How to Pick a 3PL Without Getting Burned: Red Flags, Green Flags
From OPERATORS by OPERATORS
June 10, 2026 · 1h 14m · Episode 169
About this episode
The episode discusses the pros and cons of owning a warehouse versus outsourcing fulfillment to a 3PL, along with insights on founder identity and leadership transitions.
Is owning your own warehouse worth the headache? Or is it a siren song that will slow your growth? Matt Bertulli (CEO, Pela Case and Lomi), Mike Beckham (CEO, Simple Modern), and Curtis Matsko (CEO, Portland Leather Goods) dig into two of the most expensive decisions in ecommerce. Should you own your warehouse or outsource fulfillment to a 3PL? Can a founder ever truly step back from the company they built? They break down the owned warehouse versus 3PL debate, covering when flexibility beats cost savings, and why high-growth brands get burned by leases. From there, the conversation shifts to founder identity and succession, what Tim Cook’s Apple exit and Doug McMillon’s Walmart departure reveal about leadership transitions, and why the skills that built your company can quietly become the thing holding it back. Powered By Fulfil https://9ops.co/fulfil Saras Analytics https://bit.ly/4a3gzVv Postscript https://9ops.co/postscript Richpanel https://9ops.co/richpanel Northbeam https://www.northbeam.io/ Aftersell https://9ops.co/4i3bb5 Operators Newsletter https://9operators.com/
People in this episode
Host: OPERATORS
Guests: Matt Bertulli, Mike Beckham, Curtis Matsko
Topics covered
- 3PL
- ecommerce
- warehouse ownership
- fulfillment
- leadership transitions
- founder identity
Keywords
- 3PL
- warehouse
- ecommerce decisions
- leadership
- founder succession
- cost savings
- flexibility
Sponsors
Fulfil, Saras Analytics, Postscript, Richpanel, Northbeam, Aftersell, Operators Newsletter
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Pela Case, Lomi, Simple Modern, Portland Leather Goods, Apple, Walmart
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