What to Look for in a 3PL: Inside Barrett with Scott Hothem

As businesses grow, managing inventory, shipping orders, and meeting customer expectations becomes increasingly complex. That's where a third-party logistics provider, or 3PL , can make a significant difference.  A 3PL is a company that manages some or all of your supply chain operations, including warehousing, order fulfillment, transportation, inventory management, and value-added services. Instead of investing in your own warehouse, technology, and fulfillment staff, you partner with a logistics expert that has the infrastructure and expertise already in place. So, how do you know if it's time to make the switch? If your team is spending more time packing orders than growing the business, struggling to keep up with demand, or facing rising shipping costs, partnering with a 3PL may be the next step. Businesses also turn to 3PL providers when expanding into new markets, launching new sales channels, or looking to improve delivery speed without increasing overhead. The right 3PL does more than store inventory. It becomes an extension of your business, providing the technology, visibility, and operational support needed to scale efficiently. Features like real-time inventory tracking, transportation management, retail compliance, and value-added services help streamline operations while improving the customer experience. At Barrett Distribution, we provide customized third-party logistics solutions backed by more than 80 years of experience. Our nationwide network of strategically located fulfillment centers supports both B2B and direct-to-consumer operations, allowing customers to reach more consumers faster while maintaining inventory accuracy and operational efficiency. With advanced warehouse management technology, transportation solutions, and a dedicated customer support team, Barrett helps businesses simplify logistics so they can focus on growth. Whether you're a fast-growing ecommerce brand or an established manufacturer looking to optimize your supply chain, partnering with the right 3PL can reduce costs, improve service, and position your business for long-term success.

As your business grows, the warehouse that once supported your operations may start holding you back. What worked when you were shipping a few hundred orders a week may no longer be able to keep pace with rising order volumes, expanding sales channels, or increasing customer expectations. Recognizing the warning signs early can help you avoid fulfillment disruptions, rising costs, and dissatisfied customers. Here are seven indicators that it may be time to evaluate a new warehouse or 3PL partner. 1. Orders Are Taking Longer to Ship Today's customers expect fast, reliable delivery. If order processing times are increasing or you're struggling to meet shipping deadlines, your warehouse may have reached its capacity. Delays can impact customer satisfaction, retailer scorecards, and your brand's reputation. At Barrett Distribution, our facilities are supported by advanced warehouse management technology and engineered processes designed to maintain fast, accurate fulfillment as order volumes grow. 2. Inventory Accuracy Is Becoming a Challenge Frequent inventory discrepancies, stockouts, or overselling are often signs that your current operation lacks the systems and controls needed to scale. Modern warehouses should provide real-time inventory visibility, robust cycle counting programs, and reliable lot and expiration tracking where required. Barrett combines these inventory controls with customer reporting and analytics to help businesses make informed supply chain decisions. 3. You're Selling Across More Channels Many businesses now serve retailers, ecommerce customers, marketplaces, and wholesale distributors simultaneously. If your warehouse struggles to manage different order requirements, routing guides, or compliance standards, it may not be equipped for true omnichannel fulfillment. Barrett specializes in supporting both B2B and direct-to-consumer fulfillment from the same network, helping brands maintain consistent service levels across every sales channel. 4. Your Warehouse Can't Scale with Seasonal Demand Peak seasons shouldn't require scrambling for labor or turning away business. A warehouse partner should have the space, workforce, and operational processes to scale alongside your business during promotions, product launches, and holiday demand. With more than 6 million square feet of warehouse space across multiple U.S. markets, Barrett provides customers with the flexibility to grow without constantly worrying about capacity constraints. 5. You Have Limited Visibility into Your Operations If you're relying on spreadsheets or waiting for someone to send reports, you're missing valuable opportunities to improve performance. Today's logistics operations should provide real-time access to inventory, order status, shipping metrics, and key performance indicators. Barrett's customer portal and embedded analytics give customers greater visibility into their operations, helping them identify trends and make data-driven decisions. 6. Transportation Costs Continue to Rise Your warehouse location has a direct impact on shipping costs and delivery times. If you're shipping nationwide from a single facility that no longer aligns with your customer base, transportation expenses can quickly increase. Barrett's nationwide fulfillment network allows businesses to position inventory closer to customers, reducing transit times while helping optimize parcel and freight costs. 7. Your 3PL Feels Like a Vendor, Not a Partner Perhaps the biggest sign you've outgrown your current warehouse is the relationship itself. A strong 3PL should do more than process orders—it should proactively recommend improvements, communicate regularly, and help your business adapt as it grows. At Barrett, every customer is supported by dedicated operations teams, strategic account management, and a culture of continuous improvement. From onboarding through ongoing optimization, the focus is on building long-term partnerships that evolve alongside each customer's business. Is It Time to Reevaluate Your Fulfillment Strategy? Growth is a good problem to have—but only if your logistics operation can keep up. If any of these signs sound familiar, it may be time to assess whether your current warehouse is supporting your long-term goals.  With more than 80 years of experience, a nationwide network of strategically located facilities, advanced technology, and expertise across ecommerce, retail, and omnichannel fulfillment, Barrett Distribution helps businesses scale with confidence. The right warehouse partner doesn't just store inventory—it becomes an extension of your business, helping you deliver a better experience to your customers every step of the way.