A Penn State Behrend Supply Chain Analytics class had the opportunity to participate in a real life data-driven project with Logistics Plus this semester. This project served as a hands-on learning experience for students as they were challenged with a relevant business problem, attempting to find a solution. The students began the project by familiarizing themselves with the third-party logistics industry. They were then tasked with framing a business problem before utilizing data to provide value to an actual business (in this case Logistics Plus).
The project was a major success and the students were able to gain insight on the role analytics and data plays in the everyday business world. Dr. Varun Gupta, professor of Supply Chain Analytics added, “I am really grateful to Jeremy and Ryan for their support and patience in working with the students and we look forward to working on similar projects in the future.”
Technology, solutions, and services are constantly evolving in the logistics industry. As the decade comes to a close, it’s amazing to reflect on the ways our industry has changed the past ten years. Competition is heating up, demand is growing, and technology is advancing. Heading into 2020, expect things to be no different with technology and innovation leading the way. Here are just a few top logistics trends to watch in 2020.
Technology and Mobile Applications We expect that 2020 will leave behind old-school “pen and paper” tactics. Logistics companies will opt for mobile technology and platforms that speed up processes such as identifying inventory, booking and tracking shipments, storing invoices, and more. Simplicity and accessibility to mobile technology will continue to expand the industry.
Data and Analytics as a Service The explosion of sophisticated data makes it hard to consume and use effectively. As a new decade begins, the logistics industry has already seen companies begin using artificial intelligence (AI) and business intelligence tools to create better decision making processes for customers. When complex data is normalized and consumable, supply chain efficiency is increased. Data as a service is one of the top logistics trends to keep an eye on for the foreseeable future.
Increased Collaboration Between Shippers and 3PLs Third-party logistics companies will rely heavily on technology to connect with customers and carriers. The transition from EDI to API connections for transportation management systems (TMS) has made it easier than ever before to book shipments, create BOLs, view invoices, track shipments, and more. Collaboration between logistics providers and shippers is crucial in this technology-driven landscape.
Improved Last Mile Deliveries Last mile deliveries have become a popular topic for logistics professionals due to the increased consumer demand for goods. Retailers and logistics companies should evaluate their current capabilities and make adjustments to accommodate these shifts. As consumer shopping habits switch from brick and mortar stores to e-commerce, you must have reliable last mile solutions that get your products exactly where they need to be, possibly even installed or setup, in a timely fashion.
Environmental Sustainability Practices Sustainability and green practices have increased the past several years. By finding unique solutions and joining sustainability partnerships and organizations, logistics companies will do their part in finding sustainable solutions. Freight carriers are participating in this trend by purchasing equipment that lower emissions, fuel costs, and more. Look for this trend to continue well into the future.
In 2020 and beyond, the future of logistics will be centered around increasing supply chain visibility and speed. Customers expect to have turnkey, out of the box solutions that will increase the efficiency of their business. Wherever the logistics industry goes, rest assured, Logistics Plus will be leading the way.
Are you heading into the new year with 2020 vision? Contact Logistics Plus for a check-up and let us know what logistics challenges you face in the years ahead!
The Logistics Plus Project Cargo team completed the successful delivery of a liquid bio-gas storage tank from Turkey to job-site in Norway. The Logistics Plus Belgium and Turkey teams carefully collaborated, planned, and executed every single detail of this “recon” mission. In order to complete the delivery of this massive tank in poor weather conditions, our SPOT (Special Projects Operations & Tactics) team had to apply gravel to roads, remove gates, lift wires, and more.
The liquid bio-gas storage tank was 24m long, 5.4m wide, and 5.6m high, weighing 80 tons.
Logistics Plus Named a Multichannel Merchant Top 3PL for 2020
Third Consecutive Year Logistics Plus Has Been Named to the List.
ERIE, PA (December 19, 2019) – Logistics Plus Inc., a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, is proud to announce it has been named a Multichannel Merchant (MCM) Top 3PL for 2020 and has been included in a listing of leading third-party logistics providers selected by the editors of Multichannel Merchant.
The MCM Top 3PL listing includes company profiles on 50+ providers, vetted by the MCM editorial team. Each includes information on their key capabilities and service offerings, top merchandise categories handled, the mix of B2B and B2C business, the size and geographic reach of its distribution/fulfillment network locations, and more.
“By showcasing these leading providers in a searchable format, we’ve created a go-to resource throughout the year for ecommerce and direct-to-customer merchants looking to outsource their fulfillment operations,” said Mike O’Brien, Senior Content Manager of Multichannel Merchant. “Selecting the right 3PL for your business can lead to lower cost per order, better focus of management time, smoother scaling during peak holiday season, lowered capital investment in facilities and systems, reduction of time-to-customer, lowered shipping costs and easier distribution of international orders.”
