Flexible and Scalable Solutions for 3PL Contract Logistics

Automation for Third Party Logistics / 3PL

In contract logistics, it is crucial to react quickly to new and existing customer requirements. Scalability, flexibility, and reusability of automation components are crucial. In a competitive 3PL market, customers expect high delivery performance and reliability. Challenges such as next-day delivery or returns management are top-of-mind. Being flexible is necessary to deal with order volume peaks, new customer relationships, or changing product ranges that vary greatly in shape, weight and size. Ecommerce is often handled by contract logistics providers, and reacting quickly to these demands can mean the difference in getting the business or not.

The ability to monitor in real-time also means keeping customers up-to-date or notifying end-users of shipping notices. Real time data of logistical processes enables maximum transparency and it’s a must for 3PLs. This process transparency is created using the latest software technologies in conjunction with automation equipment. Automated processes maintain an overview of the warehouse and performance of the distribution logistics at all times. At the same time, automation increases process quality, repeatability, and achieves shorter throughput times with lower error rates, which is crucial because order accuracy is a decisive competitive factor. Track and trace processes help meet the requirements of your clients. In addition, process documentation often requires verification of the environmental conditions (e.g. temperature) or the condition of the goods depending on the product scope.

Contract Logistics for Pallets and Other Large Load Carriers

Being able to offer digital processes to customers are services that many 3PLs not only want but need. This is easily doable for your intralogistics too. Furthermore, automation helps meet customer expectations for short delivery lead times, even during peak periods. By using standard load carriers, such as GMA pallets, Euro pallets, or wire crates, the storage and conveying systems from GEBHARDT are flexible enough to be used for multiple customers.

GEBHARDT established a new distribution center for the South Baden-based 3PL contract logistics provider karldischinger GmbH. The distribution center was equipped with a total of 15,384 storage positions located inside a high bay warehouse. Over 400 feet of installed conveyor technology and six storage and retrieval machines were also put into use. This warehouse is used for pharmaceutical storage and distribution and has been specially certified and audited to meet regulatory requirements.

High Delivery Performance and Optimal Use of Space Thanks to Automated Storage and Picking Systems

Individual process steps within a warehouse must be linked with the appropriate material flow technology. Automated storage and order picking systems should also bring the necessary flexibility to respond to future changes in the market and to new customers. 3PL contract logistics is a competitive environment with high price pressure, which players can only survive if they have efficient intralogistics. Multi-user automation concepts make it possible to serve several customers with a single automation solution.

For 3PL employees, automation offers the chance to prioritize ergonomic design and functional safety for the workplace. These retrofits reduce absenteeism and address challenges of an ageing population (and workforce) skills gap and labor shortages. Workplace ergonomics delivers a direct impact on work results of employees and brings high-performance throughput. Overall, automation reduces the proportion of manual work in the warehouse and increases material flow.

Contract Logistics for Small Parts Housed in Cardboard Boxes, Tote Containers, or on Trays

The pressure on margins from rising labor costs, for example in e-commerce contract logistics, is easily countered by investing in automation. With this investment, you also tackle the labor shortage problem. In addition, this investment makes it easy to take advantage of high stock density that automation brings and enjoy the benefit of being able to control and adjust your stocks even at times of uncertainty. At GEBHARDT, our solutions can start small and can expand as you grow. By using standard load carriers such as GMA pallets, tote containers, or cardboard boxes, our storage and conveyor systems are also modular and can be used flexibly in the future.

GEBHARDT Conveying and Warehouse Technology at C-Log in France

For several years, the 3PL logistics service provider C-Log Solutions, based in Saint Malo, France, has been supporting the fashion and textile retail business of the Beaumanoir Group as well as external partners at home and abroad. Having decided to go with the GEBHARDT automation product portfolio, the company sees itself ideally equipped for the changing shopping behavior of consumers and the high demands of the textile mail order business. With this investment, C-Log Solutions can now see achieving a continuous increase in performance and success with their distribution.

Feel free to watch the case study video. However, it is in French with German subtitles. However, you’ll still be able to see the equipment in action. Also, you can click here to read more about the implementation, which is in English.

Automation Promotes Sustainability

Finally, with automation, you’re also investing in sustainability and resource conservation. At the same time, automation enables you to meet both throughput requirements and economic efficiency. Given the reduction in labor costs and being able to meet end-user consumer needs with technology, operational efficiencies allow for a reduction in overall costs.