4 Challenges and Solutions for Managing Transportation in Manufacturing
Manufacturing.press
4 Challenges and Solutions for Managing Transportation in Manufacturing
Manufacturing companies face numerous transportation challenges in today's complex supply chain landscape. This article explores key strategies for overcoming these obstacles, drawing on insights from industry experts. From orchestrating stock and systems to leveraging agile technology, discover practical solutions that can transform your transportation management approach.
- Orchestrate a Symphony of Stock and Systems
- Match Brands with Perfect 3PL Partners
- Agile Tech-Enabled Supply Chain for Skincare
- Integrated Systems Overcome Shipping Challenges
Orchestrate a Symphony of Stock and Systems
Ah, the joy of moving manufactured goods—where one misplaced pallet or delayed truck can derail a production schedule and have everyone whispering, "Where's the shipment?" like it's a crime show cliffhanger.
Handling logistics for manufactured products isn't just about loading boxes. It's about orchestrating a symphony of stock, systems, and sanity—especially with multiple 3PLs, fluctuating demand, and the ever-present chaos of a promotional spike.
Here's how we actually do it—and the one challenge that nearly knocked us sideways (until it didn't).
First: right stock, right place, right time.
Sounds obvious, right? But it takes serious effort. We don't guess—we use Multipick® to manage inventory across warehouses and 3PLs. Whether stock's moving from Auckland, Sydney, or LA, we've already modeled the what, where, and when.
We also chose a WMS that fits our products—not just one that looked good in a demo. Ours handles batch tracking, multi-location visibility, kitting, and slick freight integrations. It doesn't just track pallets—it helps us make fast, informed decisions.
Second: tight internal processes = fewer fires.
We've built playbooks for everything—from order allocation to returns. Because when you've got multiple 3PLs in play, one bad handoff can create a logistics mess.
So we tightened the lot:
Inbound freight? Synced to production.
Dispatch rules? Aligned to carrier cut-offs and SLAs.
Exceptions? Logged in the WMS—not buried in someone's inbox.
It's not glamorous, but it saves us a fortune in rework, re-shipments, and reputation repair.
The curveball?
A new product launch across three markets. Different SKUs, three fulfillment centers, tight lead times—and the marketing team had already told the world, "Available now!"
Then? One 3PL missed their inbound window. Pallets were literally sitting outside a locked warehouse.
What saved us?
A control tower view via our WMS
Real-time data on landed vs. pending stock
The ability to reroute orders dynamically using Multipick®
We even rebalanced freight across carriers to avoid downstream delays.
Crisis: averted.
Customers: happy.
Team: exhausted—but victorious.
Final thought?
Moving manufactured products is part chess match, part relay race. It takes sharp systems, proactive planning, and partners who know that "close enough" won't cut it when expectations (and margins) are this tight.
Match Brands with Perfect 3PL Partners
At Fulfill.com, we don't directly handle transportation and logistics ourselves—we're actually in the business of connecting eCommerce brands with the perfect 3PL partners who do. I've spent years in this industry watching businesses struggle with fulfillment decisions that can make or break their growth trajectory.
One significant challenge we've overcome was developing our proprietary matching algorithm that accounts for the incredible complexity of modern fulfillment networks. Early on, we were making connections based on basic criteria like geographic location and pricing, but we quickly realized successful 3PL partnerships require much deeper compatibility analysis.
I remember working with an apparel brand shipping 5,000 orders monthly who had burned through three 3PLs in a year. They were frustrated with high error rates and slow shipping times that were killing their customer experience. The issue wasn't that they needed a "better" 3PL—they needed the right 3PL for their specific requirements.
We revamped our entire matching system to account for nuanced factors like technology stack compatibility, SKU complexity, seasonal volume fluctuations, and specialized handling requirements. This shift transformed our success rates with matches that now regularly exceed 90% retention after the first year.
Today, our platform evaluates over 30 critical variables when matching eCommerce businesses with fulfillment partners. We've found that the transportation puzzle isn't just about finding the lowest rates—it's about creating integrated fulfillment ecosystems that align with business growth patterns.
The logistics landscape keeps evolving rapidly, especially with expectations for same-day and next-day delivery becoming standard. Our continuous challenge is staying ahead of these shifts to ensure our 3PL network is equipped to support the businesses we serve with cutting-edge fulfillment capabilities.
The most rewarding part of what we do is seeing businesses unlock growth after finding the right fulfillment partnership through our platform. When you remove logistics headaches from the equation, it's amazing how quickly brands can refocus on what they do best—creating great products and reaching new customers.
Agile Tech-Enabled Supply Chain for Skincare
Transportation and logistics are the silent engines of any successful skincare brand — especially when you're operating across multiple markets like we are. We manufacture across Asia and distribute to the Middle East, Europe, and North America, so having an agile, tech-enabled supply chain is non-negotiable.
We partner with trusted 3PLs and freight forwarders who specialize in beauty and cosmetic-grade cargo, ensuring that temperature sensitivity, compliance regulations, and customs protocols are handled with precision. But we don't just outsource and forget — we integrate everything through a centralized inventory and order management system, giving us real-time visibility across SKUs, regions, and fulfillment statuses.
One major challenge we overcame was during the post-COVID freight volatility. Container costs were soaring, and shipment delays were the norm. We pivoted by diversifying our logistics partners, shifting to multimodal transport in key corridors, and, most importantly, reengineering our MOQ strategy with suppliers to create buffer stock for bestsellers. This helped us maintain service levels without compromising our cash flow.
What I've learned is that logistics is no longer just an operational concern — it's a brand differentiator. Consumers today expect both speed and sustainability, and it's up to us to build a backend that delivers both.
Integrated Systems Overcome Shipping Challenges
We manage the transport and logistics of our manufactured goods using an integrated supply chain management system which includes reliable freight partners, GPS tracking systems, and advanced inventory systems. All products are packaged in a tamper-proof manner to ensure no damage is incurred during transit. As a company, we prioritize on-time delivery.
Among the many challenges we faced during the pandemic was one particular international shipping delay. This is why we started using other shipping providers, enhanced our inventory management practices, and started offering more lenient deadlines. Not only did this reduce disruption, but it also improved our overall distribution network.
