As someone who works in the manufacturing industry, you understand the importance of meeting deadlines. If you start to fall behind, it’ll affect every other aspect of the production process and start hurting your bottom line. However, once it’s time to ship your products to their final destination, you often don’t have any control over whether or not they arrive on time.

That’s why it’s so imperative that you choose the right logistics partner in Ohio, because they’re the ones responsible for managing your goods after they leave the warehouse. If you’re looking for a new partner for your business, use this guide to ensure you find one who is right for you.

Key qualities of an ideal logistics partner in Ohio.

They have a stellar reputation.

Word-of-mouth is everything in the logistics business, so the first thing you should always check when considering a provider is what type of reputation they’ve earned over the years. You can browse reviews online to get a feel of how they do business, and you can supplement this research by asking for recommendations from the provider.

The biggest factors you’ll want to evaluate are whether or not they reliably deliver on time, if their pricing is fair, and how supportive and accessible their customer service team has been in the past.

A great logistics company doesn’t just do shipping and receiving.

Any Ohio logistics partner can provide receiving, storage, and basic in/out services. The truly great ones, though, offer much more than that. Ideally, you’ll choose a partner who also provides more extensive advanced component services.

This can include purchasing components on your behalf, placing them in assemblies, maintain inventory, and package and label your final products. This type of extra mile service facilitates the entire process and takes the stress off of your shoulders.

The partner specializes in your specific industry.

The shipping needs of a manufacturing business are much different from most other industries. From specialized packaging solutions to working around tight deadlines and understanding international shipping processes, it takes a provider who is thoroughly familiar with the industry to ensure your logistics always flow smoothly.

A close familiarity also gives them the ability to anticipate issues and either develop solutions or inform you, so you’re always up to date with the latest information.

Their customer service team is exceptional.

The right Ohio logistics partner understands that keeping you in the dark regarding your shipments and products is detrimental to your business, so they’ll go above and beyond to ensure you are always equipped with the most up-to-date information.

Whether it’s the status of a shipment, helpful reminders, or news that’ll affect a delivery, their team should always be readily available and remain proactive when sharing information.

It’s easy to scale as needed.

When you work with a manufacturing company, you quickly realize that your logistics needs can change rather rapidly. Whether it’s a sudden rush order or changing partnerships with clients, your demand will be greater at certain times of the year than others.

To keep up with these changes, you need to find a partner who can scale their solutions and their pricing accordingly. That way, you know you always have the support you need regardless of how busy you are.

Are you searching for a new logistics partner in Ohio?

Then reach out to our team here at Sisler Companies. As one of the area’s premier logistics providers, our experts have worked with businesses of all sizes, from family-owned independent operators to major corporations. We specialize in working with manufacturers and take a holistic approach that streamlines your company’s operation. Learn more about how our services can help your business, or connect with us online to schedule your initial consultation.