4 Full-Service 3PL Companies in Florida

Third party logistic companies (3PLs) play a critical role in the management of their clients' supply chain and product distribution. 3PL companies are an effective solution to reduce operational costs and allow a business to focus on their core competencies.


Outsourcing a company’s logistic operations to a 3PL also, increase access to world-class resources, services, processes and technologies. By sharing resources, a company also increases their economies of scale. By having a company’s resources managed efficiently and according to the fast-paced advancing technology. Selecting the right 3PL company is the best step a company can take in enhancing the management of a company’s resources. Here are the four value-driven, full-service 3PL companies in Florida.

1. United Facilities, Inc.

United Facilities provides professional 3PL services and systems geared towards meeting the demanding logistic needs of various businesses. With their ability to keep greater attention to details from their clients, United Facilities have remained on the frontline in providing a vast range of logistics services right from kitting to final-stage packaging. United Facilities serves as both a Florida 3PL warehouse company and a regional distribution center.

In fact, the 3PL company has 12 food grade distribution centers all strategically located in various parts of US from logistics warehouses in Florida to distribution centers and logistics warehouses in California. United Facilities also has two locations in Florida and Orlando that all add convenience to supply and transportation services.

Additionally, United Facilities has integrated various shipment spots to ease shipment of customer orders. This has made them a pioneer company in outsourcing logistics partner for different companies. They also have raw materials handling, and PC networked systems among other innovative features all meant to enhance their operations.

2. Americold Logistics Company

Americold is another globally known 3PL Company based in Atlanta. It is well known for providing temperature-controlled warehousing and unrivaled transport solutions. Americold pride to own and operate 182 temperature-controlled warehouses in different parts of the United States, some in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, China, and Argentina.

Americold Logistics Company offers a full-range of cost-efficient logistic services in transportation, consolidation programs, multi-vendor, and shipment management. They also have industry-leading i-3PL technology that helps provide real-time information through the internet hence keeping inventories wholesome.

3. Star Distribution Systems

Star Distribution Systems is a forward-thinking 3PL company that offers premium-quality services. They have a wealth of experience and have been operating since 1931. They have a central distribution center that distributes goods to any location in Florida.

Star Distribution Systems guarantees next-day delivery services, and this is what has made them a reputable in the logistics industry. They provide a full range of services including consolidate LTL transportation, cross-docking, state-of-the-art warehousing, and pool distribution among others. Star is always relentless in providing 100% customer satisfaction.

4. APL Logistics Company

For a business to remain on the right path to success in the current challenging marketplace, it is essential for it to work in close collaboration with the right logistics partner. APL Logistics is a renowned designer and operator of global supply chains that works in delivering products to any place businesses need.

APL Logistics Company provides shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, customs and global freight forward management, IT solutions and much more. They also have 20 million square feet of warehouse space that aid in serving clients’ storage needs. What makes APL unique is their end-end innovative data connectivity that enhances greater viability and chain supply control.

United Facilities Spearheads Industry Standard in Third-Party Logistics

Every supply chain business understands the importance of reliable logistics and warehousing service. Rooted to the smallest of businesses retailers, many companies find suppliers that need transport and inventory control over merchandise. Similarly, larger businesses can even deal with up to four layers of logistics, depending on the industry.


Working with a reliable third-party logistics and warehousing company has numerous advantages. Since the earlier part of 18th century, United Facilities is one such company that's been spearheading the industry standard in third party logistics and warehousing solutions. United Facilities offers a wide network of distribution centers that each offer complete supply chain management solutions for all types of companies throughout the U.S.

The secret to maximizing the performance of a business is by maximizing the supply chain in a business. United Facilities has proven to be one of the most outstanding third party logistics providers the industry - leading solutions to the ever-changing needs of it clients. Below are five pillars to the logistics company and why United Facilities has experienced so much growth.

1. Superior Packaging Solutions

Packaging is one of the critical steps in the supply chain management. At United Facilities, we offer flexible and highly customized packaging solutions to our clients. This saves both on both the costs and time that is highly valuable in the supply chain management.

Professional packaging adds value to production, and this is why we value proper packaging solutions. Among the types of packaging solutions that we offer include custom grocery displays, repackaging and reconditioning, product assembly, custom pick, and pack, kitting and shrink wrapping and much more.

2. Leading IT Applications

Successful business logistics requires proper application of IT since it is the yardstick of most businesses in the current world. At United Facilities, we do not just use technology; instead we use superior IT software to offer excellent services.

Proper use of IT in logistics makes it simple to handle world class logistic services. Among the services that we address include Multi-site Architecture to promote continuity of businesses, world class server based network systems, Electronic Data Interchange, ERP solutions and Barcode and RF solutions.

The use of IT in logistics has enabled United Facilities to offer tailored solutions to both local and global clients. We also have 24/7 reliable IT support to ensure smooth and efficient tracking and monitoring.

