Network Expertise: Navigating Shipping and Fulfillment

We recently had a conversation with third-party logistics (3PL) provider Verde Fulfillment about the many ways manufacturers can take advantage of shipping and fulfillment services to spur growth, refine their internal development and culture, evaluate production, and streamline their processes. We spoke with James Wilfong, Verde’s Business Development Manager, who provided salient advice for manufacturers in Idaho.

Here are Wilfong's top three suggestions for manufacturers or other businesses who are facing issues in their fulfillment or production processes:

1. Have a good understanding of the timeline, from testing to production and inspection.

2. Build successful and trusted partnerships.

3. Ask for feedback in order to evaluate and improve upon processes.
   

Wilfong continues: “As a 3PL, we have merchandise being sent to our facility from hundreds of different manufacturers and something that can make a significant difference is to consider the best packaging to place the merchandise into."

Here are a few packaging tips:

• Don't skimp on the box quality.

• Consider double-wall when necessary.

• Choose the right ECT for the product weight and carton contents.

• Label the cartons with all the essential data, SKU, quantity, UPC/EAN, PO#, and Lot#.

"By considering the best packaging before production," he explains, "you can ensure you have them sourced and stocked for production to be completed, ensure that all product information is clear and accessible, and most importantly that the merchandise is protected and will arrive safely to its final destination."

Wilfong also told us that “not valuing employees, which are [the] number one asset [a company has]” is the biggest mistake he sees companies make. Wilfong added that Verde strives to “lead by example in hopes that partners recognize [their] success in this area.”

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Verde Fulfillment specializes in e-commerce fulfillment, direct-to-store or DC fulfillment (B2B fulfillment), as well as product returns management. Verde can completely take care of shipment into their facilities or can provide assistance if relationships are already in place. Their goal? To help move inventory as quickly and easily as possible. Verde Fulfillment's services include: providing warehousing, managing bulk inventory, pallets, cross-docking, lot-controlled inventories, quality control, and more. Whether you are a manufacturing company looking to increase production, hone in on your product, or smooth out internal processes, Verde Fulfillment is the perfect logistics partner to get you from testing to distribution (and help with everything in between).

Navigating Idaho’s Supply Chain: Immediate Logistics and Warehousing Support

As widespread supply chain issues continue to impact companies globally and in our region, we are continuing to make valuable connections between these businesses and our diverse network of channel partners. In this success story, read about how Vessel's Logistics Management team and two of our manufacturing partners, Verde Fulfillment and Expeditors, answered one client's need for affordable and timely product sourcing, storage/warehousing, management, and delivery of important shipments.

Background

In late 2020, a high-tech research company based in the Pacific Northwest reached out to Vessel for help with product sourcing. At that time, the company, which was referred to Vessel by one of its healthcare partners, was unable to obtain important lab equipment from its usual distributors. In the months that followed, Vessel located an alternative source for this equipment and facilitated multiple shipments — answering the company’s need for uninterrupted access to critical lab equipment. An ongoing professional relationship ensued.

All Hands on Deck

Although Vessel quickly addressed the company’s product needs, the client ran into an unexpected snag with a later shipment in 2021 — they found themselves without the in-house warehouse space needed to accommodate a large quantity of lab equipment they were expecting. To further complicate matters, the products would need to be kept sterile.

The company contacted several facilities in the Northwest to inquire about available storage, but global supply chain issues have resulted in widespread warehousing constraints, so space was limited — and what was available would cost them a premium. Uncertain how to proceed, the company again contacted Vessel for help.

Global supply chain issues have resulted in limited warehouse space available for storing products

Finding Longitude

Vessel’s logistics team contacted two of its channel partners — third-party logistics (3PL) partner Verde Fulfillment and freight partner Expeditors — to find a solution. Verde Fulfillment confirmed they would be able to store the client’s lab equipment in its 200,000 square-foot facility — a well-maintained, temperature-controlled environment that would ensure the products remained sterile. Additionally, Verde offered a more affordable storage solution than the other facilities the client had contacted. Expeditors also stepped up to the challenge, with its secure network of truck drivers transporting the client’s lab equipment from port/customs directly to Verde Fulfillment in Boise, Idaho.

