What do I look for in a logistics or courier service?

Outsourcing a business function is an important decision for any business because it means placing one’s trust and resources in another company. When your company hires a logistics company or courier service, you trust that company to transport something from point A to point B safely and efficiently.

Hiring a third party logistics company is a growing necessity as companies are moving away from the idea that all services must be handled in-house and instead are “doing what they do best and outsourcing the rest.” This increases efficiency and boosts the local economy.

So how do you find the right logistics or courier service? Whether you simply need important documents delivered across town or a large shipment of products warehoused and delivered to the store where they will be sold to consumers, you need a company that is trustworthy and will take your needs seriously.

Determining your logistics needs

This sounds really obvious, but you first must determine your specific needs so you know which questions to ask the courier company.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What do I need done? –By knowing your specific need (the item you need shipped or delivered and any special instructions required for its delivery) you can best request the right service and the right kind of vehicle can be arranged for your service.
• When do I need it? –What is your timeline? Do you need something delivered immediately or by “sometime in the next few days?” This will affect your rate and the company’s potential ability to meet your need.

 Getting answers to your logistics questions

When you research your logistics and courier options, make sure to examine these qualifications about each company:

Certifications/licensures

Is the company in good standing with industry and business organizations?

If your delivery requires special certification such as is common in the medical field, does the company have the necessary licensing and paperwork to prove as much?

Pricing

Is their pricing transparent and affordable? How does it compare to competitors and if it varies from competitors, why?

Hours of service

Does the company only deliver certain days and times? Does that meet your needs?

Promptness

What is the company’s ability to deliver on time and how do they demonstrate that ability?

Coverage area

What is the company’s usual coverage area? If where you are located or where you need an item to go is not in their usual coverage area they may not be willing to do the delivery at all. If they are willing to do the delivery, they may not be very familiar with the region, potentially costing valuable time.

Fleet

You don’t need to quiz them about all their vehicles, just make sure that they have the right kind of vehicle to suit your needs. For example, if a refrigerated truck is needed, or if a truck that will hold a bulky item is necessary.

Guarantees

What can the company promise and what is their procedure for making things right in case things go wrong?

Reputation

Ask for testimonials, but also ask friends and colleagues for recommendations or what they experiences they may have heard about various logistics companies.

Have questions about logistics?

We have answers! Give us a call at On Time Logistics and we can discuss your delivery, warehousing or courier needs.