Increasing Quality Control in Your Supply Chain with JIT

A critical element of client satisfaction is quality control. When choosing a 3PL, most clients cite service quality as one of the things they want to be sure is­ functioning exceptionally. 3PLs partners ensure that every step in the supply chain is executed in the most effective, cost-efficient, and transparent way. This results in enhanced customer service, reduced wait times, and maximum profitability. Here are a few ways a 3PL like JIT can increase quality control in your supply chain.

Expertise

By working with 3PL, you are adding a partner who specializes in fulfillment, warehousing, and shipping. If you service global customers, they take care of all the customs, documentation, duties, and other issues that can delay shipments and create additional, avoidable costs. They have also developed valuable relationships with numerous trusted partners, thus offering their clients faster shipping times and lower prices.

They are knowledgeable of and are using the most up-to-date supply chain technology. 3PL software usually features advanced reporting, inventory management, and total visibility for the entire process.

Minimize Risk

JIT hires a workforce that specializes in distribution. They are familiar with the supply chain method and the technology as well. Since they live and breathe supply chain, they can give insight on what steps could be improved in a supply chain to increase efficiency. With so many knowledgeable and experienced eyes on the process and execution, quality assurance increases.

The digitization of supply chain also allows for additional oversight. The 3PL and client can see all steps of fulfillment in real-time to ensure the customer experience is second to none.

Accountability

Since every part of the supply chain is trackable, in the rare event of an error, you can watch the entire process and see where the breakdown happened. This allows all parties to make any needed adjustments in real-time to ensure the mistake doesn’t happen again. There are also fewer touchpoints in a 3PL managed supply chain. Controlled by a single entity, distribution and storage processes have increased accountability with decreased confusing communications being sent all over the company.

For this and many reasons, companies are turning more often to 3PLs to help them increase profits, gain scalability, and grow their businesses. 3PLs have quality controls and improvement processes in place to protect your brand. As more and more industry and federal regulations are set, requiring extra documentation and certification, a 3PL is a quality assurance bet you can’t afford to pass up.

This post was originally published on November 29, 2017 and updated on July 24, 2019.