If your business has expanded, it may be time to start searching for freight companies in Los Angeles. The right partner will be able to determine your transportation needs and create your ideal supply chain. As such, making the right choice can significantly impact your business’s success.
To choose the right freight company for your business, you should first determine whether you should partner with a freight forwarder or a third-party logistics (3PL) company.
Freight Forwarders vs. 3PLs
What Is a Freight Forwarder?
A freight forwarder’s main goal is to take your shipment from Point A to Point B. Depending on your needs, this may involve one mode of transportation (such as driving) or a combination of airlifts, marine shipments, and more. It is important to note that a freight forwarder is not a shipping company; while they will collaborate with carriers to organize the transportation process, they do not transport the items themselves.
What Is a 3PL in Los Angeles?
A third-party logistics company is a full-service shipping company. This means that, when you partner with a 3PL, they will handle every step of the process. These companies will offer many assets that benefit your business, such as transportation fleets, machinery rigging teams, and dedicated space in their 3PL warehouse Los Angeles. As such, in addition to moving your shipment from Point A to Point B, the 3PL will directly carry the items, provide a place to store them, and remedy any issues related to lost or damaged goods.
Which Should You Partner With?
Because 3PLs provide full-service logistics services, choosing one as your freight company is very beneficial. Of course, choosing the right 3PL for your business is equally important.
What to Look for When Choosing Freight Companies in Los Angeles
What Transportation Equipment Do They Utilize?
For a 3PL in Los Angeles to be your ideal option, they must utilize equipment that meets your needs. As such, before you contact potential partners, you need to clearly understand the services you are looking for. For example, can your goods be transported with a standard freight van? Or would you require a semi-trailer that is climate and humidity controlled?
Do They Have Experience with Your Industry?
In addition to transportation methods, it also helps to meet with a freight company that has experience working in your industry. This is especially important if your business’s equipment has specialized transportation needs, such as equipment related to the healthcare or semiconductor industries.
How Experienced Is the Freight Company as a Whole?
There is no one-size-fits-all logistics solution. Your freight company should be capable of creating an ideal plan that meets your business’s unique needs. As such, when you are looking for a 3PL in Los Angeles to partner with, consider their experience and longevity. If a company is well-established and has been actively helping customers for years – or even decades – it shows that they are a trustworthy and reliable partner.
What Level of Customer Service Can You Expect?
Your supply chain can have a significant impact on the success of your operations. As such, when you choose your freight company, you need to look beyond the services they provide. Your third-party logistics provider needs to prioritize customer service. They should be ready to collaborate with you, listen to your needs, and be willing to make adjustments as needed.
Tailored Solutions with Three Way Logistics
At Three Way Logistics, we specialize in creating unique solutions for each client’s supply chain needs. With our expansive transportation network and our 3PL warehouse Los Angeles, DFW, Atlanta, and other locations, we are prepared to partner with you and support your business’s growth. Please contact us to learn more.