“Ecommerce warehousing and fulfillment continues to be an important driver of growth for Logistics Plus,” said Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. “We have complete pick, pack and ship fulfillment capabilities backed by world-class technology at multiple warehouses across North America. Being named a top 3PL provider once again by the respected editors at Multichannel Merchant is an honor for us, and a confirmation that we’re doing the right things needed to serve the needs of the merchant community.”
About Multichannel Merchant
Multichannel Merchant reaches key decision makers responsible for ecommerce, management, marketing and operations at companies that sell merchandise through multiple channels — including ecommerce, mobile, social, and catalog. Multichannel Merchant delivers original research, as well as in-depth analysis of trends and best practices, news, tactical/how-to, executive summaries, technology and supplier comparisons, tip sheets and resource information to help companies sell & deliver products wherever and whenever the customer wants them – at home, work, store or other locations. Visit them online at multichannelmerchant.com.
About Logistics Plus Inc.
Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence technology, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. The company was founded over 23 years ago in Erie, PA by local entrepreneur, Jim Berlin. Today, Logistics Plus is a highly-regarded fast-growing and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a strong passion for excellence, its 500+ employees put the “plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; Riverside, CA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Visalia, CA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Lexington, NC; Buffalo, NY; New York, NY; Olean, NY; Akron, OH; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Laredo, TX; Winchester, VA; Madison, WI; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Mexico; Netherlands; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Taiwan; Turkey; UAE; Uganda; and United Kingdom; with additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
Technology and analytics are playing an increasingly larger role in business management. Having user-friendly business intelligence tools (BI) that help you manage your logistics activities is also becoming important. Logistics Plus provides its clients with end-to-end supply chain visibility using interactive dashboards, predictive analytics, custom reporting, shipment tracking and tracing, freight invoicing, and global control tower capabilities.
As highlighted in the short video shown below, here are the Top 10 Ways Logistics Plus business intelligence tools can help you manage your logistics:
Yossava Trans Logistics recently nominated Logistics Plus Dubai to handle one of their critical air shipments for a project called “Sambu II Expansion Project PT JGC INDONESIA.”
Project Scope: On short notice, two units of firefighting foam skids and accessories (6 units total) were required to be shipped together to the client. In order to complete the project, the foam skids were needed urgently at the project site. Yossava Trans Logistics and Logistics Plus Dubai teamed up in order to meet the clients needs. The total chargeable weight for the shipment was just over 15,000 pounds.
Project Challenges: Due to the detainment faced from the manufacturing center in Dubai, the project client took matters into their own hands by deciding to visit the factory. Along with the client, the Logistics Plus Dubai team accompanied them to push for the readiness of the cargo. Without a completed product, the factory was unable to provide the cargo dimensions and weight, meaning that no airline could secure or confirm a booking for this over-dimensional consignment.
Project Outcome: The situation quickly became strained when the factory was expected to begin their yearly stock tick the same day, increasing the chance that the two skids needed would not be released in time. Logistics Plus communicated with several department heads at the factory to ultimately get the cargo released. It was then partially packed by noon, but the documents needed to ship it weren’t ready. With Thursday being the last working day of the week in Dubai, the cargo had to be loaded in a timely manner. Finally, by 6:15 pm, Logistics Plus managed to complete the clearance and custom inspections just before the airline cutoff time. The cargo was loaded on board and headed to Luxemburg, before reaching it’s final destination in Jakarta.
From start to finish, the Logistics Plus and Yossava Trans teams were constantly in contact with each other to make sure that this shipment was a success. This project is just one more example of the true teamwork and dedication it takes to meet our clients’ needs.
A Penn State Behrend Supply Chain Analytics class had the opportunity to participate in a real life data-driven project with Logistics Plus this semester. This project served as a hands-on learning experience for students as they were challenged with a relevant business problem, attempting to find a solution. The students began the project by familiarizing themselves with the third-party logistics industry. They were then tasked with framing a business problem before utilizing data to provide value to an actual business (in this case Logistics Plus).
Technology, solutions, and services are constantly evolving in the logistics industry. As the decade comes to a close, it’s amazing to reflect on the ways our industry has changed the past ten years. Competition is heating up, demand is growing, and technology is advancing. Heading into 2020, expect things to be no different with 
In 2020 and beyond, the future of logistics will be centered around increasing supply chain visibility and speed. Customers expect to have turnkey, out of the box solutions that will increase the efficiency of their business. Wherever the logistics industry goes, rest assured, Logistics Plus will be leading the way.
The Logistics Plus Project Cargo team completed the successful delivery of a liquid bio-gas storage tank from Turkey to job-site in Norway. The Logistics Plus Belgium and Turkey teams carefully collaborated, planned, and executed every single detail of this “recon” mission. In order to complete the delivery of this massive tank in poor weather conditions, our SPOT (Special Projects Operations & Tactics) team had to apply gravel to roads, remove gates, lift wires, and more.
Technology and analytics are playing an increasingly larger role in business management. Having user-friendly 
