Fulfillment is a critical function for most businesses. Whether you’re a manufacturer, retailer, or some combination of both, getting goods to your customers effectively, efficiently, and for the right price is no easy task. Although you may think that you need to maintain control of your product throughout the entire process, oftentimes this isn’t the best decision. Outsourcing warehousing and distribution can provide you with several distinct advantages that you may not have considered. In today’s blog from The Marco Corporation, we’re going to discuss a few of them.
Less Capital Investment
First and foremost, buying and running a warehouse is extremely costly, and many businesses can’t afford to make that kind of investment. There’s real estate, machinery, labor, and much more. By outsourcing your warehousing and distribution, we can save that money to invest in other areas of your business. It also allows you to stay flexible, so if another opportunity arises, or if you have to pivot and change the scope of your business, your capital isn’t tied up in a warehouse.
Your Business Is Too Small
We’ve already discussed how costly it can be to own your own warehouse, and if you’re a small- to medium-sized business trying to compete with the big dogs, you simply won’t be able to do it without some help. Working with a partner for your warehousing and distribution can give you the flexibility and resources you need to be able to compete with those who are much larger than you — and you can do it in a way that won’t tie up large sums of money.
Rely on the Experts
You are the expert when it comes to your business, so unless you’re in the business of warehousing and distribution, there are probably other people out there who know more about it than you do. Managing a warehouse can be difficult and overwhelming, and without the experience and expertise to do it right, choosing to keep these functions in-house could be hurting you more than helping.
At The Marco Corporation, we’ve been in the business of warehousing and fulfillment for almost 50 years. We know what works and what doesn’t. We know the most efficient and cost-effective way of doing things, and when you work with us, we’ll put that experience to work for you.
Infrastructure
Another costly and time-consuming consideration for running your own warehouse is infrastructure. Once you secure a space, you have to have the machinery and technology in place to make it run efficiently and effectively. Outsourcing can prevent you from having to make these additional investments while still giving you access to the latest systems, equipment, and software.
Scalability
If you do choose to keep your warehousing and fulfillment functions in house, what do you do if you outgrow what you have? Of course, you could always buy another warehouse or expand on what you already have, but it’s much easier, faster, and requires less investment to partner with a company that can already provide those solutions.
Let’s consider what could happen if your business is thriving and you decide to build your own warehouse. The time it takes to draw up the plans, get the necessary permits, and complete all of the work could take years. Plus, there are always new start-up issues to work through and while you’re trying to get up and going — you’re losing business.
Partnering with The Marco Corporation, however, will give you immediate access to the warehousing and distribution functions you need so you can keep growing your business. We have over 250,000 square feet of space in North America and we have the capacity you need, right now.
Focus on Your Core Business
Setting up a warehousing operation takes a considerable amount of time and energy — not to mention money. Instead of trying to figure out how to do everything, it only makes good sense to focus your efforts on your core business and outsource the things that are outside of your wheelhouse.
Choosing to work with a partner who has the right infrastructure and warehousing expertise will not only allow you to have more of the resources available to grow your core business, it will also provide better results. An expert in warehousing can perform that function more effectively and for less cost than someone who is taking it on out of necessity and with a lack of experience.
Contact The Marco Corporation For Your Warehousing and Distribution Needs
For most businesses who require warehousing and distribution services, it just makes sense to outsource those functions to a capable and experienced partner. At The Marco Corporation, we offer a wide range of services including storage, co-packaging, inventory management, kitting, transportation, and more. Contact us today to discuss your needs and find out how we can help.