How to Select a Top Supply Chain Company in Canada to Work With
Gaining a competitive advantage among other businesses takes time and effort. This is especially true for the Canadian market, which has been dealing with supply chain issues since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that have been making it challenging for businesses to scale.
If you’re a business owner or decision-maker and are dealing with inventory management and order fulfillment by yourself (or have an in-house team), focusing on running a smooth supply chain can keep you from business growth. If you’re in such a situation, working with a third-party logistics and supply chain provider can be beneficial to you.
The MacMillan Supply Chain Group offers a full range of supply chain solutions for clients in Canada with major hubs located throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Feel free to reach out to one of our experts by clicking here or calling us at 416-941-2759 to find out more.
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What Does a Top Supply Chain Company In Canada Have To Offer?
There are several things you should look out for when selecting a supply chain company to work with.
1. Area of Expertise
The first thing you want to take into consideration is the area of expertise the supply chain company has to offer. What niches have they previously worked with?
Most supply chain leaders across Canada tackle an overly wide range of products, which prevents them from becoming good at dealing with any of the product categories well. The MacMillan Supply Chain Group specializes in providing services in durable goods, beauty, electronics, sporting goods, health products, and more. To get a full list of products we’re able to handle, feel free to reach out to one of our experts.
Using innovative logistics solutions and best practices, we can advise you on different supply chain strategies, make better fulfillment decisions, and help you in cutting supply chain costs.
2. Sustainability
One factor that supply chain professionals should take into consideration is sustainability. More specifically, how do they deal with waste management, reverse logistics, packaging material sizing, and reducing their carbon footprint? In today’s age, these issues matter and must be factored in.
Furthermore, a supply chain that offers sustainable solutions can help you reduce overall costs and build your reputation on environmental awareness, which is something that a lot of customers take into consideration, hence, increasing customer satisfaction if done well.
If you’d like to learn more about our approach to sustainability, feel free to contact our supply chain team for more information by clicking here or calling us at 416-941-2759.
3. Network of Locations
As a business owner, you want to take location into account. The closer your distribution centres are to your customers, the lower your supply chain and logistics costs. A third-party logistics service typically has a distribution network for you to select from.
With the MacMillan Supply Chain Group being a logistics company in Ontario, we have many different distribution hubs across the GTA, including distribution centres close to ports, shipping docks, railroads, and highways.
4. Customer Service
A third-party logistics (3PL) service shouldn’t just be concerned about the transaction, but also about the customer service. Transparency and honesty opens you up to better client communications, which helps in understanding customer’s needs and requirements.
We strive to provide our clients with solutions to minimize errors and avoid potential problems. Our team is available at all times to answer your queries, provide exceptional service and solve any supply chain problems you may encounter.
5. Security and Safety
A big selection criteria is security and safety. How well can your provider protect your goods? What security systems do they have in place? Security measures must be in place to ensure products are not targeted for theft.
The staff must be trained to handle any item with extreme caution and according to requirements. They must have the proper technology and software available to help track where the inventory is stored and where the products go.
6. Freight Forwarding
For transport companies, freight management is an important part of the supply chain. Always go with a logistics service that offers service-oriented and cost-effective freight management solutions that help keep a continuous flow.
7. Flexibility and Scalability
A logistics service should always be flexible. At times, you may encounter a 3PL provider that finds it challenging to accommodate fluctuating needs. At the MacMillan Supply Chain Group, we are highly focused on communication and customization (two factors that help us in staying flexible):
Communication
Clear and constant communication allows us to understand your needs. It helps us maximize efficiency and implement changes and adjustments smoothly without complicated approval processes.
Customization
We offer specialized logistics services rather than focusing on standardized processes. Whether you’re looking for customized packaging, promotions, or other brand-specific changes, the MacMillan Supply Chain Group can make the appropriate accommodations. We also have the storage space to allow you to scale (and us to take on additional inventory). With our warehouses in a number of locations, you don’t have to worry about running out of storage space.
We do all this to further innovative developments. This research paper by the Journal of Logistics Research and Applications focuses on how 3PL services can drive innovation:
A Top Supply Chain Company in Canada
We are always trying our best to add new technology, provide creative solutions and quickly adapt to changing situations, unforeseen events, and customer demands to help you reduce costs and meet delivery windows.
The selection criteria for a supply chain and logistics service must, above all else, meet your requirements.[efn_note]Berna Bulgurcu & Gulsun Nakiboglu (2018) An extent analysis of 3PL provider selection criteria: A case on Turkey cement sector, Cogent Business & Management, 5:1, DOI: 10.1080/23311975.2018.1469183[/efn_note] All we can do is try our best to meet your needs.
Being one of the best logistics companies in the Greater Toronto Area, our experts at the MacMillan Supply Chain Group have helped many Canadian businesses meet customer demands. With our transportation solutions and exceptional service, we can fulfill your business needs and help you emerge into new markets. Feel free to reach out to one of our experts by clicking here or calling us at 416-941-2759 to find out more.
Kate Nowak
https://www.macmillanscg.comKate Nowak isn't your typical author. With a career that's as diverse as the landscapes she's traversed, Kate embodies the spirit of the Canadian supply chain and transportation industry. Her passion for global trade burns brightly, fueled by firsthand experience across every facet of the logistics world. From the Ground Up: Kate's journey began at the heart of the action. She played a pivotal role in the launch of trucking companies, understanding the challenges and triumphs of building logistics businesses from the ground up. Her experience extends to established logistics giants, where she honed her skills in dispatching and driving reefers for crucial cross-border trade. A Champion for Efficiency: Kate doesn't shy away from complex issues. She's a vocal advocate for simplifying cross-border trade, streamlining freight routes, and optimizing fleet management. Her sights are set on the future, with a keen interest in the potential of electric vehicles (EVs) to revolutionize transportation and mitigate its environmental impact. Port Authority Proponent: Understanding the importance of efficient ports, Kate champions improvements in port authority operations to ensure smooth flow of goods across borders. The Open Road Beckons: Despite her extensive experience, Kate's greatest love remains behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler. She finds a sense of freedom and accomplishment in navigating the vast Canadian landscape, a feeling that fuels her writing and informs her perspective. A Dream to Retire On: Although her writing career flourishes, Kate's ultimate ambition remains firmly rooted in the trucker's world. Her dream – to one day retire as a long-haul truck driver – is a testament to her unwavering passion for the open road and the vital role transportation plays in the global economy. Following Kate's insights offers a unique perspective on the Canadian supply chain, from the intricacies of cross-border trade to the future of sustainable transportation. She's a storyteller with a trucker's heart, and her writing offers a compelling glimpse into the world of logistics.
