What to Look for in a 3PL for Both DTC and B2B Fulfillment

Managing multiple supply chain networks can be challenging, which is why many companies outsource to third-party logistics providers (3PL) that specialize in both direct-to-consumer (DTC) and business-to-business (B2B) fulfillment. Finding the right partner takes time, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

Why You Want One 3PL for DTC and B2B Fulfillment

The dual DTC and B2B fulfillment model presents significant growth opportunities but also creates complex hurdles. Simultaneously serving two distinct customer segments is logistically complicated.

DTC delivers products directly to consumers rather than going through retail partners or dropshippers. It requires robust e-commerce platforms and emphasizes the customer experience. B2B involves shipping orders to businesses on behalf of other companies. It has complex compliance and communication requirements.

Although outsourcing to multiple 3PLs may seem like a strategic decision, it can actually complicate things. Disparate distribution networks and incompatibility issues can fragment operations, increase the administrative burden and introduce hidden costs.

Consolidating B2B and DTC fulfillment under one 3PL can reduce redundancies, streamline operations, lower costs and increase visibility throughout the supply chain. Specialized partners can serve multiple distinct customer segments simultaneously.

How Do You Find a 3PL That Specializes in Both DTC and B2B Fulfillment?

You need to know what to look for in a 3PL specializing in B2B and DTC fulfillment to find a trustworthy, reliable partner.

Strategic Locations

Your chosen 3PL should have multiple locations strategically placed across the United States. The closer your products are to the recipients, the lower your shipping costs and the faster your transit times. Your partner should be U.S.-based or have customer service agents in your time zone for seamless communication.

Proven Expertise

You should seek a logistics provider with extensive industry expertise and a proven track record. If it consistently meets key performance indicators and has a high customer satisfaction rating, you can be confident it will be a reliable partner. Remember to look past qualitative descriptions and assess the quantitative metrics for an objective overview.

Broad Capabilities

A robust warehouse and distribution network is essential for managing both DTC and B2B supply chains. Whether you ship to businesses or consumers, fast transit times and a broad carrier network are imperative. The right 3PL should be capable of handling inbound and outbound logistics.

Value-Added Services

Value-added services such as kitting, labeling and assembly may not be dealbreakers, but they are practical and valuable additions to standard order fulfillment operations. Combining items into ready-to-ship packages or fully assembled products can save space on trucks, reduce shipping errors and enhance customer satisfaction.

Scalability

Even if you only serve select regions, nationwide coverage is essential for scalability. Your chosen 3PL must have a network of strategically located warehouses. Other factors influencing scalability include warehouse space availability and system architecture.

How VEYER Can Help With DTC and B2B Fulfillment

You should carefully review your potential partner with these selection criteria in mind. Instead of spending hours searching through online databases to develop a shortlist, skip sourcing and comparison by reviewing VEYER — the leading 3PL in North America.

VEYER is a 3PL that specializes in both DTC and B2B fulfillment, offering low-cost, efficient omnichannel warehousing and distribution services. It can handle everything from single cartons to full truckloads — it tailors its customizable services to meet your unique needs. You can consider it a growth partner rather than just a service partner.

Since its service area spans 99% of the U.S., you can reach your recipients wherever they are. In fact, you can reach 98.5% of households within 24 hours. Its nationwide fulfillment network is supported by 40 strategically placed facilities, 8 million square feet of warehouse space, 12 cross-docks, 13 import and deconsolidation centers, and multiple strong carrier partnerships.

While VEYER was founded in 2022, it has a 40-year history as the supply engine behind Office Depot. Today, it ships 100 million orders annually, with 99.9% of them arriving on time. Its impressive 99.9% order fulfillment accuracy rate is also significantly higher than average.

According to McKinsey & Co., the on-time rate for last-mile shipments ranged from around 85% to 90% for years. It decreased to about 72% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While reliability has improved over the past five years, it has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. To have a 99.9% on-time rate is an exceptional feat.

Frequently Asked Questions to Ask Potential Partners

Now that you know how to find a 3PL that specializes in DTC and B2B fulfillment, you should know how to vet them properly. Even if they are considered best-in-class, you still want to grasp the finer details before preparing a contract.

What Is Your Industry Expertise?

Industry expertise can be represented with years in business, knowledge bases, workforce skills or success stories. For VEYER, its work with Maven Lane, a furniture company, speaks for itself. The client’s operations spanned 16 time zones, complicating omnichannel selling. Its previous 3PL lacked transparency, used outdated systems and was inefficient.

VEYER expedited processes, completing contract negotiations and pricing proposals within weeks instead of months. It streamlined everything from onboarding to billing. Its broad network shortened delivery times, enabling Maven Lane to launch multiple direct sales channels and transition to various new facilities. It is on track to grow its revenue by 20% by next year.

What Value-Added Services Do You Offer?

Custom packaging, kitting, insert, assembly and barcoding are practical value-added services. You can utilize them to enhance operational efficiency and brand recognition while reducing overhead costs.

Where Are Your Fulfillment Centers Located?

Fulfillment center location determines transit and shipping times. VEYER has facilities in San Pedro, California, Winnipeg, Canada, Newville, Pennsylvania and Weston, Florida. It even has storage and distribution centers in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Thanks to its 12 cross-docks, you can get customers dock-to-stock in under 48 hours.

What Is Your Tech Stack Like?

A robust technology stack should provide status information and alerts for orders and inventory. This way, you have complete visibility into warehousing and shipping operations. High-quality solutions support integrations with accounting, e-commerce and enterprise resource planning software.

How Accessible Is Customer Support?

Even the fastest and most reliable DTC and B2B fulfillment networks encounter snags — delays are a natural aspect of nationwide shipping. When the unexpected strikes, you should be able to rely on a dedicated team. Named account managers who offer personalized support are vastly superior to chatbots or automated call menus.

Reaching Out to the 3PL to Talk Over the Details

Finding a 3PL that specializes in DTC and B2B fulfillment is straightforward if you know where to look. Partnering with a proven omnichannel expert like VEYER can streamline your operations, saving you time, money and resources. To gain a competitive advantage, consider requesting a complimentary cost analysis.

Devin Partida writes about investor technologies, big data and apps. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of ReHack.com.