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When it comes to choosing a third-party logistics (3PL) partner, most companies focus on the obvious: price and technology. Sure, those matter — but they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Bryan Corbett , VP of Sales and Marketing at Barrett Distribution Centers, has reviewed dozens of RFPs this year from fast-growing DTC startups to Fortune 100 companies. And time after time, he’s seen three often-overlooked factors that can make or break a 3PL relationship. Here are the top three things Bryan says every brand should consider when selecting a 3PL: 1. Choose a 3PL You Can Grow With This is the big one. Don’t pick a 3PL based solely on what your business needs today. Pick a partner that can scale with you in a year, three years, or even five years down the road. The most successful brands think ahead and ask: Who can help us reach our future state? Who has the infrastructure, people and mindset to evolve with us? It’s easy to treat a 3PL search like checking a box—but if you do that, you risk locking into a provider that can’t support your growth. Look for a strategic partner, not just a service provider. If growth isn’t part of your roadmap, you might want to revisit your goals altogether. 2. People Matter—A Lot You grow with people, not platforms. The team behind your 3PL will become an extension of your business, so you need to feel confident they’d fit right in on your own org chart. Ask yourself during the RFP process: Can I picture these people working at our company? Do they “get” our brand and how we operate? At Barrett, we always say we’re only as strong as the GMs and ops leaders inside our buildings. That’s why we encourage prospective partners to go beyond sales conversations. Meet the actual people running the floor. Build relationships with the folks you’ll be emailing and calling when it matters most. 3. Don’t Underestimate Culture Fit If the first two points are about future potential and strong people, culture is the glue that holds it all together. Alignment on work ethic, speed of execution and communication styles plays a huge role in long-term success. When things go wrong—and at some point, they will—you want to be aligned on how to solve problems and how quickly you move. We’ve seen deals fall apart not because of cost or capabilities, but because of mismatched cultures. On the flip side, when we meet a brand that feels like a natural fit for Barrett, we know the partnership will thrive. Final Thought Price and tech are table stakes. But if you want a long-term, high-impact 3PL partnership, look deeper. Ask these three questions: Can this partner grow with us? Do they have the right people in place? Are we aligned culturally? When those answers are yes, you’ll set your supply chain—and your business—up for real success. Have questions about finding the right 3PL fit? Contact us to schedule a complimentary supply chain consultation today.

FRANKLIN, Mass., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Profoto , the global leader in light-shaping technology for imaging professionals, has selected Barrett Distribution Centers as its third-party logistics (3PL) provider in the United States. Operations are now live at one of Barrett's facilities in Somerset, N.J. As premium brands face increased pressure to deliver faster and more reliably, Profoto's partnership with Barrett reflects the growing need for logistics providers that can move quickly without sacrificing quality. "We ran a competitive RFP process, led by our global partner, Establish Inc. , and Barrett quickly rose to the top," said Daniella Stolpe , business operations and IT manager at Profoto. "Their location near our key customer in New York, strong systems and analytics, and attention to detail really impressed us. Most of all, it was the people. Barrett was responsive, thorough and truly invested in building a long-term partnership." Barrett's solution includes receiving ocean and airfreight shipments, cycle-count inventory management, secure pick-and-pack services for fragile goods, returns processing, parcel and LTL transportation management and supply procurement. "Profoto faced a sudden non-renewal from its previous 3PL, creating an urgent need for a smooth transition," said Sally Caputo , head of 3PL services at Establish. "Barrett delivered an on-time go-live with API integration, real-time visibility and improved shipping rates. We've placed other clients with them and continue to see the high-level service we expect." To meet the tight timeline, Barrett's engineering and IT teams designed a flexible warehouse layout and completed a fast-tracked integration aligned with Profoto's ERP migration. "Profoto needed a partner who could move fast and scale with their growth," said Scott Wilkins , vice president of customer solutions at Barrett. "Our team delivered on time and collaborated seamlessly. We're proud to support their U.S. expansion." The partnership highlights how Barrett meets high-performance brands' complex supply chain needs through personalized solutions, real-time visibility and scalable operations. About Profoto Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Sweden, Profoto is the world's leading manufacturer of photography lighting equipment, trusted by the best photographers in the industry, especially in fashion. With presence in nearly 50 countries and subsidiaries in New York, Tokyo, Hamburg, Paris, London and Scandinavia, Profoto sets the standard for innovation and quality. Combining a legacy of photographic excellence with a dynamic, disciplined culture, Profoto delivers premium lighting solutions that shape the future of professional image creation. About Barrett Distribution Centers Since 1941, Barrett has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. Barrett continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, Barrett is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact Barrett directly here . About Establish Inc. Establish is a supply chain consulting firm offering specialized services in the optimization of the supply chain. With over 50 years of experience and thousands of projects under their belts, Establish has been trusted by some of the largest and best-known corporations in North America and Europe as well as smaller companies. Establish's lasting success is attributed to their team of the sharpest mathematicians and analysts; armed with the state-of-the-art tools. The delivery of both quantitative analytics and strategic insights makes Establish uniquely qualified to service their clients most pressing supply chain needs. Establish approaches each engagement ensuring recommendations are actionable and sustainable, even leading the implementation of new initiatives through steady state.  Official Release Here