Chicago, Jan. 11, 2022 — SEKO Logistics has been named a Top 3PL for 2022 by Multichannel Merchant, a leading intelligence source for key decision makers responsible for ecommerce, management, marketing and operations at companies selling merchandise through multiple channels.
The achievement follows a record year of growth and investment for SEKO in 2021, a year in which the company stepped up with multiple, innovative solutions – including air and ocean charters – for global clients working to overcome supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and capacity shortages.
Multichannel Merchant’s Top 3PL annual listing showcases leading third-party logistics companies serving fast-growing ecommerce and direct-to-customer (DTC) businesses.
Especially given the explosion in ecommerce in the post-pandemic era, demand for 3PL services is at an all-time high. Many merchant companies are looking to outsource operations and fulfillment to ensure a stellar customer experience, and in need of market intelligence to help them in the vetting process. A trusted 3PL partner frees them up to focus more on growing and managing their business.
“If you’re looking for experienced, qualified 3PL partners as you deal with growth in your online business, lacking the internal resources or expertise to scale your operations, this listing is for you,” said Mike O’Brien, Senior Content Manager of Multichannel Merchant. “Each company has been selected based on its industry experience, services offered, performance and range of capabilities.”
The Top 3PL listing provides vital information to help ecommerce and DTC businesses in their selection process, also including average annual client order volume, top three merchandise categories handled, and facility locations. It also breaks out the percentage of the continental U.S. covered, based on days in transit to end customers – a critical differentiator for merchants.
“We are honored to be chosen once again as a Multichannel Merchant Top 3PL. This is a trusted and influential listing which is used by so many businesses in their 3PL partner selection process,” said David Emerson, Senior Vice President SEKO Ecommerce. “It is also a great tribute to the entire SEKO Logistics family which, more than ever over the past year, have helped our clients manage some of their biggest-ever supply chain and ecommerce challenges and, at the same time, ensured we have not just stayed on our ambitious growth trajectory, but exceeded our expectations. This will continue in 2022 as we continue to raise the bar for what clients should expect from a 3PL partner.”
This prestigious MCM Top 3PL recognition comes as SEKO prepares for another year of accelerated growth, as it continues to develop its service offering, build new partnerships and invest in its global reach and facilities. 2021 highlights for SEKO included its biggest-ever acquisition with the purchase of Bansard International, one of the leading transportation and logistics operators in France, with a thriving international business spanning 54 offices in 17 countries and annual sales of more than €210 million from serving retail/fashion, electronics, industrial, aerospace and pharmaceutical clients.
In 2021, SEKO built on a record year of international ecommerce shipment volumes by becoming the launch partner of recommerce specialist Reconomx to help retail brands reduce their carbon footprints, understand the true cost of returns, and provide new in-country resale channels to bring down the estimated $100 billion a year cost of cross-border returns. The year also saw ‘Go Global’ initiatives working alongside Shopify Plus and Patchworks, as well as a new technical integration with ShipStation – the world’s leading web-based ecommerce shipping solution – with SEKO’s LTL Home Delivery Solution. SEKO also joined forces with Hurricane Commerce to help customers achieve frictionless cross-border trade and manage critical events including the US STOP Act and the launch of the EU’s Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS).
Global facility investments in 2021 saw SEKO grow its footprint with the opening of major new facilities in southern California and on the U.S. East Coast, as well as in prime international locations in China and Ireland. And, in support of its SEKO Cares program, it joined the Sustainable Air Freight Alliance (SAFA) and became the launch partner alongside client Buyer Connected in a new logistics training program to create employment opportunities for previously incarcerated men and women in Atlanta, Georgia. This supports individuals and families in one of the country’s most struggling neighborhoods.
This, and other initiatives, helped SEKO also become recognized as a top 5 third party logistics provider in a survey of thousands of shippers in North America to find their most trusted supply chain partners, with votes cast by such leading brands as Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft; retailers such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart; as well as manufacturers including Boeing, Caterpillar, General Motors and Tesla.