3PL Fulfillment & eCommerce Logistics Services for B2B

What is B2B 3PL order fulfillment?

B2B (business-to-business) 3PL order fulfillment is the process of having a partner that ships your orders to business customers. Among the most common types of B2B fulfillment is shipping wholesale orders, which ship to retailers for resale to consumers. Some B2B warehouses operate more like distribution centers than traditional logistics companies.

However, wholesale orders are just one part of a B2B 3PL’s efforts. For example, your company will likely make bulk orders of supplies they need for their operations. In this case, the 3PL would break down freight into smaller (but still large) quantities of products and send these to your location. If you buy a wide range of office supplies, for example, the B2B 3PL serving the seller could combine all those small orders into a single container or freight shipment and get it to your HQ.

The B2B aspect of these shipments also applies for smaller orders. You might just get a few cases of sanitizer or office snacks each month. These shipments would look like a normal eCommerce order that anyone could expect on their doorstep at home. However, you’ll want a B2B 3PL to handle these to ensure that they select a carrier product that delivers during business hours. You wouldn’t want a box supplies sitting outside an office all weekend long.

A B2B 3PL lets you outsource a critical segment of your supply chain. Your B2B order fulfillment provider can handle the burdensome requirements of wholesale or business delivery like a pro. That gives you the confidence to pursue wholesale accounts with companies that can turn your business into a big success.

Does your eCommerce business need a B2B 3PL?

You might need B2B fulfillment services if you ship FCL or LCL shipment. And, once you land an account at a large retailer, you’ll need to develop a B2B fulfillment protocol. It’s essential to get the paperwork right — and costly to get it wrong. If your business plan includes selling to large chain stores, put your B2B fulfillment plan in place even if you don’t have those accounts yet. That way, you’ll be ready to jump in once you land a big wholesale account.

The potential of wholesale

Wholesale eCommerce is a growing market. Many online retailers are adding online wholesale stores to more easily reach the wholesale market. While wholesale margins are lower, you make up for that with larger orders. A few successful wholesale accounts can give a significant boost to your bottom line. B2B sales generally require less customer service. Plus, a satisfied B2B customer will reorder regularly, saving you the sometimes-steep customer acquisition costs for retail customers.

Do you want to grow into the lucrative B2B market? Outsourced logistics companies help you take your business to the next level. In the long term, the effort to set yourself up for B2B fulfillment is a good investment in your business.

Finding the right B2B 3PL

Some fulfillment centers handle only B2C or B2B fulfillment while others can process both B2B and B2C shipments. When you’re choosing a B2B 3PL, make sure it offers the fulfillment service or services you need. Errors in preparing B2B shipments can cost you money — you might even lose the big wholesale account you worked so hard to land.

At STU Supply Chain, we primarily provide B2C and B2B services for our clients. We works hard to find the most efficient and least expensive shipping options for every order. Our efforts include leveraging freight services that deliver your B2B orders quickly and economically.

Learn more our services: https://stusupplychain.com/manufacturing-logistics.html