What Is an Order Fulfilment Company? A Complete Guide for UK Businesses

In today's fast-moving eCommerce world, customer expectations are higher than ever. Fast delivery, easy returns, and consistent service aren't just 'nice-to-haves' anymore—they're expected. That’s where a trusted order fulfilment company like Blue30 comes in.

If you're running an online store or managing a growing product-based business, handling orders in-house can become a time-consuming, costly headache. An order fulfilment partner helps streamline your operations and deliver a better customer experience from the first click to the final doorstep drop.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore:

• What an order fulfilment company does

• The benefits of outsourcing your fulfilment

• How the fulfilment process works

• Services offered by professional fulfilment providers

• Key considerations when choosing the right partner

• Costs involved in fulfilment services

  
  

What Is an Order Fulfilment Company?

An order fulfilment company is a third-party logistics provider (often called a 3PL) that handles the end-to-end process of:

• Storing products

• Picking and packing orders

• Shipping to customers

• Managing customer returns

  
  

At Blue30, we act as an extension of your team. You send your products to our fulfilment centre, and we manage the rest:

• Receiving and storing inventory

• Picking and packing orders

• Dispatching orders via trusted couriers

• Handling returns and refunds

• Providing real-time tracking and reporting

  
  

Whether you sell on Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, eBay or through your own website, a fulfilment company like Blue30 helps you scale smoothly, stay organised, and deliver excellent customer service.

Why Use an Order Fulfilment Company?

Outsourcing to an order fulfilment partner brings several significant benefits:

1. Improved Inventory Management

• Real-time stock updates and low-stock alerts

• Batch tracking to avoid expired or outdated products

• Seamless eCommerce platform integration

• Custom reports for demand forecasting

2. Enhanced Customer Experience

• Fast, accurate order dispatch (often same-day)

• Branded packaging options

• Real-time delivery updates

• Automated, hassle-free returns

3. Scalable Business Growth

• Expand into new markets without warehouse setup

• Effortlessly manage seasonal or promotional spikes

• Avoid hiring extra staff or renting space

• Focus on marketing and development

4. Cost Efficiency

• Benefit from bulk courier rates

• Reduce errors and costly returns

• Pay only for the space and services you use

  
  

How the Fulfilment Process Works

Though it sounds simple, order fulfilment requires precision, coordination, and advanced systems. Here’s how a professional process works:

Step 1: Receiving Inventory

• Products arrive at the fulfilment centre

• Goods are inspected and counted

• Items are labelled and stored by SKU

• Inventory system updates in real-time

Step 2: Order Processing

• Orders sync automatically from your online store

• A picking list is created for fulfilment

Step 3: Picking and Packing

• Staff or automation picks the correct items

• Products are packed securely using your packaging or ours

• Packaging is optimised for protection and postage

Step 4: Shipping

• Pre-negotiated couriers dispatch orders

• Tracking is sent to your store and customers

• Delivery updates keep customers informed

Step 5: Returns Management

• Returns are received and inspected

• Items are restocked or processed for refunds

• Returns follow your brand’s policy

  
  

At Blue30, our teams work with precision to ensure each customer gets exactly what they ordered—on time and in excellent condition.

Services Offered by Fulfilment Companies

At Blue30, our all-in-one services include:

• Goods-in processing

• Inventory storage and live tracking

• Pick and pack (including bundles)

• Courier label generation

• Returns and reverse logistics

• Amazon FBA prep (labelling, bagging, bundling)

• Custom packaging and kitting

• Temporary or long-term promotional storage

  
  

We use advanced software to integrate with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, and more—keeping your fulfilment data centralised and accessible.

What to Look for in an Order Fulfilment Partner

When choosing a fulfilment company, consider:

Technology & Integration

• Do they integrate with your sales channels?

• Can you track inventory in real time?

Location

• Are warehouses strategically placed?

• Can they ship across the UK and internationally?

Flexibility & Scalability

• Can they support your business as it grows?

• Are they able to support one-off or seasonal campaigns?

Transparency

• Are the fees clear and easy to understand?

• Do they provide robust reporting and analytics?

Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

• Do they guarantee fast and accurate dispatch?

• How are returns and damage claims handled?

  
  

Costs of Using an Order Fulfilment Company

Fulfilment service costs depend on factors such as:

• Order volume and frequency

• Required storage space

• Special handling or packaging needs

• Delivery destinations and courier options

• Extra services like returns or FBA prep

Typical Fee Categories:

• Setup fees – for onboarding and software integration

• Goods-in fees – for receiving and inspecting stock

• Storage fees – per pallet, shelf, or cubic foot

• Pick and pack fees – charged per item or per order

• Shipping fees – carrier costs plus handling

• Return handling fees – for receiving, inspecting, and restocking

  
  

At Blue30, we offer transparent pricing and work closely with our clients to keep fulfilment costs predictable and efficient.

Why Choose Blue30 as Your Order Fulfilment Company?

Blue30 goes beyond simple warehousing. We're here to help you scale with confidence by offering:

• A UK-based fulfilment centre with reliable nationwide coverage

• Support for fast-growing DTC brands, Amazon sellers, and subscription boxes

• Amazon FBA prep services to help you stay compliant

• Advanced tech integrations for real-time tracking and control

• Friendly, professional support from a team that cares about your success

Whether you're an established eCommerce business or a startup brand, we tailor our services to your needs.

Final Thoughts: Is an Order Fulfilment Company Right for You?

Are you spending too much time managing logistics and not enough on growing your business? It may be time to outsource.

By partnering with a trusted fulfilment provider like Blue30, you gain time, efficiency, and peace of mind—knowing every order is being handled with care.

Ready to grow?

Contact Blue30 today for a free, no-obligation consultation and discover how our expert fulfilment solutions can simplify your business operations.