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a2b Blog

Find out the latest trends in Order Fulfillment and Third Party Logistics; as well as new developments at a2b Fulfillment.

July 23, 2022

Employee Spotlight – Stacey Kearns

Meet a2b’s Material Handling Manager, Stacey! Stacey joined a2b Fulfillment to manage material handling for our new Hanover Township facility in Pennsylvania. Stacey brings over 20 years of experience in working at warehouse facilities. Outside of helping move product from a to b in Pennsylvania, Stacey loves riding her Spyder F3 in the spring or … Continue reading Employee Spotlight – Stacey Kearns

Keyla Headshot
June 22, 2022

Employee Spotlight – Keyla Yeraldin Tejada de Pichardo

Meet a2b Packer, Keyla! Keyla joined a2b Fulfillment as a Packer at our new Hanover Township facility in Pennsylvania. Prior to working at a2b, Keyla worked in quality control for a Food Distribution center where she operated machinery and checked the quality of the food. Outside of a2b, Keyla enjoys playing sports and volunteering her … Continue reading Employee Spotlight – Keyla Yeraldin Tejada de Pichardo

Robin Monahan Headshot
June 15, 2022

Employee Spotlight – Robin Monahan

Meet a2b’s Fulfillment Manager, Robin! Robin joined a2b Fulfillment to manage the Fulfillment department for our new Hanover Township facility in Pennsylvania. Robin is experienced in the logistics realm and is a big help with overseeing the outbound shipments for our PA facility. Outside of a2b, Robin loves watching her sons play sporting events and … Continue reading Employee Spotlight – Robin Monahan

Jabin Lutz Headshot
May 28, 2022

Employee Spotlight – Jabin Lutz

Meet a2b’s Operations Manager, Jabin! Jabin joined a2b Fulfillment to manage day-to-day operations for our new Hanover Township facility in Pennsylvania. Jabin brings close to ten years of experience in managing 3PLs, Distribution and Manufacturing facilities. Outside of managing our e-commerce fulfillment operation in Pennsylvania, Jabin can be found attending classic car shows (he has … Continue reading Employee Spotlight – Jabin Lutz

2022 Annual Shipping Rates
December 21, 2021

2022 Annual Shipping Rate Guide

It’s that wonderful time of year where we contemplate our New Year Resolutions and adjust for the Shipping Carrier Rate Increases. This year the carriers are implementing steeper-then-usual increases in the form of both the general rate increase as well as surcharges. Driving these rate changes are the ever-increasing demand for residential shipments. Continuing into … Continue reading 2022 Annual Shipping Rate Guide

Pile of opened shipping boxes
March 22, 2021

3 Key Objectives for a Return Policy

According to a report released in January 2021 by the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail, consumers returned an estimated $428 billion in merchandise to retailers last year. That equates to approximately 10.6 percent of total retail sales in the year 2020. “Last year, we saw an increase in returns of online purchases as the … Continue reading 3 Key Objectives for a Return Policy

Seller Fulfilled Prime & 3PL
February 23, 2021

Seller Fulfilled Prime & Benefits to Using a 3PL

Sellers using a Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) model can enroll in Amazon’s Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) program. With SFP, Sellers benefit from having the Prime badge, however, they must also comply with the very stringent same day shipping and 2-day delivery requirements. Recently, Amazon made changes to its popular SFP program and several Amazon sellers … Continue reading Seller Fulfilled Prime & Benefits to Using a 3PL

Annual Shipping Rates Guide 2021
December 10, 2020

2021 Annual Shipping Rate Guide

It’s that wonderful time of year where we contemplate our New Year Resolutions and adjust for the Shipping Carrier Rate Increases. Please take a moment to review some of the changes coming in 2021 and adjust your shipping charges accordingly. Peak Surcharge Changes UPS Peak Surcharges Effective January 18th, 2021 until further notice, the following … Continue reading 2021 Annual Shipping Rate Guide

October 27, 2020

Webinar – Lessons from the Pandemic

The PDMI is launching its Fall Seminar Series October 28th with a FREE live webinar roundtable featuring leaders from its Workshop Council. Join our very own Director of Marketing for a2b Fulfillment, Bryce McCuin as he joins public relations leader, Andrea Pass and Shai Bar-Ziv of Rapid Phone Center Oct. 28 — at 2 p.m. … Continue reading Webinar – Lessons from the Pandemic

October 17, 2020

Second Harvest finds Second Home and Partner in a2b

The Second Harvest Food Distribution has been serving the Greensboro, Georgia community now for over a decade. Earlier this year, the pandemic presented them with their biggest challenge yet. “Our March and April food distributions were cancelled for the first time in our 10-year history,” says Reid Conklin of Second Harvest, a signature project of … Continue reading Second Harvest finds Second Home and Partner in a2b

