Services Join Us About Resources Contact Us Customer Access Request Rate COLD SUPPLY CHAIN, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, FREIGHT BROKERAGE, FREIGHT TECHNOLOGY, LEADERSHIP, OMINCHANNEL, OPERATIONS, PEOPLE, PROCESSES, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, TECHNOLOGY, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS, VALUE-ADDED SERVICES NEW MEMBER | NATIONAL CONFECTIONERS’ LOGISTICS COUNCIL By Noelle on November 15, 2021 - Cold Supply Chain, Customer Experience, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Freight Brokerage, Freight Technology, Leadership, Ominchannel, Operations, People, Processes, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Technology, Third Party Logistics, Value-Added Services Taylor is excited to be a member of the National Confectioners’ Logistics Council. The National Confectioners’ Logistics Council, Inc., was first organized in 1945. Its early focus was in the tariff field as the rate-bureaus attempted to make significant changes in the rate structures. Cooperative action was instrumental in achieving benefits for the members. As the field of logistics has matured, the focus of the organization has evolved. The NCLC now works to make its members more knowledgeable and skilled in their professions and promotes collaborative action among the supply chain members. The NCLC holds an annual meeting at which leaders in the field speak, and members share accomplishments. Attendees at the meeting return to their jobs with a better understanding of the latest technology, theories, regulations, and terminology. Talk With Taylor FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, OPERATIONS, PACKAGING, SQF, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, TECHNOLOGY, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS, VALUE-ADDED SERVICES ONE MONTH TILL BEVNET LIVE – SEE YOU IN DECEMBER! By Noelle on November 4, 2021 - Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Operations, Packaging, SQF, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Technology, Third Party Logistics, Value-Added Services One Month Till BevNet Live! ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FULFILLMENT, LEAN, OMINCHANNEL, OPERATIONS, PACKAGING, RETAIL, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, TECHNOLOGY, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS, WAREHOUSING 2021 HOLIDAY SHIPPING DEADLINES | USPS, UPS, & FEDEX By Noelle on October 27, 2021 - eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Fulfillment, Lean, Ominchannel, Operations, Packaging, Retail, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Technology, Third Party Logistics, Warehousing It’s time to start planning for the holiday shipping race! From Black Friday to December 23rd, it’s always a rush to make sure items are delivered in time. Or maybe you’re just trying to ship one parcel in time for the holidays. Either way, the holiday season is swiftly approaching, and it’s time to start preparing. Here are your deadlines for USPS, UPS, and FedEx: USPS 2021 Deadlines Service Type Shipping Cutoff Date Retail Ground™ Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 First Class Mail® Friday, December 17th, 2021 Priority Mail® Saturday, December 18th, 2021 Priority Mail Express® Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 UPS 2021 Deadlines Service Type Shipping Cutoff Date Ground® Check UPS.com/CTC 3 Day Select® Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 2nd Day Air® Services Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021 Next Day Air® Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 FedEx 2021 Deadlines Service Type Shipping Cutoff Date FedEx SmartPost® Thursday, December 9th, 2021 FedEx Ground® Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 Home Delivery® Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 Express Saver® Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 2Day® Services Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021 Overnight® Services Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 CARRIERS, COLD SUPPLY CHAIN, CROSS-DOCKING, DRAYAGE, FLATBED, FLATBED TRANSPORTATION, FLEET, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FREIGHT, FREIGHT BROKERAGE, FREIGHT TECHNOLOGY, LTL, OMINCHANNEL, OPERATIONS, PORT SERVICES, PROCESSES, RETAIL, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TECHNOLOGY, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS, TMS, TRANSLOADING, TRUCK DRIVING FREIGHT MARKET UPDATE | OCTOBER 2021 By Noelle on October 19, 2021 - Carriers, Cold Supply Chain, Cross-Docking, Drayage, Flatbed, Flatbed Transportation, Fleet, Food & Beverage, Freight, Freight Brokerage, Freight Technology, LTL, Ominchannel, Operations, Port Services, Processes, Retail, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Technology, Third Party Logistics, TMS, Transloading, Truck Driving This update is a report that analyzes data from multiple sources, including but not limited to FreightWaves SONAR, DAT, American Shipper, Morgan Stanley Research, FTR Transportation Intelligence, Journal of Commerce, and National Retail Federation(NRF). The broken record phrase of “freight volumes continue to rise” is still in play. The current Outbound Tender Volume Index is roughly 3% higher year-over-year (YOY). We get that 3% might sound and look like a minimal increase but keep in mind volumes were accelerating quickly over the last several months of 2020. So while the comps are more challenging as we get into the more difficult months of 2021, the volumes are still dominating what they were a year ago. Our team is digesting the 2021 peak season and the factors that are currently influencing the market. Ports Delays Continue to Rise Many anticipated a slowdown in import activity, as ports are overburdened with operations and equipment trying to keep up with the constant influx of ships waiting to unload their cargo. But that is hardly the case. While the numbers fluctuate from day to day, there were 70 container ships in the queue on Monday in late September 2021, with a total capacity of 432,909 twenty-foot equivalent units. To put the vastness of that number in perspective, that’s more than the inbound container volume the Port of Long Beach handled in the entire month of August. It’s roughly what Charleston handles inbound in four months and what Savannah handles in two. So why the boom? Well, consumers are spending. eCommerce, a rise in CPG, the upcoming holiday season are driving demand for imported goods, requiring ships for transportation. What happens when the cargo finally reaches the port? First, available trucks will flock to these locations due to the increased pay possibilities that this freight represents. Second, shippers and retailers waiting for their long-dormant freight will pay above-market rates to get their goods rushed directly to their destinations. Consumers Buying Trends Continue to Increase Consumer goods have encountered extensive growth since the start of the pandemic, and there are no signs of this trend slowing down. Employment numbers, a reliable predictor of spending, are the strongest since March of last year. While consumer spending did not need employment numbers to remain elevated for the past year, a more stable job market bodes well for the economic outlook and trends to continue. In August, consumer spending bounced back from a mid-summer lull. During the past month, it jumped .8% after a decline of .1% in July. Moreover, income rose by .2% as consumer prices increased by .4%. Partner With a Logistics Solutions Provider to Navigate Peak Season Our team is here for you. No matter the situation, we’ve got your back. We are here as your partner — we are an extension of your team with a clear understanding of our responsibility to replicate the strategic business goals of your organization. No matter the size of your business, we help our customers achieve the best possible freight outcomes and decrease overall costs. Talk With Taylor B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD SAFETY, KEY PERFORMING INDICATORS, SAFETY, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, TEAMWORK, WAREHOUSE AWARDS, WAREHOUSING SEPTEMBER WAREHOUSE AWARDS | BELLEVUE, NE By Noelle on October 15, 2021 - B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Safety, Key Performing Indicators, Safety, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Teamwork, Warehouse Awards, Warehousing Congrats to our September 2021 monthly warehouse award winners from our team in Bellevue, NE. These awards are given based on productivity and QA points. One Team – One Mission! Most improved– Hosea Byrd Receiving award– None Given Shipping award– Anthony Watts Jr. Putaway award– Hosea Byrd Picking award– David Williams & Carolina Gallegos Replenish award– Hosea Byrd Safety award– Hosea Byrd Talk With Taylor B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, COLD SUPPLY CHAIN, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, FREIGHT BROKERAGE, FULFILLMENT, OPERATIONS, PACKAGING, PROCESSES, RETAIL, SAFETY, SQF, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS, TRANSLOADING, VALUE-ADDED SERVICES BEVNET LIVE WINTER 2021 – SEE YOU THERE! By Noelle on October 11, 2021 - B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, Cold Supply Chain, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Freight Brokerage, Fulfillment, Operations, Packaging, Processes, Retail, Safety, SQF, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Third Party Logistics, Transloading, Value-Added Services On Dec. 6 and 7, the beverage industry will gather in person in Santa Monica, CA, to learn and take action at BevNet Live! Experts will speak to the community about innovations and challenges within the industry. Team Taylor will be there, and we want to talk with you! We are here for you if you have any questions or want to chat on areas of interest in fulfillment, food-grade certifications, packaging, eCommerce, operations, supply chain management, and transportation. Are you going to BevNet Live? Let us know! B2C FULFILLMENT, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, D2C, DATA, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, EDI, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FULFILLMENT, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, ISDT, KEY PERFORMING INDICATORS, OMINCHANNEL, OPERATIONS, PACKAGING, PROCESSES, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TECHNOLOGY, WMS SELLING VIA SHOPIFY? HOW PARTNERING WITH A 3PL WILL BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS By Noelle on October 5, 2021 - B2C Fulfillment, Customer Experience, D2C, Data, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, EDI, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Fulfillment, Inventory Management, ISDT, Key Performing Indicators, Ominchannel, Operations, Packaging, Processes, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Technology, WMS There are several marketplaces for eCommerce sellers, but one of the largest in the game is Shopify. Why has Shopify snowballed? Its bulletproof no-code design allows sellers to set up a store, sell, accept payment, manage inventory, showcase product pages, and connect with partners. Are you using Shopify and looking to transition your fulfillment to a third-party logistics provider? Yes, it might sound a bit intimidating, but we promise it’s easier than you think! Your Shopify inventory dashboard will match your logistics partner WMS inventory, returns will be seamless, and you can focus on your core business by leaving the logistics to a 3PL (cough, cough, Taylor). Shopify x 3PL Partner Just like Shopify, your 3PL is here to help your business grow. A logistics partner can help with fulfillment management, inventory control/ planning, transportation, and excellent parcel shipping rates. Utilizing outsourced logistics, you’ll have more time to launch new products, make some TikToks, expand your brand, and focus on your business goals. Find a 3PL Who Loves a Shopify Integration A solid 3PL will have a Shopify integration widget that enables sellers to manage their Shopify storefront, design, new products, sales, etc. but connect it to a 3PL to handle fulfillment and shipping. In addition, the integration will allow sellers to see real-time inventory info within the Shopify dashboard. So selling out products will never be an issue; it will also help you forecast future demand. Here’s how it works, when orders are placed through Shopify, it will go straight into the 3PLs warehouse management system. Making order management simple because it’s automated, there’s no need to upload a spreadsheet, download, or even click the mouse. Once you set up the Shopify store and connect via EDI, orders will flow directly to the fulfillment center and will be processed. The advantage of partnering with a logistics company is that you have real people handling your inventory and business. You can call on your personal assigned rep, tech superuser team, operations managers, and even the COO. There’s no call center, no putting in a ticket, no waiting for support. Get a quote now Talk With Taylor FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE QUALIFYING FOOD GRADE CARRIERS | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW By Noelle on September 21, 2021 - Food & Beverage, Food Grade There are thousands upon thousands of food-grade carriers on the roads. How do you know which ones you can trust? Whether you the brains behind creating a food or beverage product or a 3PL, some measures should be in place to guarantee safe, quality food shipping. At Taylor, we have a developed process that ensures we choose the most suitable carriers every time. Sure, sometimes things don’t go according to plan but using a trusted food grade carrier helps minimize potential fallout. We examine critical things to look for in a food warehousing provider in our previous blog post. In this post, let’s look at things outside of the warehouse, onto the loading dock, and into the trailer as we examine items you should be looking for in a food-grade carrier. Compliance Carrier authority is the permission carriers need to operate. Authority is given out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and there are several different types of authority out there. A food-grade carrier should have Motor Carrier of Property authority. Carriers can acquire safety through the FMCSA SAFER system. This system provides necessary information about the carrier and, more importantly, a safety rating. Make sure to stay away from “Conditional” and “Unsatisfactory” ratings. Temperature Preservation Your products’ safety and integrity are also closely tied to their environmental conditions, temperature, and humidity. A carrier will need to ensure that your products are kept at the appropriate conditions while on the dock and during temperature-controlled trucking. Here’s a great example, ice cream needs to be kept at -20°F and most confectionery products at 65°F. Exceptional care needs to be taken to keep each product in range. Once in the product is loaded on the trailer, your carrier must have the ability to monitor temperature during the journey. Carrier History New carriers are always popping up, and plenty of times, it can be very beneficial to use them for shipping. However, if you are looking for someone to bring onto a contracted lane or a critical shipment, it helps look into their past. From simply confirming how long they have been in business to looking through online reviews. To Sum It Up At Taylor, we combine warehousing, eCommerce, transportation, packaging, and kitting services for a fully integrated food logistics strategy. These solutions – combined with our technology and ability to scale as your business scales in the food, beverage, confectionery, flavoring, and pet food spaces – gives you the peace of mind that your products are in good hands as they travel throughout the supply chain to your customers. Sound like a plan? Give our team a shout by filling out the form below or send a message to our inbox at info@taylorlog.com. Need a quote asap? Get one here. Talk With Taylor AMAZON, AMAZON FULFILLMENT, B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, CINCINNATI, CROSS-DOCKING, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, D2C, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, ESSENTIAL WORKERS, FLEET, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, FREIGHT, FULFILLMENT, LEADERSHIP, OPERATIONS, PEOPLE, PROCESSES, SAFETY, SQF, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, TEAMWORK, TECHNOLOGY, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS, WAREHOUSING TAYLOR ADDS ANOTHER PUBLIC WAREHOUSE IN CINCINNATI | WORLD PARK 3 By Noelle on September 1, 2021 - Amazon, Amazon Fulfillment, B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, Cincinnati, Cross-Docking, Customer Experience, D2C, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Essential Workers, Fleet, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Freight, Fulfillment, Leadership, Operations, People, Processes, Safety, SQF, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Teamwork, Technology, Third Party Logistics, Warehousing CINCINNATI — Taylor Logistics Inc. (TLI), a Cincinnati-based third-party logistics company, announced plans to open another public fulfillment center outside Cincinnati later this month. At 5257 E Provident Dr. in