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Inbound logistics July 2017

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Inbound logistics July 2017

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AWARD WINNERS

READERS CHOICE
TOP 10 3PLS
TOP 100
3PL PROVIDERS

www.inboundlogistics.com THE MAGAZINE FOR DEMAND-DRIVEN LOGISTICSJULY 2017

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

3PL MARKET RESEARCH FEATURE THE PLUG & PLAY SUPPLY CHAIN
EXCLUSIVE
COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS: LICENSE TO CHILL
HERE COMES THE BRIDAL WEAR SUPPLY CHAIN SUPPLEMENT U.S.-CANADA TRADE: TIES THAT BIND
DISTRIBUTORS UP THEIR GAME FEATURE DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER STRATEGIES
IL THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN RATED ESSENTIAL BY
LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN PROFESSIONALS
EXPERIENCE IT ON all content channels

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR ECHO AS YOUR #1 3PL

We are honored to be your top 3PL and proud that you see
our team members as your logistics superheroes. We promise
to continue to earn your confidence every day.

Thank you for voting for Echo as #1 in the 2017 Inbound Logistics
Top 3PL Excellence Awards.
2017 Echo Global Logistics. All rights reserved.

ECHO.COM 800.354.7993
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info snacks
BITE SIZED SUPPLY CHAIN/LOGISTICS INFORMATION

When Good is Not Good Enough

Ice, Ice I try to constantly inspire my team to think big and make their
Baby ideas a reality, says Dan Clark, founder and president of Kuebix.
I like to tell them, We cant be good. We cant be average. We
For a long time, cold have to be great.
chain services were (See LeaderShip, p. 20)
all about storage.
But today, 56
percent of the cold
chain industrys Vin Diesel Fuel Plug and
revenue comes Only 15 minutes in the
movie The Fate of the
Play Payday
from non-storage
activities, according Furious take place in
When Dell re-engineered
to an International Havana, Cuba. But it
took roughly three its global supply chain
Association of Refrigerated weeks to film using a plug-and-play
Warehouses survey. those scenes and strategy, it achieved:
(See License to Chill, and months of 37-percent improvement
p. 188) around-the-clock in product availability;
logistics planning. 33-percent shorter
(See Special order-to-delivery times;
Delivery, p. 196) 30-percent reduction in
freight costs for notebooks;

72%
and 30-percent reduction in
The percentage of global manufacturing costs.
business leaders who (See Plug & Play
believe the world has Supply Chain, p. 118)
become a riskier place.
(See Global, p. 37)

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 1

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3PL CHANGE AGENTS
page 128

THE MAGAZINE FOR DEMAND-DRIVEN LOGISTICS

July 2017 Vol. 37 No. 7

INSIGHT INPRACTICE
10 CHECKING IN WITH
THE PUBLISHER
Bad news, good news.
22 READER PROFILE Joe Bobko: Not Boxed In
Joe Bobko of Boxed Wholesale thinks across functional lines to manage
inbound and outbound transportation.

211 Knife, Spoon,Improving

12 CHECKING IN WITH
THE EDITOR
Updating Einstein?. Food Distribution:
DC SOLUTIONS
14 GOOD QUESTION and Forklift
Whats the most important question A fine foods supplier optimizes order picking and improves worker
to ask a potential 3PL partner? safety with warehouse systems that pass the taste test.
16 DIALOG
The ongoing conversation.
18 10 TIPS
215 IT TOOLKIT Sofa So Good: WMS Upgrade Bolsters Efficiency
A furniture retailer upgrades its warehouse management system to
Making vendor managed polish productivity.

219
inventory work.
20 LEADERSHIP E-TALES Green E-tailer Fertilizes the Bottom Line
Kuebix President Dan Clark reveals Thanks to a data analytics platform, Grove Collaboratives shipping
how he stays ahead of the curve.
costs wither while fulfillment efficiencies blossom.
42 KNOWLEDGE BASE
Optimizing Inbound Freight
Beyond the Shipment Level 42 INDEPTH
An Open Letter to Ocean
Shippers
Need Flexibility? Seek Out
44
80 SPONSORED Canada: Ties That Bind
The U.S.-Canada cross-border trade relationship
Full-Service 3PLs 46
remains robust in an evolving regulatory
Sweep the Dock for
environment.

88 Direct-to-Consumer Strategies
E-Commerce Insight 48
The Power of
Transparency 50
Why GRIs May Not Be So E-commerce has forever changed the way people shop. Now businesses
General This Year 52 of all sizes must reassess their supply chains to go direct to the
consumer with faster-than-fast delivery and free shipping.

Inbound Logistics (ISSN 0888-8493, USPS 703990) is mailed monthly to approximately 60,000 business professionals who buy, specify, or recommend logistics technology, transportation, and related
services, by Thomas Publishing Company LLC, 5 Penn Plaza, NY, NY 10001. Jos E. Andrade, chairman; Carl T. Holst-Knudsen, president. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices.
All rights reserved. The publisher accepts no responsibility for the validity of claims of any products or services described. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
electronic means, or stored in any information retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Inbound Logistics, 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001

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SPILLING THE BEANS ON THE
COFFEE SUPPLY CHAIN
page 180

THE MAGAZINE FOR DEMAND-DRIVEN LOGISTICS

July 2017 Vol. 37 No. 7

Y
IBILIT

94 Distributors Step Up Their Game

INFLEX CHANNEL

TW GO ES T
OMNI-

O BAC
000

SP K
DATE

INSIGHT

PR UN
NK $5 Y

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OC DA
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DELIV SELEC PAY BAVISIBILIT RY

S
TO

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INVEN CK OF
LA

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IP EC
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PIN T
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G
TW L A TIM
BORA
FOR LIER

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COLLA
ROLL PP

TO LOW
O R
SU

S
RN
NEW

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54 VIEWPOINT Changing business modelsespecially the
OU

S
DR CT
rise of e-commerceare prompting many

ES
TECTDATE
The autonomous vehicle revolution

AD ELE
H D

S
PASELE

GO E S
is here. Are you ready?

ON
YM CT

BA PAC

RY
distributors to enhance their services.

LI E
EN

CK E

DE LAT
T

VE
EL CT
D!
102 Here

NC RA
LE
CA ONT
C
ED
AD

56 TRADE COMPLIANCE
DT

LIV EM
ER
O

DE IT
CA
RT

STRATEGIST Comes the PAYMENT

PROCESSED

Leverage your freight forwarder

to boost your compliance program. Bridal Wear Supply Chain
Made-to-order bridal gowns, drop-dead
58 REVERSE LOGISTICS
Five steps to preventing brand
dress deadlines, and emotional brides create
damage when your product fails. a unique supply chain thats no honeymoon
to manage.

110 Supply Chain Collaboration: Working in Tandem

60 GREEN LANDSCAPE
How to grow a green supply chain.
62 RISKS AND REWARDS
Five ways to protect your cargo. Successful supply chain collaboration between shippers and their
third-party logistics providers involves transparency, honest
64 SMART MOVES
communication, and commitment. Come along for the ride.

118 Plug and Play Supply Chains: A Smarter Path to Growth

Why arent there more veterans
in logistics?
66 LEAN SUPPLY CHAIN
Stay competitive with a Companies and their supply chains have found a powerful new strategy
flexible TMS. for driving profitable growththe plug-and-play supply chain. Lets
68 IT MATTERS break it down.
How automation can augment your
supply chain workforce.
70 ECODEV
128 3PL Change Agents
Trying to plot a different course? Figuring out how to spread your
How to make your region a wings? A third-party partner might offer the kind of help you need.

137
logistics hotspot.
72 FINE PRINT EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH 3PL Perspectives
Updated uniform bill of lading Inbound Logistics 12th annual 3PL market research report provides
changes: Are you at risk?
a highlight reel of the trends and tribulations shaping logistics
74 3PL LINE outsourcing strategy for both providers and shippers.
Three ways your 3PL can help you
overcome e-commerce challenges.

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page 110

THE MAGAZINE FOR DEMAND-DRIVEN LOGISTICS

July 2017 Vol. 37 No. 7

INSIGHT
76 THOUGHT LEADERS
146 Top 100 3PL Providers
Our annual directory shines a spotlight on
Learning from the Fast Fashion logistics service providers that go above TOP 100
Groundbreakers 76 and beyond.

159 Excellence Awards

How to Choose a TMS Vendor
Thats Right for Your Company 77
Options in Technology to Improve
Top 10 3PL
READERS CHOICE
Your Transportation Program
Silicon Valley Helps the Logistics
78
Our readers have spoken. Here are the 3PL
Industry Grow Smarter 79 3PLs they voted the most award-worthy. PROVIDERS
264 LAST MILE: SUPPLY CHAIN
GOES BACK TO SCHOOL 171 SPONSORED Solved!
Have a supply chain problem? These
-2017-

providers have answers.

INFOCUS 180 Spilling the Beans on the Coffee Supply Chain

Coffee has been a popular drink for centuries, yet supply chain
25 NOTED
challenges continue to brew.

188 Cold Storage Logistics: License to Chill

31 TRENDS
37 GLOBAL
Specialized providers offer more than just standard refrigeration and
freezing services. They also have value-added services down cold.
INFO 196 Managing Project Logistics: Special Delivery
223 WEB_CITE CITY Logistics companies handling special projects need persistence and
246 VIDEO LOG ingenuity. Heres how they execute in the face of the unexpected.
248 WHITEPAPER DIGEST
252 IN BRIEF 205 Summer Reading Guide 2017
Add these books to your reading list to keep your logistics
256 CALENDAR and supply chain skills fresh in the summer heat.
258 CLASSIFIED
260 RESOURCE CENTER

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DRIVING LOGISTICS FORWARD.
CONNECTING THE WORLD.
THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR C.H. ROBINSON AS A TOP 3PL!

Its an honor to work with you in this

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CHECKINGIN Vol. 37, No. 7 July 2017
THE MAGAZINE FOR DEMAND-DRIVEN LOGISTICS
www.inboundlogistics.com
STAFF

PUBLISHER Keith G. Biondo

[email protected]
by Keith Biondo | Publisher
EDITOR Felecia J. Stratton
[email protected]
MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Muskett

Bad News, Good News

[email protected]
SENIOR ASSOCIATE Katrina Arabe
EDITOR [email protected]

W
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

hy does logistics giant XPO Logistics invest $500 million annually Jennifer Baljko Sandra Beckwith Tamara Chapman
Merrill Douglas Tom Gresham Lisa Harrington
on IT to drive its business? The explosion in e-commerce, accord- Karen M. Kroll Jason McDowell Elaine Silver

ing to Brad Jacobs, CEO of XPO. But its not only consumers who CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jeof Vita
[email protected]
have been acculturated to supply chain impatience. Purchasing, buyers, and MULTIMEDIA CONTENT Evelyn Klotz
DESIGNER [email protected]
supply managers in industrial sectors also feel the need for speedand for IT
DIGITAL DESIGN Amy Palmisano
connectivity as well. Thats part of what is being called Manufacturing 4.0 as MANAGER [email protected]

industry adapts the Internet of Things (IoT) to their manufacturing and sup- PUBLICATION MANAGER Sonia Casiano
[email protected]
ply chain processes. CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Carolyn Smolin
What do those trends mean for your logistics partners, especially if they are PUBLISHING ASSISTANT Kathy Narvaez

not market monsters? Can mid-size warehouse operators, brokers, and 3PLs
SALES OFFICES
flourish in this environment? Or will market monstersand Amazon, as some
PUBLISHER: Keith Biondo
are foretellingsqueeze them out of existence, consequently leaving you with
212-629-1560 FAX: 212-629-1565
fewer solutions and choices? [email protected]
The bad news: The challengers and challenges are formidable. The size of WEST/MIDWEST/SOUTHWEST: Harold L. Leddy
the market monster competition is daunting to small and mid-size solutions 847-446-8764 FAX: 847-305-5890
providers. Few logistics player have millions to invest in the kind of technology [email protected]
that provides global visibility and control, and wrings out every transportation Marshall Leddy
efficiency. Clearly, not many 3PLs have the wherewithal to quickly invest in 612-234-7436 FAX: 847-305-5890
[email protected]
robotics and supply chain automation that continues to feed the customer and
SOUTHEAST: Gordon H. Harper
consumer need for shipment speed and reduced, or even free, shipping.
404-229-9691 FAX: 404-355-2036
Now add the supply chain professional talent gap, which is driving salary [email protected]
increases for skilled supply chain professionals needed to master the increas- MIDWEST/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Joseph Biondo
ing complexity of logistics operations. Then, theres a gap at the operational 516-578-8924
warehouse and fulfillment level, and minimum wage initiatives that continue [email protected]
to spread. That begs the question: Can sufficient logistics labor to drive cus- NORTHEAST: Rachael Sprinz
tomer demands and expansion be accessible only to 3PLs with the deepest 212-629-1560 FAX: 212-629-1565
pockets who have a greater ability to pay more for workers when they have to? [email protected]

But there is good news for those using mid-tier brokers, warehouse oper- FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS
ators, and 3PLs to help administer logistics networks and supply chain www.inboundlogistics.com/free
operations: they offer advantages, too. Specialization, personalized service, Inbound Logistics supports sustainable best
practices. Our mission is rooted in helping companies
and being closer to the customer engenders a fuller understanding of your match demand to supply, eliminating waste from
the supply chain. This magazine is printed on paper
business challenges. They can also compete by staying up to date on low bar- sourced from fast growth renewable timber.

rier to entry technology, such as cloud and pay by the drink applications, Inbound Logistics welcomes comments and submissions. Email us at
which offer powerful low-cost IT solutions. And, they can ally with other [email protected]; call (212) 629-1560; or mail 5 Penn
Plaza, NY, NY 10001. For advertising or subscription information, call
3PLs and carriers to fill service and coverage gaps. (212) 629-1560, or e-mail [email protected]. Inbound

The good news: These approaches are paying off. Eighty-seven percent of Logistics is distributed without cost to those qualified in North America.
Interested readers may subscribe online at bit.ly/get_il. Subscription
service providers surveyed in Inbound Logistics 2017 3PL Perspectives mar- price to others: in North America: $95 per year. Foreign subscriptions:

ket research report have grown their client base by at least five percent over $229. Single copy price: No. Amer. $10, foreign $19, back issues $15.

the past year; 89 percent have increased sales; and 81 percent have grown
profits. That growth is primarily in the mid-tier 3PL quadrant, which is more
good news. n

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#CULTURE
SHOCKED
I heard the stories, but when I came to LEGACY
I realized the focus on customer service is for real.
Our culture empowers us to go the extra mile.
Culture First
Jen LEGACY Client Services

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CHECKINGIN
by Felecia Stratton | Editor

Updating Einstein?

E
instein said the faster an object moves, the slower also are dealing with the new challenges e-commerce cre-
time seems to pass. Well, not for me. The increased ates. In Distributors Step Up Their Game (page 94), youll
speed at which products now move through the sup- find perfect examples of how customer demands can
ply chain seems to have the same impact on my calendar. quickly transformor trashyour business if youre not pro-
I cant believe half the year is gone, and in the blink of an active. Demand-driven logistics practices, technology, and
eye it will be 2018. adaptive logistics partners are the real game changers here.
Everything moves super fast for you, too, as supply chain The game is changing in the cold storage industry as
performance builds brand recognition and enhances cus- well. For a very long time, cold storage facilities served a
tomer service. We had that in mind when we planned this single purpose: to hold inventory. Today, scope evolution,
annual Third-Party Logistics issue (were those planning closer collaboration for business change, and other trends
meetings really six months ago?). Youll find interesting and are transforming logistics solutions. Given changing con-
informative case histories about the important work third- sumer buying and eating habits, and the need for speed,
party logistics providers do speed your supply chain to drive smaller shipments, and efficiency, cold chain solutions are
competitiveness and growth. blossoming. Youll find compelling examples in License To
Here is quick look at whats on tap for you in this edition. Chill (page 188), which offers 12 cool trends that are turn-
In his editorial on page 10, Publisher Keith Biondo refers ing cold storage into todays hottest solution set.
to the key drivers of success: having a close integrated bond If you want to explore how e-commerce and the digi-
with your customers means that as their business evolves, tal supply chain is impacted by the change in consumer
logistics solutions match that transformation. That also consumption, the feature article about direct-to-consumer
feeds specialization of solutions and diversity of choice logistics, Direct Hit (page 88), is one to set your sights on.
when considering logistics partnersa business co-evolution No one expected the rapid change and adoption of the
if you will. buying of the Online of Everything. Well perhaps Amazon
Our cover story, 3PL Change Agents (page 128), offers did, and yes, we cover them in this article.
several in-depth examples of how logistics partners can do What happens when Cubas 1950s environment calls
more than solve transportation, warehousing, and supply for todays world-class logistics requirements? More change
chain challenges. If you let them, 3PLs can drive change agents? Maybe. Find out in the fun project logistics fea-
across your entire enterprise, positioning you to compete ture, Special Delivery (page 196), which follows Vin Diesel
and scale for growth. And do it quickly. and company as they tear up the roads in Cuba for the next
Indeed, logistics partners are enabling success for many installment of the exciting The Fast & the Furious franchise.
of the thousands of readers who voted in our Top 10 3PL Fast and furious is a great way to describe todays supply
Excellence Awards. Which 3PLs came out on top? Check chains. I wonder what Einstein would have thought about
the results on page 159. the speed at which products now move. Would he have
Its not only 3PLs that are enabling success. Distributors updated his Theory of Relativity? n

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Good Question
READERS WEIGH IN

Whats the most important question

you should ask a potential 3PL partner?
Will your pricing and What philosophy guides your Can you describe
service change after the first process when youre implementing your companys cross-
few transactions? new programs with a customer? functional collaboration
Erik Boe Nick Hagel with regards to servicing
Warehouse Manager, DC Group Supply Chain Manager our account after we
Anadarko Petroleum have signed with you?
Ax Torres
What do you do when the trucking Director of Operations
company loses some of the How quickly do you resolve freight United Services
customers freight? I found out claims? Also, since I deal with a few
the hard way that for at least one 3PLs, I am constantly comparing
company I dont use anymore, the rates, so I then ask: Can X-carrier Currently, we are
answer is nothing. do better with you on pricing since working with 3PL
Kirby Mohr it is lower on a different 3PL? Its all providers in Southeast
President about service, paying the fair rates, Asian countries that
Mohr Separations Research and no damages. lack the infrastructure
Carol-Lynn Maynard to support many
Buyer, Foster Corporation dangerous goods.
How will the recent disruptions to My question: What
the retail industryAmazon buying commitment will you
Whole Foods and Walmart buying Does your company have a make to us to ensure
Bonobosaffect the supply chain? capable trailer tracking system the safe and reliable transport and
Sander Eth with customer orders? Does the warehousing of our goods?
SVP Supply Chain, Bambeco website contain both bills of lading Graham McFarlane
(from the carrier) and packing list Head of Global Electronic
documents (from the supplier Special Gases
I would ask for a price on my five or shipper) that can easily be Linde Electronics
most recent freight loads (LTL) downloaded for reference?
and see how competitive the Anayet Chodury
3PL is, compared with current Materials Coordinator
3PL partners. Serta Simmons Bedding Dallas HAVE A GREAT ANSWER
Nick Pavel TO A GOOD QUESTION?
Accounts, ER Tillage Be sure to participate next month.
Do you have the right equipment, We want to know:
facilities, technology, and services
What is your companys history? to meet my companys needs? Whats the most interesting
Simple, yet effective. Lynn Carlisle or unusual supply chain
Aimee Charles HR Director/Credit Manager problem youve solved?
Operations, Enwork Xtra Lite Lighting, LLC Well publish some answers.
Tell us at [email protected] or
tweet us @ILMagazine #ILgoodquestion

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[email protected]

Finding Untapped Value

The Whole Foods deal gives Amazon

an existing refrigerated frozen-food supply
in Product Returns
bit.ly/productreturns
In todays returns economy, retailers
chain and that could make a difference for need to be able to separate the good
meal-kit services as well as for broader return from the preventable one.

at-home grocery delivery.

Mohammed Hassen Mayet
Return policies need to be seriously
considered; the logistics return price
Philip Evers
minimizes the profit margin. Goods
Logistics Professor at the University of Marylands Robert H. Smith
must be under strict quality control,
School of Business, on Amazons acquisition of Whole Foods. which works hand in hand with order
processing. Rather, the product should
be triple-checked before shipping the
commodity.
Reader Email
bit.ly/managingyardwork

I
really enjoyed the Managing Yard Work article in the May 2017
issue. (Wait for the inevitable but.) I have looked into a couple
of yard management systems (YMS) in the past and one really
valuable piece of information that could help someone on the hunt
would be to show which ones could be purchased as standalone
systems.
For instance, I contacted one of the providers on your YMS
Buyers Guide list and asked whether we could use their YMS and the
answer was yes! A few hours later, I find the caveat is: if you purchase Web Comments
our warehouse management system (WMS). Humph. I dont need an How to Optimize
Demand Chain Management
entire WMSjust a YMS. So now, looking at these providers Im still
bit.ly/DCMknowhow
not sure whom I might reach out to.
Just a thought. Charu Sharma
Loni Newcomb Demand chain management (DCM) is
Sr. Director, Distribution Systems similar to supply chain management but
Dollar General Corporation with special regard to the customers. DCM
creates strategic assets for the firm in terms
of the overall value creation as it enables the
Editors Note: Reader feedback like this helps us tailor our content, so thank firm to implement and integrate marketing
you. For our 2018 YMS Buyers Guide, we will indicate which systems are and supply chain management strategies
available as a stand-alone to make the list more helpful to logistics and supply that improve its overall performance.
chain managers.

16 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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st and how products move from a Toys R Us. We went from zero pack- date, and determine which carrier and
manufacturer or supplier to a store, and ages in August to 1 million-plus by service should handle the shipment.
became hooked on the world of supply December in the store network. Today, were creating specialists, but
chain. It has been a wonderful ride. The greatest challenges in estab- Im a generalist. The most significant
Later, I worked for a courier com- lishing a store fulfillment process lie benefit is an ability to see the big picture.
pany and was part of a team that rolled in mindset and execution. Store team I started my career with a Fortune 50
14 privately held companies into one members serve both in-store and invis- company, held roles in operations,
national courier firm. Forming this ible, or online, customers. They need finance, and systems, and have been
company required consistent communi- tools and processes to execute. One key exposed to all types of customers. I add
cation and sharing the best of the best tool was simplifying the packing pro- value by thinking across functional lines
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INFOCUS

NOTED
The Supply Chain In Brief

GREEN SEEDS

m&a
Penske Truck Leasing entered into an
agreement to acquire Old Dominion Truck
Leasing, which serves approximately 360
customers in diverse industry sectors from
11 locations in five states. Old Dominion Truck
Leasings products and services align with
Penskes existing service offerings, including
full-service truck leasing and rental, contract
fleet maintenance, and dedicated contract
carriage. The acquisition adds about 1,400
tractors, trucks, and trailers to Penskes fleet.

Trucking company Estes Express Lines

completed its fourth solar-power system installation
in its nationwide terminal network. A grant from
the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority
facilitated Estes latest clean-energy initiative; solar
energy provider Dynamic Energy submitted the grant
application for Estes. The resulting West Middlesex
project involved 2,150 roof-mounted panels. The
system is expected to produce 777,400 kWh of power
annually.

SEALED DEALS
Home security company Ring chose Performance Team, a
distribution and transportation services company, to provide
retail and e-commerce fulfillment services. Ring, which
offers products designed to reduce crime by creating a ring
of security around homes and neighborhoods, is partnering
with Performance Team to scale supply chain operations to
meet customer needs.

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 25

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INFOCUS NOTED
The Supply Chain In Brief

SEALED DEALS
GOOD WORKS
DHL inked a partnership agreement with the
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
associates in Delaware
to be the fashion trade organizations official
made a $10,000 delivery
logistics partner. As part of the agreement, DHL will
to the Food Bank of
co-sponsor and work with CFDAs innovation partner,
Delaware, which aims to
Accenture, on a study looking at the future of the
provide nutritious foods
industrys supply chain. The survey results can help
to local people in need
fashion designers more effectively use global supply
and facilitate long-term
chains and shipping networks to target customer
solutions to hunger
needs and elevate their brands.
and poverty through
community education and
advocacy. During the visit,
35 Amazon associates
also picked, packed,
and palletized nearly 500 boxes of meals for local
seniors. In addition, they taped and labeled the space,
and reorganized pallets and assembly lines using
Amazons kaizen program to increase the Delaware
food banks productivity.

SHOVEL READY
Ridge, the industrial development arm of Transwestern
Development Co., broke ground on a 24-acre site that
will house a 351,171-square-foot speculative project in
Southpark Commerce Center in southeast Austin, Texas.
Three industrial buildings are slated for delivery in fourth
quarter 2017. The first building is a 73,832-square-foot
service center featuring 24 dock doors and 180 parking
DHL Express delivers a 7-foot-plus statue to Hammerstein spaces. Buildings 2 and 3 are rear-load warehouses.
Ballroom in New York, where the CFDA Fashion Awards Building 2 has 34 dock doors and 163 parking spaces, while
ceremony took place.
Building 3 has 43 dock doors and 124 parking spaces.
Tonys Chocolonely, a chocolate brand based in
the Netherlands, is using the Descartes Global
Logistics Network (GLN) to support expansion into
the United States. Tonys Chocolonely extended its
Descartes GLN deployment to better communicate
with retail and distribution customers in the United
States. Descartes GLN, a multi-modal electronic
communications network connecting
thousands of parties in more than 160
countries, helps the chocolate
maker streamline electronic
communications and order-
to-cash processes with
retailers.

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INFOCUS NOTED
The Supply Chain In Brief

SHOVEL READY
CN broke ground on Whirlpool Canadas new
distribution center, now under construction at CNs
recognition
Calgary Logistics Park in Rocky View County, Alberta. The Supply chain solutions provider NFI was named
425,000-square-foot facility will serve as a distribution Lowes Carrier of the Year. The home improvement
center for finished Whirlpool appliances coming to Alberta and appliance retailer awards a transportation
from across North America. The new facility at Calgary provider each year based on overall performance
Logistics Park directly connects the appliance maker to level and customer service. Criteria for the award
CNs rail network and transportation services, and allows it include on-time service, load acceptance, and EDI
to more efficiently deliver to its retail partners. shipment status compliance. NFI also received
the Platinum Carrier Award from Lowes for
outstanding service: on-time service exceeding
99.2 percent inbound, 99.8 percent outbound, and a
compliance record of 99.8 percent for the past year.

UP THE CHAIN

Food industry veteran

Chris Gregg was tapped
by Impossible Foods to
be senior vice president Retailer Dollar General named Averitt Express, a
of supply chain and provider of freight transportation and supply chain
manufacturing. Gregg management, its LTL Carrier of the Year for the
joins the management second year in a row. The award is based on several
team and oversees criteria, including on-time service and providing
operations for innovative supply chain solutions.
manufacturing and
supply chain as the DHL named Lufthansa Cargo & Swiss WorldCargo,
company rapidly United Cargo, and Emirates SkyCargo the
expands. Impossible recipients of the 2017 Carrier Award for Reliability
Foods, which makes burgers that smell and taste and Excellence. Inaugurated in 2016, the DHL CARE
like ground beef but are made entirely from plants, Awards recognize airfreight providers that transport
is building its first large-scale production facility, temperature-sensitive life sciences products. Criteria
which will enable it to include shipment quality, ground handling expertise,
make at least 1 million and technology and process innovation. Award
pounds of Impossible recipients demonstrated high levels of shipment
Burgers monthly. performance, rigorous certification, and extensive
infrastructure investments.

