Traditional distribution was built around sales territories, delivery routes and large volumes moving through a fixed network. While that model works well for many brands and accounts, the industry is changing.
Routes are getting larger. Sales representatives are covering more accounts. Buyers are seeing their distributor representatives less frequently. Smaller brands don't have the volume to receive the same level of attention as the largest suppliers.
Enter LibDib and a model that isn’t dependent on whether a Buyer fits neatly onto a traditional sales or delivery route.
With LibDib, licensed Buyers discover products, view brand information and place orders online at any time. They don't need to wait for a sales representative to visit or for their next scheduled sales call. If a Buyer wants a product, we make it easy for them to buy it. Then we get the products where they need to go.
We built LibDib differently because we believed that with the right combination of logistics, technology, service, and distribution could work better for more brands, more Buyers and more markets.
Better Inbound Logistics Means Getting Product Into the Market Faster
Great distribution doesn't start when a Buyer places an order. It starts with making sure the inventory is actually there when Buyers want it.
That's why we've built our inbound logistics differently.
LibDib does not rely on consolidators to move Maker inventory into our warehouses. Instead of waiting for enough products to accumulate to fill a truck, Makers ship directly into our network. In most cases, we can get products from virtually anywhere in the U.S. to our warehouses in approximately 5–7 days.
Can that cost a little more in freight? Sometimes. But once you factor in our lower margins and other cost-savings, it balances out.
And the more important question is: what is the cost of not having your product in stock?
We regularly hear from smaller brands that product moving through consolidation networks can take 4 weeks or longer to reach a wholesaler's warehouse as the consolidator waits to build an efficient truckload.
For an emerging brand, that's a long time. Too long.
If your product goes out of stock at the distributor while a Buyer is waiting for inventory to arrive, the cost can be much greater than the freight savings.
A Buyer with an empty shelf, menu placement, or display isn't necessarily going to wait six weeks. They may replace your product with something that's available now. Meanwhile, your inventory may be sitting at a consolidation warehouse waiting to move.
Saving a few dollars on shipping doesn't mean much if it costs you the placement.
At LibDib, we prioritize getting inventory into our warehouses quickly so you keep products available. Buyers get what they ordered. It's part of our broader philosophy: distribution should be built around demand, not around waiting for the next full truck or scheduled route.
Flexible Logistics All the Way to the Buyer
That same philosophy applies to outbound delivery.
Our flexible logistics network allows us to efficiently service Buyers throughout our markets, including accounts in areas that can be difficult or expensive to reach through traditional delivery routes.
We don’t wait for an account to fit onto a bi-weekly or monthly route before we can service it. When there's demand, our job is to get the product there. In today’s market this is really important. As large distributors update their models and attempt to save costs, they are cutting or limiting routes. This means a Buyer could wait a really long time to receive a product.
In many cases, LibDib gets products to Buyers as fast as, or faster than, traditional distribution.
More Visibility and Control for Makers
For Makers, our approach provides something equally important: visibility. We believe the relationship between a Maker and a Buyer should remain yours. LibDib provides the licensed distribution, logistics and infrastructure that makes that relationship work.
Makers can see orders, sales and Buyer activity online at any time of day or night. You can stay connected to the relationships you’re building in the market.
What Does Distribution Through LibDib Provide?
Licensed, compliant distribution across our operational markets
24/7 online ordering for licensed Buyers
Broad account coverage that isn't dependent on a weekly sales route
Direct inbound shipping designed to get inventory into our warehouses quickly
Approximately 5–7 day inbound transit from most locations in the U.S.
Less risk of inventory sitting for weeks waiting for freight consolidation
Fast, flexible outbound logistics, including service to harder-to-reach Buyers
A simple and convenient Buyer experience
Visibility into orders, sales and Buyer activity
Greater control of Maker and Buyer relationships
Distribution Built Differently
LibDib was created to expand access to the three-tier system, and that mission remains at the heart of what we do. But access is only valuable when there is great distribution behind it.
Sometimes the lowest freight cost isn't the lowest cost of doing business.
For a growing brand, staying in stock, protecting placements and being ready when a Buyer wants to reorder can be far more valuable than waiting weeks to save a few dollars on shipping.
That's LibDib: broader access, faster inventory movement, flexible logistics and technology that connects Makers and Buyers.
If you’re having distribution route issues or need a new route to market, reach out to us. Our Maker team is ready to help at makers@libdib.com. Or take the leap and sign up online now.