What Is a Logistics Company?
A logistics company is an organization that helps other businesses transport their goods from one location to another. This could be anything from manufactured goods, to services or information.
These companies can also offer warehousing and storage as part of their service. This is a service that can save you money on your shipping costs and improve your customer experience.
Shipping and Transportation
Whether you’re shipping inventory, a single container or a full truckload, we have the logistics solutions to get your products delivered on time. Our team has decades of experience and a strong track record of delivering goods to the right people, in the right places at the right times.
Our global network of transportation services ensures your freight is handled by a carrier you trust with the highest levels of service, security and reliability. From air freight to ocean shipping, we offer a full spectrum of services for your every need.
In addition to traditional shipping, our expertise is rooted in customs and freight forwarding, enabling us to manage the entire supply chain for you from start to finish. With facilities at every major port of entry, we can plan, receive, segregate, repalletize and ship out everything from single PO or SKU full containers through the most complex buyer’s consolidations.
Sea transport is an integral part of the worldwide economy, accounting for more than 90% of all international trade. It is used to move a wide variety of goods, including consumer and industrial products, packaged or bulk cargoes, perishables and special-value items.
A key aspect of shipping is compliance with product-related regulations and environmental laws. This includes the issuance of permits for goods and their handling, the regulation of fuel usage, and the monitoring of waterways and marine environments.
The maritime industry is also a major contributor to anthropogenic climate change, as it emits carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases through the combustion of fossil fuels on board ships. Additionally, sewage and fuel pollution from shipping vessels negatively impact ocean ecosystems.
While most shipping vessels run on fossil fuels, it is not unheard of for ships to run on renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. These renewable resources are cleaner, more efficient and cheaper to operate.
Shipping is a vital part of the global economy, but it can also be a complicated and costly process. This is why it is important to choose the best logistics company for your business.
Warehousing and Storage
Warehouses are large buildings where goods or wares are stored for commercial purposes. These are often situated near commercial hubs, such as ports and railway stations. They fulfill a range of functions, including receiving, stockpiling and displaying goods for commercial buyers, packing, checking and labelling orders and dispatching them to customers.
Warehouse facilities can be classified into ‘private warehouses’, which are maintained by the owner for his own use, and ‘public warehouses’, which are maintained for the use of any merchant or business unit. ‘Bonded warehouses’ are logistics company situated near ports and enable importers to take delivery of their goods after paying customs duties.
A typical warehouse is constructed around a central distribution centre, where goods are sorted and then transported to their final destination. The structure is usually made from load-bearing masonry walls and heavy timber, with external cladding.
The warehousing of goods is an important part of logistics and requires the use of sophisticated equipment and technology. These technologies allow warehouses to efficiently organize and process incoming goods, keep temperature-sensitive products protected, and pick and pack orders in a streamlined way.
Developing a reliable warehouse process is important for the long-term success of your company. With a strong warehouse process in place, your business will be able to handle a variety of different scenarios and deliver results on time and on budget.
Warehousing is a major part of logistics, and it’s an essential aspect of managing your supply chain. Whether you’re running an eCommerce store, online marketplace, or a small business, a strong warehousing strategy will help ensure that your products are accessible to customers and available for purchase at the right time.
Smart warehouses are modern-day warehousing that use advanced technology and machines to increase efficiency and reduce the need for staff. They also save money and improve transparency.
For example, a smart warehouse will have a system that allows employees to track their inventory in real-time. This will make it easier to spot low stock and alert them when it’s time to order more of a particular product.
When preparing your warehouse space, it’s crucial to separate areas for different activities and tasks. You can do this by using dividers, shelving, or even a combination of both. The dividers should be sized to accommodate the amount of materials that need to be stored in each area.
Customs Brokerage
Customs brokers specialize in the process of clearing goods through customs, preparing required documents and collecting duties and taxes on behalf of their clients. They also communicate with government agencies and provide other services to companies that need help navigating regulations.
Customs regulations are constantly changing. Consequently, it’s vital for companies to have experienced compliance professionals on their team who can make sure all shipments are clear. The right customs broker can ensure that your shipment is processed smoothly and on time, reducing your risk of penalties or fines.
In Canada, licensed customs brokers are individuals or partnerships who have been approved by the Canadian Border Services Agency to perform their duties on behalf of their clients. They must have knowledge of all entry procedures, admissibility requirements, classification, valuation and the duties and taxes imposed on imported goods.
They can also prepare required documentation for export shipments, collect duties and taxes and make delivery arrangements on your behalf. They charge a brokerage fee, which is based on the complexity of the customs entry, frequency of customs entries and the value of the imported goods.
The United States has a large number of Customs brokers, but they have to meet specific conditions in order to obtain licenses. This includes passing a grueling customs broker license exam. In addition, they must have a business address and be able to prove that they are licensed in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidelines.
Many countries, including the United States, require that logistics company importers and exporters use a licensed broker to clear their shipments through customs. This requirement can increase the cost of trading, and it limits competition in this business sector.
However, using a customs broker can ease the burden of international shipping for companies who don’t have the time or resources to manage the logistics. In addition to customs clearance, brokers can provide a variety of other services, such as freight management, warehousing and cargo insurance.
As regulations regarding shipments continue to change, the industry is shifting toward electronic systems and automated processes. That’s why it’s important to work with a company that has up-to-date technology and stays on top of all the latest developments in this fast-paced field.
Flexibility
A robust supply chain needs to be able to handle a multitude of changes and unforeseen events without losing the plot. This requires the ability to alter processes such as production and logistics planning in order to optimize output and inventory.
A good logistics company will offer flexible services to its customers such as expedited loads, multiple modes, and cross-border operations. They will also be able to help you scale up or down, thereby optimizing your bottom line.
The ability to adapt a warehouse or distribution center to changing demands and needs is an essential part of any business. This flexibility is achieved through the use of smart management software. This can be a sophisticated system that will allow your warehousing or distribution center to change its inventory levels as needed, without you having to commit to more capacity than is necessary.
A digital supply chain also facilitates the efficiencies of flexibility by integrating information flows in real time between different parts of your organization. This information, combined with smart management software, allows you to reorganize your operations in the warehouse and the office to maximize productivity. It has been shown that this strategy has a positive impact on your organization’s bottom line.
