Businesses up and down the land are increasingly looking for new ways to simplify their logistics operations. It’s for this reason that fourth-party logistics (4PL), and the providers that fulfil 4PL services, have become ever more popular over recent years.

If you’re already aware of what 4PL is, or whether you need an introduction to the concept, it helps to have some real-world examples to exemplify what 4PL providers can do. 

With this in mind, here SEKO Logistics’ experts will break down what a 4PL provider is and showcase five practical examples drawn from our global network of logistics’ expertise. 

Let’s first explain what a 4PL provider is and what one typically does. 

 

What is a 4PL Provider?

The job of a fourth-party logistics provider is to manage the entire supply chain on behalf of a business. Unlike a 3PL provider, which will handle a specific part of the logistics function like warehousing, 4PL providers will oversee the whole process. 

For more information on what the definition of a 4PL provider is, explore our dedicated guide to What is a 4PL?. 

 

Three 4PL Examples Led By SEKO’s Experts 

We’ve now explored what a 4PL provider is, but it’s also useful to illustrate this in practical terms. 4PL providers like SEKO have helped businesses across many industries, and we’ve outlined five examples of this below:

Let’s explore three 4PL examples from the real world that demonstrate the potential benefits of employing the assistance of a 4PL provider. 

 

1. CitizenM’s Global Expansion 

CitizenM are a global hotel brand that partnered with SEKO Logistics with the aim of broadening the logistical scope of their hotel operations. In order to facilitate the expansion into multiple markets, SEKO worked as a single point of contact, providing AI-driven demand planning and strategically located warehouses amid a host of integrated digital solutions for hotel teams to place and track orders seamlessly.

As well as this, our position as the 4PL allowed us to provide accurate cross-territory cost allocation and ‘Room in a Box’ kits for new hotel openings. The latter in particular highlights the adaptability of 4PLs for businesses who have specific needs, in this case a rapidly growing hotel chain.

Explore the full CitizenM case study. 

 

2. 4PL Innovation with Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic partnered with SEKO Logistics to optimise their inflight services and clubhouse operations across its global network. Acting as the logistical ‘control tower’, SEKO combined expert supply chain management with technology for better order optimisation and full stock visibility.

With a dedicated 250,000-square-foot UK warehouse and access to SEKO’s global network, Virgin Atlantic now benefits from scalable and responsive logistics operations.

Explore the full Virgin Atlantic case study.

 

3. Technology Integration with Dell EMC

While SEKO Logistics has expertise as a full end-to-end 4PL provider, we have also supported business’s 4PL operations through technology and process optimisation.

An example of this is our work with Dell EMC, A central element of which was SEKO’s custom Transport Management System (TMS). This automated routing for over 2,000 carrier lanes, integrated with ERP tools, and provided real-time visibility and KPI tracking.

Explore the full Dell EMC case study.

 

Enhance Supply Chain Efficiency with SEKO Logistics

Considering 4PL logistics for your business?

As we’ve touched on throughout this guide, SEKO logistics provides integrated and end-to-end supply chain solutions that improve visibility and grow the potential of your business. 

Leveraging our extensive global network, we offer expert logistics services tailored to your business needs, including:

Contact us today to find out how we can support your growth with tailored 4PL solutions.