Who Does Slate Milk Use for Warehousing & Fulfillment?

Slate Milk uses MyFBAPrep as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.

Introduction to Slate Milk

Founded by Manny Lubin and Josh Belinsky, Slate Milk has revolutionized the chocolate milk industry with their healthier alternative to traditional options. Their product line features lactose-free, high-protein, keto-friendly drinks with no added sugars, positioning them as an innovative player in the functional beverage market.

Since their launch in late 2019 following a successful Kickstarter campaign and an appearance on ABC's Shark Tank, Slate has quickly gained traction in the competitive beverage industry. Their products serve multiple consumer needs - functioning as a healthy pick-me-up, pre- or post-workout snack, or guilt-free midnight treat. As an official UFC partner, Slate has established credibility in the fitness and sports nutrition space.

Initially focused on direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, Slate recognized the enormous potential of expanding to Amazon's marketplace to accelerate growth and reach new customers. However, this expansion presented significant logistical challenges that would require specialized expertise to overcome.

Why Slate Milk Needed to Optimize Fulfillment

As Slate Milk's popularity grew, they encountered several critical challenges that hindered their ability to scale efficiently, particularly when attempting to enter the Amazon marketplace:

• Inventory management issues: Frequent inventory shortages prevented Slate from effectively selling through Amazon's FBA program
• Slow turnaround times: With their original 3PL, the FBA prep process took 7-10 days before items were ready for Amazon pickup
• Operational bottlenecks: Their previous logistics partner lacked expertise with Amazon's specific requirements, causing deviations from standard operating procedures necessary for proper Amazon prep
• Resource allocation: As a growing company, Slate needed to focus on product development and marketing rather than managing complex logistics
• Amazon-specific complexities: The constantly changing policies and requirements of Amazon's fulfillment program required specialized knowledge

These challenges were particularly problematic because staying consistently in stock is crucial for maintaining Amazon rankings and visibility. Without a reliable logistics solution, Slate risked missing out on the substantial growth potential that Amazon's marketplace offers.

Partnership Details and Results

Slate Milk's partnership with MyFBAPrep has delivered remarkable results, transforming their Amazon operations and contributing significantly to their overall business growth:

• Dramatically reduced prep time: FBA prep turnaround time decreased from 7-10 days to just 2-3 days, a reduction of approximately 70%
• Record-breaking sales performance: Each month since properly funding Amazon warehouses through this partnership has been Slate's strongest month ever in terms of sales
• Consistent inventory levels: The ability to keep products reliably in stock at Amazon fulfillment centers has maintained visibility and rankings
• Operational efficiency: The Slate team can now focus on growing their company rather than managing Amazon FBA logistics and adapting to changing policies

The partnership has enabled Slate to overcome their previous logistical barriers to entry into the Amazon marketplace, establishing a strong foundation for sustained growth in both DTC and marketplace channels.

The MyFBAPrep Solution

The comprehensive solution provided by MyFBAPrep addressed all of Slate Milk's logistics challenges through a combination of specialized services and expertise:

1. Specialized Amazon expertise: MyFBAPrep's deep understanding of Amazon FBA procedures eliminated the bottlenecks Slate experienced with their original 3PL
2. Expedited processing: With streamlined operations specifically designed for Amazon prep, MyFBAPrep cut processing time by more than half
3. Proactive inventory management: The team monitors accounts and inventory levels, making suggestions like sending items earlier to save time and money
4. Policy compliance: MyFBAPrep stays current with Amazon's constantly changing requirements and ensures all shipments meet specifications
5. Scalable fulfillment: As Slate's sales volume grows, the fulfillment solution scales accordingly without requiring additional management resources from Slate's team

This solution has proven particularly valuable for food and beverage products like Slate's, which require careful handling and timely processing to maintain quality and freshness when shipping to Amazon's fulfillment centers.

Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands

Slate Milk's successful partnership with MyFBAPrep offers valuable insights for other eCommerce brands looking to optimize their fulfillment operations:

1. Specialized expertise matters: Working with a 3PL that has specific experience in your sales channels (like Amazon) can dramatically improve efficiency and results
2. Speed is a competitive advantage: Reducing fulfillment processing times directly impacts inventory availability, which affects rankings and sales performance
3. Focus on core competencies: Outsourcing complex logistics allows brands to concentrate on product development, marketing, and growth strategies
4. Consistent inventory is crucial: Maintaining reliable stock levels, especially on marketplaces like Amazon, is essential for building momentum and maintaining visibility

These lessons are particularly relevant for brands in competitive markets where operational efficiency can be the difference between success and stagnation.

Is This 3PL Right for Your Business?

When evaluating whether a 3PL partner like MyFBAPrep is suitable for your business, consider these factors:

• Sales channel mix: If Amazon FBA is or will be a significant part of your distribution strategy, specialized FBA prep services provide substantial benefits
• Growth trajectory: Rapidly growing brands benefit most from logistics partners that can scale operations without requiring additional management oversight
• Product characteristics: Consider whether your products have special handling requirements that align with the 3PL's capabilities
• Geographic needs: Evaluate the 3PL's warehouse locations in relation to your key markets, such as New Jersey or Texas
• Service requirements: Determine if you need additional services beyond basic fulfillment, such as white-label shipping or returns management

Finding the right logistics partner requires careful evaluation of your specific needs against the provider's capabilities. For businesses unsure about their requirements, services like Fulfill.com's 3PL matchmaking can help identify appropriate partners.

Final Thoughts

Slate Milk's partnership with MyFBAPrep demonstrates how the right 3PL relationship can transform logistics from a challenging operational hurdle into a strategic advantage. By dramatically reducing FBA prep time and ensuring consistent inventory at Amazon fulfillment centers, this collaboration has enabled Slate to achieve record-breaking sales performance month after month.

For growing eCommerce brands, particularly those selling or planning to sell on Amazon, the lessons from this case study are clear: specialized expertise, operational efficiency, and reliable inventory management are essential components of a successful fulfillment strategy.

As the eCommerce landscape continues to evolve, partnerships with logistics specialists who understand the unique requirements of different sales channels will increasingly become a competitive necessity rather than merely an operational convenience. Brands that recognize this shift and act accordingly will be better positioned to scale efficiently and meet customer expectations in an increasingly complex marketplace.

If you're looking to optimize your own fulfillment operations, consider exploring fulfillment solutions that align with your specific business needs and growth objectives.