Topic: 3PL

Despite overall economic conditions being better than they were a year ago, third-party logistics (3PL) CEO’s are still indicating business conditions have a ways to go before things fully turn around, according to the results of the 17th Annual Survey of Third-Party Logistics Providers.

The most recent results from the Transportation Intermediary Association’s (TIA) 3PL Market Report indicate that the third-party logistics sector is regaining its financial footing following the depths of the recession.

When it comes to things that can impact supply chain operations and business processes for shippers and logistics and transportation services providers, it is fair to say there is not a shortage of issues to keep an eye on.

While the economy shows some signs of improvement, increased volatility for 3PLs is likely to continue to present a challenge in the form of an increasing span of responsibilities and tasks for global supply chains, according to a DB Schenker executive.

At this week’s eyefortransport 3PL Summit in Atlanta, LM Group News Editor Jeff Berman conducted an on-stage interview with Leo Suggs, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Greatwide Logistics.

Two leading supply chain consulting firms announced this week they have launched a multi-year marketing and co-branding partnership to provide third-party logistics (3PL) services providers with various benchmarking capabilities.

Cherry Hill, New Jersey-based NFI, an asset-based third-party logistics (3PL) services provider, announced this week it has acquired IPD, a global transportation and logistics services provider based in Mississauga, Canada.

Prior to the release of the 21st annual State of Logistics report by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) at the National Press Club last week, Penske Logistics gave LM an exclusive interview on some of the details. As the principal sponsor of the report, Penske also had some industry insider intelligence to share on the impact made by the two-year recession first felt in 2007.

Is the line between the top third-party logistics providers blurring? Analysts we recently spoke with think so. Richard Armstrong, chairman of Stoughton, Wisc.-based Armstrong & Associates, noted that the industry mirrors what has occurred in the ocean carrier sector over the years.

Supply chain consultancy Armstrong & Associates this week released updated figures for 2009 U.S. third-party logistics market revenues.

Entitled Managed Transportation Services (MTS), company officials said this offering provides shippers with superior visibility from pickup through delivery, coupled with centralized technology to monitor and improve supply chain operations.

According to our 2010 Software User Survey, nearly half of all logistics operations using a WMS are looking to upgrade over the next 12 months. Our technology correspondent explains why and then introduces us to a shipper that’s on the brink of revolutionizing its warehouse operations.