Brent Leary Explains How Working with Amazon Benefits the Final Leg of Delivery

Have you ever wondered how Amazon manages to deliver packages so quickly? The answer lies in their strategic partnerships, and today I want to share with you my experience of partnering with Amazon for the last mile of delivery.

When I first heard about the opportunity to work with Amazon, I was both excited and curious. How could a small business like mine benefit from collaborating with such a retail giant? But I decided to give it a shot, and it turned out to be a game-changer.

Partnering with Amazon has allowed me to tap into their vast network of fulfillment centers and delivery resources. This means that when customers place an order on my website, Amazon handles the shipping and delivery process. This not only saves me time and effort but also ensures the package arrives at the customer’s doorstep quickly and reliably.

But the benefits don’t end there. Working with Amazon has given my business greater visibility and reach. Being associated with a trusted brand like Amazon boosts customer confidence and encourages them to make a purchase. It’s like having a stamp of approval from one of the most reputable companies in the world.

Moreover, Amazon’s robust logistics infrastructure ensures that packages are delivered on time, every time. They use advanced tracking systems and employ skilled delivery personnel, so you and your customers can have peace of mind knowing that the package will arrive when expected.

And let’s not forget about customer service. Amazon’s dedication to providing an exceptional customer experience is unparalleled. They handle any issues or inquiries promptly and efficiently, allowing me to focus on other aspects of my business. It’s a relief to know that I don’t have to deal with shipping-related headaches, as Amazon takes care of it all.

In conclusion, partnering with Amazon for the last mile of delivery has been a game-changer for my business. Their extensive network, trusted brand, efficient logistics, and exceptional customer service have allowed me to streamline my operations and provide a better shopping experience for my customers. If you’re a small business looking to level up your delivery game, I highly recommend considering a partnership with Amazon.

I recently had a chat with Brent Leary, the Managing Partner at CRM Essentials, about his visit to Atlanta’s Amazon delivery station. We talked about how vital small businesses are in Amazon’s last-mile service.

What is Amazon’s Last Mile Delivery?

Okay, let’s break down what last mile delivery actually means. In case you didn’t know, it’s the final step in the delivery process. This is when a package goes from a transportation hub to its last stop: either a retail store or someone’s house. Basically, it’s the last leg of the delivery journey.

Let me tell you about how Amazon takes care of everything before your package arrives at your door. They have this huge network, and they handle everything from the start until it reaches their transportation hub, which they call the node.

Inside Amazon’s Delivery Station

Shawn Hessinger: So, Brent, can you share what you did and how you ended up following packages at Amazon?

Brent Leary: I’ve always been curious about how they operate. I paid attention to what they do, and they actually invited me to get a special look at what happens during the last part of the journey, right here in Atlanta.

So, I had the awesome opportunity to take a tour of this cool place called a delivery station. It’s one of the stops along the way to get your stuff to you. You know, it goes from a fulfillment center to a sorting facility, and finally to the delivery station where I visited.

At the delivery station, they take all those packages and get them ready for that last leg of the journey, which is done by a delivery truck. But here’s the interesting part – the delivery service partners who handle this step aren’t actually employees of Amazon. They’re small businesses that Amazon teams up with to get your package delivered.

Why Small Businesses are Super Important in the Delivery Process

Shawn Hessinger: A lot of people see Amazon as this big corporation, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. You mentioned how small businesses are a part of this whole ecosystem.

I had the opportunity to sneak a peek at the Atlanta delivery station facility, and let me tell you, it was massive! The place measured a whopping 250,000 square feet! But that’s not all I discovered. There are several key parts to the whole operation:

• First off, there’s this section called Under the Roof. It’s where all the packages are unloaded from the trucks and taken inside the facility for processing.
• Once the processing is complete, the next step is packing. They refer to it as inducting. This involves putting the items into shipping packages, placing them in sorting bins, and getting them ready for the delivery service partners to pick up.
• And finally, the partners pick up the packages, load them onto their trucks, and hit the road for delivery.

But hold on, that’s not the whole story. Before any of this happens, there are fulfillment centers. These centers play a crucial role for selling partners who use Amazon’s fulfillment services. Basically, they store all the products that these partners sell, before they make their way to the delivery station.

So here’s how it all works: when you hit that buy button, your order goes from a place where they pack and ship things, to a spot where they organize and sort all the orders. From there, it heads out to different places where they send out the deliveries. They get everything ready and put it on trucks for transport. In the case I saw, Amazon works with seven different delivery partners at this facility.

Each of these partners has a bunch of drivers who go around delivering packages to businesses. Every morning, from about 9:50 am to 11:30 am, a group of these partners show up. They have about 20 minutes to load up all their stuff and hit the road. Then, another group of partners brings in their trucks and goes through the same process. Once everything is loaded up on the truck, it’s on its way to be delivered to you.

Small Businesses Play a Vital Role in the Fulfillment Process

Shawn Hessinger: So, what I understand is that small businesses are involved in the first and last steps of the process. They start by selling their products and having them stored in Amazon warehouses. And then, when it’s time to deliver the goods to customers, small businesses are also a key part of the process.

