Third-party logistics (3PL), the use of a third-party business to outsource elements of a company’s distribution and order fulfillment services, can help snack producers and bakeries deliver their products more effectively. 3PL providers specialize in integrated warehousing and transportation services that can be customized to meet customers’ needs based on market conditions.
As their capabilities have evolved, 3PL providers have become more invested in technology to support transportation and warehousing operations. This includes hard mechanization and automation (conveyors, sortation, automatic storage and retrieval systems) as well as software and tracking systems for warehouse and transportation management systems, and fleet tracking.