What is a third -party logistics provider?

Third -party logistics provider (3PL) is a company that can be linked to the management of all or part of the organization's supplier chain. This type of provider may be responsible for managing transport, storage, packaging and distribution of finished goods or would be entrusted with the management of these functions. May or may not own assets that coordinate, such as trucks or warehouses. Many companies have their own logistics teams and resources, but sometimes it is more cost -effective to employ third -party logistics providers to handle parts of the supply chain.

In general, most or all parts of the supplier chain can be supported by a large provider of third -party logistics. Packages of the services offered by these providers are usually customizable and can be adapted to the requirements of a particular market or organization. The company is usually not obliged to use all services offered 3PL but can be supported by discounts or other promotional actionsFor the use of more services.

3PL can be contrasted with three other categories of logistics providers: the first party (1pl), the other side (2pl) and the fourth page (4PL). 1Pl is a company or one of its partners in the supplier chain that processes its own logistics tasks and does not. And 2PL own assets that are used to provide a service for another company, such as a courier service that uses its own trucks, trains, ships or aircraft to transport goods. The defining characteristics of 4PL is that it offers consulting services that can help managers manage their own logistics in a more efficient way. Unlike 1pl, a third -party logistics provider must serve another company; Unlike 4pl, it must be directly responsible for the operation of operations for another society; And unlike 2pl, it does not necessarily own all the assets it manages.

jE Possible for the ISTICS Protocolus Protocolus belongs to the several types mentioned above. At the same time, the Forwarder Fuight could be the second second and third -party logistics provider. On the other hand, the courier is always considered 2pl, because he must be in his own definition and operate his means of transport. On the other hand, the primary liability of the forwarders is to coordinate the transport of the company of the Company from point A to B. If it also happens to have some of the means of transport it uses, it can also be called the logistics provider of the other party.