AP Express Logistics

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the vendor compliance manager for Altar’d State. We’re in the women's fashion retail industry and operate in most of the continental US. We cater to women at every stage of their lives and multiple milestones — from early adulthood to motherhood. We also have wedding brands. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AP Express Logistics?

We engaged AP Express Logistics as our third-party logistics partner. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Around 90% of our apparel products flow through AP Express Logistics. They help us facilitate product processing for our 130 store locations across the US and e-commerce fulfillment centers. They can handle the remainder of our products, but we process that out of Tennessee. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with Dan (COO), Spencer (VP of Business Development), and Ed (President).

How did you come to work with AP Express Logistics?

We already had a logistics provider in California. However, we looked elsewhere because they could not meet our service requirements. We had a formal RFP process, identifying 4–5 potential partners. Our team chose AP Express Logistics due to their favorable pricing and environment, which was focused on continuous improvement and clean methodology. 

Compared to others, AP Express Logistics also had cleaner facilities, good staffing, and teammates who were involved and aligned closely with our company values. After hiring them, we went through a formal contract negotiation.

How much have you invested with them?

Our investment has been around $1.1 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in October 2022, and it’s ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Our internal KPI is focused on the level of service (LOS), which refers to how quickly AP Express Logistics gets our product out when it arrives at their facility. Our threshold is 24 hours, and we require their team to be 98% or above. So far, they’ve exceeded our expectations. They process our products within 24 hours. Overall, the quality of their work is good.

How did AP Express Logistics perform from a project management standpoint?

AP Express Logistics has a fully staffed IT team that helps us with our installation projects, and they can hit all deadlines. To communicate, we typically use emails and phone calls. We use emails to communicate any issues. I have a great relationship with their four on-site managers, so if I give them a phone call, they respond or give me a call back quickly. 

Overall, we’re a bit needier than the usual customer, but they do a great job getting back to us and resolving our issues. 

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

Most of their executive team has been truly helpful throughout the entire process. Dan and Spencer have been fantastic partners. They’ve worked with us to renegotiate the pricing. They only have 50% of the volume, and they’ve worked hard to capture all of that. Moreover, they’ve helped us implement new technologies. These teammates have been incredibly instrumental in the partnership’s success. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed with their ability to process the volume we send them in a short amount of time. Being in the fashion industry, we have difficulty forecasting volumes accurately. Sometimes, we ship a lot more than we say we will, which surprises them. However, they can still process them without delay. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’ve had communication problems when identifying quality issues via email. These issues happen whenever new processes are implemented, which is understandable. They also actively work to resolve problems as long as we bring them up. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Ensure that your company values align with those of AP Express Logistics. In our case, we’ve wanted a company with critical thinking, a focus on continuous improvement, and a methodology where they can quickly pivot and adapt to any situation — the AP Express Logistics team fits this mold perfectly. This has allowed us to drive efficiencies within our business and reduce our costs. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of supply chain and logistics of a consumer products company. I manage our inbound and outbound shipments with some teammates in our organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AP Express Logistics?

We engaged AP Express Logistics to help us with our warehousing needs. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AP Express Logistics handles our warehousing needs. Their teammates help us resolve challenging issues, keep up with upcoming supply chain requirements, and ensure we comply with relevant rules. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve dealt with multiple teammates in their Nevada facility at the director and manager levels, including Jeff (Owner).

How did you come to work with AP Express Logistics?

Around 20–25 years ago, the company was in a niche industry and made products that made customers' lives easier. The owner then created a product that went crazy in the market — we grew within a few months. At that point, the company needed a proper warehouse. 

Jeff was in the trucking business at that time, and he was eager to collaborate with the company. That was when he entered the warehousing business, and they started the engagement. When I joined the company, the partnership was already in place.

What is the status of this engagement?

I joined the company and started engaging with AP Express Logistics in January 2015. The partnership is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

I feel great about our relationship today because we’ve made a huge difference in our business operations and our general relationship with AP Express Logistics. The logistics industry is changing, and the quality of their work is at par and acceptable. 

How did AP Express Logistics perform from a project management standpoint?

We schedule regular production calls via Microsoft Teams every morning and communicate via phone calls as needed throughout the day. 

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

AP Express Logistics’ leadership has been outstanding. Their corporate ideology flows from the owner to their teammates — they understand the importance of customer satisfaction and where they need to focus.

What did you find most impressive about them?

