Focus Outlook

Flexe: Combining Technology, Open Supply Chains, and Adaptable Economic Framework for Outstanding Logistics Experience

Karl Siebrecht

CEO & Co-founder, Flexe

“Flexe Logistics Programs expedite network expansion and growth through a flexible, asset-light model: no upfront costs or term agreements, just better omnichannel operations and smarter use of capital. As a result, our clients find it easy to replenish goods faster, maintain OTIF compliance, and be more efficient. We Manage orders, inventory, operations, transportation, and analytics—across programs and providers— from a single logistics technology platform”

Flexe extends technologically-powered, omnichannel logistics strategies. The world’s top-rated retailers and brands leverage the firm’s services. Customer satisfaction has gained the utmost importance in the current retail sector. Logistics plays a strategic role in ensuring customer satisfaction. Besides, with a high-end logistics approach, it would be easier for today’s retailers to sustain their organizational goals, such as quick delivery, low prices, and many more. The retail industry faces consistent competition. Retailers are under pressure to excel at every step of the process of taking products to the consumer. As a result, the possibility of errors is always high. There have been plenty of incidents involving the shipping of the wrong products. The address could be incorrect, or there could be unexpected delays. Retail logistics has the potential to solve such concerns, provided the strategies are well-executed. Whether they streamline the logistics processes internally or outsource, retailers have unquestionably financial advantages.

Flexe, a Seattle, WA-based firm, stands at the intersection of technology and logistics. “Flexe Logistics Programs expedite network expansion and growth through a flexible, asset-light model: no upfront costs or term agreements, just better omnichannel operations and smarter use of capital. As a result, our clients find it easy to replenish goods faster, maintain OTIF compliance, and be more efficient. We Manage orders, inventory, operations, transportation, and analytics—across programs and providers—from a single logistics technology platform,” says Karl Siebrecht, CEO & Co-founder. Flexe wants to create an open logistics network that will improve the movement of goods around the globe. Flexe, a 2013 startup, combines strong logistical knowledge with business-grade technology to offer cutting-edge eCommerce fulfillment, retail distribution, same-day delivery, and network capacity programs. The enterprise caters to a wide range of Fortune 500 companies—the client list comprises six of the ten biggest U.S. retailers.

THE BEGINNING

Flexe began with the launch of strategies that helped online merchants to access on-demand warehouse space. Earlier, warehouses were associated with a fixed price due to long-term leases. Also, logistics networks were stringent during those days, and just 8% of retail sales were online. The availability of on-demand warehouse space enabled the cost to be variable. In addition, the option of variable pay made it easy for enterprises to scale up or down based on their individual needs of demand and supply. Today, Flexe has gone beyond workspaces. The firm caters to both online and physical retailers. Flexe is attempting to fulfill the new requirements and problems facing the logistics sector.

The technological platform extended by the firm enables business merchants and brands to offer warehouse capacity, retail distribution, and e-commerce fulfillment services. As a result, the need to sign lengthy and fixed leases doesn’t arise. “The companies similar to Flexe focus on small and medium-sized businesses. That’s not easy, but those customers tend to distribute through e-commerce channels only. Our enterprise customers are all omnichannel businesses. Their needs span from e-commerce fulfillment to retail brick-and-mortar store distribution to wholesale distribution. Our solutions have to map to that breadth of needs. Our solutions include distribution, fulfillment, and store replenishment solutions,” the CEO adds.