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September 26, 2015 at 10:16 am #992923Up::0
My small business requires storage and warehousing solutions but I am not sure would be the best and cost effective option.
Please recommend what to choose – Managed Warehousing or 3PL or what else.
Our products are very heavy and bulky – granite/marble slabs for kitchen benchtops and vanity tops, their size is about 3.2m x 2m, weight about 350kg each.
I need the following:
- Storage space for our stock, only pay for space we use, no minimum;
- They must take care of uploading of shipping containers;
- Opportunity for my customers to come and pick up goods, shipping to customers is not required, we offer pick up only;
- They must load the goods on customer’s truck when a customer comes and pick up goods;
- Fork lift / crane operators must be available all the time to avoid any delays for my customers;
- No long term contracts, ideally on a month-to-month basis;
- I must have access to my stock at any time or at a very short notice, I may want to inspect my stock, take photos, bring potential customers and show them what we have in stock;
- I want to be present every time they upload my shipping container and every time customers come to pick up goods;
- I do not want to pay for any services and extras we do not need.
Could anyone recommend a company in Melbourne that offer services I described above and how much would it roughly cost.
September 27, 2015 at 4:21 am #1188835Up::0Hi Alexxx,
This is not something I have experience in, but hopefully one of our logistics members might be able to jump in with some ideas during the week.
I’ll see if we can put a shout out on social media for you too.
Cheers,
PeterSeptember 27, 2015 at 11:55 pm #1188836Up::0Hi Alex
Sounds like you know what you want or need, although in my experience most of your requirements provide very little flexibility for the operator or 3PL provider.
Most 3PL’s, due to OH&S and the likes, will not allow you to enter the warehouse with clients or the likes.. What you do need to take into consideration is the fact that any 3PL will charge you ANY TIME that the item is touched, or with your list of requirements there may also be additional charges to appear on site, inspections, client visits and the likes as this is a very timely proposition for 3pls to manage client visits.
Ideally, your requirements almost dictate that you require your own warehouse and showroom. This will remove minimums, avail you with a showroom and overcome any OH&S barriers that you may face in the solution you are currently seeking.
Another huge issue, and i am sure there is a solution somewhere, is the size and the weight of your items. Its almost like you will need to find someone already dealing in marble that is tooled up for your requirements and offers to rent you some additional space, have you considered this?
Wishing you all the best
Jason Ramage | Lucas Arthur Pty Ltd | E: hello@lucasarthur.net.au P: 61 3 8324 0344 M: 61 412 244 888October 8, 2015 at 5:31 am #1188837Up::0Hi ALEX,
We are 3 pl warehousing service provider company based in Silver water , Sydney.
We specialize in 3 pl services and provide customized service to our customer, so that they are paying only what they have to pay.
Looking at your requirements , i believe we could be an ideal choice for you. we receive, store, Handle , pick pack and dispatch your goods with the out most professionalism and attention to detail. We also offer pick up service for our client’s customer in free of charge.
If you are still looking at 3 pl service , please feel free to contact me at 0280680070 for further discussion or you can send me an email at admin@smartlogistics.net.au
good luck with your business.October 8, 2015 at 7:04 am #1188838Up::0Alex,
Awesome offer from SmartLogistics, not sure how you will go being Sydney based though and you wanting Melbourne location, although didnt think anyone would be able to accommodate.
One thing i would be asking ANY 3pl is about public liability insurance for YOUR CUSTOMERS that are coming on site to visually inspect your marble slabs.. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE if something goes wrong.. The last thing you would want is for a potential client to have an accident in your 3pls location and they are NOT COVERED by any insurance policy.. Could potentially bankrupt someone
Cheers
Jason Ramage | Lucas Arthur Pty Ltd | E: hello@lucasarthur.net.au P: 61 3 8324 0344 M: 61 412 244 888October 8, 2015 at 11:48 am #1188839Up::0Thank you all for your comments.
I can see that it is not easy to find what I want and I decided to relax my requirements a bit.
At minimum I want the following:
- storage/warehouse for my goods
- ideally an opportunity for a customer to pick up
- opportunity for myself to inspect my goods somehow when they arrives or leave the warehouse, and ideally oversee unloading and and loading process to make sure there are no damages
October 8, 2015 at 9:25 pm #1188840Up::0alexxx, post: 222025, member: 71661 wrote:Thank you all for your comments.I can see that it is not easy to find what I want and I decided to relax my requirements a bit.
At minimum I want the following:
- storage/warehouse for my goods
- ideally an opportunity for a customer to pick up
- opportunity for myself to inspect my goods somehow when they arrives or leave the warehouse, and ideally oversee unloading and and loading process to make sure there are no damages
Sounds like a good move to alter the expectations a little… Although it still may be difficult to locate just due to the nature of your items (weight and handling requirements) as well as product inspection.
From my experience, most importers that are unsure of suppliers they are buying from, or have delicate products, tend to do better in their own warehousing solution as they then have complete control over the product from end to end… This is not only said for control although you will find almost all (if not all) 3PL and warehouse management businesses take NO RESPONSIBILITY for your product when on their site and your insurance is required to cover your items (theft or damage) so just be sure to ask these questions and most importantly of all to be comfortable with the person you are using..