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INFOCUS

TRENDS
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LOGISTICS

Amazon Files Patent

To Parachute Packages
A mazon teased consumers with drone delivery during a 2017 Super Bowl commercial,
though the ad bore a disclaimer: Prime Air is not available in some states (or any
really). Yet.
Back in December 2016, Amazon made its first successful customer delivery in a trial area
in the United Kingdom; in March 2017, the online retail giant completed a test delivery at its
invite-only MARS 2017 robotics conference in Palm Springs. Now that it has filed a series of pat-
ents for drone delivery systems, Amazon seems to be following through on promises that Prime
by Jason McDowell Air will eventually become a reality.
An old joke says, You dont need a parachute to skydive. You only need one if you want to
skydive twice. This logic applies to dropping packageswhich could contain any number of
fragile productsfrom the air. Amazons latest approved patent reveals a design that incorpo-
rates a parachute directly into a package label, according to documents obtained from the U.S.
Patent and Trade Office.
Using these labels, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)or dronescould deploy packages
from the air and let them drift safely to the ground. This would reduce delivery times by elim-
inating the need to land and take off. Packages could even potentially be dropped without the
drone stopping, which makes it possible to use multiple types of UAVs instead of just those that
can hover and land.
The patent also states that different sized parachute canopies can be used for different sized
shipping containers descent appropriately to prevent damage to the contents of the shipping
container, suggesting that Amazon would scale the technology for a wide range of package sizes
and weights. The patent also describes multiple ways UAVs might carry a parachute-labeled

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 31

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INFOCUS TRENDS
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LOGISTICS

package, including mechanical arms, Amazon continues to wait on Federal

a suction system, magnets, and retract- Aviation Administration approval before Manufacturing,
able shelves. it can complete more widespread Prime
The retailer also received recent pat- Air distribution testing. This process will Logistics Grew
ents for a magnet-based delivery system most likely take several more years, but
and a coiled spring model, so it seems there is little doubt that the company Dramatically
likely that the company will use a combi- plans to drop its packages from the skies
nation of many technologies to get drone as soon as it is able. Over Last
packages on doorsteps.
Generation
Retailers Struggle C ontrary to public perception, U.S.
manufacturing and logistics expe-

To Control Fulfillment Costs rienced dramatic growth over the past

generation, says a study by the Ball State

W almarts recent announce-

ment that it is testing a
delivery system where its associ-
Center for Business and Economic
Research (CBER) and Conexus Indiana.
U.S. manufacturing production grew
ates will deliver online orders to 11 percent since the 2000-2003 dot.com
customers doors makes sense in bust and ensuing economic turbulence
light of a new study by Radial, in of the 2001 and 2007-2009 recessions,
partnership with EKN Research, reports Manufacturing and Logistics: A
which finds the average cost for Generation of Volatility & Growth.
a company to fulfill an order According to folklore, this has been
is 70 percent of the average a terrible generation for manufacturing
These retail order fulfillment models have become
order value. popular over the past few years, say retail CEO and those who move goods, says CBER
Indeed, overcoming fulfill- survey respondents. Director Michael Hicks. That isnt
ment challenges is critical Today, what the data says. Indeed, 2015 was a
more than 55 percent of consumers inefficiencies persist: record manufacturing production year
use multiple channelssuch as online 31 percent of retailers are chal- in inflation-adjusted dollars. While 2016
and mobileto shop, yet more than 40 lenged by split orders, where multiple fell just short with some weakness in the
percent of retailers describe fulfillment products in one order must be shipped first and second quarter, 2017 looks to
costs as a major challenge impacting from different locations. be a new record year.
their business, according to Radials 56 percent of retailers say their Hicks attributes most of the confu-
Strategies for Agile, Profitable and Secure order management systems need to be sion about manufacturing and logistics
Omnichannel Execution study. able to process at higher volumes and to declining employment over the
Further, 67 percent of retail CEO velocity, and to source from a variety past generation.
survey respondents say that costs to ful- of channels. The fact is, manufacturing firms
fill orders have increased over the past 40 percent of retailers have trou- have become very lean, and productiv-
several years, with 37 percent citing that ble automating order capture and ity growth means more goods produced
inventory order and supply chain opera- processing, integrating inventory, and with fewer workers, he says.
tions are not properly aligned, resulting standardizing order management from Three factors contribute to a decline
in rising costs. different order types across channels. in employment: the workforce is better
To marry customer expectations With more than 35 percent of educated and trained, increasing pro-
with back-end efficiency, retailers have retailers still in the planning stages of ductivity; mechanization has displaced
adopted new tactics, including non- deploying intelligent order technol- some workers; and improved processes,
traditional shipping solutions such as ogy, the industry is not moving quickly such as Lean Six Sigma and other man-
buy online, pick up in store and buy enough to meet demand in todays fast- agement methods, have increased
online, ship from store. paced retail landscape. manufacturing production, according
U n f o r t u n a t e l y, d e s p i t e r e d u c - One solution might be shifting to the study.
ing costs slightly, complexities and responsibility to a fulfillment partner, Since peak manufacturing employ-
hidden fees associated with process the survey concludes. ment in 1979, the United States has

32 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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2017

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TayloredServices_ad0717.indd 1 7/17/17 4:39 PM
INFOCUS TRENDS
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LOGISTICS

lost approximately 7.5 million manu-

facturing jobs, but gained more than
Trade and productivity growth
shifts job opportunities to other places Supply Chains
9 million jobs in trade, transportation
and utilities, the broadest measure of
and other sectors even as employment
grows, Hicks says. We are at peak U.S. Double Down on
the logistics sector.
Logistics Real GDP (in 2017 dollars)
employment right now.
Climate Change
P resident Donald Trump pledged to
withdraw the United States from
the Paris climate accord, but stakehold-
ers involved with the American supply
chainoften supportive of the Presidents
business-friendly policiesarent so ready
to fall in line this time.
Rather than push American businesses
away from sustainable initiatives, many
companies seem to have reaffirmed their
commitments. A few examples:
Walmart. The retailer moved for-
ward with Project Gigaton, a program
that works with its global suppliers to
reduce supply chain emissions by 1 bil-
Total GDP for the logistics sector saw only about half the proportional decline than
manufacturing over the Great Recession. This graph illustrates the smaller dip in real GDP. lion tons before 2030.

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34 Inbound
intellectual Logistics
property of their respective
July 2017 owners. 2017 Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., Thomasville, N.C. All rights reserved.
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Cargill. We have no intention Forward-looking business leaders
of backing away from our efforts to are guided by long-term economics,
address climate change in the food and not short-term politics, says Jason
agriculture supply chains around the Mathers, director of supply chain for the
world. In fact, this will inspire us to work Environmental Defense Fund. They
even harder, said David MacLennan, know that investing in corporate sus-
CEO of the agricultural company, in a tainability unleashes innovation, drives
press statement. companies published sustainability growth, and makes them more respon-
Tyson Foods. The global meat reports in 2016, according to data from sive to their customers, who want to
supplier, in collaboration with World the G&A Institute. With so many large conduct business with companies that
Resources Institute, plans to develop sci- businesses focused on reducing their car- are striving to cut climate pollution.
ence-based greenhouse gas reduction bon footprints, its unlikely that a lack of Thats why 96 major corporations
and water conservation targets for its commitment by the U.S. government have pledged to use 100 percent renew-
entire supply chain. will change much for Americas largest able energy, he adds. And thats why
General Electric. When the supply chains. Walmart just challenged its suppliers to
President announced plans to with- The biggest impact will be on small- cut 1 billion tons of climate emissions
draw America from the Paris agreement, and mid-sized businesses for whom over the next 15 years.
General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt emissions targets or other sustainability In short, sustainability leadership pro-
tweeted: Industry must now lead and initiatives might be an expensive propo- vides a competitive advantage, Mathers
not depend on government. sition. However, these companies must says. Its the new, smart way to do busi-
Immelts tweet seems to be on look at the larger picture rather than the ness as usual. n
point. Eighty-two percent of S&P 500 immediate future.

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INFOCUS

GLOBAL THE WORLD AT A GLANCE by Jason McDowell

The Yara Birkeland will be the worlds first

fully electric and autonomous container
ship, with zero emissions. Unmanned
voyages are planned for 2020.

Could Self-Driving Ships Become Reality by 2020?

This is happening. Its not if, its shippers Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) in an announcement on the companys
when. The technologies needed to and Nippon Yusen have teamed up website. We believe that future could
make remote and autonomous ships a with Japanese shipbuilder Japan Marine manifest within a decade.
reality exist. United, pledging to put unmanned While BHP continues its search for
So said Oskar Levander, vice pres- ships on the water by 2025. MOL partners to develop its own self-driving
ident of innovation for Rolls Royce, and Nippon Yusen agreed to split the ships, Norwegian maritime technol-
at Amsterdams Autonomous Ship several hundred-million-dollar develop- ogy firm Kongsberg Gruppen plans to
Technology Symposium in 2016. He ment cost. begin testing its fully electric autono-
wasnt wrong about the technology, con- Meanwhile, in the Land Down mous ship next year. The tech company
sidering the United States and China Under, Australian mining company partnered with fertilizer manufacturer
already have unmanned naval ships BHP Billiton Limited wants to develop Yara International to build the Yara
patrolling the seas. cargo ships of its own to haul dry bulk Birkeland and get it on the water with a
As it turns out, Rolls Royce isnt the materials between Australia and China. test crew by 2018, with unmanned voy-
only company trying to bring pilotless Safe and efficient autonomous ves- ages planned as soon as 2020.
cargo ships to market. Fast forward to sels carrying BHP cargo, powered by By moving container transport
one year later and multiple shipbuilders BHP gas, is our vision for the future from land to sea, Yara Birkeland is
are working to turn self-piloted freight- of dry bulk shipping, said Rashpal the start of a major contribution to
ers from concept to reality. Ocean Bhatti, BHPs vice president of freight, fulfilling national and international

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 37

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INFOCUS GLOBAL
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE

environmental impact goals. The new will haul fertilizer up and down the intelligence and tracked using the
concept is also a giant step forward Norwegian coast. Internet of Things could be the answer
toward increased seaborne transpor- With so many trying to put ships in to many problems, such as lowering
tation in general, says Geir Hy, the water, it will be only a matter of time greenhouse gas emissions, reducing
president and CEO of Kongsberg, in a before we see autonomous vessels in accidents at sea, and lowering operat-
public statement. The Yara Birkeland common use. Ships driven by artificial ing costs for ocean shippers.

Global Supply Chain Suffers Disruptions

Amid Diplomatic Crisis
Disagreements in the Middle East making journeys by land impossible. it unable to move shipments in and
left the supply chain reeling as Saudi Doha, Qatars capital city, is a major out of Qatar. We expect disruptions
Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates hub for freight moving between the to our Qatar services. The situation
(UAE), Bahrain, Libya, and Yemen cut Middle East and Asia. As such, transpor- is very fluid, a Maersk spokesperson
political and business ties with Qatar tation and logistics providers have been told Reuters.
and accused the small Middle Eastern forced to reevaluate the way they move Airlines also face obstacles, because
nation of supporting radical Islamic ter- cargo in the region. most of the airspace surrounding
rorism in the region. Port operator DP World, for exam- Qatar is controlled by its neighbors.
As part of efforts to sever contact, the ple, closed all its ports to Qatari-flagged Flights in and out of Doha face bans or
countries shut down air, land, and sea vessels, and the worlds largest ocean severe strict restrictions for at least the
routes, leaving only narrow air and sea shipper, Maersk Line, announced in near future.
passages in and out of the country, and a public statement that the turmoil left Inbound Logistics reached out to
UAE-based cargo airline Emirates
Emirates, Etihad, Saudia, Gulf Airways, flyDubai and Air Arabia suspended all flights to and SkyCargo for a comment, and received
from Doha as instructed by the UAE government, disrupting many global supply chains. the following statement: As instructed
by the UAE government, Emirates has
suspended its flights to and from Doha,
starting from the morning of June 6,
2017, until further notice. Customers
who have booked cargo through
Emirates SkyCargo to Qatar should
contact their local Emirates SkyCargo
office for alternative arrangements.
Without knowing when or how the
situation will resolve, long-term supply
chain effects remain difficult to pre-
dict. The disruption for ocean shippers
has mainly been limited to container
shipments. Qatar is the worlds largest
exporter of liquefied natural gas, but
as long as Egypt doesnt close the Suez
Canal to Qatar-flagged traffic, tanker
shipments should continue to flow.
Any air or road trade in and out of
Qatar will face extreme restrictions for
the foreseeable future, so shippers must
plan accordingly.

38 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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INFOCUS GLOBAL
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE

U.S. Online Made online purchase from international retailer

Shoppers Click
With International
2017

2016
47%
43%
61%
OF THESE CONSUMERS
HAVE PURCHASED FROM
Retailers A RETAILER IN CHINA

Nearly half of avid U.S. online shop-

Top reasons to shop from international retailers
pers bought items from international
retailers, demonstrating the need for
retailers to offer more personalized ser-
vices as a way to compete against lower
prices, according to UPS sixth annual 43% 36% 34% 34%
Pulse of the Online Shopper study. I found a lower price from
an international retailer on
I wanted something
unique not found in
The brands or products
I liked are not
The price is better
internationally
Almost all avid U.S. online shop- a U.S. marketplace stores in the U.S. available in the U.S.
pers (97 percent), made purchases on
marketplaces, up 12 points from 2016. Global retailers are attracting business from U.S. shoppers looking for lower prices,
Eighty-one percent cite price as the according to a new UPS study. To compete, U.S. retailers must offer more personalized
services, including improving the consumer experience at the physical store.
most important factor when searching
for and selecting products online, the
study finds. wanted unique products not found from commercial officer for UPS. Retailers
According to respondents who pur- U.S. retailers (see chart above). are now competing across the globe. In
chased from an international retailer, The lines that separate domestic and order to win, retailers can distinguish
43 percent were driven by lower prices international retailers continue to dis- themselves by providing value through
on U.S. marketplaces and 36 percent appear, says Alan Gershenhorn, chief personalized experiences.

Global Business Leaders Feel Effects of a Riskier World

Nearly three quarters (72 percent) of business leaders in depend on whether an organization is able to leverage
companies in Canada and around the world say their com- new production methods, regulation, and disruption to
panies are increasingly impacted by risk and they believe we its advantage. Uncertainty lies ahead for 88 percent of
are living in a riskier world. CEO respondents, who say their organizations inability to
Thats according to the BDO Global Risk Landscape embrace innovation and technological change represents the
Report, which surveyed 500 C-suite leaders, board and audit greatest risk.
committee members from all major industries in 55 countries In an era where high-profile data breaches continually
to determine what they consider the biggest risks facing make headlines, cyber breaches remain top of mind for
their businesses, now and into the future. many CEOs; 75 percent report cyber exposure as their
The leaders cite disruptive technologies, cybersecurity main concern.
threats, and reputational risks as the main challenges Not only are cyber breaches costlyresearch by IBM
likely to test companies in the coming years. There was a and the Ponemon Institute finds the average cost rose to
significant reduction, however, in overall risk perception $4 million in 2016the long-term reputational impacts can be
compared to BDOs 2016 survey, where 87 percent of global devastating to a company.
business leaders said they felt the world was a riskier place. Were operating in an increasingly interconnected world
Nine years after the height of the global financial crisis, where risk is unavoidable, but not unmanageable, says
many business leaders remain deeply concerned about David Prime, BDO national risk and advisory services partner.
their ability to adapt to growing compliance pressures. There are a number of ways companies can manage these
With regulators continually addressing a number of issues, identified risks, but its vital they take a proactive approach.
85 percent of leaders identify regulatory risk as the biggest Overall, the global stage reflects more similarities than
risk their businesses are not prepared to handle. differences when it comes to risk perception. Companies will
Technology represents a double-edged sword in todays need to take a multi-faceted, agile approach in their search
marketplace, and perspectives on its benefits largely for resilient risk management policies.

40 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Personalized experiences include the physical store.
Many online shoppers find stores important to touch and
feel products (59 percent), solve immediate problems (54
percent), receive superior customer service (52 percent),
and participate in rewards/loyalty programs (52 percent).
Half of shoppers have used ship-to-store in 2017, of
HERE FOR PUERTO RICO
whom 44 percent made additional purchases in store, and
41 percent plan to use ship-to store more often next year.
The use of smartphones continues to be an increasingly
important part of the shopping experience online and in
physical stores. Eight in 10 online shoppers use retailer
apps, often preferring apps to websites because of faster
speed and a better user experience.
The convenience factor is key as on the go mobile
shoppers seek efficiency at every turn. Mobile coupons (50
percent) and high-quality product images (50 percent) are
two of the most important app features.
Online shoppers are able to shop the worlds boutiques
and bazaars with ease, says Gershenhorn. Were wit-
nessing a glimpse of the future, when retailers and their
customers will be defined less by geographic location and
more by how they connect with each other. The challenge
is to best provide shoppers with the choice, control, and
convenience they desire.
Global cross-border e-commerce is projected to grow
at an average of 22 percent from 2015 to 2020 compared
to 15 percent for U.S. e-commerce during the same time
period, according to eMarketer.
The top considerations that online shoppers make when
purchasing from international retailers include:
Clearly stating the orders total cost, including duties
and fees (77 percent).
Stating all prices in the shoppers native currency
(76 percent).
The retailer being reputable (74 percent).
Reasonable delivery speed (66 percent).
Of the 47 percent of U.S. consumers who purchased
from an international retailer on a U.S. online market-
place, the majority of these retailers are based in China
(61 percent), the U.K. (23 percent), Canada (15 percent),
and Japan (14 percent). SAFETY. COMMITMENT. INTEGRITY.
UPS recently announced a joint venture with S.F. Our commitment to Puerto Rico is about more than reliable
Holding, the parent company of Chinas market-leading deliveries and exceptional customer service. Its about
community investment through significant renovations
express delivery company SF Express. The two companies to the San Juan terminal. Its about preservation of the
will develop shipping products designed to help Chinese environment with the first LNG Powered Container Vessels.
companies gain greater access to the U.S. market. China Its about serving Puerto Rico with pride - learn more today.
is now the biggest e-commerce market in the world with
approximately $900 billion USD in 2016 sales, accounting
for nearly half of all digital retail sales worldwide, accord- 1.877.775.7447 | totemaritime.com
ing to eMarketer. n

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 41

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Alex Khan, Director, Supply Chain Strategy, Schneider Logistics

800-558-6767 [email protected]

Optimizing Inbound Freight Beyond the Shipment Level

I
n this era of omni-channel fulfillment, supply chain visibility processes can provide seamless end-to-end PO-level
is more important than ever. Yet many shippers are still in visibility without having to manually connect the dots
the dark when it comes to visibility to a significant portion between shipment and PO level.
of their supply chain cost: their inbound freight spend. Supplier compliance is another component that is often
Many inbound shipments are supplier-controlled with overlooked when shippers manage inbound freight at the
prepaid terms in which suppliers are adding in the freight shipment level. When suppliers fail to follow the established
charges to the product cost. This leaves the shipper with no processes, it can have devastating ripple effects downstream
visibility to their actual inbound freight spend. As a result, throughout the supply chain. For example, if a supplier ships
shippers are paying for this lack of visibility in the form of product from a different location than the shipping master in
higher total cost. SAP, transit issues, cost differences, additional CS activity and
payment issues can occur.
The Markup Issue A PO vendor management system should include
Inefficiencies in supplier transportation management can comprehensive, systemic PO order confirmation to confirm
be hidden in the product cost. Some vendors manage their information such as shipping location prior to these issues
outbound freight as a profit center, adding an additional occurring. Comprehensive supplier scorecards measure
10%-15% or more to their freight costs, and passing it on to and provide visibility to supplier performance and enable
customers via prepaid and add terms. the implementation of supplier compliance programs that
Eliminating this markup produces immediate cost incentivize supplier performance and enable better supplier
savings. Gartner research shows that when inbound freight of choice decisions.
is shipper-controlled and actively managed, companies see
4%-8% savings compared to supplier-controlled with freight Unlocking Your Supply Chains Full Savings Potential
included as part of the product cost. In order to gain true end-to-end supply chain visibility and
unlock the full potential for strategic savings opportunities,
Youve Taken Control of Your Inbound, but Heres What You Are Missing shippers must get beyond the shipment level to the PO
The majority of shippers that do manage to wrestle freight level. This will be achieved by utilizing an integrated PO
control away from their suppliers proceed to manage it at vendor management system and comprehensive supplier
the shipment level, focusing on moving shipments from compliance program in conjunction with their inbound
point A to point B. This activity is primarily operational and freight management.
tactical in nature, affecting only 20% of inbound supply Beyond increased visibility, the benefits include improved
chain costs. Additionally, when inbound freight is only vendor management and compliance, reduced labor and
managed at the shipment level, shippers often have difficulty overtime cost, reduced inventory cost, reduced payment
connecting shipment-level visibility back to the PO level. issues related to supplier non-compliance, cost control
The process is manual and reactive, and significantly reduces enablement and visibility to cost of goods, reduced capital
responsiveness when issues such as shipment delays occur. expenditures and improved on-time performance.
Connecting shipment-level visibility back to the PO level will Contact a logistics expert at Schneider to discuss what an
unlock the true savings potential within your supply chain. integrated PO vendor management system should provide
Integrated PO vendor management systems and for your company to see the best results possible.

42 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Brian Bourke, DVP Marketing, SEKO Logistics

630-919-4966 [email protected]

An Open Letter to Ocean Shippers

T
he bankruptcy filing of Hanjin was news that shook UASC, which will continue to reduce the number of carrier
the world of logistics, and yet, at the same time, it options in the marketplace.
was fully expected. The news was a wake-up call for In addition, the alliances continue their re-shuffling,
shipping companies and their customers that dras- although at a slower pace, giving shippers a sign that the
tic shocks to the supply chain still exist. alliances are becoming more stable, as a result of forming
Since the hit of the financial crisis in 2009, where alliances amongst themselves. Effective from this April, the
operating losses in the industry reached nearly $20 billion, three alliances (2M, Ocean and THE Alliance) will control
there has been a severe mismatch between demand 91% of the vessel capacity in the trans-Pacific, and in a bid
and carriers, with the supply growing at a much faster to work towards matching supply and demand, effectively
rate than the demand. It was common knowledge in the cover all global trade.
industry that consistent overcapacity in the ocean freight
market was not a sustainable business model for any How Are Shippers to React?
company. However, major container lines continued to The best way for shippers of all sizes to mitigate risk is
receive government support, perpetuating the belief that to work with an NVOCC/Freight Forwarder (non-vessel
the major carriers could survive and weather the storm of operating common carrier) that has the technology,
depressed rates and overcapacity. Now, with Hanjin going service capabilities, experience and network to help spread
through the bankruptcy process, the bubble of safety and bookings safely among the carriers, offering door-to-
consistency in the market has burst for everyone. door service at competitive pricing and providing better
With this in mind, the only alternative to further bank- technology solutions and data integration than the carriers
ruptcies amongst the carriers is consolidation, which is alone offer. Having full scale visibility throughout the entire
much more stable for the industry as a whole. Thankfully shipping process allows customers to know where their
there are two areas where we are seeing consolidations: product is at all times, and more importantly, to have a
mergers and alliances. In the past year, according to the lat- reliable contingency plan in place for every stage of the
est Loadstar stats, the number of container lines with an process, should a disruption whether by natural causes or
operating capacity of over 200,000 TEU has been reduced geopolitics occur.
to 17 from 20. This number is expected to reduce further as With increasing cost pressures and staffing cuts at the
the industry consolidates. lines over the past five years, NVOs like SEKO have evolved
The announcement that the Japanese carriers would from fundamental booking and documentation agents for
end decades of rivalry and create a merger of the K-Line, their clients to become the full-service customer service
MOL and NYK lines (Japanese 3 or J3 carriers) under a joint arm of the collective ocean carrier base. By offering a
venture arrangement, starting in April 2018 and effectively plethora of value-added services, NVOs have successfully
becoming the sixth largest shipping company worldwide, filled the void remaining as carrier focus has shifted to
was welcome news to the industry. So that they dont suc- management of their assets. The NVO value-adds include
cumb to the same fate as Hanjin, the Japanese carriers seek automated shipment visibility solutions, P.O. Management,
government aid and reduced tax rates after the three car- drayage in addition to providing the essential
riers recorded a combined net loss of $484 million, with documentation, booking, rate solutions and compliance
revenue declines of over 20% in 2016. This year will also management. We can both mitigate the increased risk in
see the completion of the acquisition of Hamburg Sd by the market while at the same time we can provide more
Maersk and the finalization of the Hapag-Lloyd merger with end-to-end services, visibility, and more attention.

44 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Rob Kriewaldt, Director of Client Solutions, WSI

920-831-3700 [email protected]

Need Flexibility? Seek Out Full-Service 3PLs

T
he retail and supply chain worlds have changed powered WMS can work in tandem with highly trained,
and are changingrapidly. Soaring end-user safety-minded material handlers skillsets to ensure clients
consumer demand for same-day delivery of goods needs are met. 3PLs with transportation assetseven a
and companies desire for increased visibility of small fleet of truckshave another leg up on their clients
their supply chains are two instrumental factors in the ever- need for speed. Even better, a 3PL with logistics software,
morphing industrial real estate industry. Companies want like its own Transportation Management System and/
and need instant, flexible warehousing options with skilled, or B2B systems integration software, can easily fulfill the
efficient labor to handle and ship their products. Despite needs of a short-term client.
newcomers to the market, third-party logistics providers
with years of experience and myriad service offerings, like Current 3PLs Already Meeting the Need
distribution, fulfillment, storage, transload, technology and 3PLs with a focus on logistics management can rest
import/export services, can diversify easily. assured that they are competing capably against the new
Specifically, flexible warehousing is all the buzz right kid on the block. By quickly adapting to various industries
now in the warehousing industry, as e-commerce and commodities, and responding to client requests with
companies and retailers flock to store high-turnover urgency and an extremely high level of customer service
product in spaces for short periods of time. However, quality, a strong 3PL will find it can outlast even the most
despite its new name, flex warehousing or spot convenient warehousing options of the 21st century.
warehousing has existed in the logistics industry for WSI is one of the largest 3PLs in the nation, with
a long time. It simply went by different names. Public nearly 15 million square feet nationwide. We serve the
warehousing,multi-client space or public space all refer chemical, paper, consumer packaged goods, packaging,
to what clients now know as flex warehousing. building materials and electronics industries. In 2016, WSI
This type of warehouse space allows for many clients celebrated its 50th anniversary of providing Absolute
products to be received, handled, stored, and shipped out Reliability to its clients. Our WMS, the Oracle-powered JD
in a flexible environment, as opposed to dedicated space Edwards EnterpriseOne software, can process inbound
and labor reserved for only one contract client at a time. and outbound shipment orders for products ranging
from t-shirts to bulk plastic pellets. Our experience with
The Inside Scoop on Flex Warehousing seasonal goods, like holiday wrapping paper, Halloween
Currently known as the Uber of warehousing, the Seattle, costumes and fishing rods, has made us one of the best
Washington-based Flexe warehousing and fulfillment in the industry. We can react quickly to retailer, distributor
company recently launched next-day ground delivery and manufacturer needs, no matter the good. Looking for
service, in addition to its on-demand storage, shipping 50,000 square feet of space for 3 months? We have that.
and delivery services. Describing itself as a supply chain Need 400,000 square feet for 5 years? We can do that, too.
software company, Flexe does not own or operate any Our sister companies, WSI Transportation, LLC, and
warehouse or industrial real estate space. Instead, it builds, 360data, offer personalized transportation and supply
executes and maintains software that is then housed chain visibility solutions, respectively.
within contracted warehouse space around the country. Whether the client needs transportation brokered or
Tenants who need quick space can turn to Flexe to store available onsite via one of our trucks, WSI Transportation,
their goods for the short amount of time needed. LLC can ensure safe, speedy shipment of product.
The downside of flex warehousing is the lack of 360data software solutions provide customized TMS and
dedicated labor to handle certain, highly sensitive B2B Integrator options for complete supply chain visibility.
products, such as chemicals, perishable foods and Visit 360data.com to learn more.
large, easily damaged goods. Seeking out a third-party Our focus is on Absolute Reliability to the client. That
logistics provider with its own dedicated workforce, as motto instills our organization with an innate flexibility
well as a robust and flexible Warehouse Management toward changing client demands, for more than 50 years.
System software and RFgen scanning capabilities, is still a Contact us today for availability, pricing, transportation
companys best option for handling and storing sensitive and dedicated labor information, or visit our Featured
goods. Logistics services like RF scanning and an Oracle- Properties page at wsinc.com/featured-properties.html.

