On the Road at 04:30am — What a Major 3PL Visit Really Looks Like
It is pitch black outside. Rain is tapping against the windscreen. We are on the road to a major 3PL distribution operation in the Midlands. Here is exactly what we assess, and why being there in person matters more than any slide deck.
04:30am. Tuesday Morning.
It is pitch black outside. Rain is tapping against the windscreen. There is now a chill in the air and the roads are quiet.
We are on the road.
Today we are heading to a major 3PL distribution operation in the Midlands. We have been invited in to understand the operation and explore whether MCI People could add real value and become a long-term partner.
I have planned the visit in detail, with an in-depth checklist for myself and the team.
What We Will Be Assessing Today
- People and culture on the floor
- Productivity and picking performance
- Shift changeovers and briefings
- Management structure and how the leadership team works together
- The current agency workforce: numbers, retention, training and fill rates
- KPIs, and how they are measured and reported
- TUPE: who is currently on site supporting the agency contracts, and whether any transfer obligations could apply if supply changes
- And most importantly, how the operation really works — beyond the slide deck and Teams calls
When agency supply changes hands, it is important to get it right. We like smooth and trouble free.
Why I Am Always There in Person
One thing that is very important to me is that I am here and personally part of the onboarding process and every Go Live when they happen.
I want to be there. Meet the people. Understand the operation. Support our team when it matters most.
It is part of a much bigger commitment.
True Cost Clarity — No Strings Attached
We will also be sharing our True Cost Clarity framework with the client today.
No strings attached. No obligation. No expectation. It is simply our way of giving something valuable back for the kind invitation — and letting the results speak for themselves.
What Sits Underneath Everything We Do
I was thinking this morning that underneath everything we do here is something incredibly simple.
We are all one.
From the apprentice to the cleaner. From the candidate to the CEO.
Everyone becomes an integral part of the MCI family. That has never ever changed.
Our recent inter-depot recommendations and testimonials, including some personal ones, have genuinely brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you. We will continue to keep our promises.
28 Years On — Still Learning, Still Listening
So, 28 years after walking into my first warehouse as a Shift Supervisor at Bibby Distribution, I can confirm that I still love walking through those doors.
Still learning and definitely still listening. Always looking for ways to make things better.
We have prepared. We have set our intentions. Now let us go and add some value. Even at 04:30am.
If you would like to explore whether MCI People could add real value to your operation, contact Ben directly on 07904 262488 or at ben@mcipeople.co.uk.
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Written by
Benjamin Morton
Content creator and writer sharing insights and stories.
