What Are the Best 3PL Companies for Different Types of Businesses?
- Feb 26, 2026
Finding the right third-party logistics (3PL) partner can make all the difference to a growing business. The right 3PL does far more than store and ship your products; it acts as a partner that supports your operations and allows you to scale without adding unnecessary overhead. But not all 3PLs are built the same and different businesses have unique fulfillment needs. The best 3PL companies are the ones whose capabilities match your operational needs.
Some companies need a 3PL that can move high volumes of small orders quickly, while others require pallet storage, temperature-controlled warehouses, or strict regulatory compliance for Hazmat goods. Understanding your needs and what types of 3PLs are best suited to meet them is the key to selecting a provider that can support your growth and deliver a seamless experience to your customers.
What Makes a 3PL the Right Fit for the Right Customer?
A 3PL is the right fit for a customer when its capabilities and infrastructure align with the operational complexity and regulatory demands of the business it serves. Something to keep in mind is that different types of companies outsource logistics for very different reasons:
- The best 3PL for e-commerce and direct-to-consumer brands prioritizes fast, accurate order fulfillment and system integrations to support high-volume shipping;
- Retail and consumer packaged goods brands need pallet storage, labeling, compliance, and retail-ready distribution across multiple channels;
- Food and beverage companies require temperature-controlled storage, lot tracking, and food safety compliance for shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen products;
- Manufacturing and industrial businesses depend on efficient B2B distribution, bulk handling, and just-in-time delivery of raw materials or finished goods;
- Healthcare, pharma, and medical device companies demand secure storage, serialization, and rigorous regulatory documentation; and
- Hazardous materials merchants need certified facilities, trained personnel, and strict safety controls to handle regulated goods.
The table below illustrates how these six types of business types match with different 3PL models.
| Business Type | Typical Size of Business Outsourcing Logistics | Best-Suited 3PL Types | Typical Size of 3PL Partner | Key Requirements from 3PL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-commerce & Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) |
Typical Size of Business Outsourcing Logistics:Small to mid-sized brands; fast-growing startups; mid-market DTC companies (hundreds to tens of thousands of orders/month) |
Best-Suited 3PL Types:E-commerce-focused, multi-node / network of warehouses, EDI integration |
Typical Size of 3PL Partner:Small to large 3PLs; often tech-enabled specialists scaling into national networks |
Key Requirements from 3PL:Fast, accurate fulfillment; integration with marketplaces & DTC platforms; kitting, packaging, returns management |
| Retail & Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) |
Typical Size of Business Outsourcing Logistics:Mid-sized to large brands; established omnichannel retailers; national or regional CPG companies |
Best-Suited 3PL Types:Traditional 3PL with tailored logistics solutions, multi-node / network of warehouses |
Typical Size of 3PL Partner:Mid-sized to large national or global 3PLs with retail expertise |
Key Requirements from 3PL:Pallet storage, labeling, retail-ready packaging, compliance, bulk shipping, multi-channel distribution |
| Food & Beverage |
Typical Size of Business Outsourcing Logistics:Small specialty producers to large national brands; often regulated, volume-variable businesses |
Best-Suited 3PL Types:Specialized 3PL (temperature-controlled), multi-node (decentralized network) |
Typical Size of 3PL Partner:Mid-sized to large 3PLs with dedicated cold-chain infrastructure |
Key Requirements from 3PL:Refrigerated/frozen storage, lot tracking, food safety compliance (FDA/HACCP), traceability, timely delivery |
| Manufacturing & Industrial |
Typical Size of Business Outsourcing Logistics:Mid-sized manufacturers to large enterprises; B2B-focused, forecast-driven operations |
Best-Suited 3PL Types:Traditional 3PL with tailored logistics solutions |
Typical Size of 3PL Partner:Mid-sized to large 3PLs with strong transportation and industrial warehousing capabilities |
Key Requirements from 3PL:Raw material and component storage, bulk shipments, just-in-time delivery, efficient B2B distribution |
| Healthcare, Pharma & Medical Devices |
Typical Size of Business Outsourcing Logistics:Mid-sized to large companies; highly regulated firms; often global operations |
Best-Suited 3PL Types:Specialized 3PL (pharma/medical) with tailored logistics solutions |
Typical Size of 3PL Partner:Large, highly specialized 3PLs with compliance-driven operations |
Key Requirements from 3PL:Secure storage, serialization, lot control, regulatory compliance (FDA, GMP), temperature control, detailed documentation |
| Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Merchants |
Typical Size of Business Outsourcing Logistics:Typically mid-sized to large businesses due to regulatory burden and capital requirements |
Best-Suited 3PL Types:Specialized 3PL (Hazmat certified) with tailored logistics solutions |
Typical Size of 3PL Partner:Small niche specialists to large certified 3PLs with hazmat certified facilities |
Key Requirements from 3PL:Certified facilities, trained staff, special storage, strict regulatory compliance, safe handling & transport |
Why Growing Brands Choose G10 as Their 3PL Partner
If your brand is growing, you need a logistics partner that can scale with your business, streamline operations, and handle your complex or specialty fulfillment requirements. This, alongside personal customer service and real-time inventory and order visibility, gives brands the peace of mind that orders will reach customers accurately and on time. And, that’s exactly what G10 delivers.
- G10 offers EDI fulfillment solutions and integration with all major platforms, including Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart, which enables brands to sell across multiple channels without sacrificing speed or accuracy while providing real-time inventory visibility.
- G10 provides warehouse storage and shipping from a growing network of warehouses across the United States to offer a nationwide fulfillment solution. With recent expansion into Canada and a fulfillment partnership in the UK, G10 is positioned to offer a global fulfillment solution for high-growth clients.
- Beyond storage, G10 offers full-service fulfillment, including pick-and-pack, batch and subscription order fulfillment, custom kitting, returns management, and temperature-controlled storage for sensitive products, and fully compliant Hazmat warehouse requirements and shipping.
- G10 has established strong partnerships with carriers and logistics providers, allowing the company to secure competitive shipping rates while maintaining reliable delivery.
Who G10 Serves Best
G10 is an ideal partner for mid-level e-commerce businesses looking to scale efficiently with a partner that offers personal service. Here are some examples of the types of customers we serve:
- Omnichannel merchants selling through Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, or a combination of major platforms.
- B2B and D2C brands that require seamless fulfillment across multiple channels.
- Hazmat merchants that rely on compliant storage and shipping for regulated products.
- Brands with smaller, higher-value catalogs, typically under 100 SKUs with higher price points, handling 500+ orders per month.
For example, G10 is a strong fit for a company selling premium backpacks or specialty lifestyle products, where orders are consistent and SKUs are manageable. These types of brands benefit from G10’s technology, expertise, and full-service fulfillment capabilities to deliver a premium experience to their customers.
If logistics is holding your brand back, and you believe that G10 may be the right fit for your business, our sales team would love to meet with you to discuss your needs and goals. Request a quote today.
