Standards for Logistics and Freight Shipping

It can be difficult being the person managing the logistics and freight for a manufacturer, especially on top of your other project tasks. As a logistics project manager, the default expectation from your boss is perfection. Each transportation project is expected to be completed on shipping schedule, freight transport is to be delivered on time and in good condition, all within the logistics project budget. If something goes amiss with logistics, all blame falls on you for making the decision of who to use as your third party logistics broker or transportation provider. However, when the supply chain goes perfectly smooth, you often receive no thanks or appreciation for a shipping job well done. After all, that was the original expectation. It can feel like you’re in a no-win situation.

At Stream Logistics, we don’t think that’s right. In fact, we know you are the reason we exist.

You are often underpaid, under-trained, and unappreciated. You control hundreds of shipments moving through your supply chain every year, all with serious risk of something going wrong in the shipping and transport of goods. To make the process even more difficult, the third party logistics industry and transport industry has been operating under low standards since the invention of the truck. It’s difficult for you to find a third party logistics partner who cares enough about you and your job to put a piece of themselves into each of your shipments.

At Stream Logistics, everything we do is based on making your job (and life) easier. The core of how we operate is based on our five company standards—take a look at them here. Each standard is designed to reduce logistics uncertainty for you, making you look like a rockstar to your boss and your customers. As you read through our standards, ask yourself if your current 3PL is living up to the Stream standards.

1. We serve people not companies.

You have unlimited options when it comes to picking a 3PL transportation and logistics provider, but the options are filled with uncertainty. This is a get-what-you-pay-for industry and quality third party logistics brokers are few and far between. At Stream Logistics, we serve people, not companies. In order to make the most meaningful impact in the transportation industry, we want to connect with you on a human level. We know that the stress from your job trickles into your personal life. When our performance makes you look good at work, you can carry that momentum home. We are here to serve you.

When you email with a request or need a shipping estimate for a logistics project, we respond immediately. Not 2 hours later, not 30 minutes later, not 15 minutes later. We respond immediately to let you know we are working on a transportation solution.

When something inevitably goes wrong—as is sometimes does in the logistics and shipping industry—, we are the ones notifying you and creating a transport plan. We don’t duck and hide when the going gets tough. We don’t take the popular ostrich approach and bury our heads in the sand hoping it goes away. That’s our time to step up and shield you from the stress and help you make informed decisions for your supply chain.

When you’re in a pinch and need a favor, we go the extra mile help you out, often at a financial cost to us.

When we manage your shipments, we keep you posted during the entire transit. You should never have to reach out to us for a logistics update.

2. Put a piece of yourself into every shipping and transport experience.

The golden rules states, “treat others as you would like to be treated” and we take that to heart. When you partner with us, you are family; and just like family, we will call to say hello and to see how you’re doing, it’s not always about freight.

With each transportation interaction, we are investing a piece of ourselves into you. It’s not just a job to us, and you can feel that with every project we manage. Our collective shipping successes are meaningful and our collective failures hurt, which is our incentive to do everything with a quality approach.

We care about your job, your company and your life, and we know it is not easy, which is why we put a piece of ourselves into every shipping and transportation experience.

3. Prepare yourself for the transportation project.

Personal development and preparedness are requirements at Stream Logistics. When we are prepared, we are better at serving you.

Our preparation includes book clubs, market reviews, and continuous training, all of which translates into a growth mindset. We know the third party logistics 3PL) industry is evolving and we have made a commitment to lead the evolution, rather than be victim to it.

On a shipment and transportation level, we prepare to ensure you receive a five-star experience. We gather all the appropriate details about your shipment needs, pass along the critical requirements, and vigilantly watch your shipments so you can relax while we do our thing.

4. There are no ceilings.

Our only limitations are those we place on ourselves. Much of our success is determined by the experience you have with our team. We understand you have expectations and deadlines to meet, and our goal is to help surpass those expectations and make you look good.

Before we even begin working together, we make sure our value systems align with yours. Our goal is to raise the standards in the entire logistics industry, but some shippers are ok with the status quo. If those core values do not align, we are happy to pass on the opportunity. When our values do align, there are no ceilings to your business growth potential, and what we can accomplish together.

5. Forget everything you know about Third Party Logistics

Stream Logistics is not your typical third party logistics provider. We have a G.A.S. culture, which means we actually give a sh*t about you. At Stream, we maintain a beginner’s mindset, meaning we don’t operate like traditional logistics companies. We constantly forget the industry norms and focus on doing what is right.

Raising the standards of an entire industry is a bold initiative, and it’s one we cannot do alone. We cannot simply recreate the practices of the past. It takes innovation and bold changes. It takes project managers like you, who also have high standards. Partnering with us gives you limitless possibilities and a team that cares about you as a person. At Stream Logistics, we know without you, there is no Stream Logistics Team.