Logistics has gone beyond just browsing online and picking the first two companies that pop out. To have a successful delivery of your products or goods. Many factors need to be considered in determining what defines a good logistics company. Many businesses have suffered casualties due to the logistics company they chose to deliver their products or goods. Knowing and getting the proper logistics company to manage the affair of your delivery cannot be over emphasis when it comes to professionalism and effective delivery in the line of your business.  The following are the factors to look into for a good logistics company.

1. Years of Experience

   Start-ups may have a lot of enthusiasm toward service delivery, but there’s no substitute for experience. Transporting goods across the globe by sea, air and land is incredibly complex. There are thousands of moving parts and an issue with just one can grind the entire system to a halt.

   Strikes, shutdowns, customs clearings, warehousing – issues can occur at every stage of the process. They’re surprisingly common, but you tend not to hear about them because experienced logistic companies overcome them with ease.

   Companies with decades of logistics experience like Pet-Han Logistics and Commercial Services Ltd have seen most of these scenarios before – even the obscure ones – and are much better placed to handle inconveniences and avoid them completely than a start-up.

   As a new company, it’s important to collaborate with an experienced company as a team or partnership. They’ll help to overcome the minefield of terminology that surrounds the industry, distilling everything into the salient information – like HS codes and customs documentation – you need to act. They can also advise on the best shipping method (air, rail, sea or road) and how to organise your supply chain in the most efficient manner.

   So while one of the many new companies that have sprung up in the wake of the pandemic may seem appealing, it pays to work with a logistics provider that’s been operating for years.

2. A Comprehensive Professional Network

   The logistics and freight forwarding industry is built on relationships. Who you know really can be the difference between success and failure.

   A provider’s network helps in several ways. It allows them to negotiate better rates, pass customs checks more efficiently, and resolve matters at source rather than from thousands of miles away. A weak network, on the other hand, can result in delays and other shipping issues.

   Find out about a potential partner’s network by asking for references. Specifically, check about the strength of their network in the countries you wish to import goods from. A strong network in the Americas is no good if your organisation only ships from China. In Pet-Han Logistics our network cuts across the globe. We have a wide range of networks in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, UAE, Malaysia, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, etc.

3. A Real-Time Dashboard

   As the personalisation of online shopping permeates B2B industries, businesses want the same experience from their logistics company as they receive from Amazon. That means on-demand information on where their shipments are and how long the journey will take.

   The reality of keeping track of multiple shipments is time-consuming and confusing, especially for start-ups new to the international shipping process, however. If you’re not careful it’s easy to end up with documents, reports and invoices all over the place, never accessible when you need them. That’s why it pays to work with a logistics or forwarder company that puts a premium on technology – and specifically a customer dashboard that provides real-time visibility into your supply chain, such as Horizon.

   A good online tracking portal will put a wealth of information at your fingertips. Typically, this will include details of all shipments, records of key milestones, arrival dates and customs documents.

4. Multiple Modes of Transport

   There are many ways to ship your products internationally, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. While you may think you only need air or sea freight, it’s important to choose a carrier that can offer multiple modes of transport. With multiple shipping methods available, logistics companies have a contingency plan should things go wrong.

   It will also ensure they’re capable of handling your needs in the future, should your business scale. At a minimum, ensure your chosen partner has experience with:
   Experience offering a multimodal transport solution should also be sought.

   • Sea
   • Air
   • Rail
   • Road

5. Exceptional Customer Service

   You can’t overestimate the value of customer service in the shipping industry.

   When the success of your business hinges on getting products from one side of the globe to the other, timely and helpful customer service is essential.

   You’ll be working with this company on a daily basis after all, so it’s important to pick a provider you can get a hold of quickly when you need to. Whether your company has been operating a global supply chain for decades or you’re a new startup looking to partner with a logistics company for the first time, find a partner who can answer your questions and offer the support and advice you need.

   It’s also important to identify how responsive their customer service is during shipments, whether there is a dedicated point of contact, and to what extent your partner is able to assist in issues of freight damage and delayed shipments, especially when insurance companies are involved.

   Our customer service can always be reached 24/7 through email:- contact@pethanlogistics.com or through phone call at  +234 803 684 2699, +234 807 040 4712

source:https://wearedg.com/news/article/what-makes-a-good-logistics-company