Are you thinking of partnering with a logistics company? Do you need cross-border transport from Canada to the US and back? Is keeping track of complex supply chain coordination taking time away from you growing your business?
Before you start looking too hard, it would not hurt to learn some important factors of logistics. This way, you make an educated choice when deciding what company to work alongside. Some basic knowledge could save you from making the wrong choice for your business when it comes to choosing a logistics company.
1. What Exactly Is Logistics?
When you need to get your product to the customer by the estimated delivery date, and without a scratch, is the definition of logistics in a nutshell. It all comes down to coordination amongst a variety of people, facilities, supplies and more. Here are seven key points you should understand:
• Product – this is where your product comes in. Without it, there’s no need for anything else in the supply chain.
• Customer – again, without them, there’s no end goal. A customer needs to purchase your product in order to set logistics into motion.
• Quantity – simply the amount of product that needs to get from whatever facility or warehouse to the customer.
• Condition – do you want the product to show up dented, crushed, and mangled or like it was just packaged?
• Place – no one enjoys trying to track down their packages. Part of logistics coordination is making sure the product ends up where it is supposed to.
• Time – this is often just how long the product will take to arrive once it is purchased, but this can also include manufacturing time depending on the item.
• Cost – shipping options determine how long it will take a customer to get an item. If they pay a premium, the package better arrive on time.
2. Inbound vs. Outbound Logistics
Inbound and outbound logistics are two very different things.
• Inbound Logistics – the movement of goods and raw materials from a supplier(s) to your company/office/warehouse.
• Outbound Logistics – the movement of finished/packaged goods from your company to the customer(s).
It’s simply about where the product comes from to where it goes. However, in reality, it’s not that easy. Boxes can’t just be grabbed off the shelf willy-nilly whenever an order comes in. A key part of great logistics is proper management and inventory tracking. Without those, tons of product can be misplaced, lost, or even stolen.
3. Transport and Logistics
Transport and logistics are often intertwined. Transportation is the act of a customer’s purchase (the product) to them and involves every aspect of that process. It’s not just the land, sea, or air travel but the warehousing the product, customs clearance, etc. Logistics are the value-added features that allow individuals to keep a closer eye on their purchase with information technology and being able to consult people about the product you are waiting on.
4. International/Global Logistics
The terms are used interchangeably, but they mean the same thing: managing and controlling activities overseas effectively as a single business. It’s the same principle as national logistics but on a wider scale. Even when it comes to simple cross-border transport with countries like Canada and the US, there are additional steps that need to be taken in order to keep the product from being delayed.
York Transportation & Warehousing Group – Mississauga
At York Transportation and Warehousing Group, we are a logistics company that understands both our Canada home and the complexities of Canada-US cross-border transport. We know everything there is to know about logistics, making the process easy for you. Let us manage your supply chain so you no longer have to worry when it comes to shipping your product across provinces and countries.
With over forty years of experience, we know exactly how to meet your warehouse needs in Ontario, throughout Canada, and across the US East Coast. Our operation is so vast we can manage inventory and deployment logistics for our customers with ease. Whether you need short or long-term warehousing, there’s no one better to keep your stuff as fresh as the day you got it.
• Shipping a package isn’t just moving it from point A to point B, that’s why you need a logistics company.
• Work with someone that understands each complex piece, cross-border regulations, and warehousing.
• When you need to store your temperature sensitive items, don’t hesitate to call us. York Transportation and Warehousing Group have all the room you could need.
