In order to save time and important resources, freight delivery by a logistics specialist is ideal for small and medium-sized companies. This takes care of storing, labelling and shipping the goods, and is an integral part of supply chain management. This not only saves you time and money, but also personnel.
In this article, we will introduce you to the most important logistics terms for small businesses, what types of freight services you should know, which well-known transport companies for small businesses are active on the market, and what benefits shipping your goods through a logistics company has for you.
What is logistics for small businesses?
Logistics service providers for small and medium-sized companies are the backbone of the company. Logistics ensures that the goods reach the customer quickly and safely. Even though small companies or start-ups initially take over the logistics themselves and label and ship the goods locally, such as in e-commerce, this area is often outsourced as they expand and grow.
Logistics specialists for small and medium-sized companies are a crucial link between the manufacturer and the end customer. Transport includes not only the freight service of the goods, but also the collection of goods from the company, storage in warehouses, processing orders, and safe and fast transportation to the customer.
Outsourcing logistics is a great relief so that a start-up or SME can concentrate on the essentials and invest its resources in marketing and product development. In the long term, this not only saves time but also costs.
Which small business transport companies are there?
Transport companies, or logistics service providers, are also known as third party logistics (3PL). As a third party, you handle the entire order processing, from order to delivery. As a result, the company can concentrate on its core business and does not waste any time managing, packaging and shipping the goods.
Third party logistics is a great advantage for local companies and e-commerce start-ups, especially when it comes to large deliveries of goods or fluctuating order quantities.
The service provider always tries to make the most efficient and cost-effective choice. Depending on the freight service provider, you can also choose how your goods should be shipped yourself.
What logistics terms should small companies know?
Logistics companies offer various transport routes that you can use to send your goods.
1. Courier services:
Courier services offer an ideal alternative to large transport companies to ship small orders quickly and securely. Although this type of shipping is more expensive, it is suitable for small deliveries with short delivery dates.
2. Freight forwarders:
Freight forwarders have a wide network of transport services at home and abroad and decide on the appropriate freight transport for your goods. Truck and train are used for domestic shipments; air freight or cargo shipping is used for premium products and transport routes abroad.
3. Fulfillment centers:
Fulfillment centers, such as Amazon’s fulfillment centers, are warehouses that store your goods and handle packaging and shipping. They are essential, especially in e-commerce.
4. Transportation Management System (TMS):
A TMS is software that helps optimize the transportation routes of goods. It analyses routes and costs in real time and is therefore always up to date when alternative options need to be found, such as road blockages.
As a result, the goods reach their destination punctually and cost-effectively, even in the event of unforeseen events. In your dashboard on Amazon Freight, you can see where your goods are at any time via GPS.
5. Internal logistics:
With internal logistics, the company itself manages the storage, labeling, and shipping of the goods. This allows you to keep control of orders at all times, but requires more personnel and time.
What are the benefits of freight shipping for small businesses?
Freight shipping offers many benefits for small and medium-sized businesses, start-ups, and e-commerce operators. Handing over your goods to logisticians not only saves personnel and time, but also costs.
Key benefits of freight shipping for small businesses:
1. Safe deliveries:
Transport companies guarantee the safe and fast delivery of the goods. Many logistics vehicles in freight transport for small companies are also equipped with GPS trackers, which make it possible to track the goods at any time.
2. Flexible scalability:
If the transport of the goods is outsourced, you can scale your start-up or SME at any time. Transport companies adapt to the growth of your business and thus offer you greater flexibility.
3. Optimum customer satisfaction:
Goods delivered quickly and securely through professional freight shipping for small companies not only promotes customer satisfaction, but also minimizes complaints.
4. Greater reach:
A broad network of freight forwarders and logisticians, such as Amazon Freight, makes it easier to deliver goods within Germany and beyond national borders. This enables rapid and comprehensive growth of your company.
5. Lower costs:
Freight shipping for small and medium-sized companies streamlines the supply chain, saves personnel costs and shortens delivery times.
6. Low time required:
Thanks to optimal supply chains and rapid loading and unloading of freight, including GPS tracking, your goods quickly arrive at their destination. Logisticians are industry experts and guarantee you cost and time-saving delivery routes, the guaranteed arrival of the goods, and freight insurance.
What small business freight services does Amazon offer?
Amazon Freight has an extensive EU-wide network of thousands of freight forwarders and its own trailers, which deliver your freight safely and quickly to its destination — with a punctuality of over 94%.
At Amazon Fulfilment Centers, you can have your goods stored and prepared for shipping if you don’t have a warehouse yourself. Learn more about the benefits of shipping freight for small businesses with Amazon here.
The Amazon Freight portal also offers you the option of either booking Full Truck Load (FTL) shipping (an entire truck trailer for your goods) or shipping with pallets, including pallet exchange. Once logged in, you can view the status of delivery at any time and follow the supply chain live.
Conclusion
If you want to hand over your goods to a professional logistics service provider, we are always available at Amazon Freight. Ship your products securely, quickly and cost-effectively and always keep track of things. We would be happy to advise you: freight-eu-interest@amazon.com.