Q: What are three questions a shipper should ask a potential 3PL vendor?

A: I think you should always ask a potential 3PL vendor what their contingency and disaster recovery strategies are. It’s important to get an understanding of the types of redundancies that are offered in the event of a supply chain interruption. Secondly, ask for an understanding of where you rank in customer size within the 3PL’s current customer base. Often, this will dictate the level of attention the provider is able to give. And lastly, but equally as important, you should always ask for an explanation of the 3PL’s company culture. At MD Logistics, we have found that a match of cultures between our customer and us is paramount. Choosing a provider who shares the same values and passion is critical to the long term success of the relationship.