Why Automated Loading for 3PLs is the Warehouse Solution for Any Contract

A common abbreviation you’ll find in the logistics industry is ‘3PL’, which stands for ‘Third Party Logistics’. These service providers have become a major part of modern supply chains. They act as intermediaries that handle a wide range of logistics operations for businesses. The benefit of using a 3PL and outsourcing logistics operations to these specialists, is that it can keep businesses’ costs down.

However, 3PLs face several challenges such as rising labour costs, fluctuating demand, client diversity and demands for efficiency. The introduction of automated truck loading systems can help 3PLs to overcome these challenges and stay competitive without having to modify their trailers.

Below we look at 3PLs, the challenges they face and how our own solutions offer 3PLs flexibility and can support their logistics contracts.

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What is a 3PL?
The challenges 3PLs face with traditional loading operations
How automated loading solves these 3PL challenges
Why automated loading is the ideal solution for 3PL warehouses
The advantage of unmodified trailer loading solutions
Futureproofing 3PL operations through automation
Choosing the right automated loading partner
Why 3PLs choose Joloda Hydraroll
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

what is a 3PL? why do contracts vary so much?

3PL service providers support business with a wide range of logistics services, including basic warehousing, fulfilment processes, transport, distribution across various countries, full-end-to-end visibility and analytics.

The global 3PL market is projected to exceed £2.11 trillion by 2034, reflecting its critical role in modern supply chains. More than 71% of online retailers delegate their logistics functions to third-party service providers.

What is the difference between 3pl and contract logistics?

Besides conducting their own logistics in-house or outsourcing to a 3PL, businesses have another option: contract logistics, which involves focused services tailored to the business’s needs, whereas 3PL covers a larger part of the supply chain. Contract logistics services often take place under long-term agreements, unlike 3PL, which are normally shorter term and more standardised.

Why flexibility defines success for 3PL providers

If a 3PL is to be successful, it’s crucial to be flexible. These businesses serve many companies operating in fluctuating market conditions and must be able to respond quickly to market demands. Flexible 3PLs can adjust their staffing, warehouse space, transportation and order fulfilment to help businesses meet demands without disruption.

Maintaining this flexibility, however, puts 3PLs under significant pressure, as do other challenges of service providers in this space. Seasonal peaks can cause 3PLs to wrestle with capacity constraints as demand grows, all while they’re trying to serve multiple clients.

Then there’s the pressure to follow stock keeping units (SKUs) correctly. SKUs identify products and help logistics professionals to store stock correctly. Incorrectly stored stock can cause picking errors; picking errors can lead to customers receiving the wrong products; incorrect deliveries will see the company waste time dealing with returns and, possibly, complaints.

Along with these factors, time-consuming manual loading processes slow operators down. Turnaround times become longer, and it’s harder for businesses to scale up.

the challenges 3PLs face with traditional loading operations

3PLs take care of transportation, and loading trailers with goods for delivery likewise presents these service providers with challenges.

Labour and cost pressures

Costs are a major issue for 3PLs. The logistics industry is suffering a serious shortage of qualified workers, which is pushing up wage and training costs.

Retention is also an issue. Turnover rates are high, which is also impacting costs for the worse. The front end of 3PL logistics requires meticulous attention to detail, but recruitment and retention issues make it hard for companies to remain consistent in a field that leaves no room for error. They cause stoppages and delays, too, which makes the company less reliable and can damage its reputation.

Time and throughput constraints

Loading and unloading can take 20 to 45 minutes per trailer and create dispatch bottlenecks. Forklift-based loading is slow, inefficient and inconsistent. It poses safety risks, too, that increase insurance premiums because of the potential hazards the vehicles create.

Businesses hire 3PLs not just to be cost-efficient, but also to be operationally efficient, and downtime at loading docks can hurt client key performance indicators (KPIs). These delays can encourage clients to reconsider whether they wish to renew their contract with the 3PL.

Safety, damage and compliance risks

Safety, damage limitation and compliance are all elements to pay careful attention to when operating in logistics. Manual handling increases the risk of accidents and, because of any poor manual handling, the risk of product damage. It also reduces loading consistency and puts the 3PL at risk of compliance failures and claims made against it.

how automated loading solves these 3PL challenges

Automation, which has grown big in logistics because of all the solutions it provides, can change the game for 3PLs.

Consistency and predictability across contracts

Automated loading allows operators to quantify how much they can load and how long it will take. They can then repeat this, regardless of operator or contract type. Delivering consistent results boosts client confidence and helps the operator to comply with the service level agreement (SLA).

Efficiency and throughput gains

Automated loading boosts efficiency by cutting loading times to as little as five minutes. This rapid loading frees up loading docks sooner for the next loading operation. The automated system rewards the company with extra loading capacity, which lowers the cost per load. Automated loading systems also allow 3PLs to optimise space in the vehicle, which lowers costs, too.

Lower operational costs and workforce stability

Automation reduces dependence on manual labour and keeps logistics companies’ workforces stable by enabling loading to continue as usual. This enables the company to control costs and not only that, but also to redeploy workers to higher value tasks that help the business grow or make the workforce more productive.

Improved safety and compliance

Automated loading helps 3PLs to remain compliant with health and safety standards and to make their operations and places of business much safer. They minimise the movement of forklifts, the number of human beings and manual work conducted in dock areas, and they reduce accident rates. Meeting these standards is essential for contract renewals.

Data visibility and integration with warehouse management systems/transport management systems

Tracking and visibility are an important part of logistics, especially of 3PLs, and automated loading systems integrate well with warehouse management systems (WMSs) and transport management systems (TMSs). Performance data in real time makes transparent client reporting possible and supports contract pricing based on data. The operator can also analyse data to adjust their operations.

