Understanding Third-party Logistics (3PL)
In today’s fast-paced business environment, efficient logistics management is crucial for success. Third-party logistics (3PL) providers like Granby play a pivotal role in streamlining supply chain operations, allowing clients in both the private sector and the public sector to focus on their core competencies. But what exactly is 3PL, and how can Granby help your business thrive?
What is Third-party Logistics?
Third-party logistics, or 3PL, refers to the outsourcing of logistics and supply chain management functions to a specialised provider. This includes a wide range of services, such as warehouse fulfilment, inventory management, order fulfilment, and transportation services. By leveraging the expertise of a logistics provider like Granby, clients can enhance their operational efficiency and reduce costs.
Granby’s Comprehensive 3PL Services
At Granby, we pride ourselves on delivering a comprehensive suite of third-party logistics (3PL) services, meticulously tailored to meet the unique needs of each of our clients. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our continuous investment in innovation and cutting-edge technology and the development of our skilled team, ensuring we remain at the forefront of industry best practices.
Dedicated Management and Flexibility
Every project is overseen by a dedicated account manager, ensuring personalised attention and strategic oversight. Our adaptable production team is equipped to handle the dynamic demands of your project, delivering exceptional results even when faced with unforeseen challenges. We also offer expertise in supply chain management, providing a holistic approach to your logistics needs.
Empowering Clients with SCOPe
With our proprietary 3PL fulfilment platform, SCOPe, our clients gain 24/7 access to their data, project status, and comprehensive reporting tools. This transparency empowers clients to monitor our performance and ensures we consistently meet their customers’ expectations. By entrusting their logistics to Granby, clients can focus on the core needs of their business, confident in the knowledge that their 3PL operations are in expert hands.
Warehouse Fulfilment and Inventory Management
Our fulfilment centre, spanning 77,000 sq. ft., is equipped to handle all aspects of warehouse fulfilment and inventory management. Our warehouse space has 7,000 pallet locations, on-site security, and BRC-certified status. We provide flexible and scalable warehousing solutions tailored to client needs. Our dedicated team, supported by advanced technology, ensures that client products are stored, picked, packed, and shipped with precision and care.
Central to our operations is our intelligent Warehouse Management System (WMS), a bespoke module within SCOPe. This system reports on all movements and transactions, generates consignment packing instructions, calculates optimum consignment weight, and determines the best despatch methods. It also tracks all stock, ensuring accurate stock management and traceability throughout the entire warehousing journey. Find out more about our excellent 3PL warehouse management software.
Order Fulfilment and Supply Chain Solutions
At Granby, we understand that every client faces their own unique challenges, which is why our order fulfilment services are meticulously tailored to meet their specific requirements. We are committed to optimising client supply chain operations by providing end-to-end solutions that enhance efficiency and reduce lead times, ensuring client customers receive their orders promptly and accurately.
Our flexible and skilled team of production staff is dedicated to delivering each and every project to the highest possible standards. Alongside them, our experienced account managers bring invaluable knowledge and expertise in the fulfilment environment, offering best practice solutions that add significant value to each client project.
We pride ourselves on delivering a quality and accurate service for clients and their businesses. From the initial consultation, we work closely with clients to develop a solution that aligns perfectly with their business needs.
Discover how Granby can assist with your next handling and fulfilment project by getting in touch with us today.
Ecommerce Logistics and Returns Management
Ecommerce logistics plays a pivotal role in the success of online businesses. At Granby, we offer bespoke solutions that cater to the unique demands of managing online sales channels. Ecommerce encompasses the entire journey of receiving, processing, and delivering orders to customers who purchase products online. This process includes everything from meticulous inventory management and precise order picking and packing to efficient shipping and hassle-free returns handling.
