When sourcing a third-party logistics (3PL) provider to handle chemical logistics on your behalf, it’s critical to choose a partner that stands out from the competition. Though you may not manage your chemical storage or distribution directly, your name is still on the products you sell. Poor chemical logistics practices will reflect badly on your company’s brand.
The WSI team understands that our success depends on yours. WSI offers expert chemical warehousing and logistics services through our chemical logistics division, Material Logistics & Services, LLC. We handle all hazardous and non-hazardous materials in strict accordance with environmental regulations, allowing our customers to rest assured that their chemical goods are handled safely and ethically.
If you’re seeking a chemical logistics provider that will go above and beyond, then WSI is the right partner for you. Compare with our competitors, you’ll find that WSI excels in the following areas.
1. EXPERIENCE & REPUTATION
Superior performance in chemical logistics comes through extensive experience. At WSI, our team has developed comprehensive experience with virtually every class of chemicals. Some of the chemical types we handle every day include:
- Acids
- Corrosives
- Detergents
- Dyes, paper, and textile
- Fertilizer
- Optical brighteners
- Oxidizers
- Paints
- Paper treatment
- Petrochemicals
- Poisons
- Plastic resins
- Polyresin films
- Polymers
- Potassium carbonate pellets
- Solvents
- ORM-D
We’ve developed a reputation as an industry leader in chemical logistics. Our reliable service and specialized capabilities have allowed us to foster long-term relationships with some of the world’s largest chemical brands. Some of our chemical capabilities have been featured in our success stories section.
Don’t just take our word for it, however. We consistently earn our place on the annual Inbound Logistics Top 100 3PL list, year after year. We were also named a 2020 Best Fully Integrated Logistics Provider in Corporate Vision magazine’s Logistics, Warehouse, and Supply Chain Awards.
2. SAFETY & TRAINING
Safety is a top priority at WSI. We understand the hazardous nature of chemical products and have implemented stringent safety policies and practices in every step of our chemical handling operations. Our workforce undergoes regular training in hazardous material and chemical handling, helping us to mitigate the risk of accidents and reinforce our core value of operational safety. Our employees must undergo the following training:
- USDOT hazmat
- OSHA hazmat
- EPA
- IMDG
- IATA
- HAZWOPER
In the spirit of continuous improvement, we also conduct scheduled and unscheduled spill drills in our chemical facilities to ensure that our procedures and processes remain effective and up-to-date.
3. LICENSES, PERMITS, CERTIFICATIONS
Every chemical facility operated by WSI operates within the strict letter of the law, including all necessary licenses, permits, and certifications. Our storage and logistics operations are also fully compliant with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and C-TPAT guidelines.
The true differentiator for WSI is our American Chemistry Council Responsible Care® partnership. WSI was the first 3PL to ever receive Responsible Care partner status. To pass a Responsible Care audit, a logistics provider must demonstrate a willingness to significantly exceed basic environmental, safety, health, and security legal requirements. Our Responsible Care partnership helps us demonstrate to chemical businesses that we can be trusted to handle hazardous materials safely and effectively.
4. INVENTORY TRACKING & VISIBILITY
The WSI Family of Companies encompasses the 360data™ suite of logistics software solutions, granting us unique capabilities and insight within all of our operations. Our comprehensive technology includes a transportation management system, an order management system, and an electronic data interchange to ensure a reliable interface with other B2B technologies. Our chemical warehouses also use an advanced warehouse management system, allowing us to provide full tracking and traceability on all chemical products that move through our facilities.
5. ABILITY TO SCALE
With an extensive national portfolio and resources, WSI can fully scale our chemical logistics services to meet any need of our customers. When partnering with WSI, chemical companies will never have to worry about outgrowing our capabilities. When we enter into a business partnership, we always plan to see it flourish in the long-term.
6. FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
Our newest chemical facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa features Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) status. With an FTZ, we can import and process chemical products for our global customers without paying any U.S. Customs duties until the chemicals have been prepared for distribution to local markets. We can also hold chemicals indefinitely in the FTZ without paying duties, or export chemicals from the FTZ to foreign markets without paying duties. These abilities allow us to streamline the costs, tariffs, and taxes associated with international chemical distribution.
7. CUSTOMIZED FACILITIES
Our new Council Bluffs location also demonstrates our ability to fully customize chemical logistics operations for our customers. While this facility already has the FTZ and centralized national distribution capabilities via road and rail, WSI intends to add a bulk tank farm and is exploring the option of additional packaging capabilities. These projects will optimize the facility for the existing client and provide opportunities for new customers in the multi-tenant facility as well. If you have unique or highly specific needs for your chemical logistics operation, we’re happy to tailor a solution for you.
8. COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENT
Raw chemicals pose a greater risk to the environment than most other product types. That makes it essential for chemical companies to work only with logistics providers who respect the hazardous nature of chemical materials. Our commitment to environmental stewardship is one of our core values at WSI. Our environmental programs include:
• ACC Responsible Care partnership
• Electric-powered equipment over gas-powered whenever possible
• Natural landscaping and optimized green space at all facilities to minimize storm runoff
• Recycling programs at all facilities, resulting in thousands of tons of recycled materials annually
• Ongoing upgrades to energy-efficient lighting within our facilities
• EPA SmartWay® Transport Partner certification
• International Operation Clean Sweep® partner to prevent resin waste from entering marine environments
• Optimized facility equipment routing to save energy
• Remote work/telecommuting wherever possible to reduce carbon emission caused by commuting
• Adherence to Lean principles to conserve resources and limit waste
WSI also participates in the Together for Sustainability Initiative, a global network led by 26 chemical companies that set the industry standard for social, environmental, and governance of chemical supply chains.
SUPERIOR CHEMICAL LOGISTICS FROM WSI
At WSI, we possess the capabilities and certifications necessary to store, distribute, and transport any chemical product safely and ethically. For chemical logistics, we understand that Reliability is Everything™. For more information about our chemical logistics capabilities or other services, please contact us today.
