In 1958, the American economist Leonard E. Read published an essay called "I, Pencil". It's written from the first-person perspective of, yes, a pencil. And it tells the story of how this essential item came into being.

Despite being such a commonplace product, no individual can say they know how to make one. The pencil is the product of a huge network of people and processes that take place every day – largely unnoticed and taken for granted.

What kind of people and processes are we talking about? Well, this pencil began life as a cedar tree in America. For this material to be harvested, a whole army of lumberjacks, mill workers and truck drivers were needed, along with an armoury of gear – saws, axes, ropes, motors and chains.

It's when you realise that each of these products could have their own essay written about them that the mind really starts to boggle – "I, Saw", "I, Rope"... every item used in the felling and transportation of the cedar has its own family history.

After that, the wood is cut into slats and waxed. This seemingly simple process is in fact the result of a host of invisible hands – mill workers, factory workers, truck drivers… 

Read also draws attention to the transnational nature of the pencil's production. While the body of the pencil is from America, the graphite tip comes from Sri Lanka. For these two key materials to meet in the factory, there's a complex web of transport infrastructure.

When Bob Dylan sang "my shoes, they come from Singapore, my flashlight's from Taiwan", he was missing the point – those shoes may have been made in Singapore, but they were the result of international cooperation.

By now the point is clear – no one knows how to make a pencil. It's dependent on a dizzyingly complex network of foresters, miners, hauliers, machinists, air traffic controllers, and more.

The ordinary magic of the supply chain

The processes that Leonard Read described back in the 1950s are even more taken for granted nowadays and have been described as ordinary magic. Not least because we now rely on highly elaborate microchip technology to keep us in touch. 

But even without these astonishingly complex technologies, our supply chains are more complex than ever. This is for several reasons. Partly it's a result of businesses trying to meet customer expectations for faster lead times as a result of next-day delivery. There's also an increasing expectation for tailored experiences, products and services.

Strides made in software integration and automation have helped smooth out at least some of this complexity. But as the supply crises of the last few years have shown, the system is vulnerable to disruption.

Where does eCommerce fit into this picture? An additional stage in the supply chain has popped up in the form of 3PLs – third-party logistics providers. These act as a go-between for consumers and brands, taking care of storage and delivery.

They also provide reverse logistics, taking care of returns. This can take the form of reselling, recycling or refurbing. This is becoming increasingly important for eCommerce brands.

Where do we fit in?

Time for us to toot our own horn. At Stowsafe, we provide fulfilment services for a wide range of industries – from fashion and beauty to sports and health… from toys and games to gifts and stationery (including our friend the pencil).

We know that we're just one link in the supply chain, but like all of those links, we're indispensable – and we help create that ordinary magic which brings consumer goods to your door.

So how do we do it?

The role of fulfilment services in the supply chain

Let's pick a product at random – how about a mattress cover? Or a fidget spinner? Or a skateboard wheel? Or – but really, the same applies to all these products.

We arrive at a crucial point in the supply chain. Once the… erm… ornamental clocks have been manufactured and bought by a retailer, we do the following:

• Receive the shipment.
• Unpack the clocks and check them for defects.
• Store them.
• Pick, pack and dispatch them when an order comes through.
• Update inventory.
• Process returns (this is sometimes known as "reverse logistics").

We keep all of the above ticking over to make sure your product reaches your customer's door.

What services do we provide to retailers?

1. We receive your goods. We take care to meticulously inspect your stock. If we spot anything amiss, we'll let you know straight away.

2. We store goods. You get a dedicated space in our UK warehouse – "dedicated" meaning that there's no chance of your stock getting mixed up with other retailers'. And as our name suggests, we stow your goods safely – and cleanly.

3. We get your order. As soon as a customer places an order with you, we get a notification and start picking and packing. Your inventory is automatically updated and we pack the products according to your specifications – offering labels, kitting options and more.

4. We ship your order. Committed as we are to customer satisfaction, your products get same-day dispatch with a trusted courier.

5. We handle returns according to your policy.

We'll be straight with you – we don't know how to make a pencil. But without companies like us, you'd be looking down the back of the sofa for something to write with. If anything, we feel we should get a mention in the next edition of "I, Pencil".



At Stowsafe, we're here to give your brand and customer base a leg up. We do this by taking care of fulfilment so that you can focus on the bigger picture. We're here to help you save cash and meet customer expectations for fast, seamless delivery.

If you're looking for a fulfilment partner, don't hesitate to get in touch.