46 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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THE RIGHT FIT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
Whether tailoring a suit or a logistics solution, having professionals who excel at their crafts working for you
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Todd Benge, VP Parcel Operations, Transportation Insight

845-485-5000 [email protected]

Sweep the Dock for E-Commerce Insight

A
n e-commerce epiphany is speeding through the deployable technologies to obtain port-to-door line of sight
global supply chain from the shipping dock to and multi-modal optimization. That insight drives continuous
the boardroom. Consumers have seized control high velocity transformational change. Sweep the Dock starts
of logistics spending, and supply chain as weve with veteran supply chain engineers who do the following:
known it is not coming back. According to the 28th
Annual CSCMP State of Logistics Report, Accelerating into Conduct a supply chain forensics evaluation with
Uncertainty, for the first time, parcel and express delivery multi-modal diagnostics
volume has surpassed railroads as the second-largest Align business needs with supply chain strategy to
logistics sector behind motor freight. Energy prices are no accelerate growth
longer the number one factor in logistics costs. Consumers Simulate and map small package, LTL and TL solu-
are the driving force. While logistics costs dipped in 2016, tions for speed, flexibility, efficiency
spending on small package delivery jumped double digits. Provide insight to cost drivers, risk through indepen-
As consumers, B2C and B2B players flock to the con- dent validation and verification
venience of online buying and selling, the magnitude of Identify cost-reduction and savings opportunities by
change and complexity fueled by e-commerce is amplified aligning to carrier networks
by advanced digital technology, the Internet of Things and Re-engineer processes, reconfigure routes
artificial intelligence. Seeing this moment in history prompts Consider regional DCs closer to customer
a sudden leap of understanding. North American companies
must reinvent a faster, smarter, more resilient and efficient The cascading impact of e-commerce coupled with rapid,
breed of multi-modal supply chain to sustain business in an market changes has shifted focus for many shippers from
e-commerce civilization. To evolve, forward-thinking ship- cost-per-mile to sustainability, change management and
pers are turning to an Enterprise Logistics partner to Sweep multi-modal expertise to reduce overall supply chain cost.
the Dock. Consultative services add value as executives ask:
Sweep the Dock is a best practice for evaluating, inte- What does good omni-channel shipping look like?
grating and optimizing channels and modes such as Parcel, Is this optimal last-mile delivery?
Less-than-Truckload and Truckload shipping to continu- What is best practice to enhance fulfillment capa-
ously deliver next generation supply chain agility at the same bilities and grow into new markets?
velocity that is driving e-commerce and the digital revolu- Can LEAN help fund same-day delivery, free ship-
tion. Manufacturers, retailers and distributors from mid-cap ping and returns?
to Fortune 100 companies discover powerful synergies: What are considerations regarding zone skipping,
Achieve exponential insight with advanced multi- cadence analysis, DC footprint reduction, small
modal analytics package to hundredweight (CWT) conversion?
Execute with robust multi-modal platforms, auto-
mation, technology With a new era of multi-modal insight and a digital supply
Re-engineer networks with unparalleled all mode chain poised to operationally pivot, companies can leverage
visibility, modeling, simulation an Enterprise Logistics partnership to co-innovate predic-
Strategize, hone KPIs with insider advisory possess- tive, strategic solutions. Shippers keep an e-commerce edge,
ing deep domain expertise in Parcel, LTL, TL while managing disruptions and delivering profitable, five-
Deliver clear data streams with rigorous compliance, star customer service. By tapping collective, multi-modal
service and invoice audits, all modes intellectual capital of leading industry pioneers, shippers can
Accelerate connectivity speed to customers and transform the supply chain with a sweep of the dock.
suppliers for faster delivery
Leverage immediacy with on-demand, web-based, Todd Benge is VP of Parcel Operations at Transportation Insight, an Enterprise Logistics
mobile BI portals Provider and U.S. SmartWay Excellence Awardee. With 30 years experience develop-
ing parcel programs, Benge and his team of engineers provide the most extensive
To Sweep the Dock is to operate within an integrated multi-modal, e-commerce expertise in the global 3PL marketplace. Visit www.trans-
ecoscape where shippers leverage class-leading, rapidly portationinsight.com, email [email protected] or call 828-485-5000.

48 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Krista Browning, Marketing Director, RPM

855-585-1910 x169 [email protected]

The Power of Transparency:

Technology and Your Supply Chain

I
n a world driven by new technology, industries are have operational visibility along a broad spectrum, with
finding ways to work faster and smarter. Tech break- real-time updates and solutions. An operationally millen-
throughs have provided businesses with new processes nial-centric platform with generation X reporting and BI
and improved systems that have helped to maintain or tools means all parties tied to a shipment are in the know,
increase efficiency in one way or another. Its time to see and have the ability to review the right analytics to make
these same improvements in supply chain management. the best well-informed decisions.
The transportation industry has been slower to evolve, For example, the shipper can receive real-time shipment
but if you can order, track and deliver a pizza, you can do updates and billing visibility, a carrier receives both broker
the same with a truck full of your precious commodities. and shipper communications, automatic GPS updates and a
The transportation industry has tried and tested various tool for documentation management, and a transportation
technologies, many of which cant do everything that logis- broker has a platform to successfully coordinate a shipment
tics professionals and their team need them to do. Some while satisfying all shipper and carrier requirements.
are data management systems, some are tracking systems, RPM has launched a technology platform that provides
some provide communications solutions but one cant do flexibility, ease of use, integration options, data manage-
what the other can. ment options but most notably, transparency. Its a word
Solving industry issues starts with technology. However, used a lot in the industry, but never seen before. In all pro-
that technology should provide transparency, visibility and cesses, from raw material suppliers to end customers, the
flexibility for all parties involved a level of communication end-to-end supply chain view is the basis to initiate optimi-
that has never been seen in the industry. zations through the entire supply chain.
Whether you are having issues tracking shipments, or With this system, we can promise complete transpar-
communicating with your staff, the technology or software encyend-to-end. Driving efficiencies to our customers
used to operate your supply chain should solve a problem. supply chain, adding dollars to your bottom-line, and revo-
The process and software should allow you to see every- lutionizing the way you interact with your supply chain.
thing in real-time, allowing you to make sound decisions
that directly affect your KPIs. RPM is a leading full scale Transportation Brokerage & Supply Chain Solutions
It should also be a system that can flex to the needs enterprise. With our specialization in the Transportation Brokerage & Supply
of your businessa flexible solution that provides orga- Chain Solutions space we continue to rapidly scale our operation around the
nizational capacity in the face of rapid change. The right needs of companies of all industries spanning North America. At the core of RPM
technology has the ability to flex up or down, while pull- is our tremendous capacity to manage all transportation needs across the entire
ing in the appropriate resources and business processes spectrum of any supply chain. Our freight/vehicle systems and focused solutions
needed to support change. are driven via advanced proprietary technology and managed by our unyielding
In addition to transparency and flexibility, a system must customer and carrier-facing teams.

50 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Why GRIs From LTL Carriers

May Not Be So General
This Year

L
ess-than-truckload (LTL) carriers have reported challenged
earnings for quite some time now. Capacity has generally
been pretty loose, service levels have been generally pretty
high, and prices have generally stayed pretty competitive
across the industryall creating an advantage for shippers.
This all may be changing. Many LTL carriers are signaling some
strain in their networks and they are citing increased volumes
due to a strengthening economy. This is leading to much higher
rate increases for shippers this year as compared to recent years.
Some carriers are imposing multiple general rate increases (GRIs)
this year to shippers. The tables are turning in favor of the carriers
and they know it. With volumes outpacing capacity, carriers are
taking advantage of the situation to reset profit levels to a place
many LTL carriers havent seen in several years.
This is where a good 3PL can come in. A 3PL can help position
your freight with the right carrier solution at the right time given
the characteristics of your freight and the situation within carrier
networks in that lane at that time to get you the best service and
the best price. They can do this if they are dedicated to under-
standing carrier networks and truly partnering with each carrier to
understand the needs of the carrier.
A good 3PL can actually help carriers balance their networks
instead of worsening an imbalanced network. By helping carriers
to continually balance their networks, some 3PLs are able to grow
strong partnerships with carriers and smooth the waves when it
comes to rate increases.
When looking for a partner to help you with your LTL spend,
do you focus solely on price? Or, do you ask the tough questions QuadExpress is a hybrid asset light 3PL, a division of Quad/Graphics which is a
about the partnerships that the 3PL has with the LTL carriers? If $4 billion domestic and international shipper, a multi-modal solution-driven
you are seeking a long-term 3PL partner to help you ride the provider that leverages Quad/Graphics asset fleet and strategic long-term carrier
wave that is here in the LTL market, make sure you are asking how relationships. QuadExpress is able to provide domestic, international, asset and
they adjust for strained areas in carrier networks, how and why 3PL solutions to an extensive cross-section of shippers and receivers. QuadExpress
they recommend certain carriers in certain lanes, and if they have is an integrated logistics partner that brings value to its clients supply chains
the capabilities to do this automatically in their Transportation by simplifying logistics in the way of providing extensive access to capacity with
Management System (TMS). truckload, less-than-truckload, and intermodal brokerage services; expedited
Partnering with a 3PL who employs a strategy to ensure that ground and air services, as well as international transportation services. All of this is
the carrier and customer are both taken care of is the most sus- powered by our proprietary transportation management platform SilverExpress.
tainable solution for the long-term. For more information, contact Adam Craft at 630-343-4389 or [email protected].

52 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Untitled-2 1
KENCO_ad0717.indd 1 5/12/15
6/27/17 10:53
2:10 PM
AM
VIEWPOINT

BY Robert Hooper
CEO, Atlantic Logistics
[email protected] | 904-886-1110

The Autonomous Vehicle Revolution

Is Here: Are You Ready?

S
elf-driving or autonomous vehicles are progressing quickly Trucking automation starts with
past the testing phase. This technology is a world-changing adopting lower-level autonomous
features such as crash avoidance tech-
innovationa revolution well underwaythat may surpass nologies. Platooning, or drafting of
the discovery of electricity and the invention of the automobile. several tractor-trailers together is
next, traveling a mere 40 feet apart.
What sets this revolution apart is specific/full-awareness automation. The trailing truck still maintains full
how technologies will combine to Here, vehicles are aware of the attention and steers the tractor, but
help save lives, money, time, and environment, but the driver can take the trailing vehicle brakes simultane-
resources. It could mean a near end back control at any moment. These ously with the lead vehicle, reducing
to human-caused accidents and vehicles anticipate and react to poten- drag and fuel consumption.
could single-handedly eliminate the tial problems. This technology is Companies can cut shipping costs
driver shortage problem. Because already available to the consumer. by saving drivers per-mile pay. Except
94 percent of traffic accidents are Phase 4 is environment-specific during servicing, trucks will be avail-
attributed to human error, auton- full automation, where the driver able for use 24 hours a day, enhancing
omous vehicles will be much safer no longer needs to constantly moni- carriers ROI. Fuel savings from more
than cars driven by humans. tor driving under certain conditions. perfect driving, as well as a lack of
This is best applied to highway idling at truck stops, will also result.
Phases of the Revolution driving where you can drive on auto- The effects of automation will
This revolution will come in pilot for longer distances. cross into the job market. Hundreds
five phases: Phase 5 achieves full automation. of thousands of drivers will eventually
Phase 1 autonomy comes in the A vehicle is able to drive in all con- be replaced. Because fewer crashes
form of auto-braking or cruise control. ditions, environments, and situations will occur, we will need fewer police,
Studies show vehicles equipped with without driver intervention. EMTs, ambulance drivers, trauma
brake warning systems and auto- unit nurses and doctors, tow trucks,
braking reduced rear-end crashes Trucking Applications and repair shops. We will even need
with injuries by 40 percent. While automation for the con- fewer insurance workers and lawyers.
Phase 2 considers function-specific sumer market is moving forward With the advent of automated
full automation, which includes tasks quickly, potentially greater opportu- vehicles, shippers can expect major
such as self-parking. Many premium nities lie with commercial vehicles. advantages, as well as major work-
automobile brands already have some Automation will impact driver costs, force changes, that will affect
form of parking assist. retention, and job satisfaction, as well personal lives and the economy. We
Phase 3 brings us to function as reduce liability and safety risks. need to start preparing now. n

54 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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KENCO_ad0717.indd 1 expert solutionsatinboundlogistics.com/3pl 5/12/15
6/27/17 10:53
2:10 PM
AM
TRADE C
OMPLIANCE STRATEGIST

BY Gabrielle Griffith
Director, BPE Global
[email protected] | 650-245-1661

Leverage Your Freight Forwarder

To Boost Your Compliance Program

I
n trade compliance, we find ourselves needing to overhaul time periods. Define recordkeeping
or develop trade compliance controls within our company, expectations within the SOP, and
remember to consider:
often alone. Executing a classification/licensing process, Filing records. Is your freight
recordkeeping methodology, auditing calendar, or automation forwarder filing exports on your
solution can be overwhelming. behalf? Establish an FTP or auto
email alias so filings are automatically
Whether you are in the position Treat the standard operating transmitted to your company.
of establishing trade compliance procedures as a living document and Periodic assessments. If you
controls, or looking to strengthen update as needed. establish an automatic file-share of
an existing compliance program, records, check the correct documen-
dont overlook your freight forwarder 2. Communicate often. Ongoing tation is being sent and that the data
as a way to supplement your communication is key to managing a transmitted is accurate.
internal controls. strong relationship with your freight
From a compliance perspective, forwarder. Address: 4. Develop safety nets. Leverage
consider these four core elements New products and product any tools your forwarders might offer
when assessing and establishing changes. Communicate all new to supplement your program, such as:
your partnership: products and any existing product Antidumping/countervailing
changes to your freight forwarder. flags. Cases and scopes of antidump-
1. P u t p ro c e d u re s i n p l a c e. Do not assume a part was changed ing and countervailing fluctuate
Develop standard operating proce- in such a minor way it may not merit constantly. Does your forwarder have
dures (SOPs) that are to scale with an update. tools that capture these changes
your business and your needs. Large Co m m u n i ca t i o n m et h o d s. and could flag your product if it
companies do not necessarily need Define how communication will falls subject?
a large freight forwarder. Identify take place. How are you relaying new Country research functionality.
whether your freight forwarder sup- products and any product changes Can your forwarder provide resources
ports your industry, review other to your freight forwarder? Will your to help you understand import/export
clients, and ask questions. company use an FTP site or an auto- restrictions within foreign countries?
To establish a solid foundation mated email alias? Ultimately, compliance is your
with your freight forwarder allies: responsibility. You can, however,
Define SOP expectations early 3. Maintain records. Importers select allies wisely to support your
in the relationship. and exporters have a regulatory obli- internal controls. Dont overlook your
Review performance regularly. gation to retain records for specific freight forwarder as an asset. n

56 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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R2_ad0717.indd 1 - July 2017 D.indd 1
Inbound Logistics Ad 6/20/17
6/20/2017 8:51
8:39:09 AMAM
REVERSE LOGISTICS

BY Michael Good
Vice President of Marketing and Sales Operations, Stericycle
[email protected] | 317-713-2293

5 Steps to Preventing Brand Damage

When Your Product Fails

A
poorly handled product recall can devastate your distribution centers can help ensure
companys reputation, market share, and bottom line. recalled productsand only recalled
productsare off the shelves.
With proper planning and systems in place, however, 4. Processing and disposal. Strict
companies can effectively manage recalls to mitigate risk, as well regulatory statutes govern the com-
as prevent brand damage. plex undert aking of removing,
processing, storing, and destroy-
The key is not to think of a product and increase legal liability. Lines ing recalled products. This process
recall as a singular event, but rather of communication must be open requires a pre-planned infrastructure
as a cycle or series of inter-related at all times. Messaging must be with top-notch security, complete
events that should be planned for. clear and consistent, and demon- return integrity, and the surge capac-
The events that comprise a total strate concern. ity to handle the influx of product.
recall can be broken into a five- With the right planning in place, Data visibility for labeling and
step methodology for more effective a recall can be up and running in tracking products through the recall
planning and execution. 24 hourswith all the communica- lifecycle is also critical for this step.
1. The need for a plan. Before a tions requirements such as contact 5. Sustainability. Companies
recall event occurs, it is crucial to center operations, confidential data must destroy and dispose of recalled
develop a recall plan. Having a robust registries, traceable direct deliveries, products in a way that protects the
plan will ensure the response is as safety alerts, and web-based tools that environment. Sustainable recall best
efficient as possible. help customers access the informa- practices designed for minimal envi-
Developing a recall plan forces a tion they need to stay safe. ronmental impact can reduce costs
company to consider every step in 3. Recall retrieval. Removing and generate goodwill.
the recall process, including noti- affected product from store shelves, It is important to identify alter-
fication, retrieval, processing, and the supply chain, and even directly native options for recycling or
reporting. Companies should make from consumers homes is a detailed end-of-life product optimization of
sure their recall plan clearly defines task, and most companies lack an products that would otherwise be dis-
the roles and responsibilities of effective method for completing it. posed of.
each member of the recall manage- In some cases, entire product lines Companies that are prepared to
ment team. may be pulled out of an abundance address these five steps when man-
2. Notification and response. of caution, unnecessarily raising the aging a recall ensure their brand
Mismanaging notification and manufacturers recall costs. reputation is ultimately strength-
response can jeopardize health and In-person effectiveness checks enedas opposed to irreparably
safety, ratchet up consumer anxiety, at smaller volume stores and damagedby the event. n

58 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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DistributionTech_(placed)ad.indd 1 1/27/14 2:14 PM
GREEN LANDSCAPE

BY Henry Canitz
Product Marketing and Business Development Director, Logility
[email protected] | 800-762-5207

How to Grow a Green Supply Chain

S
ustainability impacts everything from how companies optimization. For many companies,
approach product design all the way through to transportation accounts for a high
percentage of both supply chain cost
customer delivery. In todays competitive environment, and environmental impact.
sustainability must improve profitability and reduce risk. Optimizing where and how much
inventory is stored can lead to large
An industry standard for what example, a company might start its warehouse space reductions. Multi-
constitutes a sustainable supply chain greening journey by: echelon inventory optimization
does not exist. Is being eco-friendly Improving its ability to predict enables a company to minimize
in transportation or manufacturing customer demand. total systematic inventory (raw, WIP,
enough to qualify your company R e d u ci n g e n e r g y c o n s u m p - finished goods) across multiple
as green? As with many areas of tion through more efficient channels while ensuring it meets
supply chain management, what manufacturing methods. customer service goals.
is considered a standard practice Minimizing inbound and out- Often, one of the largest costs and
depends on the industry and bound transportation miles. corresponding energy consumption
markets you operate in and your Decreasing inventory levels to areas of bringing a product to market
customers expectations. reduce warehouse energy usage. is manufacturing. Manufacturing
Most experts agree that building planning and scheduling can help
a green supply chain is similar to Some of the biggest improvements you determine where products
implementing Lean or Six Sigma in sustainability and cost reductions should be built, and in what
strategies; it is a journey, not a can come from enhancing forecast sequence, to optimize manufacturing
destination. It is important to begin accuracy. The accuracy of your efficiencies, thus minimizing costs
the journey by selecting an area with demand plan has a ripple effect and the environment al impact
a high probability of achieving a throughout the supply chain. of production.
positive impact. Improving forecast accuracy
enables more efficient and green Steps Toward Optimization
Set Sustainability Goals purchasing, manufacturing, inventory Building a green supply chain
Greening an entire supply chain deployment, and inbound and involves making trade-offs between
requires a long-term commitment. outbound transportationareas that minimizing your supply chain
Envisioning the future st ate is account for a majority of a companys environmental impact and other
important, but most companies start environmental impact. business objectives including agility,
with a more manageable goal. They Advanced transportation efficiency, profitability, and customer
focus their initial greening efforts management also can have a big service. Building a sustainable supply
on one or two processes to start the impact on sustainability through chain is necessary to optimize your
journey toward that future vision. For transport ation mode and route extended supply chain. n

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ODW_ad0717.indd 1 7/18/17 2:01 PM
RISKS & REWARDS

BY Matt Emison
Senior Vice President of Sales, Ryan Transportation Service, Inc.
[email protected] | 913-310-2217

5 Ways to Protect Your High-Value Cargo

Y
ou should take every step possible to make sure your cargo worker making a decision that could
is protected, especially if your company is shipping a load cost your company more money.
4. Take extra steps to reduce
valued at $100,000 or more. risks. Unfortunately, cargo theft is
on the rise and has become increas-
Here are five ways to greatly 2. Use only reputable carriers. ingly sophisticated. Make sure the
reduce the risk of losing hundreds When working with a brokerage or carrier you work with uses sealed
of thousands of dollars from a a carrier, understand the process and enclosed trailers, and that any
failed shipment. they have in place for selecting the valuable materials on a flatbed are
1. Check insurance coverage. First, best possible drivers and equipment. shrink-wrapped.
know the value of your shipment. What are the brokers requirements If your shipment is going to be
Generally, anything worth more for carrier safety scores and insur- parked for a significant length of
than $100,000 is high value. Then, ance coverage? Is the trucking fleet time, make sure the carrier uses facil-
you need to understand the extent of or owner-operator familiar with your ities that have 24-hour surveillance
your carriers liability coverage. industry and have they moved similar cameras. If you are shipping used
If you move a $500,000 piece of shipments before? equipment, be sure to conduct a pre-
construction equipment and the Having a vetting process in place trip inspection, as any damage to
carriers liability policy covers only can help you find the best possible used equipment during a shipment
$300,000, you could be liable for trucks and drivers, and ensure safe, is hard to prove.
that shortfall. timely shipments. 5. Work with a transportation
Insurers of trucking companies 3. Know the load requirements. partner. Transporting high-value
also limit coverage by adding exclu- High-value loads often involve freight is often complex and involves
sions to their policies. As a shipper, moving oversized or over-dimen- many different functions. A third-
its important to understand exclu- sional equipment. That means you party logistics or transport ation
sions. An all-risk shippers interest may need to secure government management company can serve as
policy can cover any insurance gaps permits and escorts to move the ship- an all-in-one resource for procuring
in a shipment without the need for ment properly. the carrier, helping with insurance,
the shipper to prove liability. Big shipments also require a lot planning the route, and keeping
In many cases, the carriers insur- of pre-planning: How many trucks deliveries on schedule.
ance or property insurance policy is are needed? What is the best route? Enlisting a transportation pro-
sufficient to protect from potential When can heavy traffic be avoided? vider can save your company time
loss. However, its crucial to know Working out the details of every ship- and resources, while reducing the
how much coverage is provided and ment will help protect your cargo and risk of something going wrong with
what your possible exposure would be. avoid the chance of a driver or dock your shipment. n

62 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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UTXL_ad0717.indd 1 7/7/17 3:52 PM
SMART MOVES

BY Ken Fong
Senior Global Logistics Manager, Flexport
[email protected] | 415-231-5252

Why Arent There More Veterans in Logistics?

