Articles
3PL
Brokering Change
W hen I started in this industry in 1978, transportation companies were known as truck brokers. They primarily moved shipments of agricultural products under rates that were exempt from Interstate Commerce Commission regulation—that is, negotiable according to supply and demand. In 1980, truck transportation was deregulated. The term “property broker” was defined, and the industry […]
Read MoreWhy You Don’t Want an Obedient 3PL
What is an obedient third-party logistics provider (3PL)? It is one that doesn’t share responsibility for its customers’ success and simply does what it is told. It keeps quiet when it knows the shipper’s request is misguided, and doesn’t offer new ideas for re-thinking project goals. When a shipper views its 3PL simply as a […]
Read MoreCultivating Healthy Carrier Relationships
Developing robust relationships with your carriers can be challenging, but it’s essential to establishing well-defined expectations. Capacity shortages and other carrier-related service issues will inevitably occur, so you and your carriers must work together to sustain a mutually beneficial relationship when times get tough. The following best practices can help you maximize value within your […]
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Incoterms Let Importers Control Their Destiny
Global import and export merchandise trade is currently valued at nearly $12 trillion, according to the World Trade Organization, some 75 times more than in the mid-1960s. Despite this growth, many companies still use the same trading contract terms and structure that were prevalent decades ago. As a result, importers are missing a major opportunity […]
Read MoreChoosing a 3PL: Safety First
When negotiating transportation services with a third-party logistics provider (3PL), you may find that they emphasize efficiency, customer service, competitive pricing, and timeliness. Safety is rarely a selling point and may go unmentioned during discussions. When shopping for 3PL services, however, a good safety record should be at the top of your checklist. Contracting with […]
Read MoreLogistics Managers Earn Job Security
As recently as a decade ago, most U.S.-based companies’ supply chains were predominantly domestic, and providing manufacturing support to U.S. factories was a booming business. Today, however, global supply chains dominate and the number of U.S. plants to support is dwindling. As a result, many North American supply chain professionals are concerned about how their […]
Read MoreManaging the Mess on the High Seas
Logistics managers have given much thought to streamlining land and air transportation. But water transport still lags behind – and the fallout can have significant impact on even the best laid logistics plans. This is especially critical in a world where overseas sourcing has become the norm rather than the exception for North American companies. […]
Read MoreCo-Sourcing: Two Companies Acting As One
You might worry about outsourcing your company’s entire supply chain—not enough control, too many unknowns, not worth the risk. But you can focus 100 percent of your attention on your core business functions and still keep a close connection with your supply chain through co-sourcing, a custom-tailored system designed to provide the logistics and supply […]
Read MoreHow to Find The Right Outsourcing Solution
MORE TO THE STORY: PICKING YOUR PARTNER As the rules of engagement for operating in a global world continue to shift and expand, businesses increasingly find that the myriad pressures of running a core business do not lend themselves to doing all things well. In the interest of doing what they do best and providing […]
Read MoreSix Essential Strategies for Selecting a Global 3PL
Today’s complex global business environment – with its rapidly advancing technologies, emerging world markets, and vastly extended supply chains – places increasingly critical decision-making demands on logistics professionals. In a world gone global, the challenges of providing seamless supply chain solutions across geographical and cultural boundaries have increased exponentially. Overall logistical requirements, vendor choices, and […]
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