3. Flexible & Well-Managed Warehousing & Fulfillment

United Facilities’ ability to offer customized warehousing and fulfillment services has become the key to customer satisfaction. This paves a way for efficient and reliable production that is highly prized in the supply chain management. Moreover, it also reduces time and product wastage.

Food storage, performance measurement, online inventory tracking, FDA approval, cross docking and special labeling are some of the essential services from United Facilities.

4. Enhanced Value Added Services

United Facilities has implemented several breakthrough improvements in their third-party logistics services for clients. Their Continuous Improvement services are composed of identification, analyzing, measurement, evaluation, and improvement.

All these are geared towards improving customer profit margins and satisfaction. In fact, United Facilities has been able to provide lots of savings which made them the leading CI champions in the industry.

5. Unmatched Transportation Solutions

One of the critical aspects of the supply chain is transportation. Apart from being the trusted logistics and warehousing specialist, United Facilities goes an extra mile of providing consistent and safe transportation and delivery services. It has promoted a positive relationship with their customers hence building trustworthy and long lasting relationship.

Logistics is a dynamic business that has evolved in the recent past. This has prompted United Facilities to customize their services to match the ever-changing needs of customers. You can contact them today for industry-leading logistic services.

How Advanced Third-Party Logistics Can Accelerate Your Business

In the last century, third party logistics began as a simple public warehousing approach. Over the last 25 years, the evolution of today's logistics capabilities has dramatically accelerated.

With a widening array of omni-channel product acquisition systems and multiplying customer touch points, the transport industry is now facing its own revolution. Multi-client third party logistics solutions is the ultimate facilitator.

Third-party logistics providers can help you accelerate your business by effectively managing and facilitating your company’s logistic processes. Third party logistic companies bring along with professional skills, adequate transport capabilities, a suitable infrastructure, and software that streamlines and integrates your logistic and administrative processes.

Leveraging Third-Party Logistics

With an extensive experience in logistic services and relentless focus on your business, advanced third party logistics providers offer you an industry-specific solution fully integrated with ERP platforms. Third party logistics extend the standard functions of the world-class software with specialized add-on modules that can accelerate your investment return.

Third party logistic services usually include:

• Transport and logistics services
• Outbound logistic – shipping, multiple picking algorithms
• Inbound logistics – put away, goods receipts
• Advanced logistics – return logistics, cycle counting, intercompany warehouse transfers
• Route planning
• Advanced location management – pick locations, bulk locations, cross docking
• Automated inventory replenishment

Specialized ERP platforms such as SAP Business One used by third party logistics providers, offers industry-specific functions for traceability and quality management.

These advanced functions allow your company to ensure the dock-to-dock traceability of product flows and manage the quality of your manufactured and traded goods. This way your company will be able to act fast and deal easily with incidents such as recalls.

Finding Value in Warehousing & Fulfillment

In order to deliver products rapidly and meet customer needs whether to the office, store, home, pick up center, or locker box, the products will actually need to be deployed closer to the end consumer. It is expected that the demand for advanced third party logistics providers will continue to increase. However, not all third party logistics providers are created equal (i.e. some focus on warehousing while others also offer transportation services so you need to carefully choose a trusted and reputable company to work with.

The role of third party logistics providers is to consolidate multiple customers into the same regional operation. Their methodology provides sufficient volumes to justify investing in systems for automated fulfillment. Retailers will continue to expect more and more from their third party logistics provider. The cutting edge third party logistics operations are expected to be Regional networks, Omni-Channel, Multi-Client, with Environmental stewardship.

Multi-Client

Multi-Client third party logistics is all about creating shared facilities that can effectively house in the same operation multiple clients. The benefits of this type of third party logistics are:

• Jointly shared ROI for fulfillment automation
• Space flexibility and capacity to scale the space of logistics facility up and down
• Flexible cross trained staff
• Shared redundancy and management team

Omni-Channel

Omni-Channel third party logistics is allowing your customers to effectively purchase your products in any manner they choose: kiosk, tablet, mobile, PC, in-store or virtual store. The benefits are:

• Provide case or each picking
• Combined demand leads to distribution center inventory reductions
• Rapidly Service both direct to customer demand and store
• Rapid replenishment leads to store inventory reductions

Regional networks

Regional third party logistics help getting closer to the customer by operating fulfillment centers in local regional markets. The benefits are:

• Supports inventory and store size reductions
• Supports rapid service for Omni-Commerce deliveries
• Frequent and rapid deliveries improve store in-stock
• Enhanced customer experience

Environmental stewardship

Environmental stewardships respect the sustainability agenda. The opportunities and benefits are:

• Environmentally friendly LEED Facilities
• Regional facilities can minimize transportation
• Multi-client recycling
• Automation utilizing equipment that is energy efficient