INSIGHTS
Shipper and 3PL Relationships: From Transactional to Strategic
As supply chains become more complex and dynamic, shippers and their logistics partners are seeking strategic partnerships that drive long-term value while fostering innovation and improving resilience.
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Strategic Partnerships Assessments Between Shippers and 3PLs
Relationships between shippers and 3PLs are evolving from purely transactional to more strategic. As these partnerships mature, the way both parties assess the effectiveness of their collaboration is also changing. Regular evaluations not only help track performance but also reinforce shared goals, uncover opportunities for improvement and strengthen mutual alignment.
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Emerging Technologies in the Supply Chain
The rapid pace of technological innovation is transforming the logistics landscape. It fundamentally changes how 3PLs operate and the capabilities shippers expect from their providers. As shippers' expectations increase, IT systems and technical expertise are an essential differentiator for 3PLs.
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The Supply Chain's Response to Rising Tariffs
In addition to tracking core trends in the 3PL industry, the study explores contemporary supply chain issues that impact both shippers and logistics providers. One of the most pressing challenges today is the disruption tariffs and evolving trade policies cause. It is prompting many shippers to reassess their sourcing, production and distribution strategies.
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Supply Chain Talent
Concerns over labor are an ongoing issue for those in the supply chain, and the logistics industry faces a widening talent gap. Demand for skilled supply chain professionals far outpaces supply, and the problem is worsening as experienced workers retire, taking critical institutional knowledge with them.
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30 Years: A Retrospective
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Annual Third-Party Logistics Study that Dr. C. John Langley, a supply chain professor at Penn State University, launched in 1996 when he was the John H. “Red” Dove Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University of Tennessee. The study has charted the remarkable transformation and growth of the 3PL industry, which has evolved from a niche logistics solution to a cornerstone of global supply chains.
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