March 27, 2020

Supporting Your Amazon Business

There is no doubt about it, Amazon is a dominant force in the U.S. e-commerce arena. The online retail giant has changed the game in terms of how customers purchase products and what they can expect from the buying experience. Since 2019, Amazon has succeeded in capturing nearly half of all U.S. web-based sales. Ranked … Continue reading Supporting Your Amazon Business

PDMI and a2b 2019
November 13, 2019

The Leader in Direct Response Fulfillment

a2b’s Vice President of Business Development, Debbie Skerly and Business Development Executive, Stacey Urrutia recently returned from The PDMI West Event at the Pendry San Diego, which welcomed more than 1,200 badged attendees from across the globe. Short for Performance-Driven Marketing Institute, PDMI is a leadership organization dedicated to promoting, protecting and advancing its membership … Continue reading The Leader in Direct Response Fulfillment

September 1, 2019

Thinking of Outsourcing Fulfillment? 5 Reasons to Act Now

Let’s be honest, your core business is marketing and selling products, not shipping them. And because you have a business to run, we’ve highlighted just the five top reasons why outsourcing fulfillment can help maximize profits and keep your focus where it belongs – growing your business. 1. Focus on growing your business, not running … Continue reading Thinking of Outsourcing Fulfillment? 5 Reasons to Act Now

July 26, 2019

Quick Guide to e-Commerce Shopping Cart Integrations

When it comes to shopping cart and marketplace integration with a fulfillment house, experience plays a huge part in how smooth (and cost-effective) the process can be. Yes, there certainly are software packages that provide turnkey integration with today’s most popular shopping carts. However, there is a huge difference between connectivity and execution. It’s important … Continue reading Quick Guide to e-Commerce Shopping Cart Integrations

April 22, 2019

How the Amazon Effect has changed your Supply Chain Logistics

Like it or not, the economy has been completely disrupted by “The Amazon Effect,” causing retailers to question every aspect of their business, both online and inside their brick and mortars. It’s projected that Amazon will capture nearly half of U.S. online sales in 2019. Sales for the online retail giant are expected to grow … Continue reading How the Amazon Effect has changed your Supply Chain Logistics

Thanksgiving 2018 Lunch
November 27, 2018

Give Thanks This Holiday Season

Thanksgiving has always been a special time of year at a2b. Our annual potluck holiday lunch brings together the culinary talents of our employees and really helps kick off the holiday spirit. This year’s spread of delicious food did not disappoint. Turkey, fried chicken and honey glazed ham served as the main course and many … Continue reading Give Thanks This Holiday Season

DR-Teamwork
October 23, 2018

Direct Response – A New Era of Marketing

a2b Fulfillment recently returned from the inaugural PDMI Summit in Las Vegas, NV. The PDMI is a leadership organization dedicated to promoting, protecting and advancing its membership through education, networking and marketing, and advocacy. The PDMI hosted over 1000 leaders from the direct response industry in an effort to share its vision for 2019 and … Continue reading Direct Response – A New Era of Marketing

Lightbulb
May 8, 2018

How Intelligent is Your Shipping?

  Sophisticated Fulfillment Providers have logic-based technology that lowers shipping costs by determining the optimal shipping carrier and method in order to accomplish the client’s goal, on a package-by-package level. For example, these systems can be programmed to simply choose the lowest cost service to a customer address. Or, complex logic can be employed to … Continue reading How Intelligent is Your Shipping?

April 18, 2018

The Fulfillment Partner Checklist

The choice of fulfillment partner is critical. How your fulfillment services are performed can be a direct reflection of your brand. It’s important to take the time to do your homework and select a fulfillment partner that best represents you and your product.

Fulfillment Operation
February 19, 2018

To Outsource or Not to Outsource? That is the Question!

As our team prepares for the Electronic Retailing Association’s Great Ideas Summit (February 26-28 in Miami), we will be meeting with several companies wrestling with the question of whether to outsource order fulfillment, customer care and value-added services like returns or kitting and assembly. You probably have already considered outsourcing, but what answers should you be … Continue reading To Outsource or Not to Outsource? That is the Question!

