Enhancing Agricultural Productivity Through Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

Getting products from a farm to store shelves and your customers is no small feat. The process is complicated since produce, such as eggs, meat and dairy products from farms, need to stay fresh for customer satisfaction.

Working with a dependable third-party logistics, or 3PL, service provider is advantageous for navigating the warehousing and transportation process with confidence. If you are an agricultural business owner, understand that Crown LSP Group, Inc. offers the chance to increase productivity and eliminate hurdles.

Current Challenges in Agricultural Logistics

Handling agricultural logistics on your own may seem like a solid use of your time. However, these operations require your attention around the clock. Without the correct temperature-controlled trucks, staffing and training, overseeing agricultural logistics in-house distracts from other areas of your business.

A 3PL provider in agriculture helps tackle well-known obstacles around transporting agricultural products:

• Supply chain processes: Logistics operations demand vehicles, drivers, containers and connections to ports. A 3PL makes it easier to obtain the tools and resources for a smooth supply chain process and consistent productivity.
• Organized transportation: It is hard to predict the quantity of goods new customers will request in the future. Agricultural logistics require your business to organize transportation channels and a means of storage for goods.
• Seasonal variations: It is possible your agricultural company handles seasonal crops. Changing demands mean you need enough space in storage facilities and trucks to accommodate your staple and seasonal products.

Understanding 3PL in Agriculture

Third-party logistics providers, like Crown LSP Group, take care of the transportation process when moving perishable goods. Our professionals assist you in relocating agricultural products from facilities based in North Carolina. Taking items anywhere along the East Coast is manageable with our experts who meet diverse needs.

Agricultural Transportation Services

With a 3PL provider, you can plan deliveries between your agricultural facility and your customers. Make sure that your transportation process goes smoothly and according to plan. Let your 3PL provider know the types of perishable goods you need to relocate, and they will recommend options for completing the job.

3PL transportation services give you unmatched flexibility — choose from full truckload (FTL) or less-than-truckload (LTL) services to support the shipment sizes your customers request. Crown LSP Group has the temperature-controlled vehicles necessary to transport your agricultural products over short and long distances.

Agricultural Warehousing Services

Boost agricultural productivity using our cold storage facilities. These warehouse locations are equipped with refrigeration and freezing equipment, which is ideal for keeping produce and dairy products in peak condition.

Warehousing services are useful for allocating goods to customers on an as-needed basis. Before an order comes in, you know how much stock is available to ship.

Agricultural Inventory Management Services

Third-party logistics professionals keep you up to date with how many supplies are available to meet your customer requests. Most 3PL companies understand the value of e-commerce for the agricultural sector.

Rely on an experienced team to fulfill orders for you and minimize waste. Know your products are stored in temperature-controlled environments for future allocation and a reduced chance of spoilage.

Benefits of 3PL for Agricultural Businesses

The right 3PL provider for your business helps you take your productivity to new heights.

Crown LSP Group provides the following advantages:

• Supply chain optimization: You require flexibility throughout your supply chain. By using a third-party logistics provider, your business has access to real time shipment information and data analytics to influence decisions.
• Compliance: Follow the regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the agricultural industry. Logistics partners are well-versed in the guidelines for temperature-controlled shipments.
• Prioritize business: A 3PL provider serves as an extension of your workforce. Let a team like Crown LSP Group take care of shipping, warehousing and fulfillment tasks while you focus on farming and production.
• Professional insight: Working with a reputable 3PL provider helps you operate efficiently thanks to services tailored to transporting perishable goods in consistent environments.
• Fully scalable: Serve your customers without incurring financial loss. Third-party logistics professionals, including Crown LSP Group, allow you to request only the space you need within trucks and storage facilities to save money.
• Larger reach: Joining forces with a third-party logistics provider lets you reach new customers who are outside your local area. Deliver goods between states to increase revenue and build your brand.
• Consistent customer service: The right 3PL provider will make it easy to reach them for additional details regarding agricultural products. Our team ensures you always know where your shipments are.

Choosing the Right 3PL Partner for Agriculture

You shouldn’t trust just anyone with your perishable and nonperishable offerings. Your agricultural assets are a critical part of your annual revenue, so they should be left with individuals who have shipped similar items before.

Always do your research on a third-party logistics company before doing business with them. Details such as what types of vehicles they operate, how many years they have been operating, the number of drivers they have in their carrier network and how far they are willing to transport agricultural products are excellent places to start.

Your 3PL partner should have direct experience working in the agriculture industry. Other areas to focus on include:

• Customer communication: You should be aware of who you can refer questions to with a 3PL logistics provider.
• Contract terms: A service contract should be mutually beneficial. Investigate how long an agreement will last.
• Inventory management: Ask how a 3PL partner intends to store perishable and nonperishable items for you.
• Shipping visibility: Logistics experts must have technology in place to enable you to see where items are 24/7.
• Value-added services: Check what types of additional services are available for you, like kitting and assembly.
• FTL and LTL: The right 3PL partner will offer more than one option for shipping the quantity of goods you need.

Crown LSP Group Is Here to Help You

Crown LSP Group is a 3PL and distribution solutions company that takes pride in handling agricultural shipping responsibilities for you. From storing your agricultural products and fulfilling orders to overseeing warehouse management tasks, our team goes the extra mile for you to increase efficiency, profits and visibility.

Our locations in North Carolina allow us to transport products throughout the eastern part of the United States, including parts of Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia. Scaling your agricultural operations is straightforward, as we allow you to transport raw materials or finished goods from farms across our service area.

Crown LSP Group differentiates itself from other 3PL companies by being a family-owned business that provides custom solutions.

Get in Touch With Us for a Service Quote

At Crown LSP Group, we build business partnerships, not transactional relationships. Our goal is to help you take a hands-off approach to agricultural logistics operations so that you can focus your attention elsewhere. Working with our experts means you collaborate with a reliable, friendly and knowledgeable logistics partner.

Our business has been serving professionals like you since 1987. Reach out to Crown LSP Group for a quote to get started.