Brent Leary: Absolutely, you’re spot on. Think about it. These sellers not only sell on the platform, but many of them also benefit from Amazon’s fulfillment service. This means their products are stored in specialized centers, making it easier and more efficient to go from a customer buying an item to having it readily available in an Amazon facility.

So, let me explain how it works. The goal is to get the product to the customer quickly and efficiently. But here’s the thing: Amazon has teamed up with small businesses to make it happen. These businesses are called delivery service partners, and they’re an important part of the process. I think Amazon started working with them back in 2018, and now there are about 3,000 of them, at least in the U.S.

Now, let me tell you about my experience last week. I was at one of the delivery stations in Atlanta. There are actually several of these stations all over the state. Each station works with a group of delivery service partners. So, here’s how it goes: when a package arrives at the station, it goes through some steps like fulfillment and sorting. And once it’s all processed and ready, it’s time for the package to hit the road and be delivered to the customer.

Once the package is ready to go, it’s handed off to a delivery service partner who isn’t an Amazon employee. This facility works with seven different small businesses that are delivery service partners.

And each one of those businesses has multiple drivers. They all come in at the same time. Delivery service partner 1 arrives at 9:50. About seven or eight of the vehicles belong to that specific partner, and they could be trucks, vans, or even big trucks. They have only 20 minutes to load each vehicle with the packages for that partner, so they can hit the road and start delivering.

Interviews with Amazon’s Operational Management

Shawn Hessinger: You did some interviews while you were there, which is really great. Can you tell us about the first interview we have here – who we’re talking to and what they’re talking about?

Brent Leary: On this tour, I had two fantastic tour guides. The first one, who everyone calls YoYo Johnson, is the Operational Manager for that facility. She did an outstanding job showing me what goes on inside.

Shawn Hessinger: Let’s watch the video now. After that, we can discuss your next interview.

YoYo Johnson (transcript from the video):

We’re currently at our launch pad. Here at DGT-8, we have two launchpads that operate simultaneously, and the launch pad is where all the magic happens.

We have our delivery service partners. Their drivers pull up onto the launch pad in their vehicles. Once they’re on the launch pad, we go through a thorough process to ensure safety is maintained at all times. To the right, you’ll see our queuing area where drivers wait before they can come onto the launch pad. A traffic controller gives them the go-ahead to enter the launch pad.

This controller is responsible for managing the flow of traffic onto the launch pad, making sure the drivers stay in their vehicles until they receive the all-clear signal. We ensure that every vehicle is stopped, there are no people or products on the launch pad, and everything is clear to proceed. Once we have the all-clear, drivers have 20 minutes to load their entire vehicle with the packages for their route and leave the launch pad to begin their dispatch process for delivering the packages.

Amazon’s Final Step: Delivering Packages to Your Doorstep

Hi there! I’m excited to share with you how Amazon’s delivery partners make the magic happen. My name is Ross Kirkpatrick, and I work as an Operations Manager at Amazon Logistics. Let me walk you through the fascinating process of loading packages for that last mile until they reach your front door.

Here’s what I have to say:

It’s really cool how the staging process works. At our Under the Roof Team, we arrange the packages so that you can easily see our totes. A tote is basically a bin that holds multiple packages. We load these totes first, following a specific order.

Now, here’s the interesting part. We actually plan our route backwards inside the building to make it more efficient for the drivers when they’re on the road. So, we work the system in reverse to maximize efficiency.

When the drivers arrive, they place their cart next to their van. Then, they load the packages in a specific order, which is shown in real-time on their flex app. They receive step-by-step instructions, like Your first tote will be 457 blue. This allows them to stay organized and work efficiently.

As you can see, driving efficiency is a top priority for us. We want to make sure our delivery process runs smoothly and that our drivers can easily deliver packages on time.

Shawn Hessinger: Hey Brent, could you tell us about the final video clip?

Brent Leary: Sure! This clip really intrigued me when I was chatting with Ross. He shared that if you use the Amazon app, you can receive all kinds of helpful notifications. For example, you can get a heads up when you’re next in line to receive your delivery.

Ross Kirkpatrick (transcript from the video):

I want to make sure our customers have all the important information they need about their packages. That’s why we provide consistent updates throughout the whole delivery process. We want you to know exactly when your package will arrive.

You can receive updates about your package on the Amazon app. If you have notifications turned on, you’ll be notified about every step of the delivery. This includes when your package leaves the fulfillment center and when it’s on its way to our delivery station.

These updates also include the estimated delivery time. And if you’re the next delivery on a driver’s route, we’ll let you know. This gives you a chance to get ready for the delivery and make sure you’re available to receive your package.

We want to make sure you have a smooth and convenient delivery experience. That’s why we keep you well-informed every step of the way.

The Key Takeaways

Let’s dive into the example we have here about last mile service. One great tip for your business is to consider partnering with a larger business when you’re starting out. This can help you expand your reach and gain access to resources that you might not have otherwise. With this support, you can grow your business faster than you ever imagined possible.

If you found the information about how small businesses can provide last mile services interesting, you might want to check out Small Biz Trend’s article on How to Start an Amazon DSP Business. It covers everything you need to know to get started and successfully run your own package delivery business.

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