Woman Watching TV
January 15, 2018

8 Ways Direct Response is Different

Direct Response Fulfillment is unique from other distribution channels that you may have experience with. If you’re a first-timer to Direct Response, we would recommend that you seek support from partners with significant expertise in the industry. If you currently work with providers outside of Direct Response, think twice before assuming they have the optimal … Continue reading 8 Ways Direct Response is Different

Holiday Party Photobooth
December 21, 2017

Three Reasons Our 2017 Holiday Party Rocked

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” That’s what they say anyway. The truth is, there’s a lot to get done as you approach the end of the year. And if you are putting together a holiday party, you for sure have a lot on your plate. There’s selecting a venue, deciding the entertainment, … Continue reading Three Reasons Our 2017 Holiday Party Rocked

December 2, 2017

4 Benefits to Turnkey Order Fulfillment

by Ayal Latz Several strategies exist when it comes to management of back end functions for a direct to consumer campaign. On one hand you can take the multiple vendor route, where each takes its own function, such as Customer Service, Order Management, and Fulfillment. On the other hand, some choose a vendor providing turnkey … Continue reading 4 Benefits to Turnkey Order Fulfillment

Daniella, Rosi and Yessica
November 28, 2017

Why We’re Thankful This Year

The week before Thanksgiving, the a2b Fulfillment staff gathered together for the annual potluck holiday lunch to share their favorite dish. As always, the spread of food was both delicious and abundant. Options ranged from turkey and southern fried chicken to green beans, collards and macaroni and cheese. There was also a full table of … Continue reading Why We’re Thankful This Year

Man Delivering Package to Doorstep
October 30, 2017

Keeping Consumers Fulfilled

Bryce McCuin, Director of Marketing for a2b Fulfillment, recently sat with Doug McPherson of Response Magazine to talk about how fulfillment providers are working to keep consumers happy, even amid their rising expectations. McPherson: What are three key issues facing performance-based marketers when considering their fulfillment partnership today and why are they so significant? McCuin: First and … Continue reading Keeping Consumers Fulfilled

Holiday Shopping on Laptop
October 5, 2017

Holiday Sales Expected to Rise

The month of November is right around the corner; which means shopping lists are being filled out and retailers everywhere are rolling up their sleeves. A new holiday season is upon us and it is expected to be another big one. Just how big? The National Retail Federation says they expect to see holiday retail … Continue reading Holiday Sales Expected to Rise

Put Your Fulfillment Plan Into Action
August 18, 2017

Seeking a Fulfillment Partner? Choose Wisely!

Whether you’re a startup or entrepreneur that just launched a product and the picking and packing has you pulling your hair out, or you are an established brand seeking to gain operational efficiencies through outsourcing, deciding on the perfect fulfillment partner to handle your customer orders is a big deal. The Fulfillment Provider that you … Continue reading Seeking a Fulfillment Partner? Choose Wisely!

Woman Signing for Delivery
August 14, 2017

How Can I Improve Carrier Rates?

At a2b Fulfillment, we constantly study carrier rates and programs. Earlier this year, we discussed the changes that affected 2017 with regards to major carriers. Specific rate changes by service, zone and weight and package size vary due to carriers’ response to market demand, target market share goals and an attempt to neutralize the very … Continue reading How Can I Improve Carrier Rates?

Holiday Presents Wrapped
July 25, 2017

7 Ways to Prepare for Shopping Days

Christmas in July? Seriously? Yes, we are only halfway through the year. But like it or not, the savvy retailers are already preparing for those crucial holiday shipping days that will be kicking off come Black Friday. In fact, a recent survey from Campaigner suggests that 62% of retailers identify early preparation as their most helpful … Continue reading 7 Ways to Prepare for Shopping Days

Call Center Agent with a Friendly Smile
July 17, 2017

Customer Service in Your Fulfillment Plan

You pour a lot into marketing and selling your product. There’s developing the creative, buying the media and product performance to name a few. As precious as today’s customer journey has become, you may consider integrating Customer Service in with your Fulfillment Plan. Many Fulfillment Providers will offer post-sale customer care where a customer can … Continue reading Customer Service in Your Fulfillment Plan

a2b President, Ayal Latz
July 15, 2017

Death of a Salesman, Birth of a Shipper

20 years ago, Ayal Latz was selling his heart out. The young entrepreneur was walking the exhibit halls of trade shows handing out business cards, buying ad space and cold calling every lead he could get his hands on. “To this day, I still know just about every area code in the U.S.,” jokes Latz, … Continue reading Death of a Salesman, Birth of a Shipper

2017 DSA Annual Meeting
June 22, 2017

Direct Selling – Strength in Numbers

a2b Fulfillment recently returned from the Direct Selling Association Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fl. This event brings together direct selling industry executives, suppliers and educators in an effort to protect the direct selling opportunity and advocate for the support of independent contractors and entrepreneurs. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for networking with direct selling industry peers and … Continue reading Direct Selling – Strength in Numbers