A
pproximately 200,000 people transition out of the military Veterans are drawn to order and
each year. Reintegrating into the civilian workforce can direction. They default to jobs in the
high-stress public sector because they are
be a challenging experience. While many of their skills directly relatable to military experience.
directly apply to a career in logistics, veterans remain a largely In fact, more vets work in IT, defense,
untapped resource for this field. and government than the U.S. average.
The most common way veterans find
Every position in every branch of the consisted of navigating trade agreements jobs is through personal connections.
militaryfrom weapons deployment, with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and This is another reason for the scarcity
to combat training, to transportation the United Arab Emirates. Like most of veterans in the industryso few of us
deals with logistics on some level. veterans, his job required working are currently logistics professionals.
Most service members have firsthand in tandem with people from other
experience wit h global t rade and countries. A job in logistics requires Moving Forward
logistics operations because of wide- the same. Veterans can t ake advant age of
ranging roles in the military. Many enter the military out of a sense countless programs to get closer to a
However, LinkedIns 2016 Veteran of duty and a desire to help and serve logistics career. In addition to programs
Insights Report found that veterans others. Veterans are used to working through the Departments of Defense and
over-index in operations job functions, toward a greater purpose, and it can be Veterans Affairs, many nonprofit groups
indicating they overwhelmingly end difficult to find a civilian job that is sim- and educational organizations including
up in operations-related positions. Why ilarly fulfilling and stable. My work in Joining Forces, the Institute for Veterans
arent there more veterans in logistics? the logistics field is rewarding because I and Military Families, and VetsinTech
leverage my military background to exe- among others, aim to assist veterans
Making the Connection cute shipments. reintegration into civilian life.
Most veterans dont think about Recruiters can reach out to veteran-
pursuing a career in logistics, even Diamonds in the Rough specific job boards or hiring services
though military work is full of day-to- Although all service members are such as Shift.org and Hire Heroes USA
day logistics operations. During my familiar with the operations involved in for top operations talent.
last deployment for the Marines, I was logistics, its rarely the defining activity of The best way to hire more veterans,
responsible for the movements of an their military work. though, is to start a company program
entire battalion1,000 people, 52 When I left the Marine Corps in specifically for veterans. For example,
military working dogs, and all our gear, 2007, I wasnt sure where I fit in civilian Salesforce offers the VetForce program
food, and intelligence. life. This is a problem many veterans a n d I m p a r t o f m y c o m p a n y s
Military work also requires familiarity face. Older industries are difficult to FlexVets program.
with trade and knowledge of different break intotrade and supply chains Find a way to show veterans that they
countries government policies. Today, are built on generations of relationships. are wanted and needed, and youll be
I work with an ex-Coast Guard service Startups might be easier to join but tend rewarded with unshakable loyalty and
member whose day-to - day dut ies to offer less stability. impeccable logistics operations. n

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LEAN S
UPPLY CHAIN

BY Paul A. Myerson
Professor of Practice in Supply Chain Management at Lehigh University and
author of books on Lean for McGraw-Hill, and supply chain for Pearson
[email protected] | 610-758-1576

Stay Competitive with a Flexible TMS

L
ean principles, when used in conjunction with a with freight hauling apps that will
transportation management system (TMS), can deliver allow shippers to contract directly
with freight-hauling trucking firms.
lower transportation costs, reduced inventory levels, and Safety technology, including
progress toward business goals. New technology is emerging to lane departure warnings, collision
further improve the efficiency of transportation systems. avoidance systems, interior cam-
eras, rear view cameras, and sensors.
You must manage and properly Other technologies that are here Many of these technologies provide
controlwith complete visibility and today or coming soon can improve significant return on investment
great communication between part- the cost and efficiency of your by reducing property damage and
nersthe transportation systems that transportation system and remove injury costs.
connect your supply chain. The cost waste from your supply chain. A u t o n o m o u s v e h i c l e s .
of transportation and logistics, pri- These technologies help improve Autopilot technology could end up
marily warehouse operations, can transportation efficiency: replacing the traditional role of the
account for as much as 7 to 14 per- Visibility tools. Radio fre- long-haul truck driver. While some-
cent of sales, depending on industry. quency identification, automatic one may still need to be in the cab,
identification and data capture, and a self-driving computer never needs
Leveraging Your TMS the Internet of Things help improve a rest stop.
Focus on total logistics costs, not end-to-end visibility and efficiency New forms of transportation.
just individual transportation, ware- by detecting and solving problems, Amazon and other companies are
housing, and inventory carrying costs. which can lead to greater cus- testing air and land drones for final
Non-cost-related advantages of using tomer satisfaction. delivery to customers. Drones can
a TMS include: Telematics, which is the tech- save an estimated 80 percent on last-
Improved understanding of the nology of sending, receiving, and mile shipping costs.
cost to serve customers. storing information relating to remote
Reductions in transport ation vehicles via telecommunication Get an Edge
department size. devices, can increase productivity, Volatile demand, shrinking lead
Lower carbon footprint through reduce labor costs, control fuel costs, times, new consumption patterns,
optimized vehicle routing. improve customer service, increase the digital age of commerce, and
Access to more carriers and fleet safety and security, and reduce global trade treaties have impacted
increased ability to utilize capacity. operating expenses. transportation systems in a variety
Fewer warehouses required. The Uberization of trucking. of ways. That makes it ever more
Better tracking and compliance to A variety of emerging companies import ant to maint ain an agile,
transportation-related health, safety, Cargo Chief, Convoy, Fleet, Haulme, flexible supply chain to gain a
and environmental regulations. Transfix, and TruckerPathcompete competitive advantage. n

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COT16_20050_02_PrintAd_m.indd 1
CorporateTraffic_ad0617.indd 1
7/5/16 5:47 PM
6/13/17 5:00 PM
IT MATTERS

BY Michael Meyer
Operations Strategy Managing Director, Accenture Strategy
[email protected] | 571-434-5003

How Automation Advances

Can Augment Your Supply Chain Workforce

A
dvances in automation are liberating untapped human with the most routine and transac-
potential in the supply chain. A new opportunity to tion-focused activities, such as data
processing and cleansing.
significantly improve operational performance is The real value comes from leverag-
emerging due to advances in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), ing technologies to drive innovative
and prescriptive analytics. supply chains that support growth by
offering new products and services.
These advances are not about tech- as internal entrepreneurs. They Redirect your workers to focus on the
nology versus humans, but about how will be dynamic innovators who customer, service level promises, and
technology will supplement and aug- can proactively identify growth new products and services.
ment humans in knowledge-intensive opportunities and manage the risks 3. Place innovation bets. Map
areas such as supply chain planning, associated with them. opportunities to existing technology
customer order management, and Leading companies are already solutions according to their matu-
inventory management. And its making strides in augmenting the rity and availability. Multi-echelon
about how, in time, these advances supply chain workforce. So can you, inventory optimization technolo-
will deliver even better business out- by focusing on these three actions: gies are already on the market, as
comes by helping people reframe 1. Attract the future workforce. are techniques such as game theory
how they make decisions. Identify exceptional talent to fill the and non-linear or stochastic dynamic
roles of intrapreneurs and innovators. programming. These technologies
Shifting Roles Seek out talent that not only dem- incorporate complex algorithms
Automation is about liberating onstrates a fundamental grasp of key to help optimize planning. Start
the supply chain workforce to focus technologies, but also a drive to lever- exploring their potential, talk to their
on what people do best: the abstract age them. inventors, and consider pilots.
thinking and contextual reason- Advanced technologies will also be
ing that still eludes machines. But needed to support the human intra- Power Performance
as these technologies improve pro- preneurs tasked with driving future The combined power of humans
ductivity, the human supply chain innovation and growth. View recruit- and machines offers an unprece-
workforce will need to move beyond ment, performance metrics, and dented opportunity to drive a shift
traditional roles. career advancement through a lens in supply chain operational perfor-
As machines come to tackle more of technology-driven innovation. mance. This enhanced workforce is
rote tasks, new, value-enhancing roles 2. Extract the robot. Start prior- improving operational efficiency, and,
will emerge. Human workers will be itizing and defining robotic process in time, will deliver significantly bet-
equipped to function increasingly automation opportunities. Begin ter business outcomes. n

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WE MAKE IT EASY.

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At Approved we utilize our own assets to ensure safety and efficiency, so you can relax into
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Our experts develop the best set of services for each of our partners, focusing on your
needs to move you forward. With terminals on Hawaii, Guam and the Mainland, we offer
door-to-door service and storage, with tracking and tracing down to the SKU level.

When your challenges intersect with our expertise and value

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To find out more call 888.679.5099
or visit www.approvedforwarders.com/forward
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Approved_ad0717.indd 1 7/6/17 1:08 PM
ECODEV

BY David Welsh
Chief Operating Officer, Sun Corridor
[email protected] | 520-243-1922

How to Make Your Region a Logistics Hotspot

H
ow does a region become a logistics hotspot? Take Southern creates new business opportunities and
Arizona, for example: The regions national economic impact a larger reach for supply chains as trade
between the United States and Mexico
has grown by $18.7 billion over the past decade, helping to becomes more balanced in terms of
revitalize the area, grow the population, and create thousands of jobs. imports and exports.
Invest in infrastructure. Logistics
Southern Arizona, with a population Community College and the University and transportation companies need a
of 1.6 million, is one of the fastest of Arizona to train thousands of students functioning infrastructure system to
growing mega-regions in the United in skill sets that will be valuable to transport people and products around
States. While many cities away from the businesses in the region. This helps the world. One integral factor in turning
coast are losing well-paying jobs, Tucson, economic development officials Southern Arizona into a logistics hotspot
Arizona, has attracted more than 6,000 confidently tell companies that an is the privately owned intermodal rail
new positions in the past yearworking educated workforce will be there to meet facility called the Port of Tucson. The
with companies doing business on both their demands as they grow. facility offers a wide variety of rail-ori-
sides of the U.S.-Mexico border to create Leverage location. Tucsons ability ented transportation options in and
a new logistics hotspot in the Southwest. to reach large markets has been pivotal around the Southwest region.
Southern Arizonas success can be to its success as an appealing logistics The Tucson location also provides
attributed to its ability to market its supply location. Companies want to place dis- easy access to deep-water ports on the
chain strengths to large logistics compa- tribution centers strategically to help West Coast for companies looking to
nies. The areas solid workforce, superior save time and money when reaching reach global shipping destinations.
infrastructure, and prime location have its customers. A logistics hotspot needs Spotlight assets. The Southern
attracted big name distributorsincluding access to large metropolitan regions to Arizona region has been successful by
Target, HomeGoods, and Tractor Supply attract big suppliers and large distribu- focusing on the assets it brings to the
Companyin recent years. tion centers. marketplace. From location to work-
Your region can become a logis- Distribution from Tucson works force and infrastructure, the region
tics hotspot by following Southern extremely well, says Shane Gesbeck, has been able to leverage its logis-
Arizonas blueprint: plant manager for Arizona Canning tics strengths.
Develop your workforce. A com- Company. Our facility is right off These factors and more played a part
mon denominator to a successful Interstate 10, giving us easy access to in turning Southern Arizona into a
logistics location is a skilled workforce. Southern California markets to the west logistics hotspot. Developing and lever-
Because a large portion of the U.S. pop- and to markets in Texas to the east. aging these factors could help any region
ulation is nearing retirement, companies The state of Arizonas strong business, become attractive to large distributors. n

now focus on expanding in regions with social, and political ties with Mexico has
Sun Corridor coordinates economic development
a youthful, skilled employee pool. given the region an edge when it comes
activities and programs within Southern Arizona
To address this concern, Southern to attracting suppliers, providing compa- under one umbrella and facilitates primary job
Arizona collaborates with Pima nies access to the Mexico market. This and investment growth in the region.

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BY Mary Anne Mellow and Timothy R. Tevlin
Mary Anne Mellow (pictured) is a shareholder and Timothy R. Tevlin is an
associate, Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. Ms. Mellow also is Transportation
Committee Chair for the International Association of Defense Counsel.
[email protected] | 314-446-4226

Updated Uniform Bill of Lading

Changes: Are You at Risk?

K
ey components of the bill of lading unexpectedly changed the bill of lading identifies all par-
in August 2016. While the changes may appear subtle, the ties to the transaction, including
the actual carrier name (not just
implications sent shockwaves through the transportation the broker).
industry. As the new standard approaches one year, it is important Shippers must file claims as
to re-visit the newly adopted terms to mitigate potential pitfalls. quickly as possible following an
incident, and certainly within nine
The uniform bill of lading is the The change forces shippers to assume months of executing the bill of lading.
default form contract that ship- the burden of proving carrier negli- Shippers should be vigilant when dis-
pers and carriers use to designate gence if cargo is damaged. cussing their shipment expectations,
the terms of carrier liability, ship- The revision appears to favor car- and, if possible, delivery dates should
ping information, time requirements, riers, and it may create significant be explicit on the bill of lading.
insurance, and claims stipulations. hurdles for shippers to clear to avoid
The bill used to impose limitations liability if products are damaged Weigh Your Risks
that generally placed the burden of in transit. While these steps may help to
proof in liability disputes for dam- ensure the proper parties are named
aged cargo onto carriers, and set Become Proactive and the claims are not time-barred
forth requirements for carriers to For unwary shippers, business under strict interpretation of the
limit liability. as usual may continue until, ulti- updated standard, the burden of
The new st andard, however, mately, something bad happens. proof remains a significant obstacle
imposes liability only for carriers Once cargo is damaged or destroyed, for shippers throughout the industry.
shown as transporting the property and the inevitable fingers of blame Truly, the only way to avoid the risks
on the bill of lading when damages start searching for the liable party, it the update imposes may be to move
occur. It also changes time require- will be too late. But if shippers have away from using it entirely.
ments for carriers to complete adopted the update in the transaction, After reviewing the revision, ship-
deliveries, appearing to extend deliv- the new standards terms and limita- pers should weigh the risks of liability
ery time from reasonable periods to tions will control. against the costs of using their own
within the regular course of provid- Shippers can be proactive to limit modified bills of lading or indepen-
ing transportation services. liability in a number of ways. It is dent shipping contracts.
More dramatically, the update important for every shipper regularly Shippers who invest early in plan-
shifts the burden of proving negli- relying on the uniform bill of lading ning, understanding, and foresight,
gence in transport from the carrier to read the revision and understand may avoid significant potential liabil-
or party in possession to the shipper. its effects. Shippers must make sure ity down the road. n

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3PL L
INE

BY Michael Khalil
Senior Sales Executive, Global Forwarding, C.H. Robinson
[email protected] | 800-323-7587

3 Ways Your 3PL Can Help You

Overcome E-commerce Challenges

T
o meet consumer demands, e-commerce requires adaptable shipments have been consolidated
and flexible supply chains, no matter how short the lead and where that freight is at all times
so they can address customer queries.
time. Companies can support this fast-moving supply chain Many 3PLs have transportation
by leveraging a collaborative 3PL relationship. management systems (TMS) for their
clients to use. With a single TMS,
By collaborating with a one approach, using the same stan- shippers can communicate with the
knowledgeable third-party logistics dard operating procedures. 3PL, as well as its vendors, providers,
(3PL) provider, shippers can add 3PL consolidation allows ship- and customers. A TMS also gathers
both scale and visibility to their pers to accommodate small-volume information about the companys
supply chain. With greater control, shipping needs, yet make the most freight movements and provides
companies can improve efficiencies, efficient use of transportation equip- reporting and analysis for improv-
cut costs, and prepare for the next ment. This is important, especially ing efficiencies.
stage of growth. because e-commerce results in 3. Tap into local knowledge,
smaller shipment sizes. global expertise. Many supply
Working With Your 3PL Its not always possible for compa- chains today have a global com-
The following three tips can nies to fill an entire container with ponent. To remain competitive,
help you leverage a 3PL outsource their own freight. 3PLs can consoli- companies can leverage a 3PL in stra-
relationship to overcome e-com- date freight from many shippers at tegic regions.
merce challenges. their facilities. By combining simi- Transportation capabilities and
1. Reduce complexity through lar destinations, they can make more requirements vary widely by region.
consolidation. As shippers work effective use of transportation equip- A 3PL should know the local lan-
with multiple parties, the complex- ment and provide savings. guage, culture, taxes, currency, and
ity of the supply chain increases. 2. Ensure supply chain regulations, and also understand
Each freight movement requires sev- visibility. Rapid growthalong with compliance and global forwarding.
eral points of contact as the cargo smaller shipments coming and going In this way, they can help a company
moves between vendors, providers, from multiple pointscan make it navigate markets around the world.
and customers. almost impossible for your staff to By leveraging a collaborative 3PL
Consolidation through a 3PL can maintain visibility to what is happen- outsource relationship, companies
reduce this complexity. The 3PL ing in the supply chain. Successful can accommodate a fast-moving
offers a single point of contact for all e-commerce supply chains require a supply chain and spend time
the shippers vendors and providers. unified technology from beginning focusing on other strategic areas of
All the freight comes together under to end so the company knows which their business. n

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SPONSORED CONTENT

THOUGHT LEADERS

Learning from the

Fast Fashion Groundbreakers
Nick Boland
Director, Global Product Marketing, Amber Road

Q: the top market pressure

Speed-to-market has become However, when it comes to being agile,
normal efficiency practices dont cut it.
for retailers. What can other Theres a limit to how quickly even the
industries or CPG manufacturers most organized supply chain can prototype,
learn from fast fashion leaders manufacture, and ship.
like H&M, Uniqlo, and Zara who This level of coordination requires
are able to go from concept to visibility and digitized, connected systems
shelf in weeks? able to orchestrate and manage inventory
and get it to customers quickly. Combining
A: Attaining raw speed requires an overhaul
of your supply chain. To truly match the
these requirements with business insight
generated from structured and unstructured
clock speed of modern fashion, companies data and predictive analytics enables the
must achieve supply chain transformation manufacturer to know where the product is
through flexibility, control tower management, at any given point in the lifecycleand deliver
and data analytics. through whichever channel where consumer
To stay ahead of the pack, decision makers demand is greatest.
need to be sure they are implementing information as well as automation
This is supply chain digitizationthe
advanced technology solutions with the functions to perform the tasks
ability to transform the way we do business
following attributes: required without human intervention.
by moving data over the web instead of on
A very robust and comprehensive
Q: Speed is only one factor. What paper.
data model, able to model the global other features of good supply By transforming the global supply chain
supply chain for all functions as well chain execution are critical? via digitization and leveraging collaboration,
as all countries. automation, and analytics, a robust and

A: The
In addition to the digitization of the example set by these forerunners comprehensive GTM platform creates value
global supply chain data, digitization of rapid pr oduc t development by not only providing speed-to-market to stay
of the export and import regulations demonstrates the importance of more than on pace with the fast fashion manufacturers,
for all countries. This allows for just lightning fast lead times. Their entire but also improves margins, agility, and risk
the automated processing of business models are oriented around agility: management.
those regulations. always looking for new trends and creating
A rich set of capabilities to allow shortened design-to-build cycles that can
for the sharing (collaboration) of respond rapidly.

Amber Road |201-935-8588|[email protected]|www.amberroad.com

76 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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SPONSORED CONTENT

THOUGHT LEADERS

How to Choose a TMS Vendor

Thats Right for Your Company
George Kontoravdis, PhD
President, Fortigo

Cloud computing capabilities

Q: things to consider when
What are some important
Security, redundancy,
selecting a TMS solution? reliability, scalability
Support for all pertinent modes

A: Deploying a Transportation Management of transportation

System (TMS) can be complicated, time-
consuming, and expensive. Fortunately, this
does not need to be true, thanks to systems
Q: How
take?
long should deployment

with a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) delivery

model, which help you navigate the process
of selecting and deploying a TMS solution in
A: Once you have decided on a cloud
solution, narrow your list down further by
looking for a vendor with repeatable processes
a fraction of the time and cost of traditional
that get their customers online quickly and
solutions.
smoothly.
Frequently, enterprise-wide TMS are
A three-month deployment window should
identified as the most needed add-on module
be your benchmark. A short and efficient
to established ERP and WMS deployments.
is important, select a vendor with proven implementation process means you can start
While enterprise TMS solutions are an option,
experience in quickly integrating with leading realizing the return on your TMS investment
realizing quick ROI greatly depends on the
ERP or WMS systems. This requires an open sooner than later. Implementation best prac-
delivery model. A cloud-based solution beats
system architecture that supports multiple data tices include:
the legacy deployment methods by an order
formats including XML, EDI, and Web Services. Pre-filled forms to guide requirements
of magnitude. Deployment time is measured
The next significant integration criterion is gathering and configuration
in weeks rather than months or years. Cost is
the scope of carrier connectivity. The higher the Experienced deployment team with
predictable, with a monthly subscription versus
number of carriers familiar with the solution you domain expertise
millions in capital expenses.
are evaluating, the easier it will be to establish Regular stakeholder
With the SaaS delivery model, the vendor
data links between your TMS and your carriers. check-in meetings
manages the hardware, infrastructure,
Consider these features in the evaluation Rapidly realize ROI (in some cases, 10-12
software, tools, and personnel. Upgrades are
checklist: weeks) with a short deployment cycle, savings
seamless, and there is no need to schedule
deployment windows to support upgrades, Open architecture to enable in hardware, tools, and personnel.
fixes, and patches. accelerated data mapping
In addition, there is no concern about who Support multiple integration options
Fortigo works hard to get you up and running easily.
on your team will work with the added servers, including XML, EDI and Web Services
Considering a TMS? Contact us first to discover how we
databases, tools, and network connections and Proven record integration with
can meet your needs quickly and save your organization
whether or not they have the right skills for the commercially available ERP or WMS
money.
task. Growing integrated carrier network
Because integration with existing systems Ad hoc, real-time reporting

Fortigo |866-376-8884|[email protected]|www.fortigo.com

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 77

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SPONSORED CONTENT

THOUGHT LEADERS

Todays Options in Technology

To Improve Your
Transportation Program
Ian Tsai
Executive Vice President, KDL

Q: Wt e chhant o lhoag vye c hbaene gne st hi ne Q: Wdifferences

hat are the primary
between working
transportation? with a software provider vs.
working with a technically

A: AslikeweNetflix
have seen in other industries
with entertainment content
advanced 3PL?

or Airbnb with hospitality, we are also seeing

innovative technology, i.e. Uber Freight, trying A: Working with a software provider will
give you a fraction of the advantages
to disrupt the transportation industry. All of and benefits that a 3PL can provide you.
these technology advancements benefit An enhanced system from a software-
everyone that is in our industry. only provider may be enough for simplistic
For a shipper, it provides boundless visibil- shippers to achieve the type of productivity
ity through a single click of their mouse. To a they are looking for. However, working with a
third-party logistics (3PL) provider or carrier, software-only provider, they will never be able
it provides the ability to offer dynamic pricing to support you with carrier management and
or rates to shippers based on carriers current price negotiations, freight audit processing
supply and demand. The days of EDI connec- or logistics management duties such as
tivity are quickly becoming outdated and inbound and outbound routing control, freight
replaced with real-time data feeds that ben- consolidation, mode optimization, etc.
efit both shippers and their shipping partners. shipper with a complex supply chain, you most Some software-only providers and 3PLs
likely would desire a TMS that is multi-modal can also offer technology integration directly

Q: so significantly in cost?
Why does TMS software vary and has the ability to think on your behalf with into the shippers Enterprise Resource
planning, optimization, and data algorithms Planning (ERP) program or their main operat-
that directs you on how to move your shipments. ing system. Instead of jumping back and forth
A: There are many TMS packages that are
one-dimensional. They are usually strong
The decision is with the shipper on how
much they are willing to invest to enhance their
between a shippers ERP and then a TMS to
quote and move a shipment, everything can
in one of the core modes truckload, less-than- be done within the shippers ERP program.
logistics efficiency. The more you invest, the
truckload (LTL), or small package. If you are a The decision for the shipper is whether they
greater the return on your investment.
small, basic shipper, these types of software want to license or integrate with a technology
may suit your needs. If you are a growing provider or partner with an advanced 3PL.

KDL |412-429-2154|[email protected]|www.kdlog.com

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SPONSORED CONTENT

THOUGHT LEADERS

Silicon Valley is Helping the

Logistics Industry Grow Smarter,
Instead of Bigger
Adam Compain
CEO, ClearMetal

Q: Ho w can shippers and

service poviders cut through
A tighter handle on the movement of goods
is needed and the only way to get smarter and
the clutter of tech talk around AI more efficient is through data intelligence
and machine learning? (versus scale). A select few companies are
customizing Silicon Valley data science for
A: The most important thing to remember
is that machine learning is not a
supply chain. They are delivering high value to
supply chain operatorsand therefore gaining
generic box you can buy from just anyone, rapid traction.
plug in and have work. The shipping industry
is so complex and nuanced that any AI or
machine learning solution must be custom Q: Where is there value being
captured today?
built for logistics for it to deliver scalable
value. Also remember that machine learning
and AI solutions are not all created equal.
A: One area of low-hanging fruit is the
deployment of machine learning to
cleanse and sort data to prepare it for greater

Q: from Silicon Valley in the

Why is there so much interest simulation and analysis. The state of data
today is an inhibitor to innovation. There is
logistics industryand vice versa? immediate value in using machine learning
to solve the data problem.
requiring innovation beyond the four walls of
A: Inreallyshort:helpbecause the two worlds can
each otherand theres
the supply chain.
The logistics industry has spent years
The sexier use cases for AI and machine
learning include predictive logistics and things
such massive value to be gained through like PTAs (predictive time of arrival) to know
throwing capacity and scale at its problems.
partnership. We see incredibly talented and four or eight weeks out what will happen with
Shippers and service providers have added
experienced supply chain professionals who regards to shipment movement or trading
bigger ships and ports, capacity and buffer
are unfairly burdened and not equipped with partner decisions. The shift from guesswork
stock. But bigger no longer means better.
the best tools. and estimations to data-driven predictions will
Enormous pressures are weighing on the
The machine learning and AI used every day be the most impactful result of AI.
industry, forcing it to be more efficient in
in Silicon Valley can be of great help, especially
operations and assets.
at a time where economic pressures are

ClearMetal |415-857-4390|[email protected]|www.clearmetal.com

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 79

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Canada:
TIES THAT BIND

The U.S.-Canada cross-border trade

relationship remains robust in an evolving
regulatory environment.

W
hen it comes to U.S.-Canada trade, the hyphen between the countries
names is hardly relevant. So close are these two trading partnersin
relation to both their physical proximity as well as their strong spirit
of friendshipthat their names morph. Neither does it make much difference
which country is named first.

While more Chinese goods make their way A lot of saber rattling is going on about tariffs,
into the United States, that single chapter in the Costanzo says. But, long term, all that will set-
book of trade doesnt measure up to the over- tle down.
all story of Canadian and U.S. interdependence. The value of the dollar is likewise settling
Its the most important trading relationship both down. There was some market shock with the
countries have, says John Costanzo, president of U.S. dollar in 2016, Costanzo says. But its
Purolator International. been relatively stable since then. Customers see
For manufacturers on both sides of the bor- that instability is behind us; as a result our vol-
der, the difference between success and failure ume has picked up.
often lies in how economically and efficiently Purolator International is a subsidiary of
they navigate the crossing. In that regard, com- Purolator Inc., a leading integrated pack-
panies should not be needlessly concerned about age, freight, and logistics solutions provider
talk of increased costs. that has built one of Canadas most extensive
July 2017 Inbound Logistics 81

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transportation and logistics networks return rate can be pretty high, he says. through the border without any delay, he
and supporting infrastructure. Purolator And a cross-border return can often cost adds. Rarely do we get stopped or held up.
International works with U.S. companies to as much as three to four times more than Keeping the process smooth is increas-
help manage the array of factors that affect fulfilling the original order. Setting up an ingly important in light of the continuing
cross-border trade. Based in Jericho, New effective cross-border returns solution can growth of e-commerce. E-commerce will
York, about 25 miles from New York City, substantially reduce that expense. be the most pervasive factor going forward,
the company operates about 30 branches While the customs process is more easily he says. We see downsizing in brick-and-
in cities across the United States. understood than it is with other countries, mortar businesses. Thats a huge change.
it would be unwise to believe the friendly Brick-and-mortar business isnt going away,
Cut to the Chase relationship between the United States and but there is more and more omni-chan-
From that perspective, Costanzo is in Canada translates into no-fuss trade. nel fulfillment.
a position to quickly sort through percep- Its not enough that Canadians speak To answer the demand, Purolator
tions and cut to realities. He says that when and sound like Americans, Costanzo says. International is upgrading its IT systems
a company is fulfilling orders in Canada, Even with these commonalities, you still at all levels, including creating a more cli-
for example, what may seem to be an obvi- have to know how to get through customs ent-friendly portal. The key is integration
ous answer may not, in fact, be the ideal properly. Items must be recorded accu- across all platforms, Costanzo says.
solution for them. rately, and all the Harmonized System At the same time, Purolator
Companies selling products in Canada Codes have to be right to avoid delays and International is growing its domestic ser-
may feel they need to put a warehouse in additional expense. Its important to under- vice. Were expediting shipments and
Toronto, he says. That sometimes may stand the regulatory environment. offering more same-day deliveries within
be true, but if they are fulfilling orders Purolator International acts as a partner the United States, he says.
across the country, Toronto may not offer and guide in the border-crossing process.
the best fill rate and customer experience. Weve been in business in Canada for Adapting to Change
F u l f i l l i n g o r d e r s f r o m U. S . - b a s e d 60 years and in the United States for 20, While Canada and the United States
distribution centers located across the Costanzo says. We know Canada and the continue to be close in their trade connec-
U.S.-Canadian border is a better option. complexities of crossing the U.S.-Canadian tion, it should come as no surprise thatas
Costanzo also cautions companies to border quite well. Whether in the air, on with any close relationshipevolutionary
stay on top of changing customs regula- the ground, via courier, expedited freight, changes occur that likely will strengthen
tions, and to be particularly conscious of or LTL, we understand how to move freight their bond over the long term. Given that
the logistics challenges and regulations efficiently and effectively. natural fact, leaders in the logistics field
governing returns. In e-commerce, the The most important thing is to get caution their customers not to overreact to
the ebb and flow of politics.
Purolator International is the leading integrated parcel and freight services delivery The current Canadian and American
company in Canada, with the largest dedicated air fleet and ground network. leadership seem, on the surface, to be dia-
metrically opposed on social and some
economic issues, says Mike Flinker, pres-
ident at FLS Transportation Services
Limited. However, the leaders in both
countries recently have concluded that the
North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) should be tweaked rather than
trashed, for the good of all involved.
FLS, based in Montreal, Quebec,
operates more than one dozen offices
throughout Canada, the United States,
and Mexico. As one of the fastest-growing
third-party logistics (3PL) providers, FLS
provides logistics solutions for all sizes of
companies across numerous industries.
While its core competency contin-
ues to be over-the-road transport, FLS is
engaged in providing highly customizable
contract logistics services including ware-
housing, cross-dock, project logistics, and
freight management.