Cincinnati, Ohio, the new location will be the companies third public multi-client warehouse in Cincinnati. Their headquarters (World Park 1) is positioned just down the street at 9756 International Blvd and World Park 2 on the same road at 10095 International Blvd. Download Press Release Taylor Logistics | Public Warehouse Locations “Our customized solutions, time-sensitive scalability, and technology have proven we are not merely a vendor for our customers but a partner, a team,” said Director of Warehouse Operations AJ Raaker. “This new addition for team Taylor is perfectly positioned for any business’s supply chain; Cincinnati’s ever-changing industry landscape and proximity to the consumer makes 5257 the perfect spot; here we grow, again!” The brand new 130,000 square foot warehouse located on Provident Dr. is conveniently positioned next to two major interstates, rail ports, and cargo hubs. The Cincinnati/N. Kentucky International Airport is located 30 miles south via I-75/I-275, CVG, DHL, Amazon Prime Air. Being true to our food, beverage, flavoring, and pet food partners, this new building will be in Taylor standard as food grade. Brand New Building | 5257 E Provident Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 About Taylor Logistics, Inc. Taylor Logistics Inc. is the Nation’s Most Progressive Family Owned logistics company. From their founding in 1850 to today, Taylor is currently in sixth and seventh-generation ownership. Taylor’s passion is finding solutions for their customers through their various services. From warehousing both contract and public, freight brokerage, packaging, kitting, drayage, and trucking. All of which are customizable and technology-driven. Their 170 years of logistics experience have proven that they are not merely a vendor for your company – they are an extension of your team with a clear understanding of our responsibility to replicate your organization’s strategic business goals. Talk With Taylor B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, FREIGHT, FREIGHT BROKERAGE, FREIGHT TECHNOLOGY, INTERNET OF THINGS, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, KEY PERFORMING INDICATORS, OMINCHANNEL, OPERATIONS, PROCESSES, SQF, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, TECHNOLOGY A NIMBLE SUPPLY CHAIN | ECOMMERCE BLOG By Noelle on August 16, 2021 - B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, Customer Experience, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Freight, Freight Brokerage, Freight Technology, Internet of Things, Inventory Management, Key Performing Indicators, Ominchannel, Operations, Processes, SQF, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Technology First things first, let’s define what it means to be nimble. nim·ble | /?nimb?l/ | adjective Quick and light in movement or action; agile. It might not be a term you use in everyday jargon, but hey, it’s a great word, and it translates exceptionally to the eCommerce supply chain world. How? Well, nimbleness relates to how quickly an eCommerce business can adjust to ever-changing expectations in speed and delivery. To maintain customer expectations, stay competitive, and grow, a nimble supply chain must also react promptly to delays, changes, and unexpected consumer patterns. In this riveting blog post, you will learn how critical it is for your supply chain to be nimble, what it means for your business, plus some strategies and best practices to improve your eCommerce supply chain. What does it mean to have a nimble supply chain? Having a nimble supply chain means how quickly and efficiently an eCommerce company can react to consumer trends and market changes. It also relates to the ability to forecast, maintain, and bounce back from unforeseen events. Here are some ways to create a nimble supply chain: Optimize and improve logistics operations efficiently Working with an amazing 3PL (cough, cough, Taylor) Gain visibility into operations and real-time access data Quickly implement the latest technology and automation How to meet and exceed market demands We’ve said market and consumer trends six times by now. But, for a good reason, one of the most significant benefits of having a nimble supply chain is that it enables you to consistently meet customer demand around fast, affordable shipping, despite fluctuations in order volume. To develop supply chain “nimbleness,” a company needs to consider different ways to guarantee customer satisfaction despite possible disruptions or sudden changes in the market. Here are some examples of staying on the cusp of consumer trends by having a nimble supply chain: Integrating logistics automation and technology Working with an amazing 3PL (cough, cough, Taylor) Having a mix of parcel carriers Cut costs One essential part of running a successful eCommerce operation is finding ways to optimize logistics costs, including: Warehousing and storage fees Labor Order fulfillment Shipping + parcel costs There are several ways you can optimize costs and keep your business nimble from sourcing products closer to home to reduce transportation costs to using an excellent 3PL partner like Taylor. Get a 3PL partner Cough, cough Taylor. But in all seriousness operating your own warehouse network, investing in technology, and improving operations is highly time-consuming and costly, and it doesn’t always directly tie to driving revenue. Taylor is a solutions-based third-party logistics provider that offers a full suite of supply chain services like fulfillment, packaging, kitting, FBA/FBM, transportation, drayage, and shipping. Partnering with #TeamTaylor can help you worry less about making your supply chain nimble, so you can focus more time on other initiatives, such as generating sales, product development, and marketing. Contact Team Taylor AMAZON, AMAZON FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FULFILLMENT, KEY PERFORMING INDICATORS, WAREHOUSING, WMS PRIME DAY IS HERE! | TAYLOR AMAZON SERVICES By Noelle on June 21, 2021 - Amazon, Amazon Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Fulfillment, Key Performing Indicators, Warehousing, WMS Raise your hand if you have an Amazon Prime account? Oh wow, 150 million+ hands raised? In the 25 years since Amazon was launched, it has become a household name, and is the biggest eCommerce site in the world. Having your products sold on Amazon immensely increases your audience. Amazon allows sellers to fulfill orders themselves or let Amazon handle fulfillment. Let’s dive into your options as an Amazon seller. Amazon Resources Amazon Prep Services Fulfillment Options Lot’s of Acronyms to Digest When Talking Amazon Shipping; Let’s Break it Down: Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) Self-fulfilled order processing route, like Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) What is Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA)? FBA means Fulfilled by Amazon, you sell it and Amazon ships it. The seller sends bulk products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers for Amazon to pick, pack, and ship products once sold. What is Amazon Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM)? Amazon Fulfilled by Merchant is a fulfillment method in which an Amazon seller is responsible for fulfilling its products purchased on Amazon. FBM can be managed through a seller directly or by partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. FBM can be more cost-effective if you can ship orders for a more sensible price compared to what FBA will charge by using your delivery partners and network, or your 3PL’s network. FBM is a great Amazon seller shipping option it allows you the freedom to run your business as you like in terms of scalability, fulfillment methods, and inventory level control. What is Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP)? Similar to FBM, you store, pick, pack, and ship your products to the customers yourself and handle all communications with the customer. However, this shipping option also allows you access to prime customers, competing with businesses that pay the enormous fees for FBA. SFP is ideal for sellers who have warehouse space and staff that can handle the order fulfillment or companies with a 3PL that can offer scalability and flexibility. To be successful as an SFP seller, you need to make sure that it would be more profitable for you than FBA or FBM. Becoming an SFP seller streamlines your fulfillment process as you only need to manage inventory in your warehouses, instead of managing that inventory as well as additional inventory in Amazon’s warehouses. Partnering With A 3PL | Amazon Fulfillment Have experience with the program. Dealing with SFP requirements can be difficult. Your 3PL should have