June 16, 2017

3 Factors for Selecting Your Fulfillment Location

It’s no secret these days. Fast shipping is the new norm. And fulfillment location plays a major role in reducing transit time (and saving on your shipping costs in the process!). You must be geared to reach customers quickly if you want to keep up these days. If you handle your own order fulfillment, you’re … Continue reading 3 Factors for Selecting Your Fulfillment Location

Technology Electronics Chip
May 25, 2017

Technology That Drives Order Fulfillment

Technology drives everything in today’s Fulfillment Operation. System capabilities evolve constantly. This in turn drives efficiencies, decision making and the customer experience. Were your PC and software the same five years ago as they are today? Not even close. The same goes for that of a Fulfillment Provider. Many in the consumer direct space have … Continue reading Technology That Drives Order Fulfillment

Atlanta, Ga Skyline
May 15, 2017

Georgia Business is on our Minds

Tomorrow, close to 1,500 logistics-industry and Georgia business professionals will come together for the 2017 Georgia Logistics Summit in Atlanta to discuss industry best practices, the latest logistics technology innovations, and ways to make their logistics business more efficient and effective. Every year, the Summit brings prominent speakers from accomplished shippers in the industry, as well as leaders … Continue reading Georgia Business is on our Minds

Ambient Warehouse Storage Space
April 25, 2017

Warehousing 101

When it comes to warehousing, the options are endless. Warehousing and storage are going to depend on the needs of your particular business. What you store or ship largely determines the type of space you need to select. Your larger warehouses usually provide multiple options of specialty storage, while others focus on specific ones. Storage rates … Continue reading Warehousing 101

Warehouse Aisle with Racking
April 19, 2017

Scalability in Your Fulfillment Plan

Having a fulfillment provider with the infrastructure to meet your shipping needs is extremely important. You must establish a fulfillment plan based around the specific needs of your business. But these days, there are many options from which to choose. The e-commerce fulfillment boom of recent years has been a big one and it doesn’t look to … Continue reading Scalability in Your Fulfillment Plan

a2b Trade Show Booth
March 24, 2017

6 Veteran Tips to a Better Trade Show Season

If you’re like us, you are in the midst of hopping planes, building agendas, requesting meetings and packing up those ever-so-lovely back walls, banners and kiosks. What are we referring to? You guessed it – trade show season! If trade shows are a big part of your marketing strategy, you’re probably asking yourself, “How can I … Continue reading 6 Veteran Tips to a Better Trade Show Season

Containers loaded at Savannah Port
March 15, 2017

Big Things Happening in Savannah

  This just in: big things are happening with Savannah port shipping. And much of it pertains to the size of containers coming in each month. As we’ve talked about in previous articles, the expansion of the Panama Canal was a promising step toward bringing more business to the southeast and the state of Georgia. The … Continue reading Big Things Happening in Savannah

Man seeking answers to fulfillment questions
March 6, 2017

Fulfillment Services – Which do I Choose?

Several providers offer a suite of e-commerce fulfillment services, including fulfillment, order management, customer care, value-adding services (kitting and assembly), shopping cart (or integration with a third-party cart) and reverse logistics (returns and refurbishment). You might have a need for several of these functions and can create a custom package with one supplier, simplifying your … Continue reading Fulfillment Services – Which do I Choose?

Entrepreneur Working on Order Fulfillment Plan
February 9, 2017

When Hiring a 3PL Provider – Experience Matters

When you outsource, you’re bringing in an expert that will deliver service at a higher level of skill and accuracy. It’s why you assign a CPA to do your taxes or hand legal matters over to an attorney. These are individuals that have spent years honing their craft. When it comes to hiring a 3PL Provider, … Continue reading When Hiring a 3PL Provider – Experience Matters

Returns and Refurbishment Bin
January 26, 2017

5 Goals for a Solid Returns Program

Should your Fulfillment Center also manage your returns process? How a company handles returns directly affects the bottom line. Be sure you choose a partner with experience in that area. A great Returns to Profit program can accomplish 5 goals: Improve customer satisfaction and brand loyalty by making the returns process customer-friendly. Allow the customer … Continue reading 5 Goals for a Solid Returns Program

Customer Care Center Employee Group Shot
January 3, 2017

Three Reasons Our Holiday Party was Better than Yours

  Oh, the holiday office party. The challenge to find what to wear, what to say to those coworkers you don’t quite know and the challenge to be well behaved once the drinks begin to flow and the DJ starts spinning. The struggle, as they say, is quite real. Though pulling together a party like … Continue reading Three Reasons Our Holiday Party was Better than Yours