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Deringer_ad0717.indd 1 6/29/17 1:42 PM
Logistics providers and customers must We expect these trends will continue,
look beyond political rhetoric and focus on U.S.-Canada and while the currency rate creates a
core beliefs. It may seem like the Trump
administration is leaning toward trade
Trade Facts more favorable climate for U.S. importers
to purchase Canadian exports, we do not
isolationism, but there remains a deep U.S. goods and services trade see an exponential increase in industrial
understanding of the exponential impact with Canada totaled an estimated and consumer goods exports from Canada,
of trade, especially exports, to the economy $627.8 billion in 2016. Exports Flinker says.
and job growth, Flinker says. were $320.1 billion; imports were While certainly mindful of the impact
In the long term, this may mean that $307.6 billion. The U.S. goods online shopping has on the industry, he
Canada, which has relied heavily on its and services trade surplus with says the so-called Amazon effect is more
trade relationship with the United States, Canada was $12.5 billion in 2016. about how than why. From that perspec-
may look to improve its export power with Canada is currently the tive, Flinker says companies such as FLS
other countries that will agree to increase United States second-largest have a competitive advantage.
the purchase of Canadian origin products, goods trading partner with We foresee the Amazon effect having
he says. Canada might look to leverage its $544 billion in total (two-way) less impact on volume of trade, and more
involvement with international organiza- goods trade during 2016. Goods impact on how, what, and where we trade,
tionsspecifically those addressing climate exports totaled $266 billion; goods he says. The negative influence online
change, womens rights, and other social imports totaled $278.1 billion. shopping has had on brick and mortar has
issuesto increase its trade footprint. The U.S. goods trade deficit with already started in the United States.
Canada was $12.1 billion in 2016. While Amazon and other online retail-
Economic Changes Trade in services with ers might attempt to vertically integrate
No matter what lies ahead politically, Canada (exports and imports) logistics into their business, as a 3PL we see
manufacturers on both sides of the border totaled an estimated $ 83.7 billion this as an opportunity to be rewarded for
must be vigilant about the natural changes in 2016. Services exports were our investment in technology, integration
that occur in economics. Outside of con- $54.2 billion; services imports across multiple applications, and ability
siderations regarding the sale of goods and were $26.9 billion. The U.S. to operate contract logistics solutions effi-
buyers demographics, the primary concern services trade surplus with ciently with the customer experience in
for manufacturers, especially those trading Canada was $24.6 billion in 2016. mind, he adds.
cross border, should be factors impacting U.S. exports of goods
cost of labor, materials, regulation, and and services to Canada Continued Cooperation
value of currency, Flinker says. supported an estimated 1.6 Jake Holzscheiter, president and CEO
While some of the rhetoric may be just million jobs in 2015 (latest data of A.N. Deringer, Inc., the largest privately
political posturing, concerns for the health available)1.2 million supported held customs broker in the United States,
of the current trade relationship between by goods exports and 36,000 describes the U.S.-Canada trade relation-
the United States and Canada remain. For supported by services exports. ship as a kinship. Despite some current
this reason, some manufacturers and dis- Source: Office of the United concerns, he says that relationship is not
tributors may want to limit their traditional States Trade Representative
likely to end any time soon.
brick-and-mortar investments, and instead Due to the new administration, many
look to a 3PL such as FLS, Flinker says. have expressed concern regarding NAFTA,
We can create a virtual network through marketU.S. manufacturers seemingly as well as continued specific industry
which they can easily expand their deliv- have an advantage over their Canadian concerns such as softwood lumber and
ery footprint, and reach new and existing counterparts, Flinker says. However, a agriculture, he acknowledges. Beyond
customers without having to make a well-planned logistics strategy, and access that, Canada is the second-largest U.S.
significant investment in technology, trans- to technology and transportation insights, trade partner, and we anticipate this to con-
portation, or other logistics assets. will help mitigate additional costs related to tinue for many years to come.
If there is any major difference between several hundred miles of geography. The long-established cooperation
the United States and Canadian markets The volume of cross-border goods FLS between the countries, proximity to each
for manufacturers, he says, it might exist transportsby road or intermodal railcon- other, and ease of commerce will ensure
in their geographical relevance to Mexico, tinues to grow as a result of both an increase the continued growth of trade relations,
which both countries share as their third- in market share win and steady cross-border Holzscheiter adds.
largest trading partner. trade volumes. Recent cross-border volumes Headquartered in St. Albans, Vermont,
As nearshoring becomes more com- are reflective of the trend in trade whereby A.N. Deringer combines more than
mona result of a desire to be more exports from the United States to Canada 30 U.S. offices with a global agency net-
reactive to manufacturing changes, outnumber exports from Canada to the work to facilitate the movement of cargo
reducing transport cost, and speed to United States by almost three-to-one. throughout the world. The company is a

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A.N. Deringer offers seamless cross-border solutions for fast and efficient customs clearance. The 3PL also provides secure warehouses
equipped with radio frequency scanning technology.

leading provider of international supply the same time, the FDA is enforcing the developor enhancetheir trade com-
chain solution services including interna- FSVP and the USDA is making way for the pliance programs and procedures, he adds.
tional freight forwarding, warehousing and new APHIS Core data set. One initiative weve found most help-
distribution, customs brokerage, logistics ful to our customers is the flexibility that
consulting, cargo insurance, duty draw- Drawing an ACE we provide via customized processes,
back, and meat inspection. A.N. Deringer is ideally suited to help increased visibility for active shipments,
From that comprehensive logistics van- shippers deal with the new demands, compliance monitoring, real-time data
tage point, Holzscheiter sees the issues according to Holzscheiter. mining, and new technologies based on
ahead more from a compliance perspective We serve on government committees their needs and priorities, he says.
than concerns over the ongoing partner- and industry boards, which puts us in a Weve built customer-facing tools,
ship between the two countries. unique position to help shape trade policy increased our EDI capacity, and developed
The demand for additional dat a and give manufacturers an early heads-up processes that provide customers with tan-
and new regulations from various U.S. about new trade requirements, he says. gible efficiencies, Holzscheiter notes. In
government agencies, as well as the As an example, ACE has been rolling out addition, our cross-border trucking program,
continued transition to the Automated for more than one year now, and sometimes distribution, and freight forwarding services
C o m m e r ci a l E n v i r o n m e n t ( A C E ) new requirements have changed or come are examples of how we provide seamless
program, are major challenges for manu- quickly, Holzscheiter says. Shippers need service by acting as a single-source provider.
facturers, he says. to know about these changes as soon as pos-
Holzscheiter specifically points to the sible because they can necessitate computer Vibrant Trade
requirements contained in the Trade program updates, or additional information While the job becomes more com-
Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act from suppliers. And, for large importers, plicated year after year, Holzscheiter is
(TFTEA), the USDAs upcoming new data new trade requirements may mean process confident that trade between the U.S. and
requirements referred to as Animal and changes across numerous locations. Canada will remain vibrant.
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Shorter transit times for goods crossing We continue to see strong trade growth
Core, and the FDAs Foreign Supplier the border, compared to ocean cargo, add between the United States and Canada,
Verification Program (FSVP). increased urgency to the trade process. It he says. Over the years, the nature of
The government is rolling out TFTEA, means cross-border shippers have to plan the business has shifted. While com-
which is a new, broad-sweeping trade reg- ahead and act fast to ensure the seamless modities and agricultural products are
ulation, Holzscheiter says. It will have transit of their goods, Holzscheiter says. still Canadian-origin goods imported in
a big impact on many shippers in areas The increased U.S. Customs and large volumes, Canadian shippers are also
such as duty drawback, low-value ship- Border Protection and Partner Government importing into the United States from
ments, anti-dumping and countervailing Agencies enforcement initiatives are overseas. We can expect this balance to
duties, and general trade enforcement. At driving a need for importers to further continue. n

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E-commerce has forever
changed the way people shop.
Now businesses of all sizes must
reassess their supply chains to go
direct to the consumer with faster-
than-fast delivery and free shipping.

By Michael D. White

I
n Meredith Wilsons classic The Music Man, River City residents
line the street when the Wells Fargo wagon rolls into town. They
wait for delivery of salmon from Seattle, grapefruit from Tampa,
raisins from Fresno, a bathtub, a cross cut saw, and, of course, musi-
cal instruments for the town band.
Times have certainly changed, but customer demand has not. As
direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies, and the technologies utilized
to implement them, have ramped up the velocity at which goods
flow through the supply chain, horse-drawn wagons have given way
to drones and robot delivery vehicles.
DTC is not a new concept, says Frank McGuigan, president and
COO of Frisco, Texas-based Transplace, a non-asset-based logistics
service provider. Whats brought DTC to the forefront is the ability
of e-commerce channels to provide a broader spectrum of products
directly to consumers.
Compared to low overall retail growth of just 1 to 2 percent,
e-commerce is on firea $370-billion market expanding at a
15-percent compound annual growth rate that currently accounts
for 8 percent of overall retail sales, according to a recent report com-
piled by A.T. Kearney and published by the Council of Supply Chain
Management Professionals.

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 89

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products, recently selected Saddle
Creek to provide direct-to-consumer
fulfillment services. The company oper-
ates as a direct seller with consultants
across the country selling products
directly to the public.
We work with two layers of cus-
tomersthe consultants as well as the
customers who purchase the products,
says Jones. That adds another dimen-
sion to work through. The plan calls for
Zurvita corporate to process the orders,
and then pass them on to us to fulfill.
While operations will initially be
handled from Saddle Creeks 1.54-mil-
lion-square-foot Fort Worth facility, the
3PLs nationwide network of 43 distribu-
tion centers gives Zurvita the option to
add locations in the future.
Over the past five years, weve grown
from $3 million to $100 million in rev-
enue, and were planning for significant
growth in 2017, says Tanya Frantz, vice
president, supply chain and distribution
at Zurvita. Stepping up our fulfillment
game is critical.
When Jay Leno launched his line of auto care products, he chose to avoid retail chains and
sell directly to consumers via the internet.
Bring it Inside
That figure, the report says, is to shop that way, so companies that Some companies are taking a dif-
expected to make up 14 to 16 per- hope to be around in the future have ferent road to DTC satisfaction by
centor $1 trillionof the U.S. retail to reconfigure their supply and dis- handling fulfillment operations entirely
landscape by 2022. tribution chains to better conform to in-house.
E-commerce presents a funda- customer expectations, she says. The For example, in November 2016, for-
mental shift in how consumers shop, age of waiting for new products to mer Tonight Show host and long-time
says the report. Instead of firms push- appear on store shelves is over. car buff Jay Leno unveiled a new line of
ing cases and pallets to physical stores, Social media and technology have auto care productsJay Lenos Garage
e-commerce has consumers pulling radically increased customer expecta- Advanced Vehicle Carefor direct
customized baskets to their desired locations to the point where they want to delivery to customers across the country.
tion, whether home, a nearby store, or order a product and have it delivered The companys waxes, polishes, and
other convenient location such as lock- tomorrow, if not sooner, Runge adds. other products are compounded around
ers. This push-to-pull model has created Business is moving down that trajectory the country and then shipped to Denver,
a structural change in underlying sup- and wont go back. where they are bottled, labeled, ware-
ply chains and the movement of goods Jeff Jones, vice president of business housed, and distributed out of the same
in terms of product flow, location of development at third-party logistics pro- facility via FedEx and the U.S. Postal
assets, delivery mode, and enabling vider Saddle Creek Logistics Services in Service, according to Nick Mertz, the
technologies and analytics. Lakeland, Florida, agrees with Runge. companys chief operating officer.
DTC is all about customer expecta- It was Jays plan from the start to
Analog Mode in a Digital World tions, he says. In a world where social skirt the retail chains by selling via
Customers today live in a digital media plays a dominant role in how the Internet and going direct to the
world, while many businesses continue people shop, they have unspoken expec- consumer, Mertz says. People want
to operate in analog mode with a 50- tationsI will get my order quickly and I instant gratification and better prod-
to 60-year-old business model, notes will not pay for shipping and handling, ucts at a better price. The best way to
Melissa Runge, vice president of ana- Jones says. Manufacturers and retailers achieve that is to eliminate the middle-
lytical solutions at Spend Management have to adapt. man in an effort to cut costs. Thats not
Experts (SME) in Atlanta. Zurvita, a Houston-based manu- going to change.
Theyre increasingly unwilling facturer of wellness and healthcare E x p l oi t i n g t h e a d v a n t a g e s o f

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total domination of direct-to-consumer
order fulfillment.
In March 2017, Amazon invited
top-level executives from several major
consumer packaged goods (CPG) com-
panies to a three-day meeting to discuss
a major shift in thinking. Amazon
wanted to explore how its suppliers
could speed delivery of their products
and meet the needs of increasingly
demanding consumers by bypassing
retailers such as Walmart and Target
and dealing directly with them.
The invitation to the event read, in
part: Times are changing. Amazon
strongly believes that supply chains
designed to serve the direct-to-con-
Direct-selling company Zurvita partnered with 3PL Saddle Creek to manage fulfillment of sumer business have the power to bring
its health and wellness products. improved customer experiences and
global efficiency.
centralized distribution of quality prod- distribution centers to deliver directly With Amazon setting the pace for
ucts with brand name recognition to our customers. We feel strongly that how goods move between supplier and
directly to customers, has added up that track will make us the top brand seller, the question is whether there
to steady growth in our business since in the market within the next 10 years. will be an eventual Amazonization
we sold our first product in November The 800-pound gorilla in the room, of domestic, and even global, sup-
2016, says Mertz. We have a vision is, and will remain for now, Amazon, ply chains.
to utilize e-commerce and additional which is climbing the ladder to near Transplaces McGuigan doesnt

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0194 Syfan 2017 1/2 page spread ad.indd 1
think so. Were not seeing wide-scale own and trying to remain competitive set is the issue of having to maintain
adoption of online shopping for gro- by coming up with their own e-com- maximum inventory in place, as well as
cery products and CPG items, he says. merce strategies. the capability to move it quickly both
Despite recent developments, peo- The direct-to-consumer strategy isnt in and out, says Spend Management
ple still like to see and touch things, quite refined, he says. It doesnt have Experts Runge.
alluding to Amazons almost counter- its fine edges just yet. I do see some defi- Rather than a large shipment to a
intuitive opening of brick-and-mortar nition though, as there appears to be no large retail store, there is a resulting
bookstores in five states and plans to end in sight to whats possible. movement toward single pick, she
introduce additional stores in California, says. Product handling automation
Massachusetts, Washington, New Jersey, Drawing the Line and more efficient inventory con-
and New York City. Within the next three to five years, trol and warehousing systems will be
That visceral need to touch and feel McGuigan predicts we will see clearer increasingly crucial to fulfilling cus-
has created a delicate equilibrium lines of engagement on the differences tomer orders.
between what consumers see on a com- between e-commerce and walk-in retail Businesses will continue to see
puter screen and what they want to see, and the market shift in building supply the demand for same-day delivery
touch, and feel before they buy, he chains to more effectively serve increas- increase, Runge adds. But eventually,
says. I dont think theyve found that ingly demanding customers; fewer full consumers will realize that its just not
balance yet. truckload shipments into the large dis- possible to deliver everything the same
Does Amazon have the fulfillment tribution centers that serve large retail day they order it.
capability to put pressure on those outlets; and different channels with We will reach a plateau when peo-
retail outlets? smaller movements going to local ple realize what is realistic and what
Without a doubt, says McGuigan. DTC-configured fulfillment centers isnt. The market will drive that, she
They already are. But, if you look with online buying for everything from says. Trucks will get caught in traffic
at retail shopping, dollars spent are toothbrushes and shaving cream to waf- jams, flights will be delayed, drones
up, while foot traffic is down. Some fle makers and computer peripherals. will fail. Believe it or not, there are
companies are being pushed out of One major challenge in maintaining some situations even Amazon cant
business while others are holding their the heated pace DTC demands have control. n

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lifes work. We have always set the bar for the highest
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Test-Drive 3PL Warehouse Manager Today! 1/4/17 11:41 A
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have a diverse product portfolio and To be sure, this can bring distributors Some distributors are develop-
strong multi-channel presence. into competition with their customers, in ing digital twins, which are digital
Top distributors also will track and whats sometimes referred to as co-opti- representations of their physical oper-
report the services theyre providing. If tion. For example, some of Electri-Cords ations, such as the trucks on the road
the distributor is selling for you, theyre distributors have added manufacturing or the products being built. This is
between you and your customer, capabilities. In some cases, the two com- where distribution services are headed,
Maltz says. You dont want to lose panies work together, and in others, they McDaniel says.
that connection. compete. Samuels notes that distributors The reason? Having this information
A growing number of distributors are are in direct contact with many custom- allows distributors to more quickly make
adding services that fall outside a pure ers. That gives them a constant flow of decisions and respond to customers.
distribution model. One example: a information on customers challenges, Thats critical, given the pace at
roofing distributor that also installs roofs plans, and preferences. Well watch this which their businesses, and those of
becomes a one-stop shop, Dancer says. closely, he says. their customers, are changing. n

4 Ways Distributors Can Stay Competitive

Asset-light e-marketplaces and other non- not an effective solution. Distributors have to up
traditional shopping channels, combined with their game.
shifting demographics, are rapidly upending The paper identifies four main ways for
industrial distributors inventory-heavy model. As a distributorsincluding those with smaller
result, distributors must quickly adapt and address ambitions or limited fundsto remain competitive
threats with everything from sharper mobile and offers solutions to reach young corporate
offerings to upgraded customer service, a new buyers where and how they want to interact:
whitepaper from UPS shows. 1. Recognize rising threats. It is imperative
According to the UPS Industrial Buying Dynamics to consider strategic investments that bring
Study: Buyers Raise the Bar for Suppliers, the services to parity with competitors. The paper
biggest shift comes from millennials (defined for finds that more than half of respondents working
this study as those currently ages 21-34) who grew primarily with distributors intend to increase
up in a digital era and are bringing their tech- e-marketplace spending, representing a looming
savvy and nontraditional purchasing habitsfor risk to distributors.
example, bypassing the middle man and working 2. Think digital. Online channels are a necessity
directly with the manufacturerwith them into the and distributors need to strengthen e-commerce
workplace. The impact on the future of industrial capabilities, particularly for mobile ordering. Thirty
products purchasing may be among the most percent of corporate buyers use mobile channels
profound of any modern generation of buyers and to order industrial products, and 24 percent are
provide a glimpse of the future. extremely likely to do so in the future. Nearly
The report surveys 1,500 buyers of industrial half of all buyersand 69 percent of millennials
products who are between the ages of 21 and 70 in indicate they would likely shift business to a
the United States. It captures a sector undergoing distributor offering a mobile app.
demand changes and channel shifts at a startling 3. Address buyers needs by product. Partnerships
speed: 81 percent of buyers have purchased can help make businesses more competitive.
directly from manufacturers, up from 64 percent Look into purchasing insurance on products and
in 2015. Meanwhile, 75 percent of buyers surveyed shipments to mitigate risk and to help protect and
have shopped at an e-marketplace, soaring from improve cash flow; leverage a logistics providers
just 20 percent in 2013. Whats more, 80 percent of global network to ramp up service more quickly
buyers are likely to shift to suppliers with a more and reach more pockets of growth.
user-friendly web presence, up from 72 percent 4. Go beyond the sale. Buyers want interaction
two years ago. beyond the sale (i.e. post-sales support), with half
With e-commerce, industrial buyers can choose of respondents stating they would switch to a
from numerous suppliers with the click of a button, supplier offering assistance with returns, training,
leaving the traditional business-to-business and on-site maintenance or repairs. Thirty-six
distributor model threatened, says Matthew percent of millennials need services at least once
Guffey, vice president of UPS segment marketing. monthly, compared with just 8 percent of Baby
Maintaining the status quo, even just for now, is Boomers, according to the study.

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BRI DAL WEAR SUPPLY CHAIN
Made-to-order bridal gowns, drop-dead dress deadlines, and emotional
brides create a unique supply chain thats no honeymoon to manage.
By Sandra Beckwith

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 103

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A
t the end of nearly every week at the
Davids Bridal distribution center in Unveiling
Bristol, Pennsylvania, employees
the Numbers
scramble to find a wedding gown in the right Bridal wear was a $2.9-billion
size for a bride (or two, or three) who bought industry in 2016.
Bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses
a dress that was too small because she was
comprise three-quarters77.8 percentof the
certain shed lose weight before the wedding . . . industrys products and services.
but didnt. Davids Bridal dominates, with 26-percent
market share.
Its just one aspect of the bridal wear the company There were 5,306 bridal stores in 2016;
supply chain that makes it unlike any reports 35 most are small, independent retailers.
other segment of the apparel industry. percent of all More than 300 of that total are
This industry is both emotional and U.S. brides walk Davids. Bridal shops.
time sensitive, says Diane Garforth, d ow n t h e a i s l e
senior director of supply chain systems in a Davids gown.
and operations at Davids Bridal. As a result, and with
Another key difference between hundreds of dresses at
bridal wear and other types of formal every Davids store, theres a
attire is that for the most part, bridal good chance that a bride will find
gowns are not mass produced and the gown she wants in her size at her
warehoused. While the supply chain local Davids shop. network reality show Say Yes to the Dress
varies according to gown price and sales Unlike the rest of the marketplace, instructs brides at its 35,000-square-foot
volume, most wedding gowns are made which is made up of primarily small, showroom to order gowns eight to 10
to order. Compare that to other apparel independent retailers, Davids volume months in advance.
categories, where a customer walks out allows it to constantly manufacture Designer/manufacturers typically
of the store with a garment in the right dresses. When a wedding gown leaves a dont purchase a bolt of fabric until they
size from the retailers on-site inventory. store, the store orders a replacement that accumulate enough orders to use the
With bridal gowns and bridesmaids is already in the supply chain somewhere. entire bolt. In addition, At our designer
dresses, and with the exception of When the specific gown requested price point, theres a lot of work that
Davids Bridal, brides and their wedding isnt on site, the stores bridal consultant takes time, including appliquing and
parties try on dresses in sample sizes, uses software to locate exactly whats bead work that we do by hand, explains
make their selections, and order the needed to satisfy that customer. co-owner Mara Urshel.
finished products. Our software matches that request The Manhattan store does work with
There are three reasons behind this for a single inventory unit to a dress that vendors that can deliver in three to four
unique approach: might be on the shelf in the distribution months, but those suppliers charge a
1. Wedding gowns are expensivethink center or in transit on a truck or a ship, premium for that service. Consultants
$500 on the low end at Davids to says Brian Kinsella, vice president of show brides with short weddings in
$5,000 or more at the designer level product management at Manhattan just a few months dresses only from
so most small retailers cant afford a Associates. The Atlanta-based company those manufacturers.
large inventory. has provided Davids Bridal with supply Fabric and embellishment sourcing
2. Bridal wear takes up more storage chain commerce software solutions for as well as factory location also impact
space than other garments that more than one decade. the dressmaking timeline. Most U.S.
can be folded and stacked, so a wedding gown manufacturers contract
substantial inventory requires a large Setting the Date with overseas factories for all but the

T
retail footprint. extreme rush orders or premium-priced
3. While 85 percent of bridal gowns he more common gowns with higher margins.
are purchased in ivory or white, m a nu f a c t u r e - t o - o r d e r You can handle standard and rush
bridesmaids dresses are available in a m o d e l u ni qu e t o t h i s orders in overseas factories, but for
myriad of colors, so maintaining all industry also explains why brides must super-rush orders, some wholesalers
options in all sizes isnt practical. make their dress selection months carry a limited factory capacity in the
Davids Bridal is different, though. before the wedding date. Kleinfeld United States so the gowns can be
The chain retailer dominates the market Bridal, the upscale bridal boutique sewn and delivered quickly, says Ajay
with volume levels so significant that in Manhattan that stars in the TLC Chidrawar, vice president of global

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RRD_ad0717.indd 1 7/5/17 11:30 AM
product management and customer success at CGS, a
software solutions provider based in New York City.
Several bridal wear manufacturers, including Bill Levkoff
and Amsale, use the companys BlueCherry supply chain Say Yes to a Rented
software, which can create digital catalogs of bridesmaid dresses
in all colors and options, capture sales orders, consolidate and Dress
create production orders, and manage fulfillment from the Taking a cue from mens formalwear, bridal wear
factory to the retail store or consumers home. disruptor Kelsey Doorey is saving individual brides-
maids a few hundred dollars on dresses by allowing
Made of Honor wedding parties to rent, rather than buy, their dresses.

B
Men figured this out years ago, says Doorey,
rooklyn-based gown designer Jaclyn Jordan of the CEO and founder of Vow to Be Chic, a Southern
Jaclyn Jordan New York uses home-based met- California-based online service with 10,000 bridesmaid
ropolitan New York seamstresses to create her dresses renting for $69 to $99 each. With the average
wedding gowns. Because she uses fabric thats usually readily youll-only-wear-it-once-regardless-of-what-the-bride-
available from New Yorks garment district, she can fill orders says dress costing $234 plus alteration charges, this
in about three to four months. Labor availability is a key fac- can lead to significant savings for the always a brides-
tor in her timeline. maid, never a bride wedding attendant. Each bridesmaid
We have only so many manpower hours we can use every receives her dress in two sizes and a pre-paid return
week, she says of her contract seamstresses. Jordans dresses, shipping label two weeks before the wedding date.
which are priced between $1,700 and $5,500 at retail, are offered Reverse logistics are a significant part of the business.
in about 20 bridal salons in the United States and Canada. Returned dresses are inspected and triaged accordingly,
Anomalie, a web-based start-up that wants to help modernize moving into the queue for dry cleaning pickup or to the
an industry that hasnt changed much in decades, can match onsite tailors for repairs. Each day, a dry cleaner picks up
Jordans three- to four-month delivery timeline but with a returned dresses while dropping off cleaned garments
different production model. With a supply chain background that are whisked back into inventory for another rental.
at Nike and Apple, co-founder Leslie Voorhees fills online The companys biggest supply chain challenge, says
orders for stunning custom gowns that are manufactured in Doorey, is that there arent many companies, other
a handful of factories near Shanghai. There, an entire supply than Rent the Runway or Le Tote, with a similar process
chain is built around wedding dresses that are often made of involving a 100-percent return rate.
Chinese silk, Voorhees says. There arent a lot of companies we can talk to and
learn from, she says. As a result, the company uses pro-
prietary software to track each item throughout the
supply chain.
On the other hand, the peculiarities of the outdated
industry work to her advantage. The company doesnt
have to worry about whether it has the right combi-
nation of dress sizes for a bridal party because brides
typically select the bridesmaid dresses around the same
time they order a bridal gownand that happens months
before the big event.
If we have only nine of the 10 dresses, we can order
that last dress and get it into inventory on time because
they plan so far in advance, Doorey says.
In the end, she notes, hers isnt a fashion business.
We are an operations and logistics company,
Doorey says. We want to rent these dresses as
many times as possible.

