by logisticsplus | Nov 15, 2017 | News
In case you haven’t had a chance to read the 2018 Third-Party Logistics Study, here are some key takeaways from the results and findings of the 22nd annual report by Dr. C. John Langley and Infosys:
- Global Results Have Been Mixed. Overall 3PL revenues, estimated at $802B in 2016, have declined slightly over the past several years despite increases in the Asia-Pacific and North America.
- Logistics Costs Are Increasing. Logistics expenditures as a percentage of sales revenues increased to 11% in the current year, up from 10% the previous year, as a higher percentage of shippers’ transportation spend is being outsourced with 3PLs (reportedly 55% in most current year).
Shippers Are Outsourcing More. 61% of shippers in the study noted that they intend to increase their usage of outsourced logistics services. Domestic transportation and warehousing remain the two most outsourced logistics services; however, outsourcing of information technology (IT) services had the greatest year-over-year increase for the second consecutive year (see graph).
- The IT Satisfaction Gap Is Widening. Despite more outsourcing of IT activities, fewer shippers are satisfied with these services; an indication that, perhaps, shippers’ expectations have increased as technology has improved or because shippers are seeking enhanced analytical capabilities to help drive more effective supply chain decisions.
- 3PL Capabilities Are Expanding. As more conversations around supply chain efficiency have entered the board room, 3PL providers are refining and expanding their core competencies, which in turn is allowing shippers to focus more on their core competencies.
If you haven’t already, you should download and read the entire 2018 Third-Party Logistics Study. The authors also share some perspectives on the impact blockchains could have on logistics; automation and digitization in the supply chain; and the logistics talent revolution.
If you’re a shipper looking to outsource some or all of your transportation, logistics, or supply chain activities, let us know. We stand ready to help businesses address their most critical logistics challenges.
![Logistics-Challenge-Button](https://www.logisticsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/01/Logistics-Challenge-Button.png)
by logisticsplus | Sep 7, 2017 | News
At Logistics Plus, we provide both 3PL and 4PL solutions. What’s the difference between a 3PL and a 4PL? In a nutshell, a 3PL is a partner that provides logistics services to a client using either their own assets, contracted assets, or both. Conversely, a 4PL is an integrated and outsourced partner, often with dedicated, onsite resources, that manages other logistics providers on a client’s behalf. In many of these situations, the 4PL provider becomes the de facto logistics department for the client. However, for many of our clients, the ideal Logistics Plus® solution lies somewhere in-between – or as we refer to it … 3½PL™ solutions.
With our 3½PL approach to 4PL solutions, we become a valuable extension to your existing supply chain management team. We provide you with onsite or offsite dedicated logistics resources and preferred access to both our own and contracted assets. That includes access to our National Truckload (NTL) capabilities, LTL and truckload solutions, warehousing and distribution options, import/export services, project cargo expertise, global trade compliance oversight, and technology platforms. An additional aspect of our 3½PL solutions is that they can be highly customized or even à la carte. Only need warehousing and fulfillment? No problem. Just need customs brokerage and freight forwarding? We can do that too. Need customized technology integrated with your shopping cart? We’ve got you covered.
In a 3½PL arrangement, even though our own assets and resources are available to you, we are not married to them if other logistics partners can provide better or more affordable solutions. That’s the beauty of this approach. As part of your team (and not a replacement for it), we can look up and down your supply chain, identify the greatest opportunities for improvements, and then act on them. So, not only do you get access to a nationally recognized great supply chain partner and a top freight brokerage firm, you do so without having to increase (or decrease, if that is a concern) your own staff. Additional benefits include:
- Design and planning consultation
- Domestic and international transportation management expertise
- Oversight for customs regulations and compliance
- Smart and efficient technologies, such as eShipPlus™ and eWorldPlus™ powered by CargoWise One®
- Business intelligence, data visualizations, and dashboards using our customized MyLogisticsPlus™ platform
- A liaison between carriers and shipping sites
- Audited and consolidated invoicing
The presentation shown below provides a general overview of our 4PL solutions. Although we still often refer to them as 4PL solutions, which is a more common industry term, you should know that our trademark 3½PL approach is a key point of differentiation that has led to many successful programs for clients such as GE Transportation, GE Oil & Gas, WeWork, Canadian Solar, HeroBX, and others. If you’d like to engage Logistics Plus to help you with your own logistics challenges, simply click the button below to get started.
![Logistics-Challenge-Button](https://www.logisticsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/01/Logistics-Challenge-Button.png)
by logisticsplus | Apr 25, 2017 | News
Global Supply Chain Control Towers are gaining interest among organizations that need greater visibility and control within their increasingly sophisticated supply chains. In a recent Capgemini Consulting report, a supply chain control tower is defined as a central hub with the required technology, organization and processes to capture and use supply chain data to provide enhanced visibility for short- and long-term decision making that is aligned with strategic objectives.
