FAQ’s
Why outsource?
Outsourcing your logistics support to a 3PL provider is not unlike outsourcing your financials to a CPA or your legal issues to an attorney. We’re experts in our field and have the tools and infrastructure to perform the job efficiently, effectively and at lower cost than you could do it yourself. Outsourcing also allows for you to reduce capital investment while focusing on growing your business, not on the time-consuming back-end processes. Learn more in our case study on this topic.
Does a2b work with small, start-up companies?
Absolutely. We work with small and large companies alike. We especially enjoy being a part of a start-up company's success and helping them become a larger one. Our low minimums and set-up fees provide small and start-up companies the low costs that they need to be successful.
How long has a2b been around?
a2b started operations in 1997. We’ve grown steadily from a 4,000 square foot shared space to our current owned 180,000 square foot Distribution Center.
Can a2b support both b2c as well as b2b fulfillment?
Yes, a2b’s business is evenly split between consumer-direct fulfillment and retail distribution. We ship to tens of thousands of consumers each month as well as to major retailers and distributors.
As an a2b client, will I have easy access to your staff?
Each of our clients is assigned a dedicated account manager. This member of our team gains intimate knowledge of your account and product line. Additionally, we have Customer Support team members that are standing by to help with common questions and requests.
Is my account information available online?
Yes. Everything related to your account is available securely online, in real-time from any web browser. Check inventory, order status and track shipments with a click of your mouse. Our system can also send proactive email alerts for criteria that you select.
Where are you located and why is this important?
a2b is located just outside Atlanta, one of the top distribution hubs in the US. We reach almost 80% of US households in just 3 days or less via discounted methods. We are just 3 hours away from the nation’s fastest growing port of Savannah and 1 hour from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Atlanta is also headquarters for UPS and virtually all carriers have major hubs here. Best of all, being just outside the Metro area, airport and port, our real estate and labor costs are just a fraction of big-city and major port rates. We’re able to pass these savings on to our clients.
I understand that a2b is located in a Freeport Zone. What is this?
In order to encourage commerce, our county allows businesses to apply for Freeport Exemption, which is an exemption of inventory taxes for products that reside in our facility for less than one year and are destined for shipment outside of the State of Georgia. This can translate into many thousands of dollars in savings. Click here to contact our county for additional information.
My products are manufactured in Asia. Isn’t it better to use a warehouse provider on the west coast?
While it is cheaper to ship from Asia to the West Coast, in most cases it is much more advantageous to stage your goods east of the Mississippi where the majority of the population lives. You will pay a little bit more on the front end to get your container further east, but you will save many multiples of this cost in outbound shipping. This simple example illustrates the savings. Let’s say your container holds 5000 orders. You pay $1,000 (est.) more to get your container to Georgia versus the West Coast. Now 4,000 orders (80%) can ship cheaper from a2b Fulfillment saving $3.00 per order (est.). You net $11,000 in savings. In addition to lower costs, this closer proximity to your customers translates into faster and better service, which is valuable in itself.
Can a2b help me with inbound logistics, including my ocean freight?
Yes. a2b can streamline your entire supply chain. Our partner carriers include Ocean/Air carriers and freight forwarders. We can pick up your goods at the factory and arrange transport all the way to our door, including the Customs clearance.
Does a2b also have a call center?
a2b does not have an in-house call center. Call center activities are vastly different than that of fulfillment. We have purposely chosen to stay focused on our core competencies, making us a true Best-In-Class fulfillment provider. We also believe that it is typically not in the client’s best interest to co-mingle these activities under one roof. Instead, we have proven partners in this field with whom we are fully integrated.
What are your fees?
Since no two clients are the same we customize our rates for each project. We take into consideration product type, order characteristics, transmission method, volume and client requirements. With your input we can generally construct a customized proposal within a day. Click here to request a proposal
Do you charge minimums?
We have minimum fees that are also customized per account and based on the complexity and requirements of the project; however, we do keep them low. Minimums start at just $125/week ($500/month). Minimums can be met easily, since all your storage and service activity count towards the minimum.
How long does it take to get set up?
We can generally set up a new client in a matter of a few days.
Why a2b?
We have all of the components in place for a successful outsourced solution, including storage and processing capacity, technology, skilled labor, discounted shipping, strategic location and low overhead. Furthermore, we offer several complimentary services such as kitting & assembly and transportation management to drive increased value to your project.
