"Comprising freight forwarders, courier companies, and other companies integrating and offering subcontracted logistics and transportation services, third party logistics (3PL) companies, help textile manufacturers and fashion retailers to grow their businesses and boost profits. These companies typically provide warehousing and transportation services that can be scaled and customised as per customer requirements."

Comprising freight forwarders, courier companies, and other companies integrating and offering subcontracted logistics and transportation services, third party logistics (3PL) companies, help textile manufacturers and fashion retailers to grow their businesses and boost profits. These companies typically provide warehousing and transportation services that can be scaled and customised as per customer requirements.

A third party logistic provider helps manufacturers meet customer’s request for a particular kind of fabrics for garments. They also reduce delays and iron out logistical details by streamlining the movement of textiles between destinations. European fabric manufacturers hope to withstand growing competitive pressures by focusing on sustainable fabrics, including those with traceable origins. A 3PL can enable these companies to respond to global customer preferences instead of falling behind the curve.

Helping manufacturers provide season-specific garments

Besides catering to changing demands of customers, the fashion industry must provide shoppers with season-specific garments. To accurately predict their demands, many manufacturers utilise artificial intelligence (AI) to detect fabric defects or predict customer demand during a given period.

At times, smaller manufacturers find it difficult to maintain flexibility in their operations; especially when they need to ramp up their processes in a relative short. By providing services that would otherwise be out of reach of these manufacturers, 3PL companies fulfill their need for three primary services of transportation, warehousing and information technology.

Enabling market expansion

At times, textiles originate from countries located far away from those that sell apparels made with these fabrics. A 3PL provider can bolster the chances of success of manufacturers and retailers by moving into new, international markets. A 3PL provider can help manufacturers and retailers source materials faster or at cheaper rates. 3PL can also help a retailer meet latest demand by launching operations in a new marketplace and serving customers there.

Changing apparel procurement for store shelves

Many customers have faced the disappointment of wanting to purchase a particular garment and discovering it out of stock. To avoid this scenario, fashion retailers work with 3PLs to procure goods faster. They also plan to outsource most of their e-commerce order fulfillment to 3PL businesses who can ship their products directly to the consumers who order them, reducing delays and meeting expectations.

Though fashion customers are happy with what their purchases, whether in stores or through a website, factors like fit, feel and durability can ruin their happiness. To address these requirements, 3PL organisation can smoothen the process of returns.

The fashion industry moves at a lightning speed. In order to remain profitable, textile manufacturers and garment retailers need to match this rapid pace. Specialised resources provided by 3PL companies can help these manufacturers and retailers to accomplish this.