advanced software that integrates directly with Amazon and gives you real-time visibility into order status and metrics. You need a 3PL who is focused on customer service. Putting your SFP reputation into someone else’s hands is a leap of faith. Make sure you pick a partner who’s on your side, 100%. Amazon Solutions Experts Our team knows that all of the Amazon seller shipping options can be complicated and overwhelming. It can be challenging to decide which option is best for your business, especially when one option doesn’t fit all. It depends on the product you are selling, fulfillment capabilities, profit margins, and more. Our team knows how to meet Amazon’s stringent requirements for whichever option you choose. We have the solutions to help you scale your business, and we have the technology to execute the specifications for any Amazon shipment. Talk With Taylor Remember, the holiday season is around the corner. If you don’t have your fulfillment partner in place soon, you could be left out in the cold. Contact us today, and leave Black Friday and Cyber Monday to us. Fill out the form below and we will be in touch ASAP! B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, FULFILLMENT, LEADERSHIP, LEAN, SQF, TEAM TAYLOR, TEAMWORK 97% 2021 SQF AUDIT | BELLEVUE, NE By Noelle on June 15, 2021 - B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Fulfillment, Leadership, Lean, SQF, Team Taylor, Teamwork Last week, our Bellevue Team underwent a Safe Quality Foods audit scoring an outstanding 97%. This is an exceptional accomplishment, and we appreciate the dedication to food safety and food quality. A special kudos to the entire Bellevue team. We will be adding yet another championship banner!! One team, one mission! What is SQF? The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program is a rigorous and credible food safety and quality program recognized by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers worldwide. Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the SQF family of food safety and quality codes are designed to meet industry, customer, and regulatory requirements for all food supply chain sectors – from the farm to retail stores. This rigorous farm-to-fork food safety and quality certification also help food producers assure their buyers that their food products meet the highest possible global food safety standards. Why is SQF Important For Your Brand? This farm-to-fork food safety and quality certification helps food producers assure their buyers that food products have been grown, processed, prepared, and handled according to the highest possible global food safety standards. It can immediately improve your standing in the eyes of new partners and deals. For everyone at Taylor, this achievement is an excellent validation of our hard work and our team’s commitment to safe food operations. For you, it means increased protection in the event of recalls, improved operational efficiencies in our work together, managed risks, and peace of mind with certified due diligence. AMAZON FULFILLMENT, B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, CINCINNATI, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, FULFILLMENT, SQF, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS, UNCATEGORIZED, WAREHOUSING WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY | JUNE 7TH 2021 By Noelle on June 4, 2021 - Amazon Fulfillment, B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, Cincinnati, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Fulfillment, SQF, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Third Party Logistics, Uncategorized, Warehousing Food safety has a demanding role in confirming that our food inventory stays secure at every level of the food supply chain. With a business dedicated to food warehousing and distribution, Taylor Logistics has a culture of continuous improvement regarding food safety. We are committed to upholding the highest certifications from the SQF for practices in the handling, storage, and delivery of food products. SQF TLI Food Grade Warehousing TLI SQF Warehouse Taylor Logistics Inc. Cincinnati Food Logistics What is SQF? In early 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized the Safe Quality Food (SQF) rule as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The rule was created to help prevent both intentional and unintentional contamination of the food supply chain from farm to fork. The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program is a rigorous and credible food safety and quality program that is recognized by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers world-wide. Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the SQF family of food safety and quality codes are designed to meet industry, customer, and regulatory requirements for all sectors of the food supply chain – from the farm all the way to the retail stores. Talk With Taylor CARRIERS, COLD SUPPLY CHAIN, DRAYAGE, FLATBED, FLATBED TRANSPORTATION, FLEET, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FREIGHT BROKERAGE, INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP, OPERATIONS, PORT SERVICES, RETAIL, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TECHNOLOGY, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS, TRANSLOADING, TRUCK DRIVING ARE YOUR FREIGHT RATES INCREASING? HERE’S WHY AND HOW TO ADAPT By Noelle on May 18, 2021 - Carriers, Cold Supply Chain, Drayage, Flatbed, Flatbed Transportation, Fleet, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Freight Brokerage, Intermodal Transportation, Inventory Management, Leadership, Operations, Port Services, Retail, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Technology, Third Party Logistics, Transloading, Truck Driving If you’ve seen higher than expected freight rates, we hear you, we see you. There’s a couple of potential factors for these increases. Since Q2 of 2020, the freight markets have shown robust growth, which has raised rates dramatically. While this is good news for carriers and manufacturers, it has caused CPG shippers to pay the price in rising freight rates. In this week’s blog, our team analyzes the various factors that are driving up freight rates and why they are happening. Factor 1 | Port Congestion With pandemic-related consumer shopping habits, many West Coast ports operated at maximum capacity during the summer. In 2021, the uptick in imports has compounded the situation and caused even more congestion. March retail sales increased by 9.8% sequentially and 14.3% year-over-year. A 27.7% jump led to an increase in sales of food services. With more imports on board, shippers should brace for capacity constraints. As the produce season gets underway, rates will also rise. Factor 2 | Produce Season The start of the produce season typically occurs in February in the southern US. By spring/summertime, it has reached the majority of the US. During this time, capacity is tightened as refrigerated carriers dedicate a lot of their space to hauling produce. Other products that can ship via dry van or on refrigerated trucks will move to van transport, thus increasing freight rates across the board. Factor 3 | Reliance on Split Shipments eCommerce brands have been comprehensively using split shipments for years. Firstly goods need to be picked from inventories across different locations. With not enough room on a single truck or plane for an entire shipment, it may have to be divided into individual boxes and delivered individually. Split shipments happen to occur even more often during cross-country or international shipment of goods. The more the shipments, the costlier the shipping costs; therefore, the trend ends up being a pricey affair and often harmful to the shipping ecosystem. Counter Rising Rates with these Techniques: Advance Planning One of the most effective ways to combat these high freight rates is planning shipments far in advance. Cargo cost is increasing every day. To avoid paying surged charges and avail early bird facilities, companies have to plan their shipments well in advance strategically. Working with a team of transportation experts (Like Taylor) that uses digital platforms to leverage data on the freight costs to predict rates and trends affecting the rates will help to plan and lower costs. Work With A Team Of Experts Work with a dedicated logistics team to ensure conditions do not endanger profitability. Teaming up with a partner like Taylor can help your organization correctly forecast costs and find more favorable pricing through consolidation or mode optimization services. Get a Rate Now AMAZON, AMAZON FULFILLMENT, B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, ISDT, LEADERSHIP, PACKAGING, TEAM