The Value of a Proactive 3PL

Scott Hothem • March 25, 2014

Innovation, innovation, innovation. You have probably heard this word from colleagues, bosses and peers, on the radio, television and in the newspaper. It is pinned to every popular technology company and has been written about in so many trade magazines that it has quickly become cliché. Some companies cannot complete a press release without mentioning their innovative new products or services. The truth is, if you were to list the most innovative industries off the top of your head, warehousing and distribution would probably not make your list. Aside from delivery goods to your doorstep within hours, perceived innovation within the 3PL sector is almost non-existent.


A shows that 74% of shippers don’t believe that their 3PL can offer innovative solutions. What many companies fail to realize is that innovation within the 3PL sector is a continuous process. Unlike technology companies such as Apple or Microsoft, 3PL’s rely on incremental efficiencies to drive costs down. From the employees picking orders all the way up to managers and executives, a great 3PL is always searching for new ways to reduce their clients shipping and warehousing costs. And while this may effectively reduce revenues for the 3PL, the benefits of a strong client relationship far out-weigh the lost revenue.


Focusing on the basic variables of cost and size may hide the important details that can truly benefit your business. When considering a 3PL, one should also be concerned with the technological abilities and experience with your product line. For example, if your main product is athletic footwear, does the 3PL of interest have experience dealing with other footwear companies? (Sales pitch warning: ¹û¶³´«Ã½ does!) These elements can prove extremely valuable in developing new, dynamic processes and generating higher efficiencies in your logistics operations.


As a business seeking an advantage, it’s clear you want to be proactive. With that being said, you need a partner that shares the same forward thinking. It’s important to share these prerequisites and consider all of the variables as you select the best 3PL for your business. At ¹û¶³´«Ã½ ¹û¶³´«Ã½Centers, we work with our clients to create the best supply chain plan for their business. We embrace visibility and technology to generate ROI and a higher level of service.

CONTACT US

Recent Blog Posts

By Faith Artieda May 28, 2026
This year marks an important milestone for ¹û¶³´«Ã½ ¹û¶³´«Ã½— 20 years of participating in The Great Game of Business® (GGOB) , a program that has helped shape our culture, strengthen employee engagement, and create a stronger sense of teamwork and shared success across the organization. Over the past two decades, GGOB has become much more than a business program at ¹û¶³´«Ã½. It has become part of the way we communicate, collaborate, and grow together as a company. Through open-book management principles, weekly huddles, forecasting, scoreboards, and Mini Games, employees across ¹û¶³´«Ã½ locations have had the opportunity to better understand the business and actively contribute to its success. One of the most meaningful impacts of GGOB has been the way it brings people together. In an industry built on precision, service, and operational excellence, collaboration is essential. ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s success depends on teams working together across departments, facilities, and regions — and GGOB has helped strengthen those connections by creating a culture centered around communication, accountability, and involvement. GGOB encourages employees to think beyond their individual roles and understand how their work impacts customers, coworkers, and overall company performance. Whether it’s improving warehouse efficiency, supporting transportation operations, enhancing customer service, or identifying process improvements, employees are empowered to contribute ideas and solutions that help move ¹û¶³´«Ã½ forward.  As Tim Barret, Founder of ¹û¶³´«Ã½, states, "...we share all of the financial results with all of the employees, and they have a vested interest since they will receive a payout result." That sense of involvement creates stronger engagement across the organization. Employees are not simply completing daily tasks — they are participating in the success of the business. By understanding company goals and key performance drivers, teams are able to work together with a shared purpose and celebrate accomplishments collectively. Community and collaboration have always been important values at ¹û¶³´«Ã½, and GGOB has helped reinforce those values over the last 20 years. The program creates opportunities for employees to learn from one another, support one another, and recognize the impact each person has on the organization. It encourages transparency and open communication, helping employees feel more connected to leadership, their teams, and the company’s long-term vision. As ¹û¶³´«Ã½ has continued to grow nationwide, maintaining a strong culture has remained a priority. GGOB has played an important role in helping preserve the family-oriented environment that ¹û¶³´«Ã½ is known for, even as the company has expanded operations and welcomed new employees across the country. The program helps create consistency in communication and engagement while keeping employees connected to the bigger picture. To help celebrate this 20-year anniversary, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ owner Tim ¹û¶³´«Ã½ recently participated in a video discussion reflecting on the company’s GGOB journey and the impact it has had on ¹û¶³´«Ã½ over the years. The conversation highlighted how collaboration, employee involvement, and shared accountability continue to contribute to the company’s success today. This milestone is ultimately a celebration of the people who make ¹û¶³´«Ã½ successful every day. The dedication, teamwork, creativity, and commitment shown by employees across the organization are what continue to drive ¹û¶³´«Ã½ forward. Twenty years later, The Great Game of Business continues to strengthen the culture of collaboration and engagement that makes ¹û¶³´«Ã½ special — and the future of the game is stronger than ever.
By Faith Artieda May 26, 2026
How ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Is Improving Inventory Accuracy with AI-Powered Warehouse Visibility
By Faith Artieda May 20, 2026
Choosing the right fulfillment partner is one of the most important — and often most difficult — decisions a growing brand can make. As customer expectations continue to rise, brands are being asked to deliver faster shipping, better inventory visibility, seamless omnichannel experiences, and retail compliance at scale. At the same time, the process of finding the right 3PL partner can be time-consuming and overwhelming. That’s why ¹û¶³´«Ã½ ¹û¶³´«Ã½Centers is excited to partner with Fulfill.com. Who Is Fulfill.com? Fulfill.com is a fast-growing platform that helps eCommerce and omnichannel brands find the right third-party logistics (3PL) partner for their business. Their team works directly with brands to simplify the 3PL search process by connecting them with vetted fulfillment providers that match their operational needs, growth goals, product requirements, and shipping profiles. Founded by entrepreneurs with firsthand experience navigating fulfillment challenges, Fulfill.com was built to solve a common industry problem: too many brands waste valuable time and money trying to find a reliable logistics partner. Instead of forcing brands to sort through endless provider options on their own, Fulfill.com streamlines the process through industry expertise, technology, and a carefully curated network of fulfillment providers across multiple verticals. For brands, that means less guesswork and a faster path toward finding a fulfillment partner that can truly support long-term growth. Why the Partnership Makes Sense At ¹û¶³´«Ã½, we’ve always believed fulfillment should feel like a partnership — not just a vendor relationship.  Since 1941, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ ¹û¶³´«Ã½has helped brands scale through customized logistics solutions designed around their specific operational needs. From direct-to-consumer fulfillment and retail distribution to transportation management and value-added services, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ focuses on building flexible, scalable solutions that evolve alongside its customers. That customer-first mindset is one of the biggest reasons this partnership with Fulfill.com feels like such a natural fit. Both companies share a common goal: helping brands build stronger, smarter supply chains without unnecessary complexity. What Really Makes a Great 3PL Partner? Recently, Bryan Corbett, ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s VP of Customer Solutions & Marketing, sat down with Dan White, COO of Fulfill.com, during a visit to ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s NJ2 warehouse to discuss what stands out when evaluating 3PL providers across the industry.
More Posts