Poll: What makes a good 3PL?

[skarsnik]

A great pity that 3PLs don't apply a bit of common sense. It is not hard to see which aspects would be highest in this poll!

rather a blanket statement... I'm sure most 3PLs might venture the same about their customers!

Anyway, how about empathy? This is a must for any 3PL to be successful.
Besides that, "adding value" is rather an empty premise. Sure, the 3PL must do this but, next, the customer wants this to be measured, and thereby removing the common sensical aspects of adding value each day, notably by understanding the customer's business and actiing in their interests.

And what about conflicts of interest for the 3PL provider? IS the customer naive by thinking the 3PL will always act in their best interests?

[Supply Chain Wiz]

You really need to do thorough investigation. A couple of things I have found useful over the years:-

1. Find out which customers they have lost & call these customers & ask why they left.
2. Get onto one of their larest customers & see if you can get a copy of the count sheets or spreadsheet raw data from their last stocktake.