Young Delivery Driver Checking Clibboard for Delivery Info
December 13, 2016

Carrier Rates on the Rise, Plan Accordingly

The following article appears in the December issue of Response Magazine. Some things are just unavoidable this time of year: holiday shopping lists, contemplating New Year Resolutions and Carrier Rate Increases. Like clockwork, major carriers are unveiling charts highlighting the rate increases for shipping packages and this year’s list is a lot to absorb. What’s … Continue reading Carrier Rates on the Rise, Plan Accordingly

The Ultimate Guide to Fulfillment e-Book cover
December 1, 2016

Guide to Choosing the Right Fulfillment Partner for Your Business

We’re excited to be able to introduce this new 20-page, informative resource that leverages our 15-plus years of experience in the fulfillment industry. This guide is a terrific resource to help you better understand the fulfillment process; as well as lead businesses down the path to selecting the best order fulfillment partner that suits their … Continue reading Guide to Choosing the Right Fulfillment Partner for Your Business

2016 Shop.org Retail's Digital Summit Promotion
September 23, 2016

a2b is Headed for Dallas!

a2b Fulfillment is excited to be joining the more than 5,000 e-commerce professionals attending Retail’s Digital Summit in Dallas, TX, September 26th-28th. Presented by Shop.org, the event helps attendees discover new ideas, get actionable takeaways and build strong relationships with the brightest and most innovative players in the digital retail world. For those that happen to be attending … Continue reading a2b is Headed for Dallas!

August 19, 2016

8 Ways Direct Response is Different (Infographic)

by Bryce McCuin Direct Response Marketers have unique needs when it comes to order fulfillment. Ever since our first foray into Direct Response Fulfillment over ten years ago, we have loved the excitement and high volume of the industry. In fact, it’s Direct Response that created the drive for us to expand our services from Business-to-Business into the multidimensional … Continue reading 8 Ways Direct Response is Different (Infographic)

August 12, 2016

Debbie Skerly Leading Launch of Industry Women’s Council

Debbie Skerly is no stranger to the Direct Response and e-Commerce Industries. With over 20 years of experience as a Business Development professional, Skerly has worn many hats. As Director of National Advertising Sales for The Electronic Retailing Association, she presented numerous advertising solutions for Direct-to-Consumer marketers. Today, as Vice President of Business Development with … Continue reading Debbie Skerly Leading Launch of Industry Women’s Council

July 21, 2016

The Need for Speed (Infographic)

by Bryce McCuin Customer expectations continue to change the way that delivery is structured. With carriers testing Saturday deliveries in select markets and same-day delivery gaining momentum even within the small-to-medium sized merchant realm, it is evident that consumers (particularly those pesky Millennials like myself) are raising the bar on delivery times. Someday, we may … Continue reading The Need for Speed (Infographic)

July 13, 2016

Thinking Inside the Box

6 Ways to Personalize Your Order Fulfillment Process by Ayal Latz Sophisticated marketers pay attention to who their customer is and serve up ads and shopping experiences based on behavior. You see it all the time with banners popping up showcasing the exact product you’ve searched for online just moments ago. “That’s funny, I was … Continue reading Thinking Inside the Box

June 22, 2016

The Art of Drop Ship

by Ayal Latz As we discussed in last week’s post, not all order fulfillment is created equal. Shipping retail can be complex and costly if not handled appropriately. One of those methods, Drop Shipping, continues to gain popularity. With its process being arduous and closely managed by the Retailer, we thought we would take a … Continue reading The Art of Drop Ship

June 15, 2016

Shipping Retail Explained

Navigating the Potential Minefields of Retail Order Fulfillment by Ayal Latz You might be asking yourself, are all retail orders fulfilled the same way? What’s the difference between order fulfillment in one area versus order fulfillment in another area? Well, let us break it down for you. These days there are various requirements that Marketers … Continue reading Shipping Retail Explained

June 9, 2016

The New Panama Canal

by Ayal Latz A version of the below article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Response Magazine It has been almost a decade of planning and construction, but the Panama Canal expansion is nearly complete.   Originally scheduled to open in 2014 during the famous waterway’s 100th anniversary celebration, the Canal is set to … Continue reading The New Panama Canal

January 15, 2015

a2b Exhibits at Great Ideas Summit 2015

a2b Fulfillment will be exhibiting at the next Great Ideas Summit on January 26 – 28, 2015. The Great Ideas Summit brings together the direct response industry’s most influential leaders to hold high-powered meetings, close global deals, and develop new digital marketing strategies. Featured speakers include Becky Bui of Global Marketing Solutions. Her team helps … Continue reading a2b Exhibits at Great Ideas Summit 2015

