What 3PL Does Paper Planes Use for Warehousing & Fulfillment?
Paper Planes uses Bergen Logistics as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.
Introduction to Paper Planes
Paper Planes is a progressive lifestyle and streetwear brand founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and operated under Roc Nation. With their flagship store located at 252 Lafayette St. in New York City, the brand has established itself as a premium player in the fashion industry, seamlessly merging streetwear aesthetics with contemporary design.
The brand offers a diverse range of apparel and accessories including:
- Apparel: Graphic tees, hoodies, sweatshirts, pants, shorts, and outerwear
- Headwear: Fitted caps, dad hats, beanies, snapbacks, and bucket hats
- Accessories: Bags, socks, and custom embroidery products
- Collections: Prosperity Crown Collection, Global Warning Collection, and seasonal releases
With their motto "Greatness Is A Process," Paper Planes has positioned itself as more than just a clothing brand—it's a lifestyle movement with strong connections to music culture, street fashion, and contemporary design. As the brand has grown from an online presence to opening physical retail locations, they've needed logistics support that could scale with their expanding business operations.
Why Paper Planes Needed to Optimize Fulfillment
As Paper Planes expanded their product offerings and sales channels, they encountered several logistics challenges that are common among growing streetwear and lifestyle brands:
- Multi-channel sales complexity: Managing inventory across e-commerce, brick-and-mortar stores, and wholesale channels created coordination challenges
- Seasonal demand fluctuations: Limited edition drops and seasonal collections created inventory spikes requiring flexible storage capacity
- Special handling requirements: High-value apparel items and accessories requiring specialized handling, including garment-on-hanger storage for premium items
- Custom packaging needs: The brand experience extends to packaging, requiring a fulfillment partner capable of executing branded unboxing experiences
- Inventory visibility concerns: Needing real-time access to inventory data across all sales channels to prevent stockouts and overselling
- International expansion: Growing global customer base requiring cross-border shipping expertise
For a premium streetwear brand like Paper Planes, maintaining product quality and customer experience throughout the fulfillment process is essential to preserving brand reputation.
Partnership Details and Results
Paper Planes chose Bergen Logistics as their fulfillment partner, leveraging Bergen's expertise in fashion and apparel logistics. This partnership has delivered significant benefits:
- Improved order accuracy: Bergen's specialized handling procedures for apparel have helped maintain Paper Planes' premium product quality while reducing returns due to picking and packing errors
- Enhanced inventory management: Implementation of Bergen's cloud-based WMS (Warehouse Management System) provided Paper Planes with real-time visibility into inventory across all channels
- Scalable operations: Bergen's flexible infrastructure has supported Paper Planes through seasonal product launches and limited-edition drops
- Specialized garment handling: Premium items benefit from Bergen's Garment-on-Hanger expertise, ensuring products arrive to customers in perfect condition
- Consistent customer experience: Bergen's customized branded packaging capabilities have helped maintain Paper Planes' premium unboxing experience
- Omnichannel flexibility: Paper Planes can now seamlessly fulfill orders across their e-commerce platform, wholesale accounts, and brick-and-mortar location
Through this partnership, Paper Planes has been able to focus more resources on brand growth, design, and customer acquisition while Bergen handles the complexities of order fulfillment and logistics.
The Bergen Logistics Solution
Bergen Logistics has implemented a comprehensive fulfillment solution for Paper Planes leveraging their specialized expertise in apparel logistics. The partnership brings several key advantages:
- Strategic facility location: Bergen's facility in North Bergen, New Jersey provides optimal positioning for reaching Paper Planes' East Coast customers with faster shipping times
- Specialized apparel handling: As experts in garment logistics, Bergen provides services specifically designed for clothing brands:
- Garment-on-Hanger storage for premium items
- Custom embroidery capabilities
- Specialized folding and packaging techniques
- Technology integration: Bergen's cloud-based warehouse management system gives Paper Planes real-time access to:
- Inventory levels across all SKUs
- Order status updates
- Shipping and tracking information
- Performance analytics and reporting
- Omnichannel capabilities: Supporting Paper Planes' diverse sales channels including:
- Direct-to-consumer e-commerce fulfillment
- Retail store replenishment
- Wholesale account distribution
- Value-added services: Bergen provides additional services including:
- Custom branded packaging
- Returns management
- Quality inspection
- Kitting and bundling for special promotions
This comprehensive solution has enabled Paper Planes to maintain their premium brand standards throughout the fulfillment process while gaining operational efficiencies.
Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands
The Paper Planes and Bergen Logistics partnership offers valuable insights for other growing apparel and lifestyle brands:
- Choose a 3PL with industry-specific expertise: Bergen's specialization in fashion and apparel logistics provides Paper Planes with services tailored to their specific product needs, from garment-on-hanger storage to custom packaging
- Prioritize technology integration: Real-time inventory visibility across all channels has been critical for Paper Planes' omnichannel strategy, allowing them to prevent stockouts and overselling
- Consider scalability needs: Bergen's flexible infrastructure enables Paper Planes to handle seasonal demand fluctuations and special product launches without compromising efficiency
- Look beyond basic fulfillment: Value-added services like custom packaging and quality checks help maintain Paper Planes' premium brand experience throughout the fulfillment process
Brands should view their 3PL partner as an extension of their business rather than just a service provider. Finding a logistics partner with specialized expertise in your product category can deliver significant advantages beyond basic pick, pack, and ship services.
Is Bergen Logistics Right for Your Business?
When evaluating whether Bergen Logistics might be a good fit for your brand, consider these factors:
- Product category alignment: Bergen specializes in fashion, apparel, and lifestyle brands, making them ideal for companies in these categories
- Business size and scale: With facilities across multiple regions including New Jersey, Bergen can accommodate various business sizes from growing DTC brands to established omnichannel retailers
- Handling requirements: If your products require specialized handling (like garment-on-hanger, folding, or custom packaging), Bergen's expertise in these areas could be valuable
- Technology needs: Bergen's cloud-based WMS provides real-time inventory visibility and order tracking, which is essential for omnichannel operations
- Growth trajectory: If you anticipate significant growth or seasonal fluctuations, Bergen's scalable infrastructure can accommodate changing needs
- Geographic considerations: With facilities in strategic locations like New York City and surrounding areas, Bergen offers excellent coverage for East Coast distribution
For apparel, fashion, and lifestyle brands with premium positioning similar to Paper Planes, Bergen Logistics offers specialized services that align well with maintaining brand integrity throughout the fulfillment process.
Final Thoughts
The partnership between Paper Planes and Bergen Logistics demonstrates the value of finding a 3PL provider with industry-specific expertise and capabilities aligned with your brand's unique needs. For Paper Planes, this has meant maintaining their premium brand experience throughout the fulfillment process while gaining operational efficiencies that support business growth.
As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, the role of specialized 3PL partners like Bergen Logistics becomes increasingly important for brands looking to scale efficiently while maintaining high standards of customer experience. By handling the complexities of warehousing and fulfillment, Bergen enables Paper Planes to focus on what they do best—creating compelling products and building their brand.
If you're an apparel or lifestyle brand evaluating 3PL options, consider how a specialized partner like Bergen Logistics might address your unique challenges. For personalized recommendations based on your specific business needs, try the 3PL matchmaking service to find providers with the right expertise for your product category, business size, and geographic requirements.
By making smart decisions about logistics partnerships today, growing brands like Paper Planes can build a foundation for sustainable growth and customer satisfaction in the future.