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automated loading case studies for unmodified trailers

Sverdrup Steel Streamlines Processes with Automated Container Loading at New Service Centre

Discover how Sverdrup Steel boosted complete operational efficiency with automated container loading using our container loading solution.

Automating and Optimising the Stora Enso Container Stuffing Operations

Actiw LoadPlate made container stuffing more efficient and improved the work environment in the Stora Enso warehouse by its simplicity, safety, and savings.

Efficient Container Loading in the Port Environment

Actiw LoadPlate® system makes container loading easy, fast, safe and clean in the challenging port environment.

STEICO increased the safety and speed of loading by investing in LoadPlate

The investment in LoadPlate was a preventive measure to improve employee well-being, as STEICO avoided dangerous work situations during loading.

Actiw automated CCEN’s production warehouse for Maximized utilization of existing warehouse with high handling capacity

An automated storage and handling system increased efficiency, profitability, and eco-friendliness at a Coca-Cola warehouse in Norway.

why automated loading is the ideal solution for 3PL warehouses

Whether the contract is a 3PL one or long-term logistics one, modern automated loading systems support operations in several ways and are a great 3PL warehouse solution.

Flexibility to handle any product or client

Modern automated loading systems like ours can handle all sorts of oversized and bulky items, including pallets, slip sheets and paper reels, and a mix of goods. They provide operators with flexibility and can be implemented in business-to-business (B2B) and direct-to-consumer (D2C) 3PL environments.

Scalability without major infrastructure change

Automated loading solutions, especially unmodified ones, enable businesses to scale up more easily. They also support operators powerfully in urgent situations, such as seasons or periods when demand is higher, or when the operator must onboard new clients quickly and start supporting them with logistics services shortly after.

Standardisation

Automated loading systems don’t discriminate. They allow businesses to standardise their processes regardless of the contract size, duration or client’s industry. They also reduce the need for customised dock setups, which allows 3PL warehouses to focus on the operations and gain a competitive advantage.

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industries we serve

Beverage

Our automated loading systems ensure your beverage products can arrive on time to their destination in perfect condition, whilst reducing costs!

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Complex Cargo

Automated loading for complex cargo eliminates product damage, speeds up turnaround time, and increases safety in outbound logistics.

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Contract Logistics (3PL)

Automated Loading in the 3PL industry sets you apart from competitors. Eliminating product damage & 2 minute loading will earn you the best contracts.

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Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

Reduce labour costs, product damage & loading time. Improve safety, throughput & efficiency with automated loading for palletised & unpalletised FMCG.

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Petrochemical Loading Solutions

Automated loading is essential in the Petrochemical industry, ensuring the safety of employees and protecting goods. Save 80% labour & handling costs.

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Steel

Automated loading in the steel industry increases safety in load forming & lashings outside the container. It speeds up turnaround times of the containers.

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Timber

Automated loading in the timber industry maximises fill rate, decreases operation costs and increases work safety in outbound logistics.

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the advantage of unmodified trailer loading solutions

Unmodified trailer loading solutions can lend 3PLs a massive advantage because they manage a wide variety of client fleets, and although projects may entail a need to alter the trailer, the contract forbids them from doing it. Modification could also be unpractical.

Unmodified Automated Loading Solutions solve this problem. They load trailers without any need for modification, which makes them compatible with all trailers.

These solutions are built for flexibility and speed. Let’s meet them.

LoadPlate

The LoadPlate loads 30 tons of cargo into a 40 foot container in just five minutes. This automatic system requires only one operator, whereas loading normally involves at least three people, and is designed for loading containers and regular, unmodified trucks and trailers.

All it takes is to load the cargo onto the LoadPlate, using a crane or forklift, and the system will take care of the rest for safer, cost-efficient loading. Many companies use it for loading steel, lumber or other long or complex cargo.

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LoadMatic

The LoadMatic is fully automated and designed for loading containers, trucks and trailers, and handles pallets and non-palleted items. This system is ideal for working with industrial items and loads trailers in seven minutes or less in a single shot. The LoadMatic offers safe, precision loading, thanks to its automatic neutral alignment with the truck, adjustment to load height during the process and load area scanning.

The LoadMatic saves heavily on labour costs, as one team member can operate the system, and on assets such as forklifts. A single system can replace a fleet of forklifts and reduces energy consumption, all while keeping outbound goods flowing and enabling them to reach the recipients intact.

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LoadMatic Lite

The LoadMatic Lite is the ideal entry-level automated loading solution for businesses looking to reduce manual handling and increase their loading capacity.

This one-shot automated loading solution can handle loads of all sizes, including full trailer loads, and cuts turnaround times substantially by loading trailers in just six minutes. Operators can load more trucks per day, do so much more safely and be confident of meeting consumer demands reliably, even at peak times.

LoadMatic Lite

LoadBuffering

The LoadBuffering solution integrates warehouse operations with our automated loading solutions to optimise your outbound capacity. This software executes loading on a load-by-load basis by taking production units and preparing optimal truckloads automatically. The system can help you create pallet patterns and support automated storage/retrieval systems (AS/RSs) achieve maximum throughput with buffering.

LoadBuffering integrates well with any WMS or enterprise resource planning (ERP) system or can be used as a standalone piece of software. It also connects with any upstream pallet flow, such as production line pallet conveyors, forklifts, AS/RSs and more. The system gives you transparency and full control of your outbound material flow so you can supply your automated loading system consistently and reliably. You can also schedule reliably, optimise the flow of material to existing docks and save on labour and energy.

LoadBuffering