Further Customs, an online retailer specializing in inflatables such as paddle boards, catamarans, and dock platforms, faced challenges with inventory management and order fulfillment. As a growing business, founder Joseph Sabina recognized the need for a more efficient fulfillment process to keep up with customer expectations and ensure a smooth operational workflow.
Joseph initially found the logistics of running a seasonal business overwhelming, especially with fluctuating inventory needs and the time-consuming process of packing and shipping orders. Managing fulfillment in-house was not cost-effective, particularly with larger items like paddle boards and dock platforms. He knew that bringing this process in-house would be prohibitive and distract him from the core aspects of his business that he enjoys mostâdesigning and selling products.
Two years ago, Joseph turned to Shipbots, a 3PL provider in Los Angeles, to handle Further Customsâ receiving, warehousing, and order fulfillment. From the outset, Joseph found the onboarding process smooth and supportive. The team at ShipBots provided an in-depth overview of the 3PL process and warehouse operations, addressing all of his questions and concerns. This level of attention made the transition easy and gave Joseph confidence in ShipBotsâ ability to handle his companyâs fulfillment needs.
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Seamless Integration & Quick Turnaround
By integrating with Further Customs' Shopify store, Shipbots ensured that orders were processed quickly. Customers receive tracking information on the same day, which has led to consistent feedback like, "Wow, that got here sooner than expected."
Cost Savings & Flexibility:
âWorking with a 3PL that is flexible is important in choosing the right 3PL fulfillment provider,â Joseph notes. ShipBots allows him to scale according to his seasonal demands, which would be impossible if he managed fulfillment himself. âThe use of a 3rd party warehouse helps me reduce costs when Iâm not in my busy season.â
Personalized Support:
Despite being a smaller business, Joseph never felt overlooked. âI was worried I wouldnât get the same attention because I donât have a large company, but I can call them, email them, and I get someone to help me right away.â
Accurate Inventory Management:
Shipbotsâ meticulous inventory counting enabled Joseph to create accurate purchase orders, ensuring that he always had the right stock levels to meet customer demand without overextending resources.
Handling Large Inventory:
Most 3PLs shy away from handling oversized products, but ShipBots had no problem accommodating Further Customsâ large paddle boards and dock platforms. This capability allowed Joseph to focus on his business instead of worrying about storage limitations.
Since partnering with Shipbots, Joseph has experienced noticeable growth and efficiency in his business operations. He saves time and money by not having to manage inventory and shipping himself. This has allowed him to concentrate on the parts of the business that he loves mostâdesigning and selling products.
âMy business has grown because of Shipbots. Itâs made my business run more efficiently and more profitably,â says Joseph. The partnership has allowed him to focus on what he enjoys, leaving the logistics to a team that treats his business like their own.
Joseph Sabinaâs partnership with Shipbots transformed Further Customs' fulfillment process, making it more efficient, flexible, and scalable. By outsourcing to a 3PL, Joseph gained valuable time to focus on growing his business and delivering quality products to his customers.
As Joseph puts it, âThe 3PL is your vehicle. If your fulfillment is not driving efficiently, you arenât going anywhere.â With Shipbots at the wheel, Further Customs is well on its way to continued success.
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