4PL vs. Freight forwarding companies
What separates 4PL providers from freight forwarding companies? Prologue sees itself as an independent supply chain integrator that centrally manages and optimizes all service partners, as well as the flow of information. All the services can be flexibly and individually adapted to the customer’s individual requirements based on ‘best-of-breed’ solutions. That is because it is not necessary to utilize your own transport or storage resources – instead, the focus is purely on customer benefit.
Your added value
What’s in it for you? Prologue ensures maximum efficiency in procurement logistics while respecting all the resources used and available. The annual savings potential for the overall logistics costs can be between 20% and 30% – with maximum cost transparency and planning reliability.
Our customers
Who would be interested? Partnering with Prologue is in the interest of any company with an annual logistics volume of about 1,000 sea freight containers or more. Our subsidiary Eurasia offers special solutions for customers with smaller volumes.
What does the acronym 4PL stand for?
The acronym 4PL stands for “4th Party Logistics” and describes the relationship between the parties to a goods transaction.
Find out what distinguishes a 4PL from a 3PL. We have summarised for you what our business model as a 4PL is all about and why this might be of interest to you as an importer.
Our unique selling points
What sets us apart from other 4PL providers? There are five major differences between Prologue and its competitors that have been the key to its sustainable success for 25 years.
1. Comprehensive consulting
We evaluate all the relevant factors along the entire supply chain in depth and optimize all the components separately and collectively. That allows us to achieve a significant and lasting increase in efficiency.
2. Sustainable approach
The focus of our approach is not on a purely (daily) price-driven short-term perspective, but on a medium- to long-term view of total logistics costs.
3. Unconditional reliability
Our network of long-standing partners along the entire supply chain consists exclusively of renowned companies with a common code of values and understanding of quality, the basic core of which is reliable planning for the customer.
4. Maximum transparency
We disclose all cost factors along the entire supply chain in detail and offer maximum transparency of every cost. Our customers benefit directly from our conditions. A mixed calculation at the expense of the customer is inconsistent with our self-image.
5. Established market position
Based on years of reliable partnering, Prologue enjoys direct customer status with shipping companies, providing it with access to exclusive advantages and conditions. Prologue’s customers benefit directly and immediately from the transparent transfer of these special delivery and purchasing conditions.
The Handling Agent: Operationally at your side
The team at PROLOGUE will work with you to develop the right, tailor-made logistics solution for you and is always available to answer all overarching issues and questions.
A handling agent is nominated for the operational processes within the supply chain and serves as your contact person in day-to-day business. Depending on your requirements, other local or specialised partners may also be involved.
In-house logistics partner: EURASIA
EURASIA Global Concept is a subsidiary and “in-house handling agent” of PROLOGUE for small and medium-sized customers. EURASIA Global Services is the “control tower” for all operations in the Far East.
The logistics experts for Asia and Europe are present on both continents and specialized in individual processes and customized services along the entire supply chain. Hand in hand, we develop your individual and optimal logistics solution based on a common overall perspective.
Milestones
2001 – Founding of Prologue GmbH in Cologne as a spin-off of IM+C AG Unternehmensberatung in Mannheim by Professor Dr. Helmut Merkel and Hans Bröhl, a proven logistics expert and former managing director of Panalpina Welttransport Holding AG.
2005 – Opening of the Hamburg office.
2006 – Opening of the Hong Kong office.
2014 – Change of headquarters to Hamburg and closure of the Cologne office.
2015 – Takeover of the company by the directors from the founders.
Prologue’s success factors
In addition to technical innovation and the digitalization of all processes, it is especially the factors of trust and reliability that have been the reasons for Prologue’s sustainable success for more than 25 years.
This is underpinned by the completely transparent calculations and the resulting planning reliability.
Customers and markets
With our comprehensive approach based on well-founded expertise from more than 25 years of experience in the international logistics and trade market, we offer sustainable solutions and generate measurable value.
Partnering with us is in the interest of any company with an annual logistics volume of about 1,000 sea freight containers or more. But we also offer special solutions for smaller volumes.
Our customers include companies from the wholesale and retail trade in various industries – e.g. electronics, cosmetics, furniture, footwear, and clothing, but also mechanical engineering or the electrical industry.
40 countries
are connected via our tailor-made logistics solutions
25 years
of experience and expertise at the service of our customers
Request a meeting Sales presentation
We determine the optimal solution and the most efficient approach for your logistics requirements based on your individual needs. The best basis for this is a personal presentation meeting where you can get to know us better, and we can understand exactly which factors are decisive for your business model. When would be a good time for you?