The service provider you opt for should want to work as an extension to your business and not just treat you as a $$$ symbol as such. Hope that makes sense..
Do keep us updated,.. truly want you to ‘prove’ me wrong and find a perfect fit ASAP
Cheers
Jason Ramage | Lucas Arthur Pty Ltd | E: hello@lucasarthur.net.au P: 61 3 8324 0344 M: 61 412 244 888October 9, 2015 at 2:59 am #1188841Up::0HarryLuke Logistics, post: 222028, member: 34537 wrote:From my experience, most importers that are unsure of suppliers they are buying from, or have delicate products, tend to do better in their own warehousing solution as they then have complete control over the product from end to end…This would ideal, but we can not afford to rent our own warehouse, hire people and other related expenses at this stage.
HarryLuke Logistics, post: 222028, member: 34537 wrote:you will find almost all (if not all) 3PL and warehouse management businesses take NO RESPONSIBILITY for your product when on their site and your insurance is required to cover your items (theft or damage)
I have found that it is not the case if you try to sue them, take them to small claims tribunal or court. Of course, everyone wants to make money and take no responsibility. They may think they take no responsibility, their terms & conditions may say so, but court or tribunal will disagree. This is based on my personal experience. I did it 3 times in the past and it was successful. It seems, if my goods in their possession (storage, warehousing, transportation, etc.), they will be responsible for damages if I can prove it is their fault.October 9, 2015 at 3:58 am #1188842Up::0alexxx, post: 222041, member: 71661 wrote:I have found that it is not the case if you try to sue them, take them to small claims tribunal or court. Of course, everyone wants to make money and take no responsibility. They may think they take no responsibility, their terms & conditions may say so, but court or tribunal will disagree. This is based on my personal experience. I did it 3 times in the past and it was successful. It seems, if my goods in their possession (storage, warehousing, transportation, etc.), they will be responsible for damages if I can prove it is their fault.Interesting, 3 times you say.. Well done.. Have you used 3PL before with this product and allocated blame of damaged stock as being discussed to successfully take them to small claims?
Still, i think there are still many requirements that may overcomplicate the process in recruiting someone with those requirements..Especially the be on site when unpacking, packing and clients visit as well as a showroom.. Although i am sure someone is out there that could tackle it, may just take some time..
Jason Ramage | Lucas Arthur Pty Ltd | E: hello@lucasarthur.net.au P: 61 3 8324 0344 M: 61 412 244 888October 12, 2015 at 12:14 am #1188843Up::0Good morning Alex,
Give me a call. I will be able to have a chat and help you out. 0477017225.
Regards
Brent Henry
October 21, 2015 at 7:48 am #1188844Up::0HarryLuke Logistics, post: 222049, member: 34537 wrote:Interesting, 3 times you say.. Well done.. Have you used 3PL before with this product and allocated blame of damaged stock as being discussed to successfully take them to small claims?
I had problems with damaged furniture items and stolen computer parts in the past.
Unfortunately this industry is unregulated and there are a lot of dodgy people there who only want to make money and do not care about anything else.October 21, 2015 at 9:02 am #1188845Up::0alexxx, post: 222549, member: 71661 wrote:I had problems with damaged furniture items and stolen computer parts in the past.
Unfortunately this industry is unregulated and there are a lot of dodgy people there who only want to make money and do not care about anything else.Could be true, could not.. Same as any industry, be it 3pl or granite suppliers i guess? My only concern would be that you are best not to go into a relationship with ANY SUPPLIER or chain management group with an expectation that something is wrong or going to go wrong – reason is if you have this perception, you will either a/ find the problem you thought would happen or b/ create the problem you thought would occur
Just saying… Do hope you find a solution, sounds like a challenge still? have you progressed any further?
Jason Ramage | Lucas Arthur Pty Ltd | E: hello@lucasarthur.net.au P: 61 3 8324 0344 M: 61 412 244 888October 21, 2015 at 11:34 pm #1188846Up::0alexxx, post: 222549, member: 71661 wrote:I had problems with damaged furniture items and stolen computer parts in the past.
Unfortunately this industry is unregulated and there are a lot of dodgy people there who only want to make money and do not care about anything else.
I’m not just saying this because I am apart of one but if you use a smaller family owned business where reputation is everything, we/they cannot afford for anything to go wrong. If in the chance something does go wrong/gets damaged then there are procedures in place. As for stuff getting stolen… That is not tolerated whatsoever. Instant dismissal no matter who you are and the the warehouse should be under CCTV anyway.October 21, 2015 at 11:40 pm #1188847Up::0Henry Ashton, post: 222568, member: 55229 wrote:I’m not just saying this because I am apart of one but if you use a smaller family owned business where reputation is everything, we/they cannot afford for anything to go wrong. If in the chance something does go wrong/gets damaged then there are procedures in place. As for stuff getting stolen… That is not tolerated whatsoever. Instant dismissal no matter who you are and the the warehouse should be under CCTV anyway.You have said all the right things, although i am curious on the specifics that Alexx is discussing as there are so many variables associated with his original comment around breaks/damage etc etc
Jason Ramage | Lucas Arthur Pty Ltd | E: hello@lucasarthur.net.au P: 61 3 8324 0344 M: 61 412 244 888 -
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