An efficient and effective supply chain can become a powerful competitive advantage in a marketplace saturated with demanding customers and innovative competitors. Many companies struggle with the daunting task of reducing freight costs every year, when their vendors are already struggling to provide the service at such low costs. An alternative to beating down your vendors on price to reduce supply chain spend, is to focus on compliance. Holding your vendors accountable for falling short on service levels and billing expectations can save your company time and money, as well as improve relationships with your customers. Vendor’s should be compliant in two distinct areas; billing and performance. Billing Compliance The term billing compliance refers to your vendor’s ability to invoice you according to contract, within a reasonable timeframe. Billing compliance is especially important within supply chain, where companies are more focused on cost reduction and efficiencies than ever before. Auditing your vendor’s invoices to ensure that they are 100% accurate is only half of the battle. Many companies do this currently, but they allocate small armies of auditors to find and correct these errors. Is the juice worth the squeeze? Billing KPI’s such as billing accuracy and number of days from order to invoice have become incredibly important indicators of a vendor’s ability to bill you properly. Tracking such KPI’s will allow you to pick out the ‘bad apples’ and correct the root issue at the source. For example, if a vendor takes an average of 19 days to invoice you, a simple discussion with your sales rep could resolve the issue, as opposed to having you’re A/P team send out daily emails requesting invoices from this vendor. Performance Compliance Performance compliance on the other hand refers to your vendor’s ability to execute a service to a specific standard as outlined in a contract. An example of this would be a carrier that is required to deliver all orders with an on-time delivery % (OTD%) of at least 90%, with less than 3% of orders with overages, shortages, and damages (OS&D). Such KPI’s are crucial to track as they directly affect your customer’s relationship with your organization. Interestingly enough, companies in todays marketplace lack the ability to track KPI’s such as billing accuracy and OTD%. The issue many companies are faced with is the inability to track and store accurate data pertaining to their supply chain.  As competition in the marketplace increases, companies are looking for ways to set themselves apart from their competitors. Do you possess the business intelligence to maximize efficiencies within your supply chain? Your competitors may…

In order to thrive in the competitive electronics industry, you have to be constantly looking for ways to stand head and shoulders above your competition. This can sometimes feel like an indomitable task, but there are several tactics you can use to enhance your ability to succeed. One of the most important steps that you can take is to enhance your supply chain efficiency. What's So Important About Supply Chain Efficiency? Before you can understand why supply chain efficiency is so important for the electronics industry, you must learn its value for any company. Reliable Distribution Missing, mixed-up or partial shipments can do serious harm to your business. This is because it throws your inventory off, makes it harder to deliver on promises and will cost your valuable assets. Enhancing your supply chain efficiency protects you against these problems by enhancing the efficiency of your distribution. Faster Distribution The faster you can get your items from point A to point B, the more quickly you can move on to the next phase of your current endeavor. An effective supply chain management system will organize your logistics in a way that allows your items to be shipped with fewer holdups. This faster delivery capability also bodes well for your company's brand, since, your customers will get their goods faster than ever before. Enhanced Planning Capabilities When you know where your company's assets are going to be long before they are even in your possession, you can more effectively plan your entire business. This is due to the fact that you will be able to make more informed decisions across the board. Cost Savings A streamlined supply chain cuts all of the fat out of your logistics. This means that you will waste less money on mix-ups or inefficient transportation. For example, an effective supply chain system will reduce the number of shipments that you have to pay for. It does this by optimizing the timing for your shipments, thereby allowing larger groups of items to be shipped at once. Why Is This Especially Important For The Electronics Industry? Now that you understand the value of supply chain efficiency for all businesses, let's explore why it is so much more important for the electronics industry. Growth Adaptability Due to rapid advancements in technology, the electronics industry is growing fast. In 2014 alone, this industry created over $211 billion dollars in sales. This industry-wide burgeoning means that there will be plenty of huge opportunities for your electronics business to grow. In order to accommodate this growth, you will have to manage more resources. This is where optimizing your supply chain efficiency will be most beneficial. Supply chain efficiency allows you to cut the growing pains out of your business by creating a fluid connection between your company's assets and business processes. This way, instead of having to find a way to make room in your system for your new inventory,  distribution  network, etc, your company will already be prepared for the changes. Competitive Advantage In the ultra-competitive world of electronics, you need every edge you can get. When you have competitive prices, and can deliver products to customers faster than your competition, you stand out. This gives you a huge competitive advantage. An efficient supply chain system actively lowers costs and increases the speed at which you can process orders. Is Your Electronics Business Prepared for Success? Using an efficient supply chain management system will allow your business to get out of its own way. To receive a free supply chain analysis, contact us today !