AP Express Logistics has come a long way in terms of compliance training. Moreover, they’re inclined to work with us and accept our challenges, and they always look at what better services they can provide us. For our company, it’s essential to have a partner who understands our needs and is willing to improve their performance and accuracy. Simply put, AP Express Logistics is a great vendor.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re not always 100%, but they always work on their errors—that’s good. When we work with them to fix those errors, they always willingly participate and take our suggestions. Meanwhile, they can continually improve their work's accuracy, communication, and customer service. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be involved. If you’re involved, the AP Express Logistics team will show you the same level of involvement. In our work with them, we’ve been mutually honing this process together. They always respond to us with the same enthusiasm and interest in making things better.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Senior Director of Operations of MISSION

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

MIssion manufactures and sells cooling apparel and gear to both retailers and consumers. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire AP Express Logistics to accomplish?

• Store product
• Pick, Pack, and Ship within pre-defined SLAs
• Virtual Assistance (VA) work - Display Builds

SOLUTION

How did you find AP Express Logistics?

Referral

Why did you select AP Express Logistics over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from AP Express Logistics were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We partnered with AP Express to store, perform VAS work, and do fulfillment activites. 

• We store upwards of 7,000 pallets in AP Express' warehouses
• AP Express peforms VAS work - BUidling displays from corrugate, loading them with product, and storing for shipment
• AP Express performs our retail fulfillment to several national and regional retailers. They route and follow compliance guides to ship in full and on time. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Lower chargebacks from our retail partners
• Speed from VAS work assigned to completion
• On time and in full rates 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

My favorite line is we ask AP Express to jump and they say "how high?". As a company that operates like a start up, we have asked AP Express to do or perform in ways that aren't a straigh line. They always adapt to our needs and do everything they can to make us successful. 

What was your primary form of communication with AP Express Logistics?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The talent at our warehouse location. The immediate team that supports Mission are intelligent and hardworking. Always ready to get our orders moving and have amazing attention to detail and help us perform better.

Are there any areas for improvement or something AP Express Logistics could have done differently?

Nothing to note on outside of physcial locations - would love to see more locations in the US (East Coast & MId-West). 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Fulfill.com

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We match eCommerce brands with warehousing and fulfillment partners.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire AP Express Logistics to accomplish?

• We brought on AP Express to help ship for eCommerce brands that come to us looking for warehousing and logistics partners.

SOLUTION

How did you find AP Express Logistics?

Referral

Why did you select AP Express Logistics over others?

• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from AP Express Logistics were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

AP Express has been an amazing partner to our team at Fulfill.com – we have over 650+ 3PLs on our network and they are one of the top eCommerce fulfillment operations we have seen.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

They have saved eCommerce brands money on shipping, have fantastic shipping SLA's, and are great at communicating with customers that we have sent to them.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes. They respond quickly via email or Slack to various members of our team.

What was your primary form of communication with AP Express Logistics?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The people from AP Express that we have worked with are extremely knowledgable about eCommerce fulfillment.

Are there any areas for improvement or something AP Express Logistics could have done differently?

Nothing comes to mind!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Operations

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Freight Forwarder 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire AP Express Logistics to accomplish?

• On time delivery
• Strong communication and service
• Fair pricing

SOLUTION

How did you find AP Express Logistics?

Worked with them for 15 plus years

Why did you select AP Express Logistics over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

From standard dock to dock pick up and delivery to more intense white glove after hours , time specific deliveries. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• On time pick up / deliveries . 
• they follow all instructions. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Always do a fantastic job for me. Communication is always great as well

What was your primary form of communication with AP Express Logistics?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

• We're impressed with their dedication to serving our needs.
• flexibility and Strong communication 

Are there any areas for improvement or something AP Express Logistics could have done differently?

No one is perfect .  Ap Express corrects any mistakes in the best interest of their customers . 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Domestic Logistics Manager of a footwear company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a footwear focused specialty retailer and branded company with more than 1,400 stores in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Republic of Ireland.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire AP Express Logistics to accomplish?

• Provide sorting of our merchandise
• Final mile delivery to our stores.

SOLUTION

How did you find AP Express Logistics?

Recommendation

Why did you select AP Express Logistics over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from AP Express Logistics were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

AP Express sort and segregated our merchandise when it arrived at their facility and provided final mile delivery to stores across souther California and Nevada. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Speed of deliveries. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The project management was very professional from beginning to end

What was your primary form of communication with AP Express Logistics?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They know their business and how to serve their customers. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something AP Express Logistics could have done differently?

N/A