Beyond providing storage space for the client’s products, Verde Fulfillment offers inventory management, a robust warehouse management system (WMS), and a highly vetted network of transportation partners. These services meant Verde was able to reliably and affordably deliver regular product shipments back to the client on a bimonthly basis for the remainder of 2022.

Verde Fulfillment offers inventory management, a robust warehouse management system (WMS), and a highly vetted network of transportation partners

“The most important aspect of any relationship is providing a service that is financially sustainable,” says James Wilfong, Business Development Manager for Verde Fulfillment. “In the case of this client, it was important that we provided a cost-effective solution for both the storage of their merchandise as well as delivery to their facility on a reoccurring basis.”

Staying the Course

Throughout this client relationship, Vessel has demonstrated its capabilities in strategic sourcing and logistics management. Not only did Vessel find an alternate source for its client’s lab equipment, but the team came through at another critical time — connecting the client to a highly capable 3PL partner that offered an affordable and timely end-to-end solution for the storage, management, and delivery of its products.

"Verde Fulfillment consistently goes above and beyond to address their clients’ needs — and this situation was no exception,” says Jared Brodd, Vessel’s Director of Logistics. “That’s one of the many reasons Verde is Vessel's go-to partner for storage and warehousing. Their facilities and operations are top-notch and their service is outstanding. They always respond to our requests in a timely manner, allowing us to meet our customers' needs more efficiently. We feel confident in Verde's ability to fulfill the services they offer, as they have always maintained constant, transparent communication."

When it comes to helping its clients navigate increasingly challenging supply chain issues, Vessel's resourcefulness and extensive network of trusted channel partners provide significant benefits to Idaho companies.

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Download the case study below to read this success story in its entirety.

Verde-Fulfillment-Vessel-Case-Study

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Download PDF • 10.85MB

Also, check out the following video in our Supply Chain Insights series. Here, Brodd talks with Vessel Co-Founder Derik Ellis about what companies can do when storing products is a logistical nightmare due to global hijinks.

Navigating Idaho’s Supply Chain: Cocoa Bombs [Success Story]

U.S. manufacturers and companies here in Idaho have been severely impacted by widespread supply chain issues. So how does a rapidly growing product company recover when even a single disruption in the process threatens to slow or halt product distribution? Continue reading to learn how Vessel’s statewide network of manufacturing partners helped one Idaho company navigate through these challenges.

Background

Eric Torres Garcia, an Idaho-based entrepreneur and Boise State University alum, created Cocoa Bombs in 2019, selling his fresh take on classic hot chocolate — fine quality chocolate shells which contain goodies like marshmallows and break down when placed in a mug of warm milk.

Although less than five years old, the Cocoa Bombs brand has seen global success, thanks to a viral TikTok video, the product’s popularity, and the company’s hardworking, visionary leader. However, while rapid growth is typically a good thing for a product business, this is precisely where a problem arose.

All Hands on Deck

As Cocoa Bombs expanded, its plastic supplier — which provided an integral part of the product’s packaging — was unable to keep up with the company’s success, a problem that was exacerbated by supply and demand shocks. Because consumer demand and online orders for Cocoa Bombs were at an all-time high (and the product had an established presence in hundreds of retail stores across the U.S.), the company risked losing an opportunity to significantly increase its revenue.

