Many experts agree that game-change in logistics happens in the middle mile. In this transfer of goods from a warehouse or distribution center to a fulfillment center, there are tremendous opportunities for efficiency and cost-savings. It’s the mile where Harte Hanks (Nasdaq: HHS) has come to play, and so far, it’s boasting a winning record. Harte Hanks is a major supply chain partner for companies including Office Depot and American Eagle, and its e-commerce and retail business continues to grow.

Calling the plays is Pat O’Brien, managing director of Fulfillment and Logistics for Harte Hanks.

“We’ve been an expert in the fulfillment and delivery of time-sensitive materials for over five decades. Trusted relationships have driven our expansion into other sectors like retail and e-commerce. Our clients asked us to collaborate and leverage our carrier and major parcel carrier connections to help them solve new operational challenges.”

To compete in today’s hypercompetitive freight market, Harte Hanks must deliver on cost, quality, and speed balanced with inventory and shipping visibility. Technology and automation are key.

“Allink 360° is our proprietary, carrier agnostic transportation management software that enables us to find the best rate, route, schedule, and carrier to move our customers' shipments. It also provides tracking throughout the shipment lifecycle. It's what we use internally, and we also offer the system as a standalone if our customers prefer to handle their own shipping,” says O'Brien.

It’s the workhorse of the Harte Hanks tech stack, helping the company move more than 1.3 billion pounds of freight annually across parcel, truckload, and LTL carriers.

“The tool is constantly augmented with the latest features and capabilities, ensuring the best customer experience and enhanced real-time visibility.”

Investments in state-of-the-art order and warehouse management systems have also helped reduce costs and increase visibility inside the company’s 400,000-square-foot, FDA-certified fulfillment center in Kansas City, Kan., and its 300,000-square-foot Boston facility.

Technology and automation free up Harte Hanks’ highly competent and seasoned employees, some with over 20 years of experience, to focus on important value-added services for its clients like specialty kitting, product sampling and influencer gift boxes, as well as custom digital printing for point-of-sale retail displays and print-on-demand literature.

For example, when a global beverage brand needed to ramp up its marketing efforts for Cinco de Mayo, Harte Hanks was their one-stop shop for fulfillment and logistics. From delivering 87 Bar Carts to 32 locations in one week, to printing, to shipping on-premises signage, Harte Hanks customized and built out orders while maintaining flawless inventory and cost controls.

“Our goal is to prove our worth and become the “go-to” supply chain services provider for our clients,” says O’Brien.

Another way the company does this is through unparalleled transparency of its pricing grids across all forms of fulfillment and custom KPI reporting on metrics such as inventory visibility, receiving data and timing, production data, and outbound performance.

Next up for Harte Hanks is evaluating sites for a West Coast fulfillment center so its clients continue to benefit from increased speed to customers and lower outbound shipping costs.

Overall, Harte Hanks makes a difference as a leading one-stop shop 3PL provider for its transparent and collaborative approach, cost-competitive solutions, and cutting-edge technologies.