Who Does Ember Use for Warehousing & Fulfillment?

Ember uses SEKO Logistics as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.

Introduction to Ember: Revolutionizing the Hot Beverage Experience

Ember is an innovative brand that specializes in temperature-controlled smart mugs and beverage containers. Their flagship products include the Ember Mug 2, Ember Travel Mug 2, and Ember Cup, all featuring patented technology that allows users to set and maintain their preferred drinking temperature (between 120°F and 145°F) via a smartphone app. As pioneers in the smart beverage container market, Ember has positioned itself as a premium brand that combines cutting-edge technology with elegant design to solve the age-old problem of beverages cooling too quickly.

The brand experienced rapid growth after a successful launch with a major coffee chain partner, which catapulted them into mainstream consumer awareness. This initial B2B success quickly expanded into a robust consumer product offering, propelling Ember into international markets and establishing them as leaders in the temperature-control beverage container category.

Why Ember Needed to Optimize Fulfillment

Despite their innovative product and growing popularity, Ember faced significant logistics challenges that threatened to hamper their expansion:

• Supply Chain Fragmentation: With no fixed supply chain infrastructure in place, Ember struggled to manage the sudden influx of orders and vendors.
• Multi-Channel Complexity: Balancing both B2B operations (supplying coffee chains and retailers) and B2C direct-to-consumer sales created operational complexity.
• International Expansion Hurdles: As demand grew globally, Ember faced challenges with efficient cross-border logistics and maintaining consistent delivery experiences.
• Inventory Management: Without centralized visibility across channels and markets, inventory optimization became increasingly difficult.

These challenges made it clear that Ember needed a sophisticated logistics partner who could scale with their rapid growth and provide solutions across their entire global supply chain.

Partnership Details and Results

Ember's partnership with SEKO Logistics yielded impressive results that supported their ambitious growth trajectory:

• Global Expansion: With SEKO's support, Ember successfully expanded into 26 countries, including entry into China's Tmall B2C retail portal.
• Optimized Distribution Network: Established strategic presence across Hong Kong, Atlanta, and three other global distribution centers.
• Unified Inventory Visibility: Implementation of SEKO 360 and Omni-Returns systems provided a single point of contact and comprehensive inventory view.
• Enhanced Logistics Efficiency: Access to key 'zone skipping' solutions through the Atlanta expansion improved delivery times and reduced shipping costs.
• Sustainable Growth: The partnership enabled Ember to scale operations efficiently while maintaining quality customer service across all markets.

As Phil Poel, COO of Ember, noted: "We're growing quickly and we need a logistics partner that can go with the flow, so to speak. SEKO has been extremely flexible, and is always standing by ready to provide new solutions, come up with new approaches, and work with us to solve our logistics issues. That makes them a great partner for us."

The SEKO Logistics Solution

SEKO Logistics implemented a comprehensive suite of services tailored to Ember's unique challenges:

1. Centralized Operations: SEKO consolidated all of Ember's logistics operations within their service suite, providing a unified approach to global logistics management.
2. Strategic Distribution Centers:
   • Established a distribution center at SEKO's Chino facility for B2B operations and B2C fulfillment
   • Expanded into SEKO's Hong Kong DC as the primary Omni-Channel Hub
   • Further expanded from China to Atlanta to leverage strategic shipping advantages
3. Dedicated Account Management: Created a specialized team focused on Ember's local distribution and ecommerce fulfillment needs.
4. Freight Management: Initially managed Ember's air freight from China to the US, later adding ocean freight consolidations to optimize costs.
5. Technology Integration: Implemented SEKO 360 and Omni-Returns systems to provide complete visibility and streamlined returns processing.

This comprehensive approach allowed Ember to focus on product innovation and marketing while SEKO handled the increasingly complex logistics requirements of their expanding business.

Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands

The Ember-SEKO partnership offers valuable lessons for other eCommerce brands facing logistics challenges:

1. Prioritize Flexibility in 3PL Partnerships: As Ember discovered, having a logistics partner willing to adapt to changing needs and growth patterns is crucial. Look for 3PLs that demonstrate agility and willingness to customize solutions.
2. Think Globally from the Start: Even if you're currently focused on domestic markets, choose a 3PL with global capabilities that can support international expansion when you're ready, avoiding the need to switch providers later.
3. Integrate Technology for Visibility: The implementation of unified systems like SEKO 360 proved invaluable for Ember. Prioritize 3PLs that offer robust technology platforms providing real-time inventory and order visibility.
4. Balance B2B and B2C Capabilities: For brands selling through multiple channels, having a 3PL experienced in both B2B and direct-to-consumer fulfillment creates operational efficiencies and consistent customer experiences.

Is SEKO Logistics Right for Your Business?

While the Ember case demonstrates SEKO's capabilities, every business has unique needs. Consider these factors when evaluating if SEKO or another 3PL is right for your operation:

• Business Growth Stage: SEKO's solutions appear particularly well-suited for high-growth brands expanding internationally, though they service businesses of various sizes.
• Product Characteristics: Brands with higher-value products like Ember's smart mugs may benefit most from SEKO's security and handling capabilities.
• Channel Strategy: If your business requires both B2B and B2C fulfillment, SEKO's demonstrated ability to handle this complexity is a significant advantage.
• International Ambitions: Companies with current or planned global operations should prioritize 3PLs with established international networks like SEKO's.
• Technology Requirements: Evaluate how SEKO's technology stack will integrate with your existing systems and whether it provides the visibility and control you need.

To find the perfect 3PL match for your specific business needs, consider using a 3PL matchmaking service that can evaluate your unique requirements and connect you with the most appropriate logistics partners.

Final Thoughts: Logistics as a Growth Enabler

The Ember-SEKO partnership demonstrates how the right logistics relationship can transform from a mere operational necessity into a strategic growth enabler. By entrusting their complex global logistics to SEKO, Ember gained the operational foundation to expand confidently into new markets while maintaining their focus on product innovation and customer experience.

For eCommerce brands with ambitious growth plans, the lesson is clear: selecting the right 3PL partner is not just about solving today's logistics challenges but about building the infrastructure for tomorrow's opportunities. Whether your brand is just starting out or already experiencing rapid growth like Ember, investing time in finding a logistics partner that aligns with your long-term vision can yield dividends far beyond efficient shipping.

As you evaluate your own logistics needs, consider how the right 3PL partnership might not just solve your current challenges but accelerate your path toward your most ambitious business goals.