Understanding the importance of efficient ecommerce fulfilment, Granby is committed to ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining a smooth, controlled operation for online retail clients. This includes efficient and effective reverse logistics where needed. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to provide seamless and reliable services, making us the ideal partner for any business with ecommerce needs. With our tailored 3PL solutions, we not only enhance customer satisfaction but also foster loyalty, ensuring that each client’s business thrives in the competitive online marketplace. Whether it’s managing inventory with precision or streamlining the returns process, Granby is here to support your ecommerce journey every step of the way.
Transportation Services and Logistics Outsourcing
Our transportation services are designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients, offering reliable and cost-effective logistics outsourcing solutions. Whether clients require local deliveries or international shipping, Granby has the expertise and resources to get products where they need to be.
Public Sector Case Studies
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Case Summary
We have successfully partnered with several Public Sector organisations, including the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), to manage the secure distribution of sensitive and confidential forms. Given the nature of the information, security was of utmost importance. Our responsibilities included ensuring that highly sensitive data was delivered promptly and meticulously tracked at every stage. We implemented rigorous checks, controls, and maintained a comprehensive audit trail for each transaction. Our clients benefited from critical asset tracking, batch control, and our state-of-the-art inventory management tool, OrderSure, which provided them with detailed visibility at both micro and macro levels, ensuring complete transparency and peace of mind.
NHS Blood Case Summary
Granby has been instrumental in supporting NHS Blood Transfusion Services with both logistical and customer services, ensuring seamless management of stock storage and the efficient distribution of printed materials. Our comprehensive services extend beyond stock handling to include customer support for order-related inquiries, kitting activities, enhancing operational efficiency and client satisfaction. Additional services include API integration for order receipt, production facilities for pre-collation (kitting), pick and packing services for kits and orders, and reliable delivery services. With our online reporting platform, OrderSure, clients have access to detailed management information, and our rigorous QC checking of stock items ensures the highest standards are maintained.
For all our clients, our extensive experience and expertise allow us to identify efficiencies in processes, to expedite lead times, and to save costs. Where retailers are involved, our retailer intelligence plays a crucial role in ensuring client print communications or collateral are always where they need to be, when they need to be there; On brief, on time and on budget.
Private Sector Case Studies
JTI Case Summary
Granby has been a pivotal partner for Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in the UK, facilitating the seamless execution of marketing and fulfilment operations, particularly for product launches. Our responsibilities encompassed the fulfilment of POS materials and kit collations for JTI’s field teams. In 2022 alone, we managed over 40K despatches, each containing an average of 30 items, amounting to a total of over 1.3 million inventory items. Our role extended to policing print management, ensuring that printed assets sourced from multiple suppliers met JTI’s standards. We also championed sustainability, helping JTI explore and achieve their environmental objectives. OrderSure provided JTI with a comprehensive overview of available stock, data viewing and printing capabilities, and easy ordering through smart search and category assignment features.
CPM ASDA Case Summary
CPM has been the trusted partner of ASDA for many years. In that time, Granby has been instrumental in their success by supporting their in-store promotions. Our expertise in POS and kit collation, even with frequently changing materials and tight deadlines, has enabled CPM to execute these complex promotional campaigns efficiently. Granby also ensures that all goods are in store for the field teams to manage to allow CPM to drive field team efficiencies and support their client commitments. Every item that goes through Granby is meticulously tracked, ensuring no confusion amidst hundreds of deliveries across the UK. With SCOPe’s real-time operator capabilities, CPM enjoys optimised despatches and unparalleled control over their promotional activities.
Why Choose Granby as Your 3PL Provider?
Choosing Granby as your third–party logistics provider means partnering with a team that is committed to delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions. Our bespoke technology and management systems, such as SCOPe and OrderSure, provide unparalleled visibility and control over your logistics operations. As a trusted 3PL company, we have a proven track record for warehouse operations, logistics services and transportation management. Read our blog on the differences between 3PL vs 4PL vs 5PL.
In conclusion, third-party logistics is an essential component of modern business strategy. By partnering with Granby, clients gain access to a comprehensive range of 3PL services that enhance your logistics management and drive business growth. Let us help you navigate the complexities of warehousing to achieve your commercial and operational goals.