My China Trade War Playbook 3PL Strategies for Adapting and Thriving

Alright, let's ditch the 3PL jargon, textbook teachings and let's talk real. As a 3PL owner, I'm right there in the trenches with you, feeling the whiplash of these tariffs and the trade war with China that is looming. It's less about fancy strategies and more about rolling up our sleeves and figuring it out, right?

Honestly, this whole thing feels like trying to build a sandcastle during a hurricane. One minute you've got your supply chain humming along, the next, tariffs hit and everything's scrambled, then tariffs get paused, then they come back but not as high as thought. But here's what I've learned, from sleepless late night reading, internal strategy sessions and more than a few frustrated customer phone calls.

First off, don't put all your eggs in one basket. I know it seems cliché, but it's the truth. We as consumers got comfortable with China being the go to for everything. Now ???? We're all dealing with clients, prospective clients and various suppliers scrambling to find alternatives. If 90% of our warehouses contain small items made in China we are 100% in trouble (which I pray isn't the case). What I'm talking about building relationships with suppliers in Mexico, Vietnam, even looking at bringing some stuff back stateside. It's messy, it's time consuming, but it's essential so we can provide alternatives to our customers.

Second, tech isn't just a buzzword, it's your lifeline. I used to think a spreadsheet was "tech." Now? I'm obsessed with real-time tracking, forecasting, anything that gives me a heads up before disaster strikes. If you can see the problems coming, you've got a shot at dodging them and ensuring your team stays on track.

Third, we've got to rethink how we store stuff. We got the product "just in time" sounds great on paper, but when tariffs are changing by the week, we need a buffer. We're encouraging clients to build up a bit of a safety net, which means they take up a bit more warehouse space from us. But more importantly, it means they don't get stuck with empty bins, racks or shelves and neither do we.

Fourth, and this is big one in my opinion, find your tribe/village/neighbor... I don't care what ya'll want to call it. I'm talking about other 3PLs, carriers, customs experts anyone who knows their stuff. We're all in this together, and sharing knowledge is the only way we'll get through it. Don't be afraid to ask for help, or to offer yours. Storage solutions, referral hand offs, collaborations (east coast, central, or west coast) . We are stronger together as a whole instead of as individuals.

Finally, and this might be the hardest.... just be honest with your clients. They're just as confused as we are. Tell them what's going on, explain the risks, and work with them to find solutions. It builds trust, and trust is gold right now.

Look, I'm not going to pretend I have all the answers. This whole trade war thing is a wild ride. But I do know this, we're a resilient bunch. We are problem solvers, we're resourceful, and we're not afraid to get our hands dirty, even when helping the team on the front lines is more of a hinderance to them 😂. We'll figure this out, one truckload, one warehouse, one client at a time. And if you're feeling lost, know you aren't alone. We're all trying to make sense of this new normal.