“Manufacturers in most industries have turned to suppliers and subcontractors who narrowly focus on just one area, and those specialists, in turn, usually have to rely on many others. Such an arrangement offers benefits: You have a lot of flexibility in what goes into your product, and you’re able to incorporate the latest technology. But you are left vulnerable when you depend on a single supplier somewhere deep in your network for a crucial component or material. If that supplier produces the item in only one plant or one country, your disruption risks are even higher.” — “Global Supply Chains in a Post-Pandemic World,” Harvard Business Review, 2020

Garcia discussed his predicament with a former student employee of TechHelp, a partnership of Idaho’s three state universities housing a team of specialists that provides professional services to Idaho manufacturers. Having worked closely with other supply chain and sourcing experts in the state, TechHelp suggested Eric reach out to Vessel for a solution.

Finding Longitude

“When I first got in contact with Vessel, immediately you could tell what kind of people they are,” says Eric Torres Garcia, Cocoa Bombs’ founder. “Derik was interested in what I had to say and gave me his full, undivided attention. And Nic was accommodating and quick to address our need to find a packaging solution.”

After meeting with Garcia, the Vessel crew immediately went to work leveraging its network to address Cocoa Bombs’ dilemma. First, Vessel consulted with the New Product Development Lab at BSU to get another perspective and brainstorm possible solutions. New Product Development Specialist Grey Beaudry referred Vessel to Slant 3D in Caldwell, Idaho due to the company’s plastics expertise.

Gabe Bentz, CEO of Slant 3D, then recommended Vessel reach out to Panic Plastics, a Payette-based plastics manufacturer with the scale and tooling capabilities to meet the immediate needs of Cocoa Bombs’ rapidly expanding company. With Eric’s approval, Panic Plastics quickly began developing samples and started delivering containers, producing enough to meet Cocoa Bombs’ packaging requirements.

Meanwhile, Janna Hamlett, a specialist on TechHelp’s Food Manufacturing Team in Twin Falls, Idaho, worked tirelessly to make sure the plastics produced met the necessary food manufacturing specifications. (This was a critical step due to the size of Cocoa Bombs’ customer base.) Upon receiving the go-ahead from TechHelp, Cocoa Bombs was able to get back on track filling orders for its customers around the world.

Staying the Course

“We had a great connection with Vessel initially, and as we worked together, that only grew,” explains Garcia. “There’s typically 12 to 20 weeks of development that happens with plastics, and throughout the entire process, they were quick to get things done, very responsive, and good at keeping us up-to-date on progress. So much could have gone wrong, but everything went smoothly from my end.”

The supply chain disruption Cocoa Bombs faced underscores the importance of connection and collaboration that is at the core of Idaho’s thriving manufacturing community. Vessel is proud to be an active member of this community, and frequently utilizes its established network of partners to deliver solutions for manufacturers in Idaho. Further, through a deeper understanding of the talent and resources that already exist in Idaho, Vessel makes it possible to close supply chain gaps for manufacturers in our state.

“Working with Vessel was an amazing experience,” continues Garcia. “And a key point for me is that they are local. I’m still in Idaho and know the area well, so it made a difference for me to be able to meet with the people who were going to help my business. That’s what it’s all about — being able to work with your local community.”

“We are privileged to work with Idaho companies like Eric's, companies with market validation and scaling due to customer demand with supply chain needs for growth and fulfillment without disruption and risk,” says Derik Ellis, co-owner of Vessel. “This is one of the many reasons working with Cocoa Bombs has been such a great experience. Eric is lightning in a bottle — he's a driven and passionate founder and I'm looking forward to experiencing all of the products he brings to market now and into the future. Sit back and watch the magic!”

As we look ahead, it’s clear that supply chain issues are our new reality — both now and in the long term. However, Vessel understands how crushing these challenges can be for Idaho product and manufacturing companies, and is dedicated to finding solutions. Whether a company is in its early/ideation stages or fully commercializing a product to market, Vessel is equipped with the in-house capabilities and expert network needed to help them navigate Idaho’s ever-changing supply chain.

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Download the case study below or check out the story on YouTube.

Cocoa Bombs Vessel Case Study

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Download PDF • 14.65MB