TAYLOR, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS TAYLOR TALK PODCAST | ECOMMERCE OR E-COMMERCE? CUSTOMIZED KITTING & MUCH MORE By Noelle on May 6, 2021 - Amazon, Amazon Fulfillment, B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, Customer Experience, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, ISDT, Leadership, Packaging, Team Taylor, Third Party Logistics Chris and Noelle are back on Taylor Talk chatting about probiotic sodas and seltzers, kitting, PR boxes, mental health awareness month, getting rid of the phrase “new normal,” and discussing eCommerce vs. e-commerce. Tune in now click this link. Talk With Taylor AMAZON, AMAZON FULFILLMENT, CINCINNATI, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FULFILLMENT, ISDT, LEADERSHIP, OMINCHANNEL, PACKAGING, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, TEAMWORK, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS TAYLOR TALK PODCAST | AMAZON PREP SERVICES + CINCINNATI FOOD RESCUE By Noelle on April 20, 2021 - Amazon, Amazon Fulfillment, Cincinnati, Customer Experience, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Fulfillment, ISDT, Leadership, Ominchannel, Packaging, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Teamwork, Third Party Logistics Noelle and Chris are chit-chatting on a bunch of different topics on this episode of Taylor Talk. Amazon prep services for FBA, the future of eCommerce, and helping feed the Cincinnati community with an excellent local nonprofit Last Mile Food Rescue. There’s also a new segment called “Corporate Chris,” where Chris breaks down his least favorite corporate email phrases. Want to be on an episode or have a topic you want our team to cover? Email us info@taylorlog.com. Listen now here! Last Mile Food Rescue! If you’re in the Cincinnati area, please look at the fantastic work Last Mile Food Rescue is doing to help out the community. Have 90 minutes, a car and a drive to make a change? Download our app and sign up to rescue perfectly good food from ending up in landfills and transport it to one of our nonprofit partners that fight food insecurity in our Greater Cincinnati community. Download the Last Mile app on iOS or Android and discover what happens when you go the mile. Last Mile Food Rescue Website. Talk With Taylor AMAZON, AMAZON FULFILLMENT, B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, D2C, DRAYAGE, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, ESSENTIAL WORKERS, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FREIGHT, FREIGHT BROKERAGE, FULFILLMENT, INTERNET OF THINGS, ISDT, KEY PERFORMING INDICATORS, LEADERSHIP, OMINCHANNEL, OPERATIONS, PACKAGING, PEOPLE, RETAIL, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TEAM TAYLOR, TEAMWORK, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS PLACES TO BE, PLACES TO GO | GETTING YOUR PRODUCT TO THE PEOPLE By Noelle on March 18, 2021 - Amazon, Amazon Fulfillment, B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, Customer Experience, D2C, Drayage, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Essential Workers, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Freight, Freight Brokerage, Fulfillment, Internet of Things, ISDT, Key Performing Indicators, Leadership, Ominchannel, Operations, Packaging, People, Retail, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Team Taylor, Teamwork, Third Party Logistics At Taylor, we know your products have important places to be, like a child’s 5th birthday, signing the papers for a new car, running a marathon, or happy hour. We’re here to help make sure they get there, from getting your products to Whole Foods or Ralphs to creating multipacks so people can enjoy more of your brand. We help brands explode & we go where you need us. Watch Video! Talk With Taylor AMAZON FULFILLMENT, B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, FULFILLMENT, ISDT, OPERATIONS, PACKAGING, PROCESSES, RETAIL, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TAYLOR INFORMATION, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS THE FUTURE OF GROCERY + CPG BRANDS | TAYLOR TALK PODCAST By Noelle on March 15, 2021 - Amazon Fulfillment, B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, Customer Experience, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Fulfillment, ISDT, Operations, Packaging, Processes, Retail, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Taylor Information, Third Party Logistics Noelle and Chris are back on the pod talking all things grocery and CPG trends. From which pandemic-related consumer behaviors are temporary vs. here to stay to the future of national grocery chains. Not to mention they talk groundhogs (yep), Kim Kardashian, and the NY Mets. Want to be on the next episode or have a topic you like us to cover? Inbox us at info@taylorlog.com Listen Now Talk With Taylor AMAZON, AMAZON FULFILLMENT, B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, CINCINNATI, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD SAFETY, FREIGHT BROKERAGE, FULFILLMENT, INTERNET OF THINGS, ISDT, OPERATIONS, PEOPLE, PORT SERVICES, PROCESSES, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TEAM TAYLOR, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS WEST COAST BRAND X MIDWEST DISTRIBUTION = PERFECTION | TAYLOR LOGISTICS INC. By Noelle on March 10, 2021 - Amazon, Amazon Fulfillment, B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, Cincinnati, Customer Experience, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Safety, Freight Brokerage, Fulfillment, Internet of Things, ISDT, Operations, People, Port Services, Processes, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Team Taylor, Third Party Logistics Are you a west coast based brand? Maybe you’re in California soaking up the sun or Portland, Seattle even? San Fransisco, we see you! While the west coast may be the best, and we aren’t even on a coast there is one thing the midwest has over the west coast. No, it’s not an abundance of corn. It’s actually the perfect place for your brand’s supply chain. Crazy right? Don’t believe us or need more convincing? Watch the below video! Talk With Taylor B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, TEAM TAYLOR, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS WE’LL BE AT GROCERYSHOP VIRTUAL SPRING MEETUP! | MARCH 9-11 By Noelle on February 22, 2021 - B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Team Taylor, Third Party Logistics GroceryShop brings together the grocery and CPG industry’s community of leaders across a wide range of job titles and areas of expertise, including digital and eCommerce, marketing, technology, merchandising, supply chain, and store operations curated, double opt-in meetings and to participate in peer-group discussions. Team Taylor will be there, and we want to talk with you! If you have any questions or want to chat on areas of interest in operations, supply chain, and logistics, we are here for you. Cya on Zoom! Talk With Taylor B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, FULFILLMENT, SQF 98% 2021 MONROE SQF AUDIT | FOOD SAFETY By Noelle on February 17, 2021 - B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Fulfillment, SQF Last week, our Monroe teams underwent their 5th Safe Quality Foods audit scoring a 98% up from the 97% they achieved in 2020. This is an outstanding accomplishment, and we appreciate the dedication to food safety and food quality. A special kudos to Shaun Fehr, Deidra Gunner, Jeffery Godfrey, Jerod Brewer, Edward Gibson, Elias Wesler, Ronnie Zak, Liz Switzer, Stephen Hannah, and the entire Monroe team! During a pandemic, too, which is excellent! We will be adding yet another championship banner. What is SQF? The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program is a rigorous and credible food safety and quality program recognized by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers worldwide. Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the SQF family of food safety and quality codes are designed to meet industry, customer, and regulatory requirements for all food supply chain sectors – from the farm to retail stores. This rigorous farm-to-fork food safety and quality certification also help food producers assure their buyers that their food products meet the highest possible global food safety standards. Why is SQF important for your brand? This farm-to-fork food safety and quality certification helps food producers assure their buyers that food products have been grown, processed, prepared, and handled according to the highest possible global food safety standards. It can immediately improve your standing in the eyes of new partners and deals. For everyone at Taylor, this achievement is an excellent validation of our hard work and our team’s commitment to safe food operations. For you, it means increased protection in the event of recalls, improved operational efficiencies in our work together, managed risks, and peace of mind with certified due diligence. Talk With Taylor AMAZON, AMAZON FULFILLMENT, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, SUSTAINABILITY, TECHNOLOGY, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS THE 2021 FOOD & BEVERAGE ECOMMERCE SPHERE | TRENDS & SHIFTS By Noelle on January 30, 2021 - Amazon, Amazon Fulfillment, Customer Experience, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Sustainability, Technology, Third Party Logistics It’s no secret that COVID-19 has radically shifted consumer shopping habits to online marketplaces we’ve been purchasing everything from dog food to potting soil to TikTok Amazon trends and outdoor heaters. Retailers have altered inventory as a response to these shifts, and they’ve taken note COVID-19 buying patterns are here to stay. Here are the three industry trends impacting this shift. Sustainable / Eco Purchasing Habits Over two-thirds (65%) of consumers want to impact the environment through their everyday actions positively. This is a key reason why brands are shifting their products from plastic to eco. As temporary custodians of this planet, we understand that we have a job to make it as clean as possible for generations to come. We’ve said absolutely not to all bubble wrap in every part of our business; that word isn’t even in our vocabulary. We’ve got a couple of brands we partner with to look into bubble wrap alternatives that are sustainable. Not only is it great for our planet, but it’s also fantastic for your brand, and it’s what your customer wants! The growing awareness of our collective impact on the environment has elicited increasing demand for companies to demonstrate their sustainability commitment beyond just the end product to responsible sourcing and operating standards. The Need for Efficiency The hurdle we see is maintaining information accuracy in every stage of the supply chain, which can be difficult when dealing with information overload. Another risk attached to information overload is inventory overload. Research suggests that inventories are essential when creating the optimal pricing strategy for food and beverage products. At a point in your company’s lifecycle, it comes time to partner with a 3PL to optimize your business efficiencies. Focus on your core business, expanding your brand, getting into Erewhon, new products, etc. We will fulfill orders, store your product, and get it to your customers. Scaling as you scale with multiple services under one roof, like customized packaging to an eCommerce task force that can de-bug any inventory or eCart issue. Regulatory Requirements The food supply chain requires all players to adhere to strict operational practices to ensure food safety and quality from the fulfillment center to the wheels that bring it to the consumer. Food safety is our middle name, Taylor food safety Logistics. Jokes aside, food safety is essential to us and has been our business’s foundation for the last 171 years. Each year all of our food handling fulfillment centers undergo a Safe Quality Foods audit to obtain the highest level of food safety by the Safe Quality Foods Institute and are all FDA certified. Stay Ahead of the Trends with Taylor Our team will work with you to build scalable fulfillment, eCommerce, packaging, kitting, transportation, and shipping solutions for your food and beverage brand. We have an entire team ready to assist. Fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch asap. If you’d rather email us that works too! info@taylorlog.com ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FREIGHT BROKERAGE, FULFILLMENT, OMINCHANNEL, TAYLOR INFORMATION, TEAM TAYLOR, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS NEW YEAR, NEW 3PL? HERE’S SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SEARCHING FOR A NEW PARTNER By Noelle on January 12, 2021 - eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Freight Brokerage, Fulfillment, Ominchannel, Taylor Information, Team Taylor, Third Party Logistics The decision to change your third-party logistics provider (3PL) provider can be a time-sensitive process that requires a lot of consideration and planning. It can be an excellent move that will help grow and push your business forward. We’re covering everything you need to know for a seamless transition! When is it time to switch? Are your customers receiving damaged products? If your current provider is messing up orders in any capacity, this can significantly impact your reputation. We absolutely do not want that; it’s time to change! Think about all that’s changed in the past couple of years; TikTok has taken over; consumers expect one-day delivery, and we can purchase anything from our phones. Can your 3PL keep up with the constant shift? Suppose your fulfillment provider hasn’t improved or expanded their technology, operations, or facilities since you started working with them. In that case, they might not be thinking ahead. It’s time to change! Has your business significantly grown? It’s critical to find a team that will scale with your business. If your current 3PL can no longer handle the volume, it could be time to switch. Do you feel like you have a reliable team that understands your specific business needs and will jump through hurdles for your business? You need that person you can text at any time of the day, even though they are in an entirely different time zone—a person who knows the ins-and-outs of your products, your brand, and your mission. A team that can collaborate to solve and issues that might arise. If you don’t have this kind of support system, it might be time to switch. When should you make a change? When changing providers, it’s wise to consider the timing of the transition. Many merchants search for a new provider to coincide with starting a new calendar or fiscal year. Ideally, switching during a quiet period operationally is best. It can also be helpful to transition to a new provider before adding a new product line or entering a new market. If your needs truly aren’t being met, then switch now! Ensuring a smooth transition Once you’ve found the perfect partner, you need to plan for a seamless transition. It is essential to have clearly defined processes to uphold customer service levels and maintain speed to customers, and control costs. Your new partner should take the time to understand your business requirements thoroughly and define the project scope upfront. Work with their team of key resources from operations, production, packaging, quality, and process engineering teams. Questions to Ask a potential new partner Ready to make a switch? Below are questions to ask a potential 3PL to assess whether they’re the best fit for your business so you can be confident in your choice. Does your technology integrate with ours? What types of products does the third-party logistics provider specialize in? What will the 3PL provider do to meet my performance metrics? What predictive analytics are available? How have you handled or corrected errors in the past? Is there a minimum monthly order volume to work with the fulfillment center? How quickly can I expand with the fulfillment warehouse? What is the company’s history? How Extensive Is Their Network? We’ve helped hundreds of brands just like yours! At Taylor, we helped hundreds of brands throughout the past challenging year with capacity, resources, expertise, and solutions to better their business. In 2020, we remained agile, kept operations moving with a record volume of orders, and all while keeping our team safe. Specifically, Team Taylor: Kept all fulfillment centers open and operating safely Opened a new strategically located warehouse Added extra shifts to ensure products got out on time Shared transparent carrier performance data Added new carrier qualified partners to our network Talk With Taylor Today! B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, FULFILLMENT, SQF SAFE QUALITY FOODS WAREHOUSING | #IAMSQF By Noelle on November 17, 2020 - B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Fulfillment, SQF When you win a championship, sometimes you get a ring, and sometimes you get a banner in the stadium to showcase your winnings. At Taylor, we go the banner route; we’re proud to showcase our success in the championship of food safety, SQF audits. What is an SQF Certification? SQF stands for safe, quality food. It’s an internationally recognized system designed and administered by the SQF Institute. The institute sets the standards for companies in the foodservice industry. They’re designed to keep food production and preparation safe. What are SQF Standards? These are standards put in place to ensure that companies manage food safety risks appropriately. A company may apply for certification as a way to assure clients that they are practicing good hygiene and handling food correctly. Basic food hygiene, like workers washing their hands before handling the food, make the world safer for all of us. What are the SQF Levels? There are three levels in total: Level 1: This applies in cases where there are fewer risks, and it is the most basic level. Level 2: Here, they set more rigorous standards. GFSI has created the benchmarks. Level 2 is a food safety plan that is HACCP certified. Level 3: This is the highest standard and includes the same processes as Level 2. It’s a more comprehensive application of the rules. Talk With Taylor Our SQF-certified warehouses are the perfect place to store your food product while you’re waiting for orders to come in. When you make a sale, it’s already here, and we’re ready to ship it for you. Talk with our team today! 