Equipment and Materials Manufacturers: Prepare to Capitalize on the $1 Trillion Infrastructure Investment

Proposed Cargo Transport Projects

Source: Inbound Logistics

It’s unlikely the buck will stop there. The American Society of Civil Engineers says the U.S. needs to spend $4.59 trillion over the next decade to bring roads, bridges, ports, schools and other infrastructure up to a safe, functioning level.

IS YOUR COMPANY PREPARED TO SEIZE THESE OPPORTUNITIES?

Plenty of equipment and materials manufacturers are already watching their stocks steadily rise. Does your company have a chance to benefit from the enormous amount of money funneling into these industries?

If so, you might consider partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider sooner rather than later. Optimizing your logistics will assure that you are in prime position to take advantage of this huge opportunity.

What can a 3PL do for me?

Every business is unique, yet there is one thing that remains true: Everyone wants to get products to the right place, to minimize handling costs, and to maximize output. It’s an ongoing struggle. But partnering with the right 3PL can make a world of difference.

Here are a few ways a 3PL can help you build a more efficient and productive supply chain.

More cost-efficient transportation

Every 3PL has professional relationships with a variety of carriers and transportation providers. That means they can secure better rates than you can find on your own. Also, a 3PL is familiar with LTL (less-than-truckload) challenges, can reduce empty miles, and has experience with specialized and heavy haul trucking needs.

If you want even more in-depth logistics help, a provider with a transportation management system (or, even better, multiple TMS options!) can take a hard look at your current transportation configuration from end to end. Your 3PL partner can then provide guidance in reducing waste and cost throughout.

One more thing: Roads, bridges, air travel, or ports may become congested or temporarily unavailable during these years of major infrastructure renovation. Partnering with a 3PL that can coordinate a variety of transportation modes means you’ll always have alternatives and options.

Better warehouse efficiency

A good warehouse is only as good as its processes. Or — perhaps better said — an efficient warehouse is only as efficient as its processes.

A 3PL can help in any part of process implementation that might be holding you back. The team can assess your sub-assembly or final assembly practices. They can help you deal with things like overflow or short-term storage needs. Or you can consult them on maximizing vertical space and configuring a more logical layout.

Need more technological support? A 3PL with warehouse-management-system technologies can collect and analyze your existing data and processes to ensure you are minimizing costs and maximizing output at every step of the process. And if you aren’t, they can help put the pieces in place to get you on the right track.

Moving Ahead

Outsourcing any of your logistics needs can make a significant difference in your success. Basically, a 3PL can assure you are running a tight ship. Your overall supply chain will be more efficient, and it will free you up to focus on the task at hand: pouncing on the massive influx of infrastructure money available to the right equipment and materials manufacturers.