The Relationship's the Thing

摘要

When it comes to outsourcing supply chain operations, it's all about building strong ties with key logistics providers. There's value in having a good relationship with your third party logistics provider (3PL). "The companies that are getting the most out of their supply chains are the ones that are more strategic," says Todd Peters, CEO of Genco. Getting there isn't easy. It requires work and success depends on trust. There are a number of models for how to structure an outsourcing relationship, says Alan Amling, marketing director UPS Global Logistics and Distribution. The commonalities he sees in those various models are trust and communication. Reinforcing both themes, Richard Lucey, VP of global client management for ModusLink adds, "You need to have alignment and common understanding of what's involved and what the cost drivers are. From that stage of the relationship, everything fundamentally comes back to trust."