Bridal wear makers use CGSs BlueCherry solution to create

digital catalogs of bridesmaid dresses in all colors and options,
capture sales orders, consolidate and create production
orders, and manage fulfillment from the factory to the retail
store or consumers home.

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We are unapologetically Chinese-made, she says.
Although Anomalies business is online, its gowns are deliv-
ered not to the brides, but to the companys office in the San
Francisco area. Staffers inspect, steam, and box them for
delivery to brides.
Most bridal gowns are shipped to stores flat, though. Stores
steam them before their new owners pick them up. While
Davids Bridal vacuum-packs wedding gowns for delivery to
stores from the Bristol distribution center, it handles brides-
maid dresses differently. Theyre delivered from factories to a
second warehouse in nearby Conshohocken, hung up, and
moved through a steam tunnel before theyre packed flat for
store delivery.
The goal for Davids, Kleinfeld, and most every other bridal
salon large and small is to make, and keep, brides happy. A sin-
gle glitch in an individual gowns supply chain, whether its
a fabric thats suddenly unavailable in off-white or a weather- When Davids Bridal receives
related shipping delay, can create a bridezilla quicker than bridesmaid dresses from the factory, it hangs them up
and moves them through a steam tunnel before packing
you can say, I do. them flat for store delivery.
And stuff happens.
Nobodys perfect. People make mistakes sometimes and the We are very proud of our performance, says Garforth. We
situation can become highly emotional, says Urshel. On the do what it takes to keep our brides happy, even if that means
rare occasion a problem occurs, Kleinfeld Bridal fixes it in sending another size at the last minute.
double time, she says. The bridal wear supply chain is, after all, designed to ensure
With a culture built around never disappointing a bride, that when The Wedding March starts playing, and the guests
Davids Bridal maintains a stellar 99.5 percent on-time deliv- all stand, the bride walks down the aisle wearing the dress of
ery rate. her dreams and a big smile. n

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Supply Chain Collaboration:
Working in Tandem

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Successful supply chain collaboration between shippers and their
third-party logistics providers requires transparency, honest
communication, and a commitment to forming a true partnership
with shared goals and values. Come along for the ride.
By Tom Gresham

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 111

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A
geographic divide was evident when Schofield, Wisconsin-
based Greenheck Fan Corporation signed an outsourcing
agreement with third-party logistics (3PL) provider Echo
Global Logistics, which calls Chicago home. After the two organizations
forged a deal for Echo to provide transportation management services for
Greenhecks supply chain, individuals from both teams had to contend
with the issue.

The Greenheck team is humorously Greenheck extended the original three- partnership falters, unlocking efficiencies
skeptical of big-city Chicagoans like us, year agreement between the organizations becomes an unsolvable mystery.
says Mike Mobley, senior vice president to five. The extension shows that Echo Service providers often need to first
of operations at Echo Global Logistics. was not only a good fit for our business, but prove themselves to shippers before they
Theres usually some good-natured ribbing we also were a good fit for their business, can begin to target ambitious changes.
when the Bears play the Packers. says Randy Huebner, senior director of That comes through the integrity that
Despite their differences on football supply chain management for Greenheck. you bring to the relationship and the value
team loyalty, the partnership between Together, we made each others compa- that youve brought previously, so you have
Greenheck, which manufactures and dis- nies stronger. the right to sit at that table and have that
tributes air movement, conditioning and Supply chain partnerships can take conversation, says LeAnne Coulter, vice
control equipment, and Echo Global con- on many forms and facets, and they also president of supply chain solutions and
tinues to flourish as both strive to achieve can experience widely varying levels of procurement for Schneider National, a
the same goal: maximizing the effective- success. At the heart of a truly effective col- transportation and logistics provider based
ness and efficiency of Greenhecks supply laboration are two teams that are devoted in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
chain. Both organizations say the two to working together on a common cause, When it comes to transformational cost
companies complement each other natu- rather than operating on a foundation of savings, continuous improvement, sup-
rally, and they enjoy both a cultural and self-interest. When the partnership goes ply chain and network changes in order
a business fit. The result has been steady, right, the collaboration works seamlessly to help shippers meet their objectives, a
ongoing progress and concrete gains for and supply chain efficiency gains can be 3PL has to be able to get to that place of
Greenhecks supply chain operations. profound and forever evolving. When the having an open dialogue with each other,
Coulter says.
Air conditioning equipment manufacturer Greenhecks successful partnership with Echo
Global Logistics is based on strong commitment from both parties.
Part of the Team
Among the key components of identify-
ing and achieving supply chain efficiencies
is ensuring that the partnership between a
shipper and a service provider is efficient.
Two organizations operating at arms length
rather than in alignment makes it more dif-
ficult for the teams to work in harmony to
identify and pursue truly effective solutions.
In effect, inefficiencies in the partnership
lead to inefficiencies in the supply chain.
A collaborative approach requires com-
mitment from each organization.Both
parties must be willing to dedicate
resourcesfinancial, physical, technical
and knowledge-basedwith each party tak-
ing on risk to achieve mutual success, says
Ashfaque Chowdhury, president of supply
chain, North America and Asia for XPO

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Logistics. It has to be a vested partnership value as an organization was similar to ours. costs and allocate them to the individual
where both sides have skin in the game. We shared the concept that they would business units.
In January 2016, Agfa Graphics, a be an extension of our company, he adds. Greenheck now has much better visibil-
Belgium-based supplier to the printing We look at Echo as part of our transpor- ity to understand profitability on products
industry, enlisted Kane is Able, a third- tation department and not as a company and on business units, Mobley says. Any
party logistics provider based in Scranton, were outsourcing transportation manage- company running multiple business units
Pennsylvania, as its solutions partner for its ment to. and multiple products wants to know
Northeast regional hub. One strength of which ones are most profitable. Of course,
the partnership has been that Kane treats A Case of Evolution freight costs can be a pretty good line
the Agfa business as if it were their own, When Greenheck partnered with Echo item. Without good analytics and appro-
notes Jonathan Ashton, Agfas vice presi- Global, it knew that it needed help evolv- priate allocation of those freight costs to
dent of operations for North America. ing its operation. One key challenge was those business units and products, youre
Kane constantly reinforces the desire to that Greenheck was struggling to nail down just guessing.
improve and appreciate their customers the freight costs of each business unit. In Another major obstacle to efficiency
treating them like family, Ashton says. some cases, multiple sales orders with deliv- was that Greenheck was unable to deter-
Similarly, the Greenheck/Echo Global ery groups from multiple business units mine the exact location of a shipment
partnership is based on shared goals and could end up on the same truckload and when it was en route, making it difficult
values. There was positive chemistry from it would get messy, Huebner says. to communicate with its sales team and
the start, Huebner says. We knew that Echo Global worked with Greenheck to rep network the status of a shipment, such
Echos culture and people and what they improve its interface to better gather freight as whether it was running on time. Echo

59%
51% 51%
50

2.8%
0
Greater Reduce cost Increase flexibility/ Improve Drive/support Serve geographies Other
efficiency resiliency/agility quality growth more effectively

Source: DHL Supply Chain, 2016

Implementing a P&P supply chain

strategy is not easy. For many organi- P&P on the Block in India
zations, it flies in the face of how they
perceive their company and its operat- ne global medical device company has been working
ing model. on intelligently standardizing and segmenting its
People have gotten used to thinking supply chain for specific marketsnot just to reduce
that their company, its supply chain, costs, but also to fuel growth. Our underlying premise
products, and customers are special, is that we create supply chain elements that are
unique and different,says Keatings. standardized and thus interchangeable, explains the companys
Theyre reluctant to change over to supply chain director. Then, we can easily tweak the supply chain in
this new strategy because theyre wor- question to fit specific markets.
ried execution will break down in The company tested this strategy in India, one of its target high-
some way. growth markets. We devised two different supply chains to serve
Add to this the fact that the cost to Indiaone for premium and one for generic medical devices, the
change can be significant. If you director says. While these two supply chains were similar in many
move over to the blue Lego platform, respects, they were adjusted to offer a different array of products and
you switch off existing infrastructure services to people of different incomes. This was crucial to making our
and may require a new or different company competitive in the Indian medical technology market.
infrastructure, the DHL vice presi- One supply chain serves the elite market, distributing premium
dent notes. Most people are not keen products at premium price points. The higher margins and
to invest in long-term supply chain profitability on these products allow the company to provide a
projects. Theyre looking for quarter-by- higher level of service to its customers.
quarter savings from their supply chain. At the other end of the spectrumthe generic Indian market
So, no one wants to own that longer- segmentthe manufacturer built a supply chain capable of handling
term investment. lower-price-point products consistently and efficientlyat a cost
The bottom line: analytics-driven structure commensurate with the product price profile. We used
supply chain segmentation and stan- the same warehouse for both price pointsand were able to gain
dardization, successfully implemented, economies of scale simply by creating a value-adding capability
can increase an enterprises profit, within that warehouse, the director notes. So, we optimized our
and repeatedly. network but still served both spectrums of customers.
Enormous money is at stake, says The bifurcated supply chain strategy for India paid off for the
Sharpe. If I can make just 10 percent of medical device maker. Cost-to-serve was appropriately attuned to
my marginal customers more profitable, each market segment. This enabled the manufacturer to compete
I can increase my profitability without effectively and profitably in both segmentsand win market share in
selling a single additional product. And Indias fast-growing market.
that is huge. n

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-2017-
ANNUAL
THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS
ISSUE

STARRING

128
3PL Change Agents
137
Market Research:
3PL Perspectives
146
Top 100
3PL Providers
159
Readers Choice:
Top 10 3PL
Excellence Awards

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 127

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TRYING TO PLOT A DIFFERENT COURSE?

FIGURING OUT HOW TO SPREAD YOUR WINGS?

A THIRD-PARTY PARTNER MIGHT OFFER ...

JUST THE KIND OF HELP YOU NEED.

By Merrill Douglas

W hen you need to make a change, sometimes it takes a push from

outside to steer you in the right direction.
Thats frequently the case with shippers and their supply chains. A company might need to upgrade its processes
to meet new customer requirements. It might have to scale up its logistics operations to accommodate growth.
It might need to move product faster without incurring unsustainable costs. And if it doesnt have the knowl-
edge or resources to implement those changes on its own, it calls in a third-party logistics (3PL) provider.
When a 3PL has deep experience, extensive market connections, and effective technology, it can foster
change in ways that a shipper cant when it operates solo.
We probably couldnt do that if we hadnt been managing logistics for the past couple of decades,
and we didnt have deep vertical expertise in the community of suppliers that ultimately serve the same
end customer, says Frank McGuigan, president and chief operating officer at Transplace, a 3PL
based in Frisco, Texas.
But Transplace works with more than 20,000 carriers and a host of technology providers, it oper-
ates powerful technology of its own, and it helps many shippers meet the same requirements for
mutual customers, such as the instructions laid out in retail routing guides. Our market and
operations knowledge is probably greater than an individual shippers knowledge, he says.

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Pura Vida used to fulfill orders of the string bracelets it imports from
Costa Rica. But when shipment volumes exploded, the company
turned to Saddle Creek, which now handles inventory management
and order fulfillment from its San Diego DC.

So, for example, when a major started small when they first imported The 3PL receives shipments of prod-
retailer changes a service performance handmade bracelets from Costa Rica ucts from Costa Rica, puts them into
metric from must arrive by date to on in 2010. While enjoying a post-college inventory, processes e-commerce and
time, in full, Transplace manages that graduation trip, the two friends met a B2B orders, and ships them to custom-
change for its customers who serve that pair of bracelet artisans and liked their ers via DHL or FedEx. The team also
retailer. The customer asks us to help work so much, they commissioned 400 assembles orders for a subscription ser-
dissect that metrics major components, units to take back to California for sale. vice Pura Vida recently launched.
and to lead the change conversation Displayed in a bowl at a boutique,
with the carrier community on how the string bracelets sold out in days.
well work together to achieve that new Based on that success, Thall and
I T Links Up
Before Saddle Creek could take over,
way of measuring, McGuigan says. Goodman founded Pura Vida. Today, the 3PL and Pura Vida had to link their
The situation is similar when a the company provides income to more information technology systems so
retailer asks suppliers for better sta- than 150 artisans in Costa Rica. Saddle Creek could receive orders.
tus updates. Transplace works with For nearly three years, Pura Vida We worked with Saddle Creek to
freight visibility solutions developers fulfilled all its orders from its head- barcode all our products and decide
MacroPoint, 10-4, and other companies quarters in La Jolla, California. But how they would pick, pack, and ship
to provide the technology that allows us the enterprise wasnt so small anymore, them, Goodman says. Then we
to get a better, cleaner, more timely sta- and success brought growing pains. packed up our facility and brought
tus update, McGuigan says. Everyone here was unhappy because everything to the San Diego DC. It
Those initiatives involve incremen- of the amount of work, says Goodman. was a big job.
tal change. In other situations, when Every day, we focused on how to ship Today, when Pura Vida receives an
a company engages Transplace for the products instead of how to market and order, its e-commerce site transmits
first time, the 3PL plays the classic role get more orders. the data to its enterprise resource plan-
of change management agent, talking It took a 3PL to handle the grow- ning system, which takes the purchased
with stakeholders throughout the ship- ing volume of shipments, freeing Pura items out of inventory. The process then
pers organization to explain the vision Vidas owners to concentrate on promot- pauses for one hour, giving the cus-
thats driving the change. ing further growth. tomer time to make a change or update
Nobody is better at articulating the In 2014, Pura Vida outsourced its the shipping address.
vision than the people who are coming fulfillment to Saddle Creek Logistics Then the order is automatically trans-
in to do it for the company, McGuigan Services, based in Lakeland, Florida. mitted to Saddle Creek, Goodman says.
says. Top management introduces the When Saddle Creek took over the oper- Saddle Creeks system decrements their
vision, and then the 3PL fills in the ation, Pura Vida was shipping about inventory, and they pick, pack, and ship
details on how the change will occur 200 orders a day, Goodman says. the order. Orders received before noon
and the benefits it will bring. Pura Vida was able to handle that. go out the same day.
But as they saw business starting to Because a single string bracelet is
Owners Get Back
to Growth grow, especially during the holiday sea- too small to hold a label, Saddle Creek
son, they just couldnt do it anymore, developed a method for affixing a bar-
Pura Vida Bracelets, an e-commerce says Charles Puzder, director of ful- code. We ship them bundles of 100
and business-to-business (B2B) com- fillment at Saddle Creeks San Diego bracelets, Goodman says. On the out-
pany that sells bracelets, clothing, and facility. And they didnt have space to side of that bag is the barcode and the
accessories, called on a 3PL to help stock inventory or for people to work. SKU number.
with changes it required to keep pace Saddle Creek now handles all of Pura Vida currently has about
with rapid growth. Pura Vidas inventory management 1,200 SKUs. The difference between
Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman and order fulfillment in San Diego. two multi-colored bracelets might be

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European Wax Center, one of the fastest growing beauty lifestyle brands in the United States, partnered with XPO Logistics, which
provides inventory control, order preparation, and fulfillment. XPO uses its proprietary technology to manage inbound goods receipt,
storage and restocking, warehouse management, picking, packing and shipping.

a matter of a single color, so keeping accuracy has also improved, thanks to cut transit times to wax centers in the
track of those SKUs when filling orders the addition of barcodes. Northeast and Mid Atlantic by one day,
is no easy matter. But Saddle Creeks Moreover, outsourcing leaves Pura reducing the need for safety stock at
accuracy rate for Pura Vida is 99.995 Vida free to concentrate on mission-crit- these locations.
percent, Puzder says. ical activities. It has allowed us to focus EWC migrated to XPO from another
Along with the number of SKUs, on marketing and growing the business, 3PL because it wanted additional ser-
fulfillment volume has grown tre- rather than growing our fulfillment and vices, including freight audit, parcel
mendously since Pura Vida started warehouse logistics, Goodman says. consolidation, promotional activity
working with Saddle Creek. We aver- execution, and an ordering portal for
age about 2,000 orders on a normal day,
says Puzder.
Waxing Dynamic franchisees. XPO impressed company
Like Pura Vida, European Wax officials with its focus and investment
Demand for the subscription service Center (EWC) in Hallandale Beach, on technology, Biggert says.
is pushing those numbers up quickly. Florida, has enjoyed the sort of rapid Each of the three XPO DCs performs
We hit 25,000 orders in May 2017, just success thats hard to keep up with on receiving, storage, picking, packing,
for the subscription service, he says. your own. But unlike Pura Vida, EWC kitting, and shipping. XPO also pro-
Weve had to expand our labor pool is a brick-and-mortar operationa vides a dedicated transportation team
and start a regular second shift. national chain of salons where cus- that negotiates our carrier agreements,
Volumes go even crazier during tomers enjoy skin care treatments. As audits fright bills, and investigates any
the holiday season. In 2015, Saddle EWC rapidly adds franchise operators delivery exceptions, Biggert says.
Creek shipped about 40,000 orders and customers, a 3PL provides the logis- XPO helps to strengthen EWC in sev-
for Pura Vida during the five days that tics power to put beauty products into eral important areas. For example, the
started on Black Friday. In 2016, we their hands. custom-designed order management
did nearly 100,000 orders, Goodman EWC was founded in 2004 and portal promotes brand consistency.
says. This year we could see close to started operating franchises in 2008. We felt that XPOs platform would
170,000 orders. Today, it operates more than 600 cen- provide Amazon-like simplicity when
As holiday volume increases each ters, with another 200 franchise locations franchisees placed their product orders,
year, Pura Vida and Saddle Creek have under development. For the past several while maintaining the elegance and
learned the value of early preparation. years, EWC has grown at more than 25 beauty of our new Strut 365 product
In the past, we started talking to Pura percent, year over year, and has averaged portfolio, Biggert says. While the
Vida in September, Puzder says. Last more than 80 store openings annually, freight and audit services provide EWC
year, we backed that up one month to says Jon Biggert, the companys vice pres- with a cost control instrument, the par-
August. This year, we began discuss- ident of supply chain. cel consolidation allows us to deliver
ing Black Friday preparations in May. Customers who frequent EWCs savings to our franchise network.
With so many orders expected, the centers may also purchase products for Also crucial is XPOs ability to build
companies need more time to bring in at-home grooming and skin care. product kits to support various promo-
product, shipping materials, and mar- In 2015, EWC contracted with XPO tional campaigns.
keting inserts and to prepare and train Logistics of Greenwich, Connecticut, XPOs scalable systems support
additional workers. to manage the distribution of prod- EWCs rapid growth by helping the
The efficiencies that Saddle Creek uct to its salons. XPO first started the company manage its business in real
brings to the partnership help Pura operation at two DCs, a multi-tenant time. XPOs order management sys-
Vida provide better customer service. facility in Portland, Tennessee, and tem and reporting module provide the
It used to take up to three days to ship a single-customer facility in Sparks, necessary transparency into DC opera-
every order, Goodman says. Now, Nevada. In May 2017, XPO added a tions to properly manage inventory and
most orders go out within 24 hours, 40,000-square-foot facility for EWC in improve distribution of our products to
and many on the same day. Shipping Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, a move that our franchise network, Biggert says.

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When Core Health & Fitness needed to move bulky gym equipment
overseas, ocean was too slow and air was too expensive. So it turned
to UPS, which offers multimodal rail service between Europe and
China, providing a viable, alternate transport option.

only other alternative was to ship marketing manager at Atlanta-based

Fit, Frugal, Fast
For Core Health & Fitness, a close
the equipment via air, which is an
extremely expensive way to move bulky
UPS. Then in 2014 and 2015, we
evolved the service to go in both
partnership with a 3PL opened the way exercise equipment. directions and also to support less-than-
to a new transportation option that has This was the dilemma that Core containerload shipments.
helped the company win new business. Health & Fitness faced not long ago, UPSs China-Europe Rail service
Based in Vancouver, Washington, when the company teamed with a dis- currently connects six rail stations in
Core Health & Fitness produces four tributor to bid on a contract to supply China with two in Germany and two
well-known brands of exercise equip- made-to-order equipment for a large in Poland. From those rail stations,
ment: Star Trac, StairMaster, Nautilus, chain of health clubs in Denmark. we connect into multiple trucking net-
and Schwinn. Founder Michael Bruno Ocean transportation from Xiamen works to facilitate the pickup and final
acquired those brands over several years to Rotterdam takes about six weeks, delivery of goods, White says.
and then, in 2015, merged them into a says Little. We needed the equipment
company that provides equipment for
all modes of exercise commonly found
there in three. Air transportation for
this order probably would have required
Finding
Middle Ground
in a commercial gym, including cardio, two planes, driving the cost sky high. The transit from one end to the other
high intensity, strength training, and As the logistics team weighed the takes about half as long as ocean trans-
group cycling. alternatives, Little recalled a conver- portation. And weve seen this service
Core Health & Fitness makes its prod- sation with the companys account represent up to 65-percent savings ver-
ucts in a 1-million-square foot facility in representative at UPS. Core Health & sus air, White says. Its a nice middle
Xiamen, China, and a smaller plant in Fitness first worked with UPS in 2011, ground for customers.
Independence, Virginia. It ships product when the logistics companys finance With this service in mind, Little
to distributors and fitness clubs around arm, UPS Capital, provided a way booked an intermodal trip from China
the world from distribution centers in to secure a loan with collateral that to Denmark. We made the date, he
China, the Netherlands, and the U.S. included product in transit and product says. And we won the account.
east and west coasts. Most of the freight in inventory outside the United States. Given the cost per unit to move its
that moves from a factory on one conti- The relationship has since expanded to product, Core Health & Fitness wont
nent to a DC on another travels by ship. include several other logistics services. use China-Europe Rail to replace ocean
But customer needs dont always mesh UPS is a strategic partner for us, says for most of its shipments. But the new
with the pace of ocean travel. Little. The two companies get together option gives the company a little more
Our lead times coming out of Asia every quarter to discuss the state of their leverage in competitive negotiations.
run 95 to 105 days, says Jon Little, relationship, evaluate performance, We now have three options versus
vice president of operations at Core and look for continuous improve- two: air freight, which is exorbitantly
Health & Fitness. Unfortunately, health ment opportunities. expensive, ocean freight, which is slow
club owners who place orders often At a recent meeting, the account and cheap, and now rail, which is right
require a much faster turnaround, with rep had mentioned a new UPS service in the middle, Little says.
delivery in as few as 30 days. called China-Europe Rail. UPS started Whether your products are made
We combat that by making sure offering this intermodal option in 2013, to tone the muscles, smooth the skin,
we carry safety stock in all our distri- taking advantage of cross-continental adorn the wrist, or attend to any other
bution locations, he says. But when rail service that the Chinese govern- need, the time may come when you
a customer needs a product made to ment introduced in 2011. want to make a change in your supply
orderperhaps with the gyms logo We started out with full container- chain. In many cases a 3PL can provide
on the equipmentthat safety stock load service from China to Europe, the right systems, processes, and exper-
doesnt fill the need. In the past, the says Michael White, international tise to make it a change for the better. n

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3PL
PERSPECTIVES
2017
Inbound Logistics 12th annual 3PL market
research report provides a highlight reel of
the trends and tribulations shaping logistics
outsourcing strategy for both providers
and shippers.

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3PL PERSPECTIVES 2017

M
arket dynamics sit in the directors chair when it comes to outsourcing
decision-making. When the economy expands, manufacturers and retailers
look outwardly to scale growth; as conditions erode, shippers leverage 3PL
partners to optimize logistics functions and focus on core competencies.
Today, U.S. and global economies are betwixt and between, and anything but
certain. Consider the litany of disruptions over the past year:
The United Kingdoms shock Brexit referendum
Perspectives
Presidential impeachments in Brazil and South Koreaand perhaps
Brazil again
Methodology
President Trumps unlikely path to the White House
Inbound Logistics annual 3PL
OPEC and Russias unexpected agreement to curb oil production
Perspectives research comprises
Hanjins bankruptcy
an extensive survey of 3PL market
Closer to home, economic performance has been mired in stops and starts. At participantsboth service provider
4.3 percent, U.S. unemployment is at its lowest level in 16 years. Competition for and shipperto identify trends
labor is robust. But inflation is tepid. that are shaping outsourcing
Consumption has been erratic and unpredictable2016 holiday retail sales not- decision-making.
withstandingeven as U.S. manufacturing rebounded from recession. Retailers Our outreach effort features
were slow to destock and replenish, so inventories and inventory-to-sales ratios three parts. First, IL solicited
trended upward while freight volumes lagged behind. questionnaires from more than
On the regulatory front, an expected capacity crunch never materialized as the 300 3PLs detailing the services
much-maligned Hours-of-Service and CSA rules ran out of steam. Looking ahead, they provide and their areas
the true impact of the FMCSAs electronic logging device mandate is anyones guess. of expertisegeographically,
When economics shade grey, 3PLs flaunt even greater influence, helping ship- functionally, and vertically. We
pers manage change. But in todays fast-spinning digital sphere, shippers need more. also asked service providers to
Many manufacturers and retailers are experimenting on the edge as they dip their supplement this empirical data
toes in digital technologies. Its no small task. Supply chain management at its core with contextual insight about
is risk averse. Predictability and standardization are sacrosanct. Variation is reviled. business during the past year,
Expectedly, shippers are relying on 3PLs to effect change, not just manage it. relationships with customers, and
Inbound Logistics 12th annual 3PL Perspectives market research report pulls emerging outsourcing trends.
back the curtain to expose the trends and tribulations shaping logistics outsourc- Secondly, we received input
ing strategy. Change agents are well documented. E-commerce is challenging from 10,000+ 3PL users to provide
traditional brick-and-mortar models while online retailers paradoxically aspire to a counter perspective of the
set up shop closer to demand. Cloud computing is revolutionizing the ways busi- different considerations shaping
nesses and consumers interact. And consumers wield leverage that captivates all. outsourcing decisions.
The actors are familiar, too. Amazon and Walmart are butting heads as they com- Lastly, we engaged shippers
pete for retail market share; Tesla, Apple, Microsoft, Uber, Facebook, Google, and and service providerson
GE are turning convention on end as they reinvent business models; and countless the phone, at conferences,
other players across industries are trying to stake a claim in a lawless, albeit fertile, via social media, and
omnichannel frontier. through emailfor anecdotal
In the 3PL space, incumbents and entrants alike are jockeying for position intelligence supporting/refuting
as market uncertainty and digital inevitability collide. Technology and talent empirical data.
democratize the playing field. Still, assets carry weight. Reducing cost and Inbound Logistics 3PL
increasing customer service remain diametrically opposed deliverables. But Perspectives juxtaposes these
consumers expect both. Shippers are depending on their 3PL partners to help disparate points of view to
parry tactical hurdles, and at the same time engage digital innovation. provide a robust overview of the
Such is the dynamism in todays changing logistics outsourcing market. Buckle trends that are impacting the
up and welcome to 3PL Perspectives. 3PL space.

