Pick and pack services offer end-to-end product fulfillment - selecting items (from stock or a warehouse) for each order, packaging them and shipping them to customers. Pick and pack services are ideal for companies with packaging needs that vary from one order to the next. Companies often turn to an outside pick and pack service when their order volume grows to the point where employees have to work overtime to get orders out the door.
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Work with experienced pick and pack services
Many fulfillment houses offer pick and pack services along with optional services, such as building custom cartons and pallets.
I recommend: Pick Pack Logistics is a pick and pack service that welcomes small businesses, including start-ups.
Nexus Distribution can handle large-volume pick and pack fulfillment. In addition to offering pick and pack services for companies of all sizes,
Prompt Warehousing can meet the special needs of apparel companies by providing garment labeling, alterations and other services.
Look for product fulfillment companies that offer online order tracking
Knowing where your orders are at any time of day or night is essential to efficient product fulfillment. Being able to keep tabs on your orders even when you're away from the office is a necessity if your business requires you to travel frequently.
I recommend: Fulfillment Works and
One World are among the pick and pack fulfillment companies that give their customers the option to log on to a secure website for order updates.
Find a pick and pack service provider
With so many product fulfillment companies offering a wide range of pick and pack services, it pays to shop around.
I recommend: The Mailing & Fulfillment Service Association provides an online directory to help you locate vendors. At
VendorSeek.com, you can get price quotes from pick and pack services.