing and moving freight with impeccable attention to detail. Our reliability creates or increases your competitive advantage, and our international network of dedicated offices across Canada, the United States, and Mexico means we’re trusted by the brands in the hotel and hospitality industries. Whether you’re running  an established business, but need a more reliable support service, or are setting up a new hotel or catering operation, and thus require furniture, fixtures and equipment, our experience will allow us to proactively anticipate problems, removing them from the landscape long before they need to be overcome. When crises do occur outside of our immediate spheres of responsibility, we can always be called upon to offer solutions and options, quickly and effectively. Free Consultations Every client is different, so we tailor our solutions specifically. We do this by offering a professional logistics consultancy service, then advising according to unique project requirements. This nuts-and-bolts philosophy allows 3PL Links to optimize both supply chain and warehousing programs, reducing operational and administrative overheads. We are confident that we can guide you toward achieving optimum performance levels for your business, we offer an entirely free, individualized supply chain analysis. Get your no-cost, customized supply chain analysis by completing the short form here. Once we’re involved, our process will: Identify the very best logistics architecture for your unique supply chain objectives Develop a customized, cost-effective supply chain solution Implement and manage that system, proactively preventing any problems from arising Provide monthly reports, as part of the contract price, which detail agreed-upon Key Performance Indicators Get more information on our logistics solutions for the hotel and hospitality industries by calling (905) 850-9002. You can also send us an email at sales@3pllinks.com, or via our Contact Us facility. Explain a little about how we can help, let us know the most convenient time to call you back, and one of our industry specialists will be in touch.

External, third-party consultants must bring expertise that enables the solving of a specific issue or series of issues within a set budgetary resource that cannot be addressed internally. Certainly, logistics consulting is one such skillset; it's a necessary function of most businesses, on which few companies maintain internal experts. The word “consult” has a Latin root meaning “to discuss,” and that’s all most consultants do - they chatter away until you’ve answered all your own questions, then formalize that input, take credit for it, and send out a bill. Logistics consulting most emphatically does not fall into this category. As noted, the only time an individual or company really benefits from expert third-party consultation is when highly specialized, technical expertise is a prerequisite and when no internal knowledge-base is available to resolve the problem. Because logistics concentrate on such specific areas, few companies have their own in-house authority. Getting it Wrong Making one small mistake with logistics can bring an entire business to a grinding halt. If materials can’t be shipped in, or product shipped out, nothing is made and nothing is sold. No revenue can very soon translate to no business. That’s why logistics consultation is such an important first step toward avoiding all those problems. Impeccable supply chain management, materials handling, warehousing and transportation are all integral to corporate success. Get them right and your product can thrive; get even one aspect wrong, and your entire business can sink. Great customer service is a prerequisite in the competitive marketplace, and when an order doesn’t turn up, on time and perfectly picked, that’s the worst kind of let-down. Getting it Right 3PL Links, Inc gets it right the first time - every time. Comprised of highly trained logistics professionals, the company manages global supply chain, order fulfillment and logistics systems for some of the world’s biggest players in industries as varied as construction, food production, hospitality, retail, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and more. By helping our clients to reduce costs, we enhance their bottom line. By improving supply chain systems, we reduce lead time on orders, thus increasing customer satisfaction. Because we deal with transportation management, distribution and warehousing all in-house, we bring dynamic purchasing power and up-to-the-minute technology to every client’s contract, regardless of size. Only by working with third party warehousing/transportation experts can most businesses hope to access such a suite of assets and services. That’s why logistics consulting is an important first step toward: An increased bottom line Happier repeat customers Stress-free supply chain function Instantaneous information available on the location of both raw materials and finished product For more information on our logistics consultation services, please call us on (905) 850-9002, send us an email at sales@3pllinks.com, or use our Contact Us form and one of our specialists will call you back at your convenience.

For people around the world, enjoying the outdoors is a critical component of happiness. 3PL Links has had the privilege to work with an entrepreneurial and innovative world leader in the design and manufacturing of ready to assemble outdoor living products for residential customers. This client delivers exceptional play and leisure structure options around the globe to children and adults alike. Operating under three distinctive branded product lines, this client creates products adhering to the highest standards in quality, safety, value, and fun. Much like many companies in the modern economy, they are eager to capitalize on emerging trends in today’s consumer marketplace. For this client, that means having the ability to mobilize resources and engage their supply chain to continually exceed their customers’ demands. This need drove an engagement with 3PL Links. Read the full retail apparel case study here

As the embodiment of modern American style, 3PL links’ largest women’s apparel customer offers impeccably designed clothing that meets and exceeded the needs of today’s women. Faced with explosive growth in Canada, the International Retailer turned to 3PL Links for help with their supply chain management. 3PL Links was faced with a number of warehousing, cross docking, outbound and inbound distribution requirements. Furthermore, 3PL Links introduced the Retailer to the power of 3PL Links’ Vendor Audit Program. The over-arching goal was to optimize processes to improve speed to market, improve outbound freight from Distribution Centre’s to retail outlets, increase visibility on both their shipments and vendors and continually seek innovative ways to reduce logistic-related expenses. Through the use of a Risk Free Assessment, proprietary auditing tools and ongoing freight management program, 3PL Links was able to and continues to meet and exceed the needs of the Retailer. Read the full retail apparel case study here

Transportation logistics providers make life much easier for customers. Not only do they have expertise in logistics, they are also efficient, technically sound and highly scalable. If you are interested in using a third-party logistics company, you are on the right track! You will be amazed how easily goods reach from one point to the next without any problem, resulting in better customer service and increased profitability. Benefits of Using a Third-Party Transportation Logistics Benefits of Using a Third-Party Transportation Logistics There are various advantages of hiring a logistics service provider. They are dependable and definitely cost effective, leading to increased performance of any business. Here are a few benefits of hiring a third-party transportation logistics company: Efficiency: Logistics companies employ professionals who are well-versed in their work. They know the requirements of a business, as they spend time understanding their clients’ requirements. These companies also hire transportation managers who have the expertise to provide better solutions Well-organized: These logistics companies are efficient because of their expertise. They are organized in terms of handling technology and infrastructure and thus, are able to offer cost-effective solutions for their clients. Consequently, they can not only offer lower costs, but also higher quality State-of-the-art Technology: Most transportation logistics companies allow businesses to enjoy the benefits without actually making capital investments. Their freight technology is superior, thus offering greater value to businesses Business Growth : Since you know an expert is handling your logistics requirements, it leaves you free to focus on other important areas of your business, particularly those that require your undivided attention and time. This shift of focus on overall growth leads to better results and more profit Scalability: The overall result of having a dependable logistic company looking after your business requirement is infinite scalability of business. Now there is no need to secure new equipment, facilities or hire additional staff when your logistics need increases. All these issues unburden the business owner and save costs, as well. When working with a transportation logistics company, make sure the company offers reliable global logistics at cost-effective rates. The company should be able to offer customized logistics solutions and offer end-to-end solutions. This way, your goods will be transported from point A to point B without any hassle and you can be stress-free and focus on other aspects of your business. A logistics company should be your partner and help you grow your business with seamless logistics service.