With the beginning of a new calendar year, it’s natural to reevaluate processes, systems, and relationships within an organization, particularly if they don’t seem to be functioning quite as well as one would expect. The opposite side of that coin, however, is the strong factor of inertia. It’s much easier to simply allow the current condition to continue, even if it is unsatisfactory, than to make a major change to an unknown alternative that would probably be superior in the long run.

In our decades of experience in the fulfillment space, we have seen many organizations finally reach a breaking point with an unsuccessful partnership and contact us to explore the possibility of a new 3PL relationship. We are always delighted to receive such a message, and one of the first steps in the process of establishing a new fulfillment partnership is often a pilot program.

If you feel that your company needs to start the new year with a new fulfillment strategy, Spectra is here to help. Each additional month spent contracted with a fulfillment provider that lacks in accuracy, communication, knowledge, or other key areas is another month that your organization is being held back from its true potential. Consider how a pilot program with Spectra could make 2026 your best year yet.

Testing the Waters

A pilot program is a great way to embark on a new fulfillment relationship while exercising responsibility. It can be daunting to go “all in” right away with a new 3PL provider, especially if you have been burned in the past by promises that didn’t play out the way you expected. At Spectra, we routinely launch relationships with new clients by handling small projects for them at first, then scaling up volume and taking on more aspects of their fulfillment program as they grow in their confidence in our team.

Rapid Onboarding

Setting up a new fulfillment account is incredibly easy and painless. Our facility in Columbia, SC is managed by team members with many years of history in the industry, and they are committed to best practices when it comes to receiving, warehousing, kitting, and shipping on behalf of clients. During the initiation and early stages of a pilot program, you’ll get a picture of just how professionally and expertly the Spectra team can manage your fulfillment process. 

Value Added Services

One of the main complaints that we hear from new clients is that their old fulfillment partner was unable to flex to fit their specific needs. Some products, for instance, need to be stored within defined temperature ranges, and there are surprisingly few 3PL providers that offer climate controlled storage areas. 

One recent new client of ours had this very issue with their existing provider, which was storing cosmetic products in a warehouse without climate control. This led to thousands of dollars’ worth of product being lost. Spectra was able to offer not only climate control, but also spot testing and pest control services requested by the client.

Dependability and Industry Expertise

Our team’s depth of knowledge about fulfillment allows us to become valuable partners in strategy as we learn about your business and your end users. As a new client conducts a pilot program with us, they discover that their Spectra project managers bring new ideas, suggestions for alterations to their process, and recommendations that can help them better satisfy their end users while saving money and time. The value of this type of relationship is significant, and it’s one that many of our new clients have never experienced or anticipated from their 3PL partner.

One of our favorite pilot programs took place several years ago, as a well-known national auto parts manufacturer wanted to launch a marketing effort with retail partners around the country. When their existing fulfillment provider was unable to bring to fruition what they had in mind, they started a conversation with Spectra. After the initial pilot program was a resounding success, this client invested in several more iterations of the campaign, each one expanding dramatically in both the materials contained in the campaign and the number of retail partners included in the program.

Integrated Print Services

If you currently contract with both a print provider and a fulfillment partner, there is another welcome surprise in store for you at Spectra. In addition to our fulfillment division, we operate an in-house print facility that is fully equipped to produce catalogs, books, labels, and other printed collateral. Not all of our fulfillment clients require printed materials, but for those that do, having all of these services under one roof brings an enormous amount of value.

These are just a few of the efficiencies and opportunities that are possible with a switch to Spectra for 3PL fulfillment. There are many more that will become evident as you get to know Spectra and as our team gets to know your organization. Your fulfillment relationship will move away from being a drag on your business and instead will become one of its biggest drivers of growth, as you realize how much more you can be doing to get your products to your end users.

For many of our first-time fulfillment clients, it all starts with a pilot program. Our managers are ready to find out what it is you do, how we can help, and what factors make your fulfillment process unique. We work with all online storefronts, and we also offer customized, fully white labeled online portals that you and your end users can use to communicate about orders and track current inventory. 

Imagine where your company could be at this time next year with a fulfillment partner that is ready to support all of your activities–and then some. At Spectra, we’re excited about the new clients that we will add to our network in 2026, and we certainly hope that you will be one of them. Whatever your industry, and whether your fulfillment needs are B2C or B2B, there is a set of Spectra solutions that will fit them perfectly.