The North American Third-Party Logistics Industry in 2008: The Provider CEO Perspective

Abstract

This article describes the results of a 2008 survey of the CEOs of the twenty largest third-party-logistics providers operating in the North American market. Results of the survey include: revenues and profitability; geographic shifts of customer manufacturing activities; mergers and acquisitions; branding activities; barriers to developing and selling integrated supply chain solutions; the impact of fuel cost increases in the industry; environmental sustainability issues in the industry; current status and future prospects of the industry; and, estimated company and industry growth rates. Based on the survey, the author notes that merger and acquisition activity is likely to slow down, and that the industry is likely to get “greener” over the next several years, but not until an economic recovery occurs. He also suggested that companies surveyed still have to address chronic human resources problems and finding a viable pricing structure.