Supply chain towers are often an important component to 4PL supply chain solutions as companies realize that mastery of their supply chain must become a core competency to remain competitive. Although visibility within the supply chain is often a significant driver, the supply chain control tower must go beyond visibility to provide integrated transportation and logistics solutions and global trade compliance services. These services must be configured to support the needs of business units and the key fulfillment attributes of a product-line.
The value of having one global supply chain system and standardized processes gives companies the flexibility to plug in new transportation and logistics providers as needs change, or quickly assimilate new businesses. The control tower reduces the risk of getting locked into using an external provider’s system, and changes the balance of power. Control tower managers have the visibility and data-driven analysis of service levels to objectively manage each provider. Similarly, new businesses and product-lines can be plugged in with standard interfaces and highly configurable processes.
Logistics Plus has significant experience creating and managing global supply chain towers for a number of clients. We take a very customized, yet dedicated approach to configuring and integrating the control tower into each client’s supply chain. The two illustrations shown below are examples of control towers we have implemented for two very different companies (click to enlarge). One is a global energy company, and the other is a leading co-working space provider. As shown in the examples, the first company’s supply chain required multiple regional control towers to ensure visibility and control of logistics across multiple regions. In contrast, the second company required one primary, centrally-located control tower to oversee everything from procurement to warehousing to final deliveries.
![Co-Working-Space-Control-Tower](https://www.logisticsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2017/04/Co-Working-Space-Control-Tower.jpg)
If you’re looking for greater visibility and control within your supply chain, with an experienced 4PL partner that uses a very customized and dedicated approach, please contact us. We’d love to review your business challenge and discuss whether a global supply chain tower might be a good fit for your company.
![Contact-Us-Button](https://www.logisticsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/06/Contact-Us-Button.png)
by logisticsplus | Mar 24, 2017 | News
Nick Hastreiter over at The Future of Everything recently posed the question “How will logistics change in the future?” to a number of successful logistics business leaders. Logistics Plus founder and CEO, Jim Berlin, was included in the article. Jim’s contribution, and the complete article, can be found on the The Future of Everything website by clicking the image below.
![Future-of-Everything-Logistics](https://www.logisticsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2017/03/Future-of-Everything-Logi.jpg)
by logisticsplus | Mar 6, 2017 | Uncategorized
The Logistics Plus (LP) Middle East and Africa offices continue to enjoy fast growth and success within the region. Here are some updates from the LP team operating within this important area of the world.
Logistics Plus Dubai (UAE)
- LP Dubai primary team members: Suchit Sehgal, Siew Hua, Anjali Malik, Dhanraj Naidu, Ramesh Reddy, Reuben Alphonse, and Ronan Yuchitcho.
- Handling 100% of refurbished engine shipments for major power company. Additional shipments for Rwanda plant to begin Q3 2017.
- Moving shipments from UK, China and Germany to the Middle East for worldwide office furniture manufacturer. Quoting additional warehousing operations in Jebel and Dubai.
- Moved first shipment for a major painting and coatings manufacturer. Multiple more shipments are in the pipeline with support from LP Turkey.
- Moving shipments for cement company with plant located in Ras al-Khaimah.
- Bidding on multiple power transmission projects in Malawi and Ethiopia for major global power company.
- Moving agricultural company shipments from Ethiopia to Middle East with opportunity for 30-50 containers per month.
Logistics Plus Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
- LP Jeddah primary team members: Raza Rizvi, Bakar Jafar, Omar Khalid, and Imran Ramzan.
- Handling over 1,000 40′ HC containers per month for major electric company.
- Secured small contract to support logistics for a marine cargo company.
- Hotel project in Saudi Arabia for a prominent leader in the agribusiness.
- Working with an association partner to move regular shipments from Saudi Arabia to UAE.
- Bidding on multiple projects in Dammam and Rabigh in support of local freight forwarder.
Logistics Plus East Africa (EA)
- LP Uganda primary team member: Julius Nyaika
- Bidding and handling various tenders for the United Nations (UN).
- Making in-roads with various companies in the oil and gas industry.
- Moving animal feed to and within Sudan in conjunction with a regional airport operator.
- Bidding on multiple projects in Kenya and Uganda in support of a major transport and logistics operator.
- Working with a Chinese petroleum company on multiple projects in East Africa.
Do you have supply chain or logistics needs in the Middle East or Africa? If yes, contact us and let our global experts go to work for you. Click the button below to complete our online inquiry form, or email suchit.sehgal@logisticsplus.com – our general manager for the Middle East and Africa
![Contact-Us-Button](https://www.logisticsplus.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/06/Contact-Us-Button.png)