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3PL PERSPECTIVES 2017
A sea-change shift is slowly sweeping across the business
world. Supply chain and logistics functions are not only Spotlight on 3PLs
gaining traction in C-suite conversations, increasingly they
command them. Look no farther than Tim Cook (Apple), ASSET-BASED OR WAREHOUSING SERVICES
NON-ASSET-BASED Crossdocking 78%
Mary Barra (GM), Brian Krzanich (Intel), and Fabian Non-asset-based 44% Transloading 65%
Garcia (Revlon). At countless other companies, chief supply Both 43% Fulfillment 64%
chain officers are climbing to the top, dragging with them Asset-based 12% Pick/Pack, Subassembly 64%
newfound esteem from their corporate peers. Vendor Managed Inventory 61%
As logistics outsourcing grows mainstream, supply chain DC Management 54%
NUMBER OF WAREHOUSES
has become a strategic imperative. Outsourcing partnerships 0 17% Site Selection 47%
are following in lockstep. 1 10 52% None 13%
Gone are the days of one-stop-shop, silver-bullet solutions. 10-100 25%
Shipper needs are nuanced by function, vertical, IT, and 100+ 6%
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
geographical regions. As testament to this growing specificity, Truckload 95%
88 percent of shipper respondents use more than one 3PL (see GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE LTL 90%
Figure 1). This trend will continue. North America 49% Intermodal 82%
Consequently, the outsourcing business remains strong. Asia 33% Rail 73%

Eighty-six percent of service providers surveyed in Inbound Southeast Asia & India 31% Dedicated Contract Carriage 63%
Eastern Europe 25% Air Cargo 59%
Middle East & North Africa 24% Ocean 56%
U.S. Only 23% Small Package 54%
FIGURE 1: How many 3PLs do you use? Europe 13% Final Mile 53%
Shippers say: South America 3% Bulk 47%
Equipment/Drivers 37%
More than one 880= 88%
Fleet Acquisition 21%
VERTICAL SPECIALIZATION
One 120= 12%

Consumer Packaged Goods 83%
Food & Beverage 80% SPECIAL SERVICES
Automotive 75% Logistics/Transportation
Logistics market research report have grown their client base by Construction &
Consulting 86%

at least 5 percent over the past year; 89 percent have increased Building Materials 74% Direct to Store 76%
Electronics 70% Reverse Logistics/Product Lifecycle
sales; and 81 percent have grown profits (see Figure 2). Management 63%
Grocery 68%
There has been some attrition in profit margins over the Import/Export/Customs 60%
Apparel & Textiles 67%
past few years, largely attributed to rising labor costs and Marketing/Customer Service 54%
Healthcare 65%
fluctuating fuel prices. U.S. unemployment remains low Furniture 64%
Sustainability/Green Logistics 51%
and e-commerce business continues to drive warehouse Chemicals 61%
Direct to Home 47%
occupancy to record highs. 3PLs and shippers are equally Agriculture 57%
Foreign Trade Zone 38%
challenged by operational costs. As logistics outsourcing Contingency/Crisis Planning 32%
Pharmaceuticals 53%
Labor Management 29%
becomes more strategic, theres less of a transactional sting. Oil & Gas 47%
Security Analysis 20%
Its all about partnership and delivering value over time. Aerospace 40%
And, to the benefit of shippers, technology is compressing Renewable Energy 37%

profit margin in certain areasnotably the freight brokerage Trade Show 33% TECHNOLOGY
EDI 95%
spacewhere an emerging clique of Uber-for-freight players
TMS 85%
are disintermediating the ultimate intermediary. LOGISTICS SERVICES
WMS 62%
The macro narrative? 3PLs continue to adapt and expand. Inbound Logistics 86%
Visibility 75%
Integrated Logistics 74%
Survey respondents share why: Optimization 73%
JIT 67%
Acquisitions and internal growth, as well as adding Freight Payment/
Lead Logistics Provider/
clients to multiple verticals. 4th-Party Logistics 66%
Claims/Auditing 56%

Added services, improved technology, API integration. CRM/SRM 63%

Inventory Management 65%
Supply Chain Design 58%
Helping customers better control inbound logistics. Vendor Management 62%
Wireless/RFID 46%
As larger 3PLs get larger, customer service drops off. So Logistics Process
Reengineering 54% ERP 44%
we are able to pick up new customers frustrated with the Sustainability 43%
Shared Services 52%
lack of service from other providers. Payment Auditing/ Predictive Analytics 39%
Continuous investment in proprietary technology Processing 47% Global Trade Management 28%
for customers. Global Trade Services 36%
Increase in dedicated business.
SOURCE: Inbound Logistics 3PL Perspectives, 2017

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3PL PERSPECTIVES 2017
FIGURE 2: During their last measurement period, 3PLs say the following were generally up or down:
CUSTOMER BASE SALES PROFITS
20%+ 170= 17% 20%+ 200=20% 20%+ 170=17%
15% 110=11% 15% 180=18% 15% 110=11%
10% 290=29% 10% 280=28% 10% 270=27%
5% 290=29% 5% 230=23% 5% 260=26%
0% 110=11% 0% 70=7% 0% 130=13%
-5% 30=3% -5% 30=3% -5% 50=5%
-10% =0 0% -10% 10=1% -10% 10=1%

Market conditions (impacted by ocean rates). Asked which is more important, 75 percent of shippers
Growing with customers into new regions. favor service over price. Not surprisingly, 43 percent of
Our focus on technology, systems improvements, auto- surveyed shippers cite failed expectations as the primary
mated materials handling equipment, and training. reason for failed 3PL partnerships, closely followed by poor
The diversity of responses serves as yet another reminder customer service (42 percent).
of how varied the 3PL industry has become. What emerged The Amazon effect has only amplified the importance of
as an extension of traditional transportation and warehousing speed and agility in todays marketplace. Aggregating visibility
functions one generation ago has exploded into a nuanced across the supply chain and continuously re-engineering
panoply of asset- and non-asset-based intermediaries. business processes using technology and Lean/Six Sigma
Within the latter group, new competencies are emerging. guidance often require external support. Businesses alone
There are track-and-trace aggregators; Uber-for-freight players cant meet shrinking lead times, cost pressures, and escalating
in trucking, freight forwarding, and warehousing; managed consumer expectations. For small- and mi-sized businesses
transportation practitioners; IT developers moonlighting as (SMBs) that dont have the scale and shareholder patience
3PLs; e-commerce fulfillment specialists; and consultantsall of digital giants, collaboration is compulsory. Indeed, a
of whom are moving the needle for their respective customers. number of 3PLs including FedEx, XPO, and the newly
Its also worth considering the myriad markets 3PLs morphed Monarch FX alliance, are positioning themselves
serve. Manufacturing (92 percent), retail (84 percent), and as mid-market e-commerce fulfillment providersusing
wholesale (76 percent) have always been outsourcing stan- their scale and resources to help retailers match Amazons
dard-bearers (see Figure 3). E-business (65 percent) is a free shipping trope at a fraction of the real cost. This has
fast-growing niche as fulfillment complexity and customer become another compelling reason for shippers to outsource
service expectations growand e-commerce flows across bor- post-click fulfillment. They cant win otherwise.
ders. Whats notable is how attractive the transportation and To point, 86 percent of 3PL respondents specifically serve
3PL space has become for 3PLs. Increasingly, service pro- both large and small customers, while 9 percent target SMBs,
viders are collaborating with and selling through their peers. and only 5 percent exclusively large companies.
3PLs face their own unique challengeswhich pro-
Cost and Service Are Top Levers vide greater insight into how outsourcing dynamics are
Shipper outsourcing priorities in 2017 remain similar to
past years. Cutting transport costs is the top challenge, say
FIGURE 3: Markets served
59 percent of respondents (see Figure 4). Business process
3PLs say:
improvement (38 percent), better customer service (32
percent), and supply chain visibility (29 percent)
follow. Manufacturing (all kinds) 460=92%
Cost cuts across the supply chain. Whether
its labor, Transportation (includes 3PLs) 420=84%
transportation, or inventory, 3PLs need to deliver value across

the terms of their contracts. Many leverage proprietary and/or Retail 420=84%
outsourced technology capabilities to help shippers
manage Wholesale 380=76%
transportation and warehousing. Data analytics and logistics
optimization capabilities allow intermediaries to better e-Business 325=65%
measure performance and improve services. If incumbents Services/Government 240=48%
dont deliver, a queue of competitors are waiting in line.

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3PL PERSPECTIVES 2017
intellectual property as a competitive advantageengineers,
FIGURE 4: Most important challenges data scientists, ops specialists, and project managers who are
Shippers say: harnessing bleeding-edge innovation to deliver continuous
Cutting Transport Costs 295=59% value to their customers.
Business Process Improvement 190=38% Flipping the Switch to Digital
Improving Customer Service 160=32% Media and academia have widely documented how digital
Supply Chain Visibility 145=29%innovation is reshaping global supply chains. But the biggest
Qualified Labor 140=28%disruptor is far closer to home: the consumer.
Technology is an enabler. But demand behavior is chang-
Reducing Labor Costs 110=22%ing how retailers (both brick-and-mortar and online),
Regulations, Security, and
wholesalers, manufacturers, and service providers deliver
Other Compliance Issues 110=22% products and services to market. Changing demographics and
Managing Inventory 105=21% digital disruption at the point of sale are reshaping the path to
E-commerce 90=18% purchase, challenging industries and business models alike.
Risk Management/ Consider how the automotive industry is adapting to digi-
Contingency Planning 90=18% talization. Automotive incumbents GM, Ford, Daimler, and
Toyota are partnering with digital giants Apple and Google
Vendor Management 85=17% and tech entrepreneurs Tesla and Uber to redesign the way
people and freight move. Cloud connectivity, autonomy, and
transportation-as-a-service are collectively forcing automo-
FIGURE 5: Most important challenges tive supply chain participants to collaborate and innovate in
3PLs say: ways theyve never done before. Similar changes are happen-
Technology Investment 330=66% ing in the apparel, CPG, and grocery spaces as well.
Where are 3PLs experimenting on the edge? Autonomous
Finding Training,
Retaining Qualified Labor 280=56% vehicles tops the list of disruptive technologies that will
have the greatest impact, according to 65 percent of 3PL
Capacity 275=55% respondentsfollowed by Internet of Things (46 percent),
Rising Operational Costs 250=50% artificial intelligence (33 percent), drones (27 percent), and
Regulations 230=46% wearable technology (24 percent). (See Figure 6.)
Meeting Customer Semi-autonomous trucks and platooning fleets may be
Service Requirements 185=37% closer in the side-view mirror than they appearas 3PL
Finding/Retaining Customers 170=34% consensus suggests. Railroads, Teamsters, and politicians
Contingency Planning/ will undoubtedly make noise to the contrary. But once safety
Risk Management 135=27% is a proven deliverablecost and sustainability are givens
technology that optimizes transportation and addresses latent
Making a Profit 115=23% driver shortages will eventually rise above these roadblocks.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The Internet of Things (IoT) is already disrupting sup-
(including Sustainability) 70=14% ply chains. Embedded sensors and RFID are gathering data
Global Coverage 60=12% and allowing artificial intelligence-enabled systems to pre-
dict demand and prescribe actions. Humans are talking to
machines, which, in turn, are interfacing with other machines.
changing. In 2017, 66 percent of 3PL survey respondents Wearable technologies, together with augmented and virtual
cite technology investment as their top priority, followed by reality capabilities, empower practitioners on the factory floor
recruiting and training talent (56 percent), capacity (55 per- and inside the four walls to operate more efficiently. While
cent), and rising operational costs (50 percent). (See Figure 5.) Amazons well-publicized last-mile drone delivery in the UK
Technology investment first topped 3PL priorities in 2016 commanded great attention, industry is quietly deploying sim-
and that trend continues. The third-party logistics sector has ilar assets to count inventory and track assetswith far greater
become a wholesale channel for tapping best-of-breed solutions. ROI. Looking ahead, blockchain may disrupt supply chains in
From homegrown, proprietary data analytics engines to private- much the same way cloud computing has.
labeled TMS systems, in the cloud, on premise, or managed as Retailers are especially sensitive to how innovation is
a service, 3PLs are plugging in to compete. triggering different consumer behaviors. Cognitive intelli-
Equally important is talent development. The asset-light gence allows supply chains to dial in hyper-local demand;
3PL has become a misnomer. More accurately, they flaunt distributed order management and omnichannel strategies

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harmonize inventory visibility and control between differ-
FIGURE 6: Most disruptive innovations
ent nodes in the supply chain. Accordingly, retailers have
3PLs say:
greater license to fulfill orders direct from store, from DC,
or drop-shipped from the manufacturer. Thats the future of Autonomous Vehicles 325=65%
omnichannel management.
Upstream, these developments challenge manufacturers,
Internet of Things 230=46%

wholesalers, and suppliers. Shrinking lead times and shifting
Artificial Intelligence 165=33%
Drones
order profiles from case-pick units to eaches, full truckload to 135=27%
less-than-truckload to multistop truckload, add variability
and Wearable Technology 120=24%
sub-optimize performance. Better demand visibility enables
greater efficiency. Logistics optimization capabilities similarly
3D Printing 100=20%
empower stakeholders to account for changing demand and
Embedded Sensors 100=20%
design optimal networks, leveraging 3PL partners and their
RFID 80=16%
assets to pool and deconsolidate freight where possible. Virtual Reality 25=5%
The net effect of digitalization? Supply chains are becom-
ing more demand-driven. Amazon widely proselytizes its FIGURE 7: Regions where shippers outsource
customer-centric business model. Many industries are sim- logistics
ilarly alignedbecause they have to. Technology is bringing
value chain partners closer together. Retailers no longer North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 395=79%
wield power; consumers do. Supply chain impatience and U.S. Only 180=36%
competition from incumbents and disruptors alike Asia are com-
pelling traditional push industrieswhere forecasting was
145=29%
once easily predictableto pull to demand. Its little Europe
wonder 125=25%
that inbound logistics tops the list of logistics services
3PLs South America 85=17%
provide (86 percent); and demand-driven logistics is the
Southeast Asia and India 85=17%
number-one strategy shippers and 3PLs are using to manage
current market challenges.
Eastern Europe/Russia 80=16%
Middle East/North Africa 55=
11%

Buffer Against Volatility

Geopolitical volatility around the world is impacting alliance jostling, underscore the institutional challenges
todays logistics outsourcing paradigm. Rampant protection- steamship lines and ocean shippers have faced over the past
ism threatens entrenched perceptions of globalization as few years. An inability to scale capacity to demand has forced
supply chains become more demand sensitive, risk averse, carriers to idle ships and seek vessel-sharing agreements to
carbon consciousand local. As supply chains become more better utilize capacity and prop up pricing.
decentralized, fewer 3PLs/4PLs will manage end-to-end capa- While shippers and consignees have benefited from favor-
bilities. Shippers favor best-of-breed providers that are experts able rates in the short term, they are starting to feel the brunt
in their functional and geographic domains. of these changes. Ocean carriers benefit from larger vessels,
Thats not to suggest North American 3PLs are shrinking better capacity utilization, and fewer ports of call. Costs and
footprints. Quite the contrary. While the majority of ship- inefficiencies are pushed downstream in the supply chain.
pers surveyed use 3PLs in North America (79 percent), Asia There will be more transshipment activityand likely delays
(29 percent), Europe (25 percent), and Southeast Asia/India flowing containers through congested, un-automated global
(17 percent) are well represented (see Figure 7). 3PL global gateways. 3PL value around import/export compliance and
footprints align accordingly. Manufacturers and retailers are execution will remain strong.
scanning the globe, looking for new markets to sell into and Outsourcing demand for airfreight services is also growing.
distribute through. Global e-ecommerce is on the make. Borders are opening
Given uncertainty around Trump Administration policies up and marketplaces such as Amazon and Alibaba make it
regarding NAFTA and cross-border trade, outsourcing global easier for buyers and sellers to connect worlds apart. Linking
logistics functions helps shippers circumvent some risk. first- and last-mile logistics presents challenges. Service is par-
3PLs are well positioned and connected via technology and amount for the consumer. Cost is important for the supply
partnerships to mitigate exposure and execute contingency chain. Manufacturers/suppliers and retailers need to opti-
plans when exceptions inevitably arise. mize LTL and courier transportation to and from origin and
With regards to global transportation, ocean and air destination hubs, ensuring timely handoffs and customs doc-
freight have been trending in different directions. Hanjins umentation along the way. Growing protectionism only adds
bankruptcy in 2016, and subsequent M&A activity and complexity. That benefits 3PLs operating in that space. n

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TOP 100 3PL PROVIDERS
TOP 100 -2017-

AREAS MARKETS SERVED LOGISTICS SERVICES

SERVED

LOGISTICS PROCESS REENGINEERING

SERVICE INDUSTRIES/GOVERNMENT

PAYMENT AUDITING/PROCESSING
ASSET KEY
ASSET- OR NON-ASSET BASED

A Asset-based

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
LLP/4TH PARTY LOGISTICS

GLOBAL TRADE SERVICES

N Non-asset Based

INTEGRATED LOGISTICS

VENDOR MANAGEMENT
US/CANADA/MEXICO

INBOUND LOGISTICS
B Both

SHARED SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION
MANUFACTURING

E-BUSINESS
WHOLESALE
US ONLY

COMPANY
GLOBAL

RETAIL

PHONE

JIT
WEB VERTICAL SPECIALIZATION(S)
A.N. Deringer AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
888-612-6239 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
anderinger.com TRADE

Agility
AERO, AGRI, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER,
714-617-6300 N
F&B, FURN, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
agility.com
Alliance Shippers
APP, AUTO, CHEM, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN, GROC,
201-227-0400 B
HEALTH, PHARMA, TRADE
alliance.com
Americold
770-570-4332 B AGRI, CPG, F&B, GROC, PHARMA
americold.com
APL Logistics
AGRI, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B,
602-357-9100 B
FURN, HEALTH, O&G
apllogistics.com
Approved Freight Forwarders AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
800-533-4826 A ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
approvedforwarders.com TRADE

Armada
412-406-5700 N F&B, GROC
armada.net
Atlanta Bonded Warehouse
AGRI, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, F&B, FURN, GROC,
678-322-3120 A
HEALTH, PHARMA
atlantabonded.com
Averitt Express
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
800-283-7488 B
F&B, FURN, HEALTH, PHARMA, TRADE
averittexpress.com
Bender Group
APP, AUTO, CHEM, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN, HEALTH,
775-788-8800 B
PHARMA
bendergroup.com
BLG Logistics
205-866-6180 N AUTO, CHEM, ELEC, F&B
blg-logistics.com
BlueGrace Logistics
AERO, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER,
813-785-5366 N
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
mybluegrace.com
BNSF Logistics AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
855-481-9658 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
bnsflogistics.com TRADE

Burris Logistics
302-839-5157 B F&B, GROC
burrislogistics.com
C.H. Robinson AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
952-683-3950 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
chrobinson.com TRADE

146 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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AERO
Aerospace CHEM Chemicals ENER
Renewable Energy HEALTH Healthcare
AGRI
Agriculture CONS Construction/Bldg. Matls F&B Food & Beverage O&G Oil & Gas
APP Apparel & Textiles CPG Consumer Packaged Goods FURN
Furniture PHARMA Pharmaceuticals
AUTO
Automotive ELEC Electronics GROC
Grocery TRADE Trade Show

Search the Top 100 and more than 100 additional companies online. inboundlogistics.com/find-a-3pl

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WAREHOUSING SERVICES SPECIAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY/WEB SERVICES

REVERSE LOGS/PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MGMT

LOGISTICS/TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING

FREIGHT PAYMENT/CLAIMS/AUDITING
CUSTOMER/SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT
SUSTAINABILITY/GREEN LOGISTICS
MARKETING/CUSTOMER SERVICE

CONTINGENCY/CRISIS PLANNING
VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY

GLOBAL TRADE MANAGEMENT

PICK/PACK, SUB-ASSEMBLY

IMPORT/EXPORT/CUSTOMS

PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS
LABOR MANAGEMENT
FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
EQUIPMENT/DRIVERS

SECURITY ANALYSIS
GLOBAL EXPANSION
FLEET ACQUISITION

DC MANAGEMENT

DIRECT TO STORE
DIRECT TO HOME
SMALL PACKAGE

SUSTAINABILITY
SITE SELECTION
CROSSDOCKING

TRANSLOADING

OPTIMIZATION
FULFILLMENT
INTERMODAL
TRUCKLOAD

FINAL MILE
AIR CARGO

SC DESIGN

VISIBILITY
OCEAN

BULK

WMS
RAIL

TMS
DCC

ERP
LTL

EDI

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 147

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TOP 100 3PL PROVIDERS
TOP 100 -2017-
AREAS MARKETS SERVED LOGISTICS SERVICES
SERVED

LOGISTICS PROCESS REENGINEERING

SERVICE INDUSTRIES/GOVERNMENT

PAYMENT AUDITING/PROCESSING
ASSET KEY
A Asset-based ASSET- OR NON-ASSET BASED

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
LLP/4TH PARTY LOGISTICS

GLOBAL TRADE SERVICES

N Non-asset Based

INTEGRATED LOGISTICS

VENDOR MANAGEMENT
US/CANADA/MEXICO

INBOUND LOGISTICS
B Both

SHARED SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION
MANUFACTURING

E-BUSINESS
WHOLESALE
US ONLY

COMPANY
GLOBAL

PHONE RETAIL

JIT
WEB VERTICAL SPECIALIZATION(S)
Cardinal Health Integrated Logistics
614-757-9228 B HEALTH
yourhealthcare3PL.com
CaseStack
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B,
855-638-3500 N
FURN, GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA, TRADE
casestack.com
Celadon Logistics
APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN,
800-235-2366 B
GROC, PHARMA
celadonlogistics.com
CEVA Logistics
AERO, APP, AUTO, CPG, ELEC, ENER, FURN, HEALTH,
616-799-6445 N
O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
cevalogistics.com
Comprehensive Logistics
800-734-0372 N AGRI, AUTO
complog.com
Corporate Traffic Logistics
APP, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH,
800-787-2334 B
TRADE
corporatetraffic.com
Coyote Logistics AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
877-626-9683 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
coyote.com TRADE

Crane Worldwide Logistics

AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
888-870-2726 B
ENER, F&B, FURN, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
craneww.com
Crowley Logistics
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
800-276-9539 N
ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA
crowley.com
CT Logistics
APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, F&B, HEALTH,
216-267-2000 B
PHARMA
ctlogistics.com
DHL Supply Chain
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
877-277-1054 N
ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA
dhl-usa.com
Distribution Technology
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
704-319-7701 A
ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
distributiontechnology.com
DSC Logistics
APP, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH,
847-398-6800 B
PHARMA
dsclogistics.com
Dupr Logistics
AGRI, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ENER, F&B, GROC,
800-356-3659 B
O&G
duprelogistics.com
Echo Global Logistics AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
800-354-7993 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
echo.com TRADE

Estes Forwarding Worldwide

AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
855-433-9669 N
ENER, FURN, HEALTH, O&G, TRADE
efwnow.com
Evans Distribution Systems
AERO, AUTO, CHEM, CPG, ELEC, F&B, HEALTH,
313-388-3200 B
PHARMA
evansdist.com

148 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WAREHOUSING SERVICES SPECIAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY/WEB SERVICES

REVERSE LOGS/PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MGMT

LOGISTICS/TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING

FREIGHT PAYMENT/CLAIMS/AUDITING
CUSTOMER/SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT
SUSTAINABILITY/GREEN LOGISTICS
MARKETING/CUSTOMER SERVICE

CONTINGENCY/CRISIS PLANNING
VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY

GLOBAL TRADE MANAGEMENT

PICK/PACK, SUB-ASSEMBLY

IMPORT/EXPORT/CUSTOMS

PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS
LABOR MANAGEMENT
FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
EQUIPMENT/DRIVERS

SECURITY ANALYSIS
GLOBAL EXPANSION
FLEET ACQUISITION

DC MANAGEMENT

DIRECT TO STORE
DIRECT TO HOME
SMALL PACKAGE

SUSTAINABILITY
SITE SELECTION
CROSSDOCKING

TRANSLOADING

OPTIMIZATION
FULFILLMENT
INTERMODAL
TRUCKLOAD

FINAL MILE
AIR CARGO

SC DESIGN

VISIBILITY
OCEAN

BULK

WMS
RAIL

TMS
DCC

ERP
LTL

EDI

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 149

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TOP 100 3PL PROVIDERS
TOP 100 -2017-
AREAS MARKETS SERVED LOGISTICS SERVICES
SERVED

LOGISTICS PROCESS REENGINEERING

SERVICE INDUSTRIES/GOVERNMENT

PAYMENT AUDITING/PROCESSING
ASSET KEY
A Asset-based ASSET- OR NON-ASSET BASED

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
LLP/4TH PARTY LOGISTICS

GLOBAL TRADE SERVICES

N Non-asset Based

INTEGRATED LOGISTICS

VENDOR MANAGEMENT
US/CANADA/MEXICO

INBOUND LOGISTICS
B Both

SHARED SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION
MANUFACTURING

E-BUSINESS
WHOLESALE
US ONLY

COMPANY
GLOBAL

PHONE RETAIL

JIT
WEB VERTICAL SPECIALIZATION(S)
Expeditors International
AERO, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, HEALTH,
206-674-3400 N
O&G, PHARMA
expeditors.com
FedEx Supply Chain
AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B,
800-677-3110 B
FURN, GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA
supplychain.fedex.com
Fidelitone
APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN,
847-487-3300 B
HEALTH
fidelitone.com
FLS Transportation Services AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
612-240-9977 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
flstransport.com TRADE

General Dynamics
703-995-8700 B CONS, CPG, ELEC, FURN, HEALTH
gdit.com
GEODIS AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
615-271-1723 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
geodis.us TRADE

GlobalTranz Enterprises
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, ELEC, ENER,
866-275-1407 N
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA, TRADE
globaltranz.com
Holman Distribution
253-872-7140 B CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B
holmanusa.com
J.B. Hunt Transport AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
479-820-0000 B ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
jbhunt.com TRADE

Johanson Transportation Service

AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER,
559-458-2200 N
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
johansontrans.com
KAG Logistics
330-409-2753 B CHEM, CONS, ENER, O&G
kaglogistics.com
Kane Is Able
570-558-5113 B CONS, CPG, F&B, GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA
kaneisable.com
Kenco
APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN, GROC,
800-758-3289 B
HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA
kencogroup.com
KINEXO
252-407-2000 N CPG, F&B, GROC, HEALTH
gokinexo.com
Kuehne + Nagel AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
201-413-5500 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
kuehne-nagel.com TRADE

