Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
Supply chain solutions for the 3PL industry
As a third-party logistics provider (3PL), you deliver warehouse and distribution services faster and more cost-effectively than your customers can achieve on their own. Sustaining that advantage requires more than operational excellence — it demands continuous improvement.
Automation allows you to operate with greater flexibility, efficiency, and scalability to stay ahead of your competitors, help you win new contracts, and build long-term customer loyalty.
What are some current challenges for third-party logistics companies?
Rising service expectations
Customers expect faster fulfillment, higher accuracy, and more responsive service from their logistics partners. This requires scalable operations that can adapt to changing volumes and requirements without relying on manual workarounds or short‑term staffing solutions.
Competitive cost pressure
Third‑party logistics providers operate in highly competitive markets where margins are tight and differentiation is critical. Improving throughput, accuracy, and capacity is essential to winning and retaining customers.
Labor availability and cost
Labor shortages, rising wages, and high turnover make it difficult for third‑party logistics providers to scale operations with manual processes. Operations must find automated ways to reduce reliance on hard‑to‑fill roles.
Benefits of automation for your type of 3PL
All third-party logistics companies share certain challenges, but some are unique to each segment. Automation provides solutions:
Explore a few Dematic technologies for 3PL operations
3PL providers operate dynamic environments where flexibility, speed, and accuracy are critical to customer satisfaction. Core workflow technologies such as AS/RSs, conveyors, sortation, palletizing, and goods‑to‑person workstations help manage diverse inventories, high order volumes, and fluctuating demand.
These modular solutions enable logistics providers to scale capacity, adapt workflows, and onboard new customers without disruption. Working together, they support efficient space utilization, stable throughput, and consistent performance across multi‑client fulfillment operations.
AS/RS solutions help 3PL operations manage diverse inventories across multi‑client environments with speed and accuracy. Automated storage and retrieval improve space utilization while supporting system‑directed inventory access. By reducing manual handling and improving organization, AS/RS solutions help logistics providers maintain consistent throughput, support varying service levels, and adapt efficiently as customer volumes and requirements change.
Automated conveyor systems provide steady, reliable product flow across 3PL distribution operations. Conveyors transport cartons, totes, and parcels between receiving, storage, picking, and shipping areas. Automated movement reduces manual handling and helps synchronize workflows. Modular designs allow systems to adapt as customers, volumes, and facility layouts change.
Sortation systems bring accuracy and control to 3PL operations by routing orders to the correct destination. Integrated controls manage scanning, diverting, and tracking in real time. These systems support high‑volume, multi‑client processing while maintaining reliable order flow. Modular designs allow routing strategies and capacity to adapt as service requirements evolve.
Palletizing and depalletizing solutions help 3PL operations manage repetitive case handling with consistency and safety. Automated and ergonomic systems reduce manual effort while supporting mixed SKU pallets and varied packaging types. Modular designs adapt as customer requirements and order profiles change, helping maintain stable throughput across outbound operations.
Goods‑to‑person workstations support fast, accurate order processing in 3PL environments. Items are delivered directly to ergonomic workstations, reducing travel and improving pick accuracy across multiple customers. Intelligent software synchronizes tasks in real time. Modular workstation designs scale as volumes fluctuate, helping maintain throughput during peak periods.
How Dematic works in the real world
Why choose Dematic as your automation partner
Built for continuous improvement
Our partnership continues long after go‑live. Dematic Lifecycle Solutions & Services refine, modernize, and expand systems as your business evolves. Assessment, optimization, training, and upgrades extend equipment life, improve performance, and reduce waste. Ongoing support featuring modular technologies and adaptable software allow you to grow your operations without disruption, securing long‑term value.