In this episode of the Industrial Insights podcast, Justin Smith interviews Luca Conner, co-founder and co-CEO of Pack'N, a 3PL company. They discuss Luca's journey from starting in the industry at a young age to bootstrapping a successful logistics business. The conversation covers the importance of communication, client relationships, financial realities, and the challenges of running a 3PL. Luca shares insights on preparing for peak seasons, identifying ideal clients, and the future of the 3PL industry amidst changing e-commerce trends.

Key Takeaways

• Luca started Pack'N at 19 years old, bootstrapping the business.
• The company has a 100% client retention rate, emphasizing strong relationships.
• Effective communication is crucial for successful 3PL operations.
• Cash flow management is a significant challenge for 3PLs.
• Client expectations must be clearly set and managed.
• Organized inbounding is essential for smooth warehouse operations.
• E-commerce trends are shifting, impacting logistics strategies.
• Preparing for peak seasons requires strategic planning and communication.
• The future of the 3PL industry is promising, with expected growth.
• 3PLs should focus on building partnerships rather than transactional relationships.

Chapters

• 00:00 - Introduction to Packin and Luca's Journey
• 04:33 - Bootstrapping a 3PL: Challenges and Strategies
• 09:13 - The Importance of Communication in 3PL
• 14:00 - Financial Realities of Running a 3PL
• 18:45 - Client Relationships: Dream vs. Nightmare
• 23:30 - Navigating Volatility in E-commerce
• 27:48 - Preparing for Q4: The Super Bowl of Logistics
• 32:06 - The Future of 3PL: Growth and Strategic Partnerships

Episode Resources

Connect with Luca Conner

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-conner-96139a253/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/packn/
• https://www.gopackn.com/

Connect with Justin Smith

• https://smithcre.com/
• https://www.lee-associates.com/
• [email protected]
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbsmith