International Marketing Practices

providers. 4PLs are contracted to help their clients manage 3PL firms, often allowing for increased efficiency and an established, expansive supply chain from start to finish [162, 166]. As logistics trends progress, firms should remain current to ensure continued efficiency as well as optimize contracted services. Examples of 3PL Resources One of the most recognizable 3PLs is UPS, which serves as a packaging and delivery firm as well as a logistics and transportation provider. UPS has a specialized segment of its business that focuses on small to medium capacity clients, offering solutions to help manage costs, track packages, or obtain financing, along with other services. Other examples of well-known 3PLs that work with small to medium sized firms include FedEx and Red Stag Fulfillment. FedEx offers tailored services through FedEx Fulfillment, FedEx Shipping, and FedEx Freight to provide its clients with discounted offerings. Red Stag Fulfillment focuses on e-commerce, specifically of products that require special handling. Several established 3PLs have targeted part of their operations specifically to serve forest products firms, such as Ardwin Freight, DFDS, and Valley Distributing & Storage Company. Each firm highlights the importance the forest products industry holds to its operations, as well as its expertise from years of industry exposure both nationally and internationally. Firms specializing in forest products logistics are often flexible owing to varying product types, as well as offer a number of services, such as weighing, packing, re- packing, repair, labeling, and quality control.

• Ardwin Freight: www.ardwin.com • DFDS: https://www.dfds.com • FedEx: www.fedex.com/en-us • Red Stag Fulfillment: https://redstagfulfillment.com

• UPS: https://www.ups.com/us/en/services/small-business.page • Valley Distributing & Storage: https://www.valleydist.com

Note: The companies listed are included as examples of third-party logistics providers. The authors do not endorse or recommend any specific company.

International Freight Forwarders Many large manufacturing firms have a shipping department to handle distribution processes, but a small to medium sized forest products manufacturer may not have the resources necessary to maintain this type of service. For this reason, using an international freight forwarder should be taken into consideration, because they often act as an agent to shippers and assist in product transportation [23, 159]. Freight forwarders can provide exporters with expert advice on regulations, alternatives for shipping (e.g., mode, terminals), carrier selection, payment, insurance and freight costs, packing, inland carriers, and documentation needed to ship goods overseas [21]. Freight forwarders can handle all the stages of a shipment, from the producer’s facility to the customer’s warehouse. This process

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