Nicohle Talavera headshot
January 12, 2015

Employee Profile – Nicohle

Meet our Customer Care Contact Center Assistant Manager, Nicohle! Nicohle has played a pivotal role in creating a positive experience for our clients’ customers since joining a2b Fulfillment in 2011. As an assistant manager within the customer care division of our fulfillment center in Greensboro, Ga., she works directly with the on-boarding of new clients … Continue reading Employee Profile – Nicohle

August 20, 2014

a2b Sponsors 2014 D2C Convention

a2b is a proud Sponsor of ERA’s D2C Convention which will be held in Las Vegas from September 16 – 18, 2014.   D2C is one of the largest direct response events in the Direct to Consumer Industry, attracting thousands of Direct Response marketers. Look for our giant sign at the event, which highlights our key … Continue reading a2b Sponsors 2014 D2C Convention

July 18, 2014

On the Move with a2b

Things just don’t slow down here at a2b Fulfillment.  We just returned from a successful show in Chicago and are now preparing for a full agenda of direct response networking events.   What’s next? ERA NETWORKING On Tuesday, Gary Latz hops on a plane to Canada for ERA’s Network Toronto event.  This reception will be held … Continue reading On the Move with a2b

May 23, 2014

5 Ways E-commerce Merchants Increase Efficiency

E-commerce merchants are busy getting ready for the annual Internet Retailer Conference (IRCE) to be held in Chicago. Events kick off on Tuesday June 10th and conclude on Thursday June 12.   This is a great opportunity to enjoy the largest e-commerce industry event in the world.    It is jam-packed with educational presentations and hundreds of exhibitors … Continue reading 5 Ways E-commerce Merchants Increase Efficiency

May 15, 2014

Q&A with Ed Fulford, Georgia Ports Authority

Ayal Latz recently sat with Ed Fulford, Manager of Communications, Georgia Ports Authority and AnchorAge Magazine to discuss fulfillment, e-commerce and how the surge of technology has impacted the logistics business. *Q1: How will moving to a direct-fulfillment DC model impact things like the necessary square footage of a facility and the number of employees? … Continue reading Q&A with Ed Fulford, Georgia Ports Authority

May 10, 2014

Balancing Speed and Costs

This article on delivery originally appeared in Response Magazine – May 2014 The days of “allow 4-6 weeks for delivery” are gone. Unless you have been living in a cave or stuck on a deserted island for the past five years you already know this. The bar of consumer expectations continues to rise until one … Continue reading Balancing Speed and Costs

May 1, 2014

3 (of 9) Proven Shipping Tips

a2b President, Ayal Latz was featured in a recent article by UPS Compass covering the “9 proven shipping tips from successful businesses.” Within the article, business owners share invaluable tips for saving time and cementing customer relationships. Below is an excerpt from the article highlighting Latz: Founder and President Ayal Latz couldn’t get the kind of … Continue reading 3 (of 9) Proven Shipping Tips

April 25, 2014

Response Expo Sponsor 2014

We’re excited about prepping for the annual Response Expo to be held in San Diego.   Events kick off on Tuesday April 29th at 5:30 pm.   The show concludes on Thursday May 1.   This is a great opportunity to enjoy this direct response industry event which is jam-packed with educational presentations and scores of exhibitors and industry … Continue reading Response Expo Sponsor 2014

April 25, 2014

Georgia: Logistics Sweet Spot

a2b Fulfillment was featured in the latest issue of Inbound Logistics Magazine. The piece covered Georgia’s advantages within the Logistics industry and highlighted a2b and company president, Ayal Latz. See the full excerpt below: Here to There Logistics operations are all about getting products from Point A to Point B, according to logistics provider a2b … Continue reading Georgia: Logistics Sweet Spot

April 18, 2014

Does Your Fulfillment Center Security Measure Up?

Fulfillment center security is serious business when it comes to protecting the goods of our clients.  At a2b Fulfillment we take a multi-layered approach to ensuring that the goods entrusted to us are safe and secure.  So, you may be wondering, how do we do it? Let’s start by looking from the outside in. Exterior … Continue reading Does Your Fulfillment Center Security Measure Up?

Adam Vaiden headshot
March 14, 2014

Employee Profile – Adam

  Meet a2b’s Inventory Control Manager, Adam! He has been an employee of a2b for over ten years now and has seen just about everything during that tenure. Outside of managing inventory for our e-commerce fulfillment operation, Adam can most likely be found working on his own craft brew (he’s actually won a few competitions for … Continue reading Employee Profile – Adam

January 15, 2014

The Evolution of Retail Distribution

  Retail Online Solutions January issue includes an article highlightig the role that a2b Fulfillment plays in supporting our client, Neogenis Labs.  a2b Fulfillment assisted in a seamless transition for this fast-growing e-commerce company’s needs. Click on the link  to read more….. http://bit.ly/LeMDtc

December 27, 2013

Night to Remember or Forget?

a2b Fulfillment held its annual Christmas party for employees and their families this holiday season at Festival Hall in downtown Greensboro, Ga.  Good food, plenty of fun and great companionship were shared by over 130 employees and their families and guests. The guest of honor was Dr. Holiday, a trained comedic hypnotist. Several doubtful a2b … Continue reading Night to Remember or Forget?