Managing your small business logistics is a complicated process. In addition to making your team feel overwhelmed, these complications will hinder your company's overall efficiency. In other words, it is costing you money and ultimately obstructing your company's ability to grow. Fortunately, you can overcome the challenges of logistics with the right solutions. To help you improve, let’s take a look at the best small business logistics solutions to invest in. Supply Chain Management Resources Moving your company's products through production and distribution is a strenuous process. You need to manage the cost, efficiency and volume of your supply chain while still managing other business processes. That's why supply chain management is one of the best small business logistics resources that you can invest in. In order to effectively integrate a strong supply chain management resource into your logistics process, you need to understand how these resources will help you. Once you understand this, you should make improvements where necessary. Getting a Supply Chain Analysis Done The first step towards enhancing your supply chain approach is to understand its deficiencies. To this end, you will need an objective, experienced analysis of your supply chain's cost and performance weaknesses; there should be no guesswork here. The  supply chain auditing service  that analyzes your approach should work hand in hand with your finance department in order to ensure totally accurate data. Getting Improved Supply Chain Solution Services Once you know the elements of your supply chain that need improvement, it's time to gain the resources that you need to make those improvements happen. A good supply chain solutions company is perfect for this, as they will be able to provide you with a straight path to supply chain enhancement. Even if you already have supply chain solution provider, you should consider how well their offerings align with the changes mandated by your analysis. Compare your current supply chain services with other companies to gain a better picture of what steps you should take. Warehousing and Distribution Resources Figuring out where to put your goods and how to distribute them isn't easy. Although it sounds simple, this can be one of the most complicated elements of your small business logistics endeavors. You should be investing in warehousing and distribution resources such as small package forwarding, cross-docking operations and customs brokerage services. This will enable you to manage the movement and storage of your goods in a more cost effective manner. Multiple Transportation Solutions In order to get your goods to where they need to be efficiently, you're going to need more than a few cars. You're going to need a fleet of transportation resources that moves across land, air and sea. The more diversified your transportation solutions are, the more effectively you will be able to move your goods around. For example, intermodal transportation that combines train services and the directness of truck transport will avoid typical holdups in the shipping process. International Logistics Solutions Even if your company is located near a border, moving your goods across international lines isn't as simple as making a delivery to another state. You will need an expert team who can manage the unique cost, warehousing, taxation, insurance and depreciation costs for each country that you do business in. Don't Let Your Logistics Drag Down Your Business In order to sustain its growth, a small business like yours should be flexible and adaptable. Make sure that your logistics operations can keep up by investing in the right small business logistics solutions for your company's unique needs. For more information on logistics services, contact us at 3PL today!

A supply chain analysis involves quantitative analyses of inputs and outputs, in terms of cost and value added through a chain of supply agents. Value may be expressed in terms of monetary value from the point of entry up to the time they are put out into the market. If you have used the same analysis process and it does not tally with analysis from other quarters such as financial reports, then it is time to take a second look at your analysis method. The following six signs are an indication that you need to review and possibly revise your supply chain analysis approach and methods: 1. Inconsistent The analysis should be an ongoing process. Every activity that is regularly carried out should be analyzed so that it is possible to get weekly, bi-weekly and monthly reports. You should also be able to get the reports on what happened on any given day. If you can't get this and you have to give notice for reports to be prepared, then there is a problem. 2. Unclear Vision You should have a crystal clear understanding of the supply process, from when materials are ordered to when items are ready to go into the market. You should be able to see the monetary and quantitative value of your supplies at any time. This way you can know whether you are getting the best supplies and at the best prices. 3. Rising Insurance Premiums Insurance premiums reflect the risk of damage or loss that the insurance company would have to compensate you for. If your premiums are going up, then there are increased risks. This may because of various factors like facilities, machinery or processes. It is important that you understand what are increasing your risks and address them, not only for insurance premiums but also to optimize productivity. 4. Busy Yet Unproductive If you’re staff always appear busy, but the bottom line doesn’t reflect this, there is an issue. Whether it means employees are overworked, or that they are not being efficient, it’s important you know how your employees are working. 5. Questionable Compliance There are recommended methods and products for carrying out operations and if you are using them, then you can ensure your business is being legally compliant. However if you are not, then you may be unknowingly not working up to legal standard. This affects your organization in terms of productivity, and can lead to legal repercussions. Apart from ensuring compliance, you also need to make sure that you keep up with changes that affect regulations and standards. 6. Takes Too Long To Fill Gaps If a supplier fails to deliver the right quality or quantity of product on time, then there is a problem with the supply chain. A good supply chain will tell you exactly how much delays will cost you, and have additional suppliers as a backup. If you are too close to your operations, you may not be objective enough to know if your supply chain is failing. 3PL Links will do an independent supply chain analysis and make recommendations that will optimize productivity and returns and help you grow. Contact us today for more information!

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.