Posted On June 23, 2025
Supply chains used to hum along in the background while executives focused on sales, marketing and product development. But now, port delays, extreme weather and geopolitical tensions keep CEOs up at night—because one broken link can derail quarterly earnings. In fact, 57% of companies say supply chain disruptions are already impacting revenue.
What was once a back-office function is now a priority for the boardroom, and smart businesses are turning to a third-party logistics provider to create supply chains that can withstand any challenge.
When the chain breaks, who can fix it?
A 3PL handles some or all of your logistics operations—transportation management, warehousing, order fulfillment and distribution services. Think of them as a supply chain Swiss Army knife. They step in where your internal team stops, bringing expertise and an extensive network that typically takes years to build.
The goal of the supply chain used to be simple. Move products from point A to point B as quickly and cheaply as possible. Procurement teams squeezed vendors for the lowest rates. Operations managers focused on cutting costs. Senior leadership barely thought about it unless something went wrong.
However, global supply chains have become increasingly fragile. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how interconnected and vulnerable our systems really are. Factories shut down, and car manufacturers suddenly couldn’t get chips. Container ships got stuck in canals, and toilet paper disappeared from store shelves.
Now, trade wars, natural disasters and cyberattacks keep piling on. And this constant instability pushed supply chain management straight to the C-suite. When delays cost millions in lost revenue and affect customer satisfaction, logistics becomes everyone’s problem.
Get key logistics updates before your coffee’s cold. Sign up for 2 Minutes Flat.
Without a 3PL, every disruption can hit harder
For companies handling the entire supply chain in-house, disruptions are tough to manage—not for lack of effort, but because internal teams often don’t have the tools, time or visibility they need to respond quickly. When a shipment gets delayed, they’re typically the last to know. When rates spike, they’re stuck paying whatever carriers demand.
Even the best teams can only do so much in a fragmented system. Purchasing manages suppliers. Operations runs warehouses. Sales communicates with customers. But without shared visibility, critical decisions happen in silos—leading to mismatched timelines, misaligned resources and missed opportunities.
That lack of real-time visibility forces reactive decisions: paying a premium to rush orders, scrambling to find warehouse space or securing last-minute transportation services while customers wait. It’s a stressful, high-cost cycle that can repeat with every supply chain disruption.
And the stakes are high. The average supply chain disruption costs $1.5 million per day.
Companies without an integrated shipping strategy often pay 20–30% more for transportation and keep extra inventory to guard against uncertainty. Delayed or inaccurate deliveries can also damage customer experience.
Customer expectations have changed, too. Speed, reliability and transparency now define the customer experience—making logistics performance a direct driver of business success.
How 3PL services make the supply chains stronger
The right 3PL gives your business more than freight support—they deliver control, resilience and competitive advantage.
They strengthen carrier leverage
While your internal team might work with a handful of carriers, established 3PLs have relationships with hundreds of transportation providers across different modes. This gives them the power to haggle for better rates and lock in capacity, even when the market gets tight.
They diversify risk across routes and carriers
Smart 3PLs spread operations across multiple geographies, transportation modes and service providers. If weather grounds flights on the East Coast, they route shipments through the West Coast. If ocean freight gets expensive, they shift to rail or truck. This flexibility protects you from single points of failure that could shut down your entire operation.
They deliver enterprise technology without the overhead
Leading 3PLs invest millions in warehouse management systems, transportation optimization software and predictive analytics tools. Instead of building these capabilities—which could take years and cost millions—you get immediate access to technology that improves efficiency and visibility across your supply chain.
They see what others can’t
By managing shipments across hundreds of clients, they gain visibility into market trends and disruptions most companies never see. Their systems automatically optimize routes, consolidate loads and match cargo with capacity—cutting costs and improving efficiency. That means freeing up your team to focus on more strategic priorities.
Big supply chain news, small time commitment. Sign up for 2 Minutes Flat.
How to spot a 3PL partner who actually delivers
Not all 3PLs are built the same—and not all are built for your business. Some only handle basic freight, while others offer integrated support across warehousing, technology and optimization. The right partner will feel like a strategic extension of your team. Here’s how to identify them.
They measure what matters
Ask: What’s your on-time delivery rate? How do you track and share performance?
Expect KPIs like on-time delivery (95%+ is best-in-class), issue resolution speed and cost per shipment. They should also make that data accessible through real-time dashboards and transparent reporting.
They’re built for scale
Ask: Can you flex with my business needs?
Whether it’s peak season, international expansion or a sudden market shift, your 3PL should be able to flex with you. For example, partners that own key warehouse locations have more control over fulfillment service and fewer handoffs—which means fewer surprises for you.
They know the ground—and the globe
Ask: Do you have coverage where I do business?
Whether they operate their facilities or partner with trusted local carriers, your 3PL should have reliable, on-the-ground support where you do business.
Look for a partner who understands regional regulations, cultural nuances and customs processes. From documentation to clearance, deep customs expertise helps prevent costly delays and ensures smoother cross-border operations. The right mix of infrastructure and relationships creates flexible, cost-effective solutions without sacrificing control or consistency.
They bring the tech—and make it work for you
Ask: How do your tools support my team?
Technology should simplify—not complicate—your logistics. Will their platform integrate with yours? Does it support APIs? Does it give your team the visibility it needs without a learning curve? Look for providers who use data to uncover trends, cut waste and suggest improvements.
They solve, not stall
Ask: How do you handle exceptions or issues?
Shipping doesn’t always go to plan. But a strong partner doesn’t wait for you to notice. Instead, they bring you options, not just excuses. Whether it’s a weather delay or a customs hold-up, your 3PL should act like an extension of your team—ready with a plan B (and C).
Don’t let the next disruption catch you off guard
Whether you’re shipping to five countries or 50, the next disruption is already on its way. Port strikes, natural disasters, trade disputes and shutdowns will continue to test supply chains worldwide. The question isn’t whether your supply chain operations will face challenges—it’s whether you’ll be ready to handle them effectively. And companies that treat logistics as an afterthought will struggle.
3PL supply chain solutions help businesses stay agile and maintain control in this chaotic environment. They provide the infrastructure, expertise and flexibility that most companies can’t build internally. More importantly, they free your team to focus on core business activities instead of wrestling with transportation and logistics challenges.
Don’t wait for the next supply chain crisis to start the conversation. Start evaluating potential partners now. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Flat World about building a supply chain ready for anything.