December 20, 2013

How to Fight Increasing Shipping Costs

In a few short weeks you will begin to receive higher freight bills from your carriers.  Most carrier increases will be effective January 6, 2014.  Very generally, you should see a 3.9% increase. When this realization sinks in, you have several options: Jump out your office window Yell and scream at anyone who cares to … Continue reading How to Fight Increasing Shipping Costs

October 10, 2012

Returns: The Good, Bad and Pretty

This article appeared originally in Response Magazine – August 2012 In a perfect DR world no sale would ever be cancelled. No product would ever be returned. Since that perfect world is elusive, Marketers need to be prepared for returns. A well-thought out strategy and procedure for handling returns can reduce returns, lower costs, and … Continue reading Returns: The Good, Bad and Pretty

August 5, 2012

Returns: Turning the Bad into Good

Wouldn’t it be great if consumers were always happy, never changed their minds and never returned the product that they ordered? Just think of the savings in cost, hassle and the need to staff customer service agents. What a boost to the bottom line that would be. Now snap out it! We all know that’s … Continue reading Returns: Turning the Bad into Good

December 12, 2011

USPS Cuts Back, Causing First Class Mail Delays

There are countless theories on why the USPS is in financial crisis. But regardless of the underlying reasons for the USPS’ troubles, the postal service has been making a lot of headlines as of late for rate increases and plant reorganization that will affect both businesses and consumers alike. USPS First Class mail time could … Continue reading USPS Cuts Back, Causing First Class Mail Delays

November 1, 2011

Circumventing Dimensional Factors Reduce Shipping Costs

Last week, we discussed annual shipping cost increases and provided some useful tips on packaging optimization and how to work with your fulfillment house in order to effectively manage the higher costs. This week, we wanted to continue the topic about yearly contract negotiation to focus on the importance of the dimensional factor that is … Continue reading Circumventing Dimensional Factors Reduce Shipping Costs

October 20, 2011

Strategies for Adapting to Annual Shipping Cost Increases

Death, taxes and annual shipping cost increases. Every January, most of the package carriers increase shipping prices.  For 2012, DHL has already announced their increase.  And it won’t be long before other carriers follow suit. This past January, UPS and FedEx announced average increases of 4.9 percent, and USPS wasn’t far behind at 3.6 percent. … Continue reading Strategies for Adapting to Annual Shipping Cost Increases

October 17, 2011

How to Save Money Drop Shipping

Direct Response marketers can save money on shipping costs by learning lessons developed by package consolidators.  Consolidators combine many packages into one larger unit.  This one heavier item ships at a lower cost per pound than the many lighter packages.  Upon arrival at a hub, the larger package is broken down into the components for … Continue reading How to Save Money Drop Shipping

September 28, 2011

Major E-Retailers Opening Fulfillment Centers in Canada

Canada is our friendly, like-minded neighbor to the north with a considerable collective buying power that seems to be getting more and more attention from big business. Major U.S. retailers, both storefront and online, have recently begun to acknowledge and respond to Canadian consumers by opening fulfillment centers in the country. With a population of … Continue reading Major E-Retailers Opening Fulfillment Centers in Canada

September 23, 2011

Record Crowds at D2C Convention

a2b just returned from a busy and exciting few days at the Electronic Retailing Association’s 21st annual D2C Convention in Las Vegas. The convention is the one show for the direct-to-consumer industry and direct response fulfillment distribution experts, and features “top notch, industry-focused education sessions; outstanding networking opportunities including the Opening Reception; and special events … Continue reading Record Crowds at D2C Convention

September 12, 2011

Reverse Logistics 101

“Reverse logistics” – what exactly is that?   Many readers don’t understand what it means or its implications for businesses. And you’re not alone – many attempts have been made  to define reverse logistics, but the explanation often makes the concept even harder to understand. Logistics is defined by The Council of Logistics Management as: The … Continue reading Reverse Logistics 101

September 2, 2011

How to Save Time & Money with Your 3PL

It goes without saying that financial times are tough for just about every business in the current economic landscape. Managers are facing difficult decisions concerning where to cut spending while still maintaining the same level of quality and service. Outsourcing to a third-party logistics company can be a viable solution to save valuable time and … Continue reading How to Save Time & Money with Your 3PL

