The whole idea behind using a third-party logistics provider is to avoid having to devote corporate resources that could be better used on core manufacturing tasks. That doesn't mean, though, that a manufacturer should abdicate responsibility for keeping an eye on what the 3PL is doing, particularly since a logistics provider typically has direct contact with your customer base.
According to Dan Montgomery, vice president of business development for APL Logistics, a provider of third-party warehousing and other logistics services, there are several techniques that manufacturers can use to effectively measure and monitor their 3PLs.
Source: Industry Week