2020 HOLIDAYS, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE FOODBORO. ASK THE EXPERT |HOLIDAY “SHIPAGEDDON” By Noelle on November 4, 2020 - 2020 Holidays, Food & Beverage, Food Grade We’re Proud Foodboro Marketplace Members. We’re proud Foodboro. marketplace members, and as members, we got the opportunity to participate in an “Ask the Expert” video. Since the holidays are literally right around the corner, we chatted on all things shipageddon. Learn more about crowdsourced fulfillment system (5:30), as well as what to anticipate this holiday season (8:20), how to prepare for it (11:44) and when to seek out a 3PL partner (14:00.) Watch Now @ Foodboro. Watch Now! Talk With Taylor AMAZON, AMAZON FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FULFILLMENT, KEY PERFORMING INDICATORS, WAREHOUSING, WMS SELLING ON AMAZON? HERE ARE YOUR SHIPPING OPTIONS By Noelle on October 12, 2020 - Amazon, Amazon Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Fulfillment, Key Performing Indicators, Warehousing, WMS Raise your hand if you have an Amazon Prime account? Oh wow, 150 million hands raised? In the 25 years since Amazon was launched, it has become a household name, and is the biggest eCommerce site in the world. Having your products sold on Amazon immensely increases your audience. Amazon allows sellers to fulfill orders themselves or let Amazon handle fulfillment. Let’s dive into your options as an Amazon seller. Lot’s of Acronyms to Digest When Talking Amazon Shipping; Let’s Break it Down: Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) Self-fulfilled order processing route, like Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) What is Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA)? FBA means Fulfilled by Amazon, you sell it and Amazon ships it. The seller sends bulk products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers for Amazon to pick, pack, and ship products once sold. What is Amazon Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM)? Amazon Fulfilled by Merchant is a fulfillment method in which an Amazon seller is responsible for fulfilling its products purchased on Amazon. FBM can be managed through a seller directly or by partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. FBM can be more cost-effective if you can ship orders for a more sensible price compared to what FBA will charge by using your delivery partners and network, or your 3PL’s network. FBM is a great Amazon seller shipping option it allows you the freedom to run your business as you like in terms of scalability, fulfillment methods, and inventory level control. What is Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP)? Similar to FBM, you store, pick, pack, and ship your products to the customers yourself and handle all communications with the customer. However, this shipping option also allows you access to prime customers, competing with businesses that pay the enormous fees for FBA. SFP is ideal for sellers who have warehouse space and staff that can handle the order fulfillment or companies with a 3PL that can offer scalability and flexibility. To be successful as an SFP seller, you need to make sure that it would be more profitable for you than FBA or FBM. Becoming an SFP seller streamlines your fulfillment process as you only need to manage inventory in your warehouses, instead of managing that inventory as well as additional inventory in Amazon’s warehouses. Partnering With A 3PL | Amazon Fulfillment Have experience with the program. Dealing with SFP requirements can be difficult. Your 3PL should have advanced software that integrates directly with Amazon and gives you real-time visibility into order status and metrics. You need a 3PL who is focused on customer service. Putting your SFP reputation into someone else’s hands is a leap of faith. Make sure you pick a partner who’s on your side, 100%. Amazon Solutions Experts Our team knows that all of the Amazon seller shipping options can be complicated and overwhelming. It can be challenging to decide which option is best for your business, especially when one option doesn’t fit all. It depends on the product you are selling, fulfillment capabilities, profit margins, and more. Our team knows how to meet Amazon’s stringent requirements for whichever option you choose. We have the solutions to help you scale your business, and we have the technology to execute the specifications for any Amazon shipment. Talk With Taylor Remember, the holiday season is around the corner. If you don’t have your fulfillment partner in place soon, you could be left out in the cold. Contact us today, and leave Black Friday and Cyber Monday to us. Fill out the form below and we will be in touch ASAP! FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, PACKAGING, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FOOD & GROCERY LOGISTICS | SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT BLOG By Noelle on September 2, 2020 - Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Packaging, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management Supply chain management for food, beverage, flavoring, and pet food products is arguably one of the most critical and challenging logistics sectors. Proper handling, storage, inventory control, lot tracking, and transportation are essential to providing a safe, quality product for the consumer. In this blog, we are going to take a bite into Taylor’s food supply chain management. Download Now Lot Control Our WMS Synapse can track lot numbers from the time the product arrives at our fulfillment center docks through the warehouse to the delivery destination. We can quickly isolate products for QC or recalls within minutes of notification. Food Packaging Food packaging manufacturers use Taylor to store and distribute their products for just in time delivery to the processor. We understand when the processors are ready to run the next batch, Taylor must be there on time with the packaging. Flavoring & Ingredients Whether in totes, bags, barrels or cartons, Taylor stores and ships ingredients in bulk and individual units. Common ingredients in our warehouse are used to produce pet foods, vitamins, foods, and supplements. Beverage Need a place to store your seltzer, beer, wine, sports drink? No problem. Taylor’s advanced packaging capabilities, such as beverage variety packs, allow you to postpone final product configuration until just before shipping. Certifications Annual audits and inspections by Safe Quality Foods Insitute ensure our customers that Taylor 100% compliant with our facility and food facility documentation. Talk With Taylor FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FOOD SAFETY, THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS, WAREHOUSING TAYLOR LOGISTICS INC. NAMED TO FOOD LOGISTICS’ 2020 TOP 3PL & COLD STORAGE PROVIDERS LIST By Noelle on August 19, 2020 - Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Food Safety, Third Party Logistics, Warehousing CINCINNATI, OHIO—August-19, 2020 — Food Logistics, the industry’s only publication dedicated to food and beverage supply chains, has named Taylor Logistics Inc. to its 2020 Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list. Download Press Release The Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers recognizes leading third-party logistics and cold storage providers in the food and beverage industry. “Today’s 3PLs and cold storage providers are more essential to the movement of food and beverage than ever before. Despite supply chain threats and disruptions, they continue to show their resiliency, strength and innovation to continue moving