Final answer:
Third-party logistics (3PL) providers enable companies to retain control over warehousing while benefiting from the provider's expertise, often realized through high-tech operations and employee-owned structures, which can lead to service quality improvements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The warehouse ownership type that allows a user company to maintain control over warehouse activities while leveraging warehousing expertise from the provider is known as a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. These providers offer specialized warehousing services that balance control and expertise. Companies benefit by retaining a certain degree of control over the warehousing process, such as how their products are handled, while the 3PL provider brings in the specialized skills, technology, and infrastructure for efficient warehousing operations.
For example, Amazon utilizes economies of scale by holding its inventories in large, high-tech warehouses in low-rent locations. These facilities are equipped with advanced technology like robotics and are operated by a workforce trained to handle warehousing tasks efficiently, allowing Amazon to achieve lower costs per sale.
Similarly, a business can sign agreements with 3PL providers, who often run employee-owned businesses or cooperatives. This setup facilitates shared benefits and responsibilities, ensuring that the employees have a stake in the business's success, potentially leading to better performance and service quality for the user company.