August 1, 2011

Fulfillment in Canada – a2b’s Newest Endeavor

Consumer-direct campaigns have always eyed the 33,000,000 Canadian market.  But fulfilling orders from a US-based fulfillment center to a Canadian consumer is not an easy task.  Transit times are long, tracking is poor and each package must pass through customs.  In many cases, the Canadian consumer must pay duties to the delivering carrier upon receipt … Continue reading Fulfillment in Canada – a2b’s Newest Endeavor

July 25, 2011

USPS Adds Hefty Returns Pricing

It’s the inevitable – a data entry error, a customer gives the incorrect address, or the receiver refuses the shipment, thus sending your perfectly packed order right back to your door. However, if you’re using the United States Postal Service, you’re not only getting the package back but a hefty bill to go with it. … Continue reading USPS Adds Hefty Returns Pricing

July 18, 2011

Order Management System Solutions

  Managing the order cycle from capture to post-sale customer service without the right tools is a juggling act.   Afraid of dropping the ball?  Allow a2b Fulfillment to act as your safety net with our innovative Order Management System solutions that tie the front and back ends together and put you in control of your campaign. … Continue reading Order Management System Solutions

July 11, 2011

UPS Raises Non-Contractual Rates

The United Parcel Service’s freight division will raise non-contractual shipping rates in North American by 6.9% beginning August 1st as reported by the Wall Street Journal this past Friday. However, for companies with existing contracts for ongoing shipments the raise will not immediately effect such clientele as their contracts are negotiated individually. Various insiders suggest … Continue reading UPS Raises Non-Contractual Rates

July 4, 2011

Fulfillment Popular With Entrepreneurs

As the economy revives and businesses thrive, many companies are facing a dilemma for storage and shipping.  The solution?  Fulfillment services.  A recent article by The Wall Street Journal revealed fulfillment centers provide the warehousing and distribution needs many business-owners and entrepreneurs seek as their companies grow and time and space become limited. New York … Continue reading Fulfillment Popular With Entrepreneurs

June 27, 2011

a2b Fulfillment: More Than The Average Fulfillment Center

Don’t overlook what a fulfillment center can really be to both you and your customers.  Traditionally thought of as the back- end warehousing, pick, pack and ship operation, a fulfillment center can be so much more depending on your individual needs!

June 20, 2011

Going Above and Beyond for Customers and Community

At a2b Fulfillment the core goals in our third party logistics firm consist of the following cost-effective, service-oriented elements: Order Fulfillment, Warehousing and Storage, Co-packing and Kitting  and Shipping Solutions.  However, there is another element to our business that isn’t found on our website or service listings, but one in which we take great pride … Continue reading Going Above and Beyond for Customers and Community

June 13, 2011

The Internet’s Future as a Tax-Free Zone

The federal Commerce Clause regarding Internet sales tax can be broken down simply:  If an online retailer has a physical presence in a particular state, such as a business office or a warehouse, it must collect sales tax from customers in that state.  If an online business does not have a physical presence in a … Continue reading The Internet’s Future as a Tax-Free Zone

June 2, 2011

a2b Fulfillment Introduces Returns to Profit

Returning items are an inevitable part of doing business.  For Marketers returns have been viewed only as a negative.  Today a2b Fulfillment has a seamless returns process that can actually help you lower costs, establish greater customer loyalty and create a revenue stream.  a2b Fulfillment introduces “Returns to Profit”  an innovative concept to make logistics … Continue reading a2b Fulfillment Introduces Returns to Profit

June 22, 2010

Parcel shipping: Vote on Labor Looms

Logistics Management Review By Jeff Berman, Group News Editor June 21, 2010 With various reports suggesting a vote on the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization is imminent, a labor component of the bill is still at the center of a high degree of acrimony between parcel shipping industry bellwethers FedEx and UPS. In March, the House … Continue reading Parcel shipping: Vote on Labor Looms

June 7, 2010

New Article from CSCMP

“Packaging changes demand “gentler” handling equipment” By STAFF | From the Quarter issue The trends toward eco-friendly packaging and increasingly varied product displays will influence the kind of material handling equipment that’s used in distribution centers. Get ready for kinder, gentler material handling equipment in the warehouse. As manufacturers reduce packaging to meet sustainability goals, … Continue reading New Article from CSCMP

March 19, 2010

Welcome to a2b Fulfillment’s Blog

Thanks for viewing a2b’s order fulfillment blog. We are very excited to kick off this blog with articles to keep you posted on our company, related industries, clients and affiliates as well as anything else that you may request. As a third party logistics provider, we offer a wide array of services from order fullfillment … Continue reading Welcome to a2b Fulfillment’s Blog