The beverage industry is booming! From small breweries to big distributors, keeping inventory organized is key to success. But as your business grows, a big question comes up: Should you use a 3PL beverage warehouse or store things yourself (in-house)?

This blog post from L&M Distribution and Logistics will help you decide. We’ll look at the pros and cons of both options, so you can find the best bulk storage solution for your thriving beverage business.

Balancing Growth with Storage Needs

As your beverage brand gets bigger, you’ll need more space to store things. You also need to keep your drinks in the right conditions. This can quickly become a problem if you store things yourself (in-house).

Here are some challenges you might face:

• Limited Space: If you store things yourself, it can be expensive to get more space and equipment as you grow. This lack of flexibility can slow you down.
• Knowing How to Do It: Running a complex 3PL beverage warehouse requires special skills. You need to know how to control the temperature, manage inventory, and get orders out efficiently. Building this expertise in-house can take time and money.
• Hidden Costs: While the upfront costs of storing things yourself might seem lower, there are hidden expenses to consider like workers, maintaining equipment, and utilities. These costs can add up quickly.

Why 3PL Beverage Warehouses

3PL beverage warehouses are offered by third-party logistics providers and can be a great alternative. Here’s how they can benefit your business:

• Easy to Scale Up: With a 3PL warehouse, you only pay for the space you use. This lets you easily increase storage space as your business grows. This frees up money for important things like marketing and developing new products.
• Experts at Your Service: 3PL providers specialize in beverage logistics. They have the knowledge, facilities, and technology to keep your drinks in the right conditions, get orders out fast, and track your inventory in real-time.
• Save Money: By using the economies of scale of a 3PL beverage warehouse, you can potentially reduce your overall storage and fulfillment costs. This allows you to focus on making more money.

What’s Right for You?

While 3PL warehouses offer many advantages, they might not be the perfect fit for every situation. Here are some things to consider when making your decision:

• Inventory Size: If you don’t expect your inventory to grow much, storing things yourself might be enough. But if you think your business will take off, a 3PL solution offers more flexibility.
• Control vs. Flexibility: Storing things yourself gives you more control over your bulk storage solutions. However, 3PL warehouses offer flexibility and expertise that can be valuable for growing businesses.
• Focus on What You Do Best: By outsourcing storage and fulfillment to a 3PL provider, you can dedicate your resources to what you do best, like building your brand and developing new products.

How to Find the Perfect Fit

The best choice for your beverage business depends on your specific needs and growth plans. L&M Distribution and Logistics is here to help you make this important decision. We offer a variety of warehousing and distribution solutions, including state-of-the-art 3PL beverage warehouses.

Contact L&M Distribution and Logistics today to discuss your unique requirements and discover a customized solution to optimize your bulk storage solutions and take your beverage business to the next level.