Third-party Logistics
3PL programs typically include the following:
- Management of customer inventories.
- Quality assurance, either under the API or customer quality system (e.g., ODAR).
- Responsibility for product traceability.
- Management of certifications and manufacturers’ documentation.
- Order fulfillment (pick, pack and ship) to end-user locations.
3PL programs may also include:
- Inventory planning and procurement.
- Inventory ownership.
- Responsibility for product traceability.
- Requirements to utilize specific communication protocols with the customer (e.g., Aeroxchange or SPEC2000).
- Special product handling, including hazardous materials or ESD-sensitive items.
- Special product attribute management, including the management of and responsibility for product shelf life.
- Kitting and/or light assembly.
- Remote management of forward-stocked inventories.
- 24/7 customer service and/or AOG response.
- Technical support.
- Call center management.
- E-commerce/Web site hosting and management.
- “Private label” services.
- Returns or warranty administration.
- Repair-cycle management.
- Rotable asset management.
- Product sales.
- Customer invoicing.
- Collections/Credit.
Client Examples
API has implemented 3PL programs for several aviation clients. Click on the links below to view some of their stories.