How to Transition to a New 3PL: 6 Best Practices Every Brand Should Know

On May 4, 2026, our Franklin, MA facility achieved a milestone that reflects that commitment: a perfect score of 1000 on its AIB (American Institute of Baking) food safety audit—the first perfect score in Barrett history. For brands operating in food, beverage, and consumable categories, this achievement represents more than a number. It’s a clear signal of the discipline, consistency, and attention to detail required to protect product integrity across the supply chain. What an AIB Audit Measures—and Why It Matters An AIB audit is one of the most rigorous food safety evaluations in the industry. It assesses a facility’s ability to maintain: Cleanliness and sanitation standards Operational controls and process discipline Regulatory compliance and documentation Facility maintenance and structural integrity For brands, especially those managing consumable or regulated products, these standards are critical. A failure in any of these areas can lead to product risk, compliance issues, or damage to brand reputation. From 990 to 1000: A Culture of Continuous Improvement The Franklin team’s achievement didn’t happen overnight. After earning an outstanding score of 990 in the previous audit, the team set a clear and ambitious goal: reach a perfect 1000. What followed was a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to closing every gap. Through weekly audit preparation calls, consistent follow-up, and a strong focus on execution, the team elevated every aspect of the operation. The result was a facility operating at the highest possible standard—where even the smallest details were addressed. Floors were spotless, the environment was free of dust and debris, and every element of the building met or exceeded expectations. This wasn’t incremental improvement. It was precision execution. Operational Excellence Is a Team Effort Achievements like this reflect the strength of the entire operation—not just one function. From operations leadership and supervisors to safety and maintenance teams, every role contributed to the outcome. Strong documentation, proactive facility upkeep, and disciplined daily execution all played a part in achieving a perfect score. This level of alignment is what enables Barrett to deliver consistent, reliable performance for customers in highly regulated industries. What This Means for Barrett Customers For brands evaluating a 3PL partner, certifications and audit scores aren’t just credentials—they’re indicators of how your product will be handled every day. A perfect AIB score demonstrates: A food-safe, audit-ready environment Strong inventory and process controls A culture built on accountability and continuous improvement Confidence that your products are handled with the highest level of care For customers in food, beverage, health, and beauty, that level of rigor directly translates to reduced risk and stronger operational performance. Setting the Standard Moving Forward This milestone is a proud moment for the Franklin team—but it also reflects something broader across Barrett. Our approach to warehousing and fulfillment is rooted in discipline, visibility, and execution. Whether supporting food-grade operations or complex omnichannel distribution, we focus on delivering consistent results at scale.  Because in today’s supply chain environment, excellence isn’t occasional—it has to be repeatable.

How Barrett eliminates inefficiencies across the supply chain to reduce waste, lower costs, and improve performance.