Author: Stu Spikerman

What Does an FTZ Administrator Do? A Practical Guide from 35 Years in the Industry

What is an FTZ Administrator? An ftz administrator is the person responsible for overseeing a company’s Foreign Trade Zone operations. This role is the glue that holds the entire FTZ process together—from admissions and withdrawals to audits and reporting. Whether it’s ensuring that your records are buttoned up for a customs review or keeping your […]

FTZ Customs: How Foreign Trade Zones Make Trade Smoother and Smarter

What Does “FTZ Customs” Mean? At its core, FTZ customs refers to the rules, procedures, and benefits of importing goods into a U.S. Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), where they are considered outside of U.S. Customs territory. This means duties and taxes are deferred or reduced until the goods enter the market—or not paid at all […]

Labeling Racks in Warehouse: How We Make It Work at Tri-Link FTZ

What Are Logistics 3PL Companies? A logistics 3PL company, short for third-party logistics provider, is a business that manages logistics operations for other companies. This can include warehousing, shipping, inventory management, and even handling returns. Instead of managing everything in-house, businesses hire these providers to take care of the heavy lifting — literally and logistically. […]

Labeling Racks in a Warehouse: A Complete Guide to Efficiency, Accuracy, and Growth

What is Labeling Racks in Warehouse? Labeling racks in warehouse settings means placing readable identifiers—usually tags, signs, or stickers—on shelving systems used to store inventory. These identifiers might show aisle, rack, shelf, or product location. In our industry, where precision and speed determine profit, labeling racks in warehouse environments isn’t just helpful—it’s mission critical. A […]

How 3PL Shipping Services Streamline Fulfillment and Drive Business Growth

What Are 3PL Shipping Services? (Definition + Overview) As the president of Tri-Link FTZ with over 35 years in the logistics industry, I can confidently say that 3PL shipping services are the backbone of modern supply chains. In simple terms, 3PL stands for third-party logistics. It refers to outsourcing logistics operations like inventory management, warehousing, […]

Understanding the 3PL Logistics Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Business Growth

What Is the 3PL Logistics Process? In simple terms, the 3PL logistics process is how a third-party logistics provider (like us here at Tri-Link FTZ) takes over the operational side of your supply chain. That includes receiving your inventory, storing it, picking and packing orders, shipping them out, and handling returns when needed. Our job […]

What Does a 3PL Logistics Manager Do? A Practical Guide From the President of Tri-Link FTZ

What Is a 3PL Logistics Manager? A 3pl logistics manager is someone who oversees the operations that businesses outsource to third-party logistics providers, also known as 3PLs. These operations include warehousing, transportation, order fulfillment, inventory management, and even returns. Think of them as the captain of the outsourced supply chain — making sure your freight […]

Why 3PL Customer Service Matters: What to Expect and How to Choose Right

What is 3PL Customer Service? In simple terms, 3PL customer service refers to the support and communication you receive from your third-party logistics partner. It’s how you reach them when things go wrong. It’s how they update you when things are going right. And more than anything, it’s how they help keep your customers happy, […]

Top 3PL Companies for Small Business: How We Help You Scale, Save, and Succeed

What Are 3PL Companies for Small Business? 3PL stands for Third-Party Logistics. When we talk about 3PL companies for small business, we’re talking about professional logistics partners that help handle everything from storing your products to shipping them out to your customers. As the president of Tri-Link FTZ, I’ve seen firsthand how outsourcing logistics transforms […]

Unlocking Efficiency with 3PL Freight Services: A Complete Guide for Modern Businesses

What Are 3PL Freight Services?  3PL freight services refers to outsourcing your shipping and transportation needs to a specialized third-party logistics provider. Instead of managing warehouses, hiring drivers, or coordinating freight shipments yourself, a 3PL company like mine — Tri-Link FTZ — handles it all for you. This includes everything from picking and packing orders […]