product from Point A to Point B,” says Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief, Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. This year’s Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list will appear in Food Logistics’ August 2020 issue, as well as online at www.FoodLogistics.com. About Food Logistics Food Logistics, published by AC Business Media, the industry’s only publication dedicated to global food and beverage supply chains. Its audience reaches executives in the food and beverage sector (growers, producers, manufacturers, wholesalers and grocers) as well as the logistics section (transportation, warehousing, distribution, software and technology). Talk With Taylor FLEET, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FREIGHT, FREIGHT BROKERAGE YOUR GUIDE TO DRY VAN FREIGHT By Noelle on August 11, 2020 - Fleet, Food & Beverage, Freight, Freight Brokerage Dry van shipping is one of the most popular and widely trusted freight transportation solutions available. It has remained a preferred means of transportation due to the vast availability and numerous benefits of having an enclosed trailer throughout the shipping process. Here’s our guide on everything you need to know about dry van freight. What is Dry Van Freight? A dry van refers to a fully enclosed semi-trailer designed to safeguard shipments from the elements, dirt and debris, and any other things that could compromise the products. They are designed to transport bulk, palletized products, and can be loose freight or boxed freight. Dry van shipping is the most common form of freight transport in the United States. Unlike refrigerated trucks and ships, dry van shipping vehicles contain no temperature-control equipment. Types Of Dry Van Trailers Dry van trailers are available in various sizes and materials. The maximum length allowed for a dry van trailer is 53 feet long. The two most popular types of dry van trailers are general trailers and pup trailers. General dry van trailers are 53-feet long, whereas the pup dry van trailers are 26-29 feet long. When Do Shippers Use Dry Vans? Shippers utilize dry van trailers for both short-distance and regional deliveries, in addition to long-distance over the road shipping. Dry van trailers are versatile and can manage several different freight types, consisting of non-perishable food, developing products, and more. Here are some examples: Textile, clothing items, electronic devices, plastic, automobiles, motorcycles, minibusses, other vehicles, and parts of larger machines like planes and ships. Home products, furnishings, and electronics. 4 Factors that Affect Dry Van Freight Rates Location Dry van freight rates are impacted heavily on the pickup location and delivery location. The path from the pickup to the delivery is called the lane, and different lanes will go for different rates. Even if two lanes are the same distance, they can be different amounts. The Freight Being Shipped The freight itself will also affect the dry van rates when shipping with the weight of the freight’s most significant factor. This is simply because the heavier something is, the more gas it is going to use to ship it, and therefore, the more it is going to cost. The density of the freight also affects the rate. You want to compact your packaging as much as possible because a smaller and denser package will take up smaller space and has a lower risk of causing damage. Current Supply and Demand Supply and demand affect the price of everything, and the rates for full truckload shipping is no exception. The supply element in the transportation industry is the trucks available, or capacity. The fewer drivers available, the more that they can charge the shipper. These shortages may be temporary and fix themselves over time or could be a larger scale. The best way to counter a change in rates due to capacity is to, once again, establish a contracted rate with your shipping partner. Unforeseen Events The fourth factor and final factor that can impact the rate of dry van freight is some unique event, such as a natural disaster. These events can cause the closing of warehouses, factories, or even roads. Unfortunately, you cannot plan around these rare situations. During these times, it may not be possible to get a truck to the pickup or destination. Talk With Taylor Taylor can handle all of your dry van commodities needs. You can rely on us for capacity and a reliable network to deliver your commodities on time and damage-free. We provide flexibility and reliable service with the customized freight solutions you need to meet your supply chain’s demands. Talk with Team Taylor today by filling out the form below B2B FULFILLMENT, B2C FULFILLMENT, D2C, ECOMMERCE, ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT, FOOD & BEVERAGE, FOOD GRADE, FULFILLMENT, SUPPLY CHAIN, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FOOD & BEVERAGE ECOMMERCE By Noelle on August 3, 2020 - B2B Fulfillment, B2C Fulfillment, D2C, eCommerce, eCommerce Fulfillment, Food & Beverage, Food Grade, Fulfillment, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management The opportunity in food and beverage eCommerce is vast from convenient access to a wide selection of products to subscription-based services. To excel in this complex environment, retailers and food and beverage companies need to improve their eCommerce fulfillment capabilities. Here are some things to consider when venturing the eCommerce landscape. Optimize Distribution Network For efficient eCommerce fulfillment, products should be positioned as close to your customers as possible. Strategically located fulfillment centers can help to reduce transit costs and transit time. Utilizing two or more centrally located distribution centers can help meet consumers’ delivery expectations – often using two-day ground service. Leverage Valued-Added Services As in any industry, value-added services can offer many benefits for the manufacturer, retailer, and consumer. For the food and beverage companies, seasonal or promotional kitting, subscription boxes, and custom pallet displays can diversify your product offerings and increase sales. Anticipate Space and Staffing Needs eCommerce order fulfillment typically demands three times the labor of conventional warehousing operations. It’s crucial to plan accordingly to ensure capacity for maximum potential volume. Inventory Tracking With inventory distributed across multiple locations, it is critical to understand where products are and how they move. A comprehensive view of stock across all fulfillment locations, physical stores, warehouses, vendors, and in transit is critical for optimizing your eCommerce. Since inventory must be immediately available and accessible, it is vital to identify fast-moving items to prevent stock-outs and back-ordered items. Not to mention if a product is out of stock in one location, having a single inventory view helps determine another potential source from which to fulfill orders. How can we help? Food and beverage eCommerce comes with an added layer of complexity. That’s why so many food and beverage companies turn to tech-enabled solutions partner like Taylor to help with eCommerce fulfillment and logistics. Here’s how our solutions can help your company: SQF-Certified Fulfillment Centers A benefit of outsourcing your fulfillment to Taylor is working with a company that already holds a Safe Quality Foods certification. Taylor has a network of SQF-certified fulfillment centers granting our teams as food safety experts. Established Distribution Network Ready access to our conveniently situated facilities moves products closer to end customers to save time and money. Scalable Resources With flexible staffing and food-grade warehouse space, Taylor can accommodate fluctuating order volumes without a permanent overhead investment. Cost Savings Taylor offers more food and beverage supply chain solutions that just fulfillment. Utilizing our multiple service offerings can help increase efficiency and streamline your processes. Advanced Technology Taylor’s warehouse management system and fulfillment automation allow us to provide real-time visibility, efficient order routing, and better accuracy. Our WMS also integrates with several eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. Conclusion As we continue to see an increase in food and beverage eCommerce businesses and as more consumers begin relying on eCommerce food and drink deliveries, optimizing your supply chain is becoming more important than ever before. Talk With Taylor Learn how our solutions teams can help your food and beverage eCommerce while you grow your business. Fill out the form below: Copyright - Taylor Logistics Cincinnati, Ohio