The Key to Fulfillment Efficiency

A key competitive advantage which can make a significant impact on Fulfillment Efficiency is the ability to find the similarities within dissimilar processes.  Definitely a mouthful, but this is a game changer.

Operational productivity is almost always improved by creating repetitive processes.  This allows management to adjust and enhance aspects of the operation in order to streamline efficiency.  At first glance many warehouse and fulfillment operations can appear to be completely unrelated, thus requiring separate and unique processes.  However, finding the commonality in disparate processes is even more critical, and potentially even more rewarding in these situations.  A fulfillment operation must strive to break down these processes and identify elements which can be combined for greater scale, share-ability of resources, and standardization of procedures.

It all begins with breaking down the process into smaller components.  In addition, ask the people on the scene; the individuals who perform the processes usually have a unique insight into the processes they perform.  Leverage them as the valuable assets they are!

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment

Fulfillment Warehouse

http://visioncpf.com

CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

Foreign Trade Zone Benefits

A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) can be a game changer for a company who manufactures and imports its products into the Port of Los Angeles, or any company near a port operation.  There are significant benefits to be gained by taking advantage of an FTZ.

Some of the main benefits include:

·         Duty Deferral on Product. Inventory is brought into the Foreign Trade Zone and held, without duties and taxes being assessed, until the product leaves the FTZ - presumably to be fulfilled as a paid order to a customer.

·         Port Fees Reduction. For importers that are bringing in more than 1 container per week, there can be significant reductions in the port fees by utilizing a Foreign Trade Zone.

·         Duty Elimination on Product. Inventory re-exported or destroyed without ever leaving the Foreign Trade Zone does not ever get taxed as a US import.

·         Speed to Market. Product destined for the Foreign Trade Zone bypasses customs delays in the port because it will clear customs in the FTZ, thereby getting product available to sell sooner.

Using a Foreign Trade Zone helps to more consistently align the cost of your product with the revenue event, thus impacting both profitability and cash flow.

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment

Fulfillment Warehouse

http://visioncpf.com

CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

Accredited Zone Specialist (AZS) – Foreign Trade Zone Certification

A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) can’t simply be a location – the certification to manage an FTZ is also a critical component.  Becoming an Accredited Zone Specialist (AZS) provides training, qualification, and key technology systems to manage and leverage the zone.

Beyond these benefits, becoming accredited also helps to not only stay current on the various qualifications, it also helps to ensure compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.  This ensures that the Foreign Trade Zone Certification isn’t simply a piece of paper – it illustrates the expertise and dedication to maintaining a successful zone.

If you are a shipping customer looking to take advantage of the many benefits of a Foreign Trade Zone, be sure that the company you choose is an Accredited Zone Specialist.  Ask to see their credentials, and more importantly, ask to see the processes, technology, and their people – the experts!

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

http://visioncpf.com

CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

Warehouse Deep/Bulk Storage Versus Short-term Storage

All storage is not created equal.  Product storage should be effectively balanced between shorter term order-picking requirements versus longer term bulk needs – and your pricing should reflect that.  At Vision, we provide you with a strategic plan for managing both.

Having a dedicated Inventory Management team is part of the overall strategy.  These are individuals who constantly monitor order velocity and inventory turn, and subsequently manage the ebb and flow of inventory for proper location selection of the inventory throughout the warehouse.  It is definitely a combination of art and science.  However, your inventory should not be tucked into a dusty corner and left forgotten.

We view inventory as one of your most critical assets, with us as the guardian.  We are inventory specialists through and through.

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment

Fulfillment Warehouse

http://visioncpf.com

CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com

How to Maintain B2B Retail Routing Guide Compliance

Those who have shipped products for a B2B Retail program know that Routing Guides - and by association, chargebacks - are not to be taken lightly.

In today’s competitive world of the big box retailers, vendor compliance is critical for retailers to maintain their already low margins.  They have succeeded in aggressively pushing standards down to their vendors.  That manifests in the Routing Guide.

Some Routing Guides can be small and relatively straight-forward.  However, there are also hundred-page beasts which dictate label positioning, tape usage, pallet stacking and strapping, photography requirements, same-story shipping schedules, and more.

Yes this can be a daunting task.  However, look to your strategic 3PL partner for support and expertise.  At Vision, we have decades of expertise with hundreds of successful retail program implementations under our belt.  Ask us specifically about our successful history of chargeback management.

Vision Consumer Products Fulfillment has decades of experience and industry expertise in consumer products fulfillment services.  No matter who your customer is, we treat your customer as our own.  We know what makes a raving fan out of an individual customer, as well as what makes a business partner trust you with their business.  Call or email us to learn how.  We’re certain we’ll be the best fulfillment warehouse partner you have ever had!

http://visioncpf.com

CPFSales@VisionMediamgmt.com