Landstar System AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
877-696-4507 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
landstar.com TRADE

LEGACY Supply Chain Services

AERO, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN,
800-361-5028 B
GROC
legacyscs.com

150 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WAREHOUSING SERVICES SPECIAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY/WEB SERVICES

REVERSE LOGS/PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MGMT

LOGISTICS/TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING

FREIGHT PAYMENT/CLAIMS/AUDITING
CUSTOMER/SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT
SUSTAINABILITY/GREEN LOGISTICS
MARKETING/CUSTOMER SERVICE

CONTINGENCY/CRISIS PLANNING
VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY

GLOBAL TRADE MANAGEMENT

PICK/PACK, SUB-ASSEMBLY

IMPORT/EXPORT/CUSTOMS

PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS
LABOR MANAGEMENT
FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
EQUIPMENT/DRIVERS

SECURITY ANALYSIS
GLOBAL EXPANSION
FLEET ACQUISITION

DC MANAGEMENT

DIRECT TO STORE
DIRECT TO HOME
SMALL PACKAGE

SUSTAINABILITY
SITE SELECTION
CROSSDOCKING

TRANSLOADING

OPTIMIZATION
FULFILLMENT
INTERMODAL
TRUCKLOAD

FINAL MILE
AIR CARGO

SC DESIGN

VISIBILITY
OCEAN

BULK

WMS
RAIL

TMS
DCC

ERP
LTL

EDI

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 151

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TOP 100 3PL PROVIDERS
TOP 100 -2017-
AREAS MARKETS SERVED LOGISTICS SERVICES
SERVED

LOGISTICS PROCESS REENGINEERING

SERVICE INDUSTRIES/GOVERNMENT

PAYMENT AUDITING/PROCESSING
ASSET KEY
A Asset-based ASSET- OR NON-ASSET BASED

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
LLP/4TH PARTY LOGISTICS

GLOBAL TRADE SERVICES

N Non-asset Based

INTEGRATED LOGISTICS

VENDOR MANAGEMENT
US/CANADA/MEXICO

INBOUND LOGISTICS
B Both

SHARED SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION
MANUFACTURING

E-BUSINESS
WHOLESALE
US ONLY

COMPANY
GLOBAL

PHONE RETAIL

JIT
WEB VERTICAL SPECIALIZATION(S)
LeSaint Logistics
630-243-5950 B CHEM, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B, FURN
lesaint.com
Lynden AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
888-596-3361 B ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
lynden.com TRADE

Mallory Alexander Int'l Logistics AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
800-257-8464 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
mallorygroup.com TRADE

Matson Logistics
AGRI, APP, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B,
925-887-6237 B
FURN, GROC
matson.com
MD Logistics
317-838-8900 B APP, CPG, ELEC, HEALTH, PHARMA
mdlogistics.com
MIQ Logistics
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER,
913-696-7100 N
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G
miq.com
National Retail Systems
APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B, FURN,
201-330-1900 B
GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA
nrsonline.com
NFI
AERO, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, F&B, FURN,
877-544-5835 B
GROC, PHARMA
nfiindustries.com
ODW Logistics
APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN,
614-549-5000 B
GROC, HEALTH
odwlogistics.com
Odyssey Logistics & Technology
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
855-412-0200 B
ENER, F&B, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA
odysseylogistics.com
Penske Logistics
AGRI, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN,
800-529-6531 B
GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA
penskelogistics.com
Performance Team
424-358-6940 B APP, AUTO, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN
performanceteam.net
Pilot Freight Services
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER,
610-891-8100 N
F&B, FURN, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
pilotdelivers.com
Port Jersey Logistics
609-495-1300 B CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA
portjersey.com
Port Logistics Group
877-901-6472 B APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN, PHARMA
portlogisticsgroup.com
ProTrans International
317-240-4100 N AERO, AUTO, CONS, ELEC, ENER, HEALTH
protrans.com
Purolator International
AERO, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B,
888-511-4811 N
FURN, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
purolatorinternational.com

152 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WAREHOUSING SERVICES SPECIAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY/WEB SERVICES

REVERSE LOGS/PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MGMT

LOGISTICS/TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING

FREIGHT PAYMENT/CLAIMS/AUDITING
CUSTOMER/SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT
SUSTAINABILITY/GREEN LOGISTICS
MARKETING/CUSTOMER SERVICE

CONTINGENCY/CRISIS PLANNING
VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY

GLOBAL TRADE MANAGEMENT

PICK/PACK, SUB-ASSEMBLY

IMPORT/EXPORT/CUSTOMS

PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS
LABOR MANAGEMENT
FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
EQUIPMENT/DRIVERS

SECURITY ANALYSIS
GLOBAL EXPANSION
FLEET ACQUISITION

DC MANAGEMENT

DIRECT TO STORE
DIRECT TO HOME
SMALL PACKAGE

SUSTAINABILITY
SITE SELECTION
CROSSDOCKING

TRANSLOADING

OPTIMIZATION
FULFILLMENT
INTERMODAL
TRUCKLOAD

FINAL MILE
AIR CARGO

SC DESIGN

VISIBILITY
OCEAN

BULK

WMS
RAIL

TMS
DCC

ERP
LTL

EDI

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 153

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TOP 100 3PL PROVIDERS
TOP 100 -2017-
AREAS MARKETS SERVED LOGISTICS SERVICES
SERVED

LOGISTICS PROCESS REENGINEERING

SERVICE INDUSTRIES/GOVERNMENT

PAYMENT AUDITING/PROCESSING
ASSET KEY
A Asset-based ASSET- OR NON-ASSET BASED

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
LLP/4TH PARTY LOGISTICS

GLOBAL TRADE SERVICES

N Non-asset Based

INTEGRATED LOGISTICS

VENDOR MANAGEMENT
US/CANADA/MEXICO

INBOUND LOGISTICS
B Both

SHARED SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION
MANUFACTURING

E-BUSINESS
WHOLESALE
US ONLY

COMPANY
GLOBAL

PHONE RETAIL

JIT
WEB VERTICAL SPECIALIZATION(S)
R2 Logistics
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
904-394-4677 N
ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA
r2logistics.com
Redwood Logistics
APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, FURN,
844-467-3396 B
GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
redwoodlogistics.com
Regal Logistics
866-300-5580 A APP, CHEM, CPG, ELEC, FURN
regallogistics.com
Rinchem Company
505-345-3655 B CHEM, ELEC, PHARMA
rinchem.com
RR Donnelley
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
877-744-3818 B
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA, TRADE
dls-ww.com
Ruan
AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, F&B, FURN,
866-782-6669 B
GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA
ruan.com
Ryder
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B,
305-500-3161 A
FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, TRADE
ryder.com
Saddle Creek Logistics Services
AERO, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B,
888-878-1177 B
FURN, GROC, HEALTH
sclogistics.com
Schenker
AERO, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, HEALTH,
602-315-5881 B
O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
dbschenkerusa.com
Schneider
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
800-558-6767 B
ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA
schneider.com
SEKO Logistics
AERO, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, FURN,
630-919-4966 B
HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
sekologistics.com
Sunset Transportation
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
314-756-8580 N
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
sunsettrans.com
Swift Logistics
AGRI, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B,
385-215-5230 N
FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
swiftlogistics.com
Syfan Logistics
APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, GROC, HEALTH,
855-287-8485 B
O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
syfanlogistics.com
syncreon
248-377-4700 N AUTO, CPG, ELEC, ENER
syncreon.com
Taylored Services
844-746-4833 B APP, CHEM, CPG, ELEC, ENER
tayloredservices.com
TransGroup Global Logistics AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
206-244-0330 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
transgroup.com TRADE

154 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WAREHOUSING SERVICES SPECIAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY/WEB SERVICES

REVERSE LOGS/PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MGMT

LOGISTICS/TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING

FREIGHT PAYMENT/CLAIMS/AUDITING
CUSTOMER/SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT
SUSTAINABILITY/GREEN LOGISTICS
MARKETING/CUSTOMER SERVICE

CONTINGENCY/CRISIS PLANNING
VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY

GLOBAL TRADE MANAGEMENT

PICK/PACK, SUB-ASSEMBLY

IMPORT/EXPORT/CUSTOMS

PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS
LABOR MANAGEMENT
FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
EQUIPMENT/DRIVERS

SECURITY ANALYSIS
GLOBAL EXPANSION
FLEET ACQUISITION

DC MANAGEMENT

DIRECT TO STORE
DIRECT TO HOME
SMALL PACKAGE

SUSTAINABILITY
SITE SELECTION
CROSSDOCKING

TRANSLOADING

OPTIMIZATION
FULFILLMENT
INTERMODAL
TRUCKLOAD

FINAL MILE
AIR CARGO

SC DESIGN

VISIBILITY
OCEAN

BULK

WMS
RAIL

TMS
DCC

ERP
LTL

EDI

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 155

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TOP 100 3PL PROVIDERS
TOP 100 -2017-
AREAS MARKETS SERVED LOGISTICS SERVICES
SERVED

LOGISTICS PROCESS REENGINEERING

SERVICE INDUSTRIES/GOVERNMENT

PAYMENT AUDITING/PROCESSING
ASSET KEY
A Asset-based ASSET- OR NON-ASSET BASED

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
LLP/4TH PARTY LOGISTICS

GLOBAL TRADE SERVICES

N Non-asset Based

INTEGRATED LOGISTICS

VENDOR MANAGEMENT
US/CANADA/MEXICO

INBOUND LOGISTICS
B Both

SHARED SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION
MANUFACTURING

E-BUSINESS
WHOLESALE
US ONLY

COMPANY
GLOBAL

PHONE RETAIL

JIT
WEB VERTICAL SPECIALIZATION(S)
Transplace
APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ENER, F&B, FURN,
866-413-9266 N
GROC, O&G
transplace.com
Transportation Insight AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
828-485-5000 N ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
transportationinsight.com TRADE

Tucker Company Worldwide

AERO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, GROC, HEALTH,
856-317-9600 N
O&G, PHARMA
tuckercompany.com
Union Pacific Distribution Services
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ENER,
800-877-0266 B
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G
upds.com
Universal
AERO, AGRI, , AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B,
586-467-1457 B
FURN, HEALTH, O&G
universallogistics.com
Unyson
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
877-641-4892 N
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA
unyson.com
UPS
AERO, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B,
800-PIC-KUPS B
FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA, TRADE
ups.com
UTXL
AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
800-351-2821 N
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, TRADE
utxl.com
Vantix Logistics
972-371-5014 B AGRI, APP, CHEM, ELEC, F&B, GROC
vantixlogistics.com
Veritiv
AGRI, APP, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ENER, F&B, FURN,
855-857-4700 B
GROC, HEALTH, TRADE
veritivcorp.com
VersaCold Logistics Services
905-265-5939 B CPG, F&B, GROC
versacold.com
Verst Group Logistics
AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER,
859-485-1212 A
F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA
verstgroup.com
Wagner Logistics
816-421-3520 B AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, F&B, GROC, HEALTH
wagnerlogistics.com
Werner Logistics
AGRI, APP, AUTO, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER, F&B,
402-895-6640 A
FURN, GROC, O&G
werner.com
WSI (Warehouse Specialists, LLC)
AERO, AGRI, , AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC, ENER,
920-831-3700 B
F&B, FURN, GROC, O&G
wsinc.com
XPO Logistics AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
844-742-5976 B ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, O&G, PHARMA,
xpo.com TRADE

Yusen Logistics (Americas)

AERO, AGRI, APP, AUTO, CHEM, CONS, CPG, ELEC,
201-210-3370 N
ENER, F&B, FURN, GROC, HEALTH, PHARMA
yusen-logistics.com

156 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Search the Top 100 and more than 100 additional companies online. inboundlogistics.com/find-a-3pl

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WAREHOUSING SERVICES SPECIAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY/WEB SERVICES

REVERSE LOGS/PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MGMT

LOGISTICS/TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING

FREIGHT PAYMENT/CLAIMS/AUDITING
CUSTOMER/SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT
SUSTAINABILITY/GREEN LOGISTICS
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CONTINGENCY/CRISIS PLANNING
VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY

GLOBAL TRADE MANAGEMENT

PICK/PACK, SUB-ASSEMBLY

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July 2017 Inbound Logistics 157

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GlobalTranz_ad0717.indd 1
GTZ AD - TOP 100.indd 1
7/14/17 12:46 PM
7/13/2017 5:55:24 PM
readers choice
Top 10 3PL
Excellence Awards
2017

W
hat makes a third-party logistics focus is on moving your goods efficiently and
(3PL) provider a blockbuster partner? cost-effectively through a seamless end-to-end
We asked readers to vote for the 3PL partners supply chain.
they deem most award-worthy, and they revealed By handling a part or all of a companys
the hallmarks of a standout performance: reliability, transportation and logistics operations, 3PLs help
flexibility, and ability to execute. companies deal with one of the most complicated parts
With the global supply chain sometimes too action- of their business. When they know their supply chain is
packed for even the most seasoned supply chain in competent hands, shippers are free to concentrate
practitioners, readers are looking for experience and on other areas that add value such as customer
expertise. service, production, and product development.
Indeed, the 3PL role is multi-layered. With plot
twists in 2016 encompassing bankruptcies and trade On the Ballot
agreement exits, 3PLs need to deliver a masterful Each year, Inbound Logistics annual Readers Choice
performance. The most laudable providers offer years Top 10 3PL Excellence survey gives shippers a chance to
of experience, technology solutions, and the global give back to the providers that have taken on so much
connections necessary to keep supply chains moving of the load. More than 10,000 voters filled out the 2017
quickly and efficiently. survey to show their logistics costars just how much
Sure, larger companies might have some of these they are appreciated.
skills in-house, but the difference is that logistics is From procurement to transportation management,
what 3PLs do. They arent developing a new product manufacturer to retailer, shippers from all parts of the
line, or launching the next big ad campaign. Their sole supply chain across 55 different countries chimed in
to give accolades, including many from brands youll
recognize, such as Amazon, Blue Apron, Boeing,
Campbell Soup, Clorox Company, Disney, General

And the Mills, General Motors, Hershey Company, Ocean Spray

Cranberries, Pepperidge Farm, Pepsi, Sams Club, and

winners Taco Bell.

Those companies spend millions on transportation

are... Echo and logistics services each year from logistics providers
like those being honored here. (See About the Survey

3 Respondents and Vote of Thanks on the following pages

for more background on this years voters.)
With such a wide-ranging sample of industries
C.H. Robinson Transplace
and job titles giving input, Inbound Logistics annual
survey offers a widely varied analysis of todays global

4 5 6 7
supply chain.
Overall, shippers want service75 percent of survey
respondents rate service as more important than price.
SEKO UPS Unyson Kenco Meanwhile, only 25 percent say price is the ticket.
Year after year, the IL 3PL survey reveals the pivotal
role great customer service plays. The best 3PL

8 TIE 8 9 TIE
partnerships are not always the cheapest, but they are
the ones that get the job done every time.

J.B. Hunt Penske FedEx Werner XPO

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 159

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2017

ABOUT THE SURVEY RESPONDENTS

TOP 10 TO WATCH
FUNCTION SERVICES READERS BUY
Logistics/Distribution 37% Motor Freight (TL/LTL) 77%
These 3PLs did not
receive enough Corporate Management 30% Small Package Delivery,
Expedited, Express
70%
votes to place on Supply Chain/Purchasing/
16%
Supply Management Warehousing & DC Services 70%
this years Top 10
list, but they have Transportation/Traffic Management 10% 3PL, Contract Logistics 65%

a large following Operations 7% Air Freight 51%

among our readers. International Shipping,
48%
Freight Forwarding
INDUSTRY
Rail, Rail Intermodal 48%
Coyote Retail/Wholesale 43%
Supply Chain Technology,
DAMCO Manufacturing 37% Software/Systems
47%
DHL Services or Government 20% Materials Handling Systems,
36%
GlobalTranz Equipment, Forklifts
Ryder ANNUAL TRANSPORT/LOGISTICS SPEND
Ocean, Ocean Intermodal 34%

Saddle Creek More than $50 Million 21%

Site, Port, or Facility Selection 30%
Sunset Fleet Operations, Dedicated
23%
$10-$49 Million 36% Contract Carriage
TQL
$1-$10 Million 26% Transportation Equipment 20%
Unishippers
Less than $1 Million 17% Packaging/Labeling Systems 7%
Yusen

IN THEIR OWN WORDS A SAMPLING OF READER COMMENTS

WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT? C.H. Robinson always meets our demands and those of our customers,
Service 75% rven with last-minute changes. C.E., shipping coordinator
Price 25%
Werner has the best people in the industry with a rich family tradition
of exceeding expectations with a vast array of service offerings.
WHAT IS THE #1 REASON 3PL
RELATIONSHIPS FAIL?* K.T., director of logistics
Failed Expectations 43%
Kenco is an excellent supply chain partner. Its very customer-focused
Poor Customer Service 42%
and patient. J.T., associate director, customer fulfillment
Cost 8%
More Competitive Options 8% Unyson cares about its customers and partners. It has fast and
Loss of Control 5% reliable service with reasonable pricing. C.H., manager, cargo claims
Cultural Dissimilarities 4%
Echo provides exceptional customer service and close to real-time
*Note: Some respondents selected
tracking information. K.L., director of supply chain
multiple answers. SEKO is like a breath of fresh air. I know I can trust them with all my
shipments. I know I wont have to wake up in the middle of the night to
Source: IL Top 10 3PL survey
check emails when SEKO is in charge.
C.M., lead logistics specialist

160 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Got 3PL challenges?Getfree expert solutionsatinboundlogistics.com/3pl
MalloryAlexander_ad0717.indd 1 7/6/17 9:47 AM
Echo Global
Logistics
Doug Waggoner, Chairman and CEO

WHY THEY WON: Echo is a true simplifying transportation management

multimodal provider, able to offer allows our clients to focus on what they do
Top 10 3PL Top 10 3PL
Excellence Awards clients expertise and capacity
Excellence Awards in not best, says Waggoner.
2017 just truckload and2017
LTL but also partial Customers commend the 3PLs
truckload, intermodal, expedited, final dedicated and professional employees,
mile, heavy haul, temperature-controlled speed, and responsiveness. Echo makes
shipping, and other specialized services. my job easier, saves me time, and is
Our proprietary technology, developed reliable, says one customer.
in-house to meet the needs of shippers, Ray Kernagis, vice president of supply
offers an edge in the transportation chain at Johnstone Supply, agrees. Echo
industry, says Doug Waggoner, chairman goes beyond short-term cost savings.
CLIENT ROSTER and CEO. It provides visibility, capacity, Its their customer service and long-term
Action Gypsum Supply analytics, and overall a simpler, faster way partnership that are the key aspects of
Archway of procuring transportation. collaboration, he says. Weve seen a
Cholula Hot Sauce At Echo, service and technology lot of benefits including speed of service,
Culligan International Company combine to create a leading 3PL. Our strategic intent, collaboration, and ease of
Greenheck employees value communication and coordination. Partnership is the long-term
Johnstone Supply exceptional service, and their focus on driver of our relationship.
Monster Beverage

C.H. Robinson

2
John Wiehoff, CEO

WHY THEY WON: C.H. Robinsons C.H. Robinson brings innovation to

10
Ashfaque Chowdhury, President, Supply Chain -
Americas and Asia Pacific

WHY THEY WON: XPO takes a vested XPOs experience can help companies
partnership approach to their customer reach their end goals quickly and
relationships. efficiently. Companies leverage XPOs
We are willing to invest significant Top 10
scale, innovation, and 3PL
expertise, as well Top 10 3PL
Excellence Awards Excellence Awards
resources and capital to create mutually as our global footprint, says Chowdhury.
2017 2017
beneficial solutions, says Ashfaque We work with thousands of customers
Chowdhury, president, supply chain including many blue chip companies to
Americas and Asia Pacific. In this era of optimize their supply chains and prepare
rapid innovation, we continue to focus them for market evolutions.
on technology and automation to meet Customers commend the 3PL for going
demand and overcome labor shortages. above and beyond. We are currently
The 3PLs commitment is tangible: it engaged with XPO Logistics in a major
invested $425 million on IT in 2016 and global initiative, says Brad Morris, vice CLIENT ROSTER
constantly pilots cutting-edge solutions. president of global logistics and fulfillment Boeing
Weve also invested significant for Nu Skin. They have proven to be a Cummins
Disney
resources in developing customized customer-centric organization, willing to
Verizon
programs that deliver continous measured do whatever it takes to meet our needs
Nu Skin
cost savings and efficiency improvements and expectations. Siemens
for customers, says Chowdhury.

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 167

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3M Abbott Labs Abercrombie & Fitch AccuTec Blades Actuant Acura Adams Manufacturing Advanced Assembly/Lear Corp.
Advanced Food Products Afton Chemical AGC Automotive Agri Beef Agropur Ahold USA Albers Super Markets Albertsons Companies
Alcoa All-Tex Supply[ ]Allianz Almacs Alphabet - Google Alternative Apparel Amazon Amazon Robotics AMC Trans Amcor Flexibles
Ameren Americas Catch[ ]American Airlines Cargo American Battery American Eagle Steel American Heart Association American
Paper American Sugar American Traders American Wholesale Club Ameriwood AMF Electric Amgen Anchor Brewing Company
Anchor Packaging Ancra International Anderson Arms Anheuser-Busch Annamaet Petfoods Apex Tool Group Apollo Aerospace
Components Apple Applebees Appleton Coated Materials ARC Archer Daniels Midland Arco Argo Tea Arizona Beverages USA
Arkansas Diesel Engines Arnold Industries South Ashley Furniture Homestore AT&T Atlanta Brewing Company Atlantic Coast Brands
Atlantic Corporation Attune Foods Auntie Annes Aurora Healthcare AutoZone Avalon Flooring Avery Dennison Avitar Company Avon
B&W Manufacturing Bacardi USA Badger Plug Company Baldor/ABB Bally Plus Bally Sunglass & Optical BancorpSouth Bank of
America BASF Bassett Bed Bath and Beyond Belk Hudson Berkshire Hathaway Best Brands Best Buy Best Food Service Bestway
Inflatables & Material Corp Big D Supermarkets Big Dutchman USA Big K Wine Big Lots Stores Billabong BIO-CAT Microbials BioPlus
Birchbox Biscomerica Blantons Candies Bloom Brothers Furniture Blossom Beauty Group Blue Apron Blue Buffalo Blue Cow Dairy
BMS Manufacturing Boeing Boeing Company Boeing Tianjin Bookazine BorgWarner Bosal International Bosch Thermotechnology
Bosch Vietnam CoLTD Bountiful Harvest Bowman Andros Products Boyce Prodcuts Boyd Metals Boyer Candy BP BP Pipeline
Bracco Diagnostics Bradford Group Bradshaw International Brainard Rivet Company Brenntag NA Brenntag North America Bridgestone
Bandag Bridgestone Tire Bridgville Plastics Brighton NC Machine Brinkmann Bristol-Myers Squibb Brittain Machine Brooks Fashions
Brose Mexico SA de CV Brown Jordan (China) Brugola USA Brunswick/Life Fitness Buckskin Mining Co Buehler Foods Bugle Boy
Builders Square Buildmaster Tools BULK-FLOW Bulldog Safety Anchors Burger Chef Burnett Household Butlers Pantry Cabot
California Carbon Callahan Auto Parts Campbell Soups Camping World Can-Do National Tape Cannon Gasket Canon Solutons America
Canyon Creek Cabinet CAR-FRESHNER Carboline Cardinal Stores Carl Durfees Carls Jr. Carnival Cruise Lines Carolina Beverage
Carvel Casa Cuervo SA de CV Cascade Aircraft Cascades Tissue Cascadia Vehicle Tents Castalite CEBI Electromechanical China

TO ALL WHO VOTED

Top 10 3PL
Excellence Awards
2017
Thank YouWho votes for the Top 10 3PL Excellence Award winners? Inbound Logistics
readers do. Heres a sampling of voters industries and company
sizesfrom leading corporations to SMBs. This year, more than
13,000 of you cast ballots and shared praise for the 3PLs that support
your supply chain, logistics, and transportation operations, and keep
your company globally competitive. Thanks to all who voted.
Celanese International Centene Corporation Century Drill and Tool Champion Bolt & Supply Chandlers Changzhou Taijie Plastics
Channel Home Centers Charlotte Russe Charter Communications Charter Steel Chase Chefs Warehouse Chemlock Metals
ChemSystems Cher Lampors Chevron Chi-Chis Restaurants Chicago Cubs Chicken of the Sea Childs Restaurants Cholula Foods
Cinnabon Circuit City Cisco Systems CITCO citi City of St Charles Cixi Homease Electrical Clark Beverage Group Clarkson Eyecare
Classic Toy Clean Earth Systems CleanWell Cleveland Quarries Clifton Pattern Clifton Steel Clorox Clorox Company Club Wholesale
Coast to Coast Hardware Coastal Farms Coastal Netting Systems Coburn Technologies Coca Cola Coca Cola FEMSA Coconuts
Restaurant Coleman Colfax Corporation Colgate Palmolive Colordyne Technologies Colortech Columbian Chemical Combustibles
Modernos De Mexico Comcast CompuAdd Computer City Computer Science Corporation ConAgra Foods Conair ConocoPhillips
Consolidated Fabricators Continental Mills Continental Paper & Plastics Cool Pak Ag Packaging Cooper Tire Copocos Honey and Bee
Products Corsicana Bedding Costco Cott Beverages Cox Communications Crandalls Fine Furniture Crane USA Crosman Cummins
Cummins Emission Solutions Cummins Power Generation Cummins Power Systems Current by GE Curtiss Wright Cushman & Wakefield
CVS Health CWD Laundry Equipment Dahlkempers Davidson Foods Dawn USA De-Jaiz Mens Clothing Dean Foods Deep Eddy Vodka
Del Monte Foods Delco Elevator Detroit Chassis Deutsche Beverage Technology Diamond Pet Foods Dicks Sporting Goods Disney
Diversified Refrigeration Dole Dollar General Domino Foods Domino Sugar Dominos Domtar Paper Doubletree Douglas Dynamics
(Beijing) Dove Dover Corporation Dow Chemical Dr Pepper Snapple Group Dressbarn Duane Reade Dunkin Donuts Dunn Paper
Dura Automotive Dura-Line Dynamic Bicycles E & J Gallo Eagle Distributing Company Electrolux Elevation Brands Elgi Rubber Elgin
Separation Solutions Elite Enclosures Elizabeth Arden Elm Farm Emirates Enkotec Company Enviro-USA American Manufacturer
EnviroSource Design Equifax Esse Health Estee Lauder (Shanghai) Ethiopian Airlines Everlast Epoxy EW Brandt & Sons Exacto Excel
Industries Exide Technologies Expo Superstore Express Family of Companies Extol Exxon Mobil F&H Food Equipment Fabric Editions
Fabtrends Fairbanks Scales Falcon Fastening Family Distributors Family Dollar Stores Family Toy