Southern California is known for sunny skies and a relaxed lifestyle by the beach, but it is also a key location for ocean and air imports. With two major sea ports and the world’s 5th busiest airport, it comes with no surprise that Southern California is a hot spot for logistics. The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach import 260 million tons of cargo annually and account for 20% of all imports in the US. The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) imports 2 million tons of cargo annually. Choosing the right the mode of international transport is just one step in the logistics equation. Selecting a warehouse and distribution facility can be a daunting task as you want to ensure it needs all your supply chain needs. Having a proper logistics foundation is critical to your business and necessary if you wish to reach its optimal performance. To maximize distribution in the West Coast and across the United States, utilizing a warehouse and distribution facility in Southern California is a must.
When looking for a warehouse and distribution facility one can choose to lease a warehouse for your business or you can look to partner with a 3PL. Leasing a space and setting up your own distribution center is costly and time consuming. Don’t forget you have to hire the proper folks to run the warehouse for you. That is why choosing a 3PL partner for warehousing and distribution in Southern California is great way to lower costs. The location is ideal for product that is imported or exported to the major Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. Utilizing a 3PL to manage your logistics footprint lets you focus your energy on other aspects of your business that are required for it to grow. A good 3PL partner gives you peace of mind that your business is in good hands as a team of highly trained logisticians will be managing your inventory and distribution.
You’ve heard it a million times, time is money. No one has money they can afford to lose. 3PL’s know how to operation a warehouse efficiently saving you time and money that would have been wasted attempting on your own. The retail industry is now controlled by the consumer and shopping behaviors have shifted to fulfill the consumers instant gratification needs. The e-commerce market is dominating and forcing companies to compete with 1-2 day shipping orders. Most 3PL facilities offer in-house services that fulfill those online orders quickly and accurately. No need for businesses to scramble and figure out a system already perfected by professionals.
Once you identify your business’s size you can determine where you want to stand with your 3PL. Do you want to be the big fish in a smaller pond or the small fish in larger pond? For growing businesses your biggest need may be service and attention to your account. If that is case, look for a smaller logistics to handle your business. A billion-dollar company may have brand recognition but will not give small business the time and attention required to help them grow. Smaller 3PLs often look to grow a partnership with you. If your business grows and succeeds so will the 3PL as you will be requesting more services and have higher volumes. A smaller mid -size 3PL may even be price competitive to the big guys.
Ready to find a 3PL in Southern California for your warehouse and Distribution needs?
Great news! RAK Logistics may be your perfect 3PL partner. With warehouses in Los Angles and the Inland Empire we are strategically placed to accommodate your logistics needs with competitive rates. We have a new state-of-the-art warehouse in Jurupa Valley and are a NVOCC which means we can bundle our international logistics services with domestic warehousing and distribution. RAK will be opening a new warehouse near the Ports of LA and LB. This is a great opportunity to have a warehouse designed for your product without the risk of leasing yourself! We are looking for clients that need their supply chain managed from beginning to end, warehouse and distribution or even those who need to crossdock or transload product from the port. We pride ourselves with working one on one with our clients to help them grow and succeed. A real win-win for both sides.
Wouldn’t you rather be a big fish in a small pond over a small fish in a large pond?
There are so many perks that come with using a RAK Logistics warehouse services. We offer flexibility and support that will add value to your company for both long term or short-term warehousing. We are a well-rounded logistics company that can handle your entire logistics chain. We can orchestrate your cargo pickup, transport and warehousing in house. With a global yet local customer service approach, we are the perfect 3PL partner for those importing goods to Southern California.
Contact us to learn how RAK Logistics can provide a global solution for your supply chain.