Low cost, smarter, best: your logistics decisions.
One of the hardest challenges in supply chain and logistics, especially when it comes to making things stay intact, is this: low cost is extremely tempting. Low-cost whispers promises, saying, “Spend less now. Don’t worry about the future.”
You have three choices here: nails, glue, and screws. Not literal tools, though they may serve as metaphors for decisions.
Nails: the low-cost option. It kind of works. It holds. But it’s loose. Vibrations, time, usage — they loosen the grip. Every shift, every corner cut, increases the risk of collapse.
Glue: slightly more expensive and slightly better. But if you lack experience in choosing or applying the right glue, it can fail. Under stress, moisture, heat, usage, or tension, the failure often looks catastrophic because the weak splice is hidden.
Screws: more deliberate. More costly upfront. Requires more planning and precision. But screws last. They grip tightly, resist twisting and pulling. They’re solid and forgiving. When done properly, you can rely on them for years.
The dilemma in logistics is: when do you use nails? When do you use glue? When do you choose screws?
If you’re a startup in chaos, just shipping, just showing up, just surviving — nails seem tempting. Glue might seem enough if you think it’s sufficient.
But here’s the real advantage: start thinking in terms of screws. Opt for solutions that cost more now — in money, effort, and learning — but provide durability, trust, and reliability.
Because when you build logistics systems that fail, the cost isn’t just a broken item. It’s your reputation, downtime, rework, lost customers, and damaged trust.
The question isn’t “what’s the lowest cost,” but “what will last.”
If you have tariff and supply chain concerns, don't hesitate to contact Dean Steiner, VP of Sales & Strategy, to discuss your needs in more detail, d.steiner@aw2logistics.com, or 1-877-223-0605. If you have a question for Dean, please complete the contact form below and hit the submit button.