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What are key factors to consider when choosing a distribution center in Northern California?

What are key factors to consider when choosing a distribution center in Northern California?

The costs to do business in the Bay Area can be very expensive.  Selecting the right warehousing & distribution center in Northern California is essential to improving your bottom line and optimizing your supply chain. But what factors do you need to consider to execute a successful game plan for storing/distributing your products?

According to an article written by Siu, Antoinette (2017, Jan 25). Port of Oakland begins massive warehouse construction to boost capacity, jobs. San Francisco Business Times. Retrieved from
https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2017/01/25/port-of-oakland-begins-massive-build-out-warehouse.html In 2016, the Oakland port handled some 2.7 million 20-foot containers with all kinds of imported and exported goods.  

If you're importing/exporting, storing or distributing goods, here are some key factors to consider when choosing reliable warehousing and distribution centers in the San Leandro / San Francisco area.

Distance from the port- The distance of the port to the warehousing & distribution facility is crucial for freight offloading — the closer the facility, the lower the transportation costs. According to Wikipedia, The Port of Oakland is now the fifth busiest container port in the United States, behind Long Beach, Los Angeles, Newark, and Savannah. Search for warehousing facilities strategically located minutes away from the Port of Oakland and Oakland airport!

Flexibility- you need a distribution center that can handle various types of products that also offers unique services, including crossdocking/transloading, inventory tracking, kitting, etc. Searching for a company that provides a blend of services and features
www.godependable.com will help save you money and give you more solutions to meet your business goals.

Dedicated Account Experts- many companies offer promotions with storing your products; whether it be online ads, mailers, flyers, etc. But do they have the experts to help manage your products and provide the right solutions based on your supply chain requirements? Research companies that have dedicated account managers that have years of expertise in warehousing and distribution. Having dedicated account managers give you peace of mind and transparency throughout the entire process. After all, this is your precious freight!


Dependable's San Leandro 250k sq. foot warehouse is located in the Bay Area of San Francisco, California, and conveniently located close to the port and airport of Oakland. Contact our experts today and see how we can meet your warehousing and distribution needs: http://www.godependable.com/Services/DDC-Warehousing-and-Distribution/Facility-Locations/San-Leandro-Warehouse

Warehousing and Distribution in California

Warehousing and Distribution in California

Creating efficient and effective warehousing and distribution systems is a critical initiative that is vital to logistics and supply chain management and the global economy at large. Warehousing helps to facilitate order fulfillment and make the delivery of goods at a faster rate possible. It also contributes to regulating the supply of goods, which serves to stabilize prices. However, this does not imply that faster delivery service is equivalent to better service. The warehousing industry provides additional benefits in the secure supervision of goods, allowing companies to minimize the risk of loss or damage through fire, theft or damage.

Over the years, the warehousing industry has been disrupted and has evolved beyond the regular storage of goods. The changing global conditions and digital technology introduced into the industry has necessitated an evolution into logistics and distribution as well, which incorporates labeling, sorting, picking, packaging, inventory control and tracking, and transport facilitation. For importers of large volume goods and heavyweight commodities, much of the transportation budget goes to the costs of drayage and port fees.

Warehouses which are critical parts of the overall supply chain are the locations where the goods are kept for safe storage, taking up both space and time (labor hours). Space and labor hours, in turn, are the bulk of the expenses that are incurred in warehousing and distribution. By developing mathematical and digital means to improve and develop the layout and operations of a warehouse, managers can significantly reduce labor costs associated with the distribution of goods, increase the utilization of warehouse space, and also improve the overall flow of a project.

Transloading is an important aspect in distribution that offers the benefit of rail freight economics while saving costs that could have been channeled into onsite infrastructure. This transloading process provides rail accessibility without substantial capital investment. Having more alternatives in supply chain transportation provides cost-effective access to new and vast sources of supply and market availability. When transloading is properly carried out, the different transport modes used can help shippers to increase supply chain velocity, reduce cycle times, effectively plan distribution to meet demand and reduce shipping costs. The times are paving the way for intermodal drayage. Shippers and warehouse owners and distributors have embraced this mode of transportation, especially for short distances, saving time, human resources and costs in the supply chain process.

Dependable Supply Chain Services offers bundled services to include asset based Harbor Drayage from all California Ports with overweight corridor accessibility and Warehousing & Distribution with facilities in Los Angeles, Carson, and San Leandro.

Key Reasons to Outsource Warehousing & Distribution

Key Reasons to Outsource Warehousing & Distribution

1. Reduce costs and capital investments. Lower operational costs, reduce inventory, and reduce cycle times by partnering with a trusted 3PL company. Besides primarily storing products in a warehouse, select a company that also offers added solutions including: preparing items for consolidation, as well as assembling, packing, labeling and shipping finished goods directly to your customers.

2. Flexibility with industry expertise. Whether your business cycle is seasonal or ongoing, partnering with an experienced third-party can help you optimize your overall supply and demand requirements. Key advantages of partnering with a 3PL company include flexible lease terms, industry best practices, and added solutions specific to your business goals.

3. Scalability for your rapidly changing business. Growing and shrinking business cycles can be unpredictable and costly. You will need a company who has a proven track record in making strategic adjustments and optimizing performance with both large and small clients. Identify a company that can efficiently scale their operations to evolve with your fluctuating needs.

4. Geography and proximity to your customers. Location, location, location! Eliminate shipping items from multiple facilities, and select a centrally located warehouse that can also provide customized solutions for both inbound and outbound operations. Selecting a warehouse with convenient access to ports is a key benefit for receiving, storing, and distributing goods to your customers.

5. Lean process and continuous improvement. When you outsource warehousing & distribution to an experienced 3PL, you can spend more time focusing on important business initiatives that give you a competitive advantage in the market. Partner with a proven company whose people, systems, and processes are a good fit for your business model.

Download: 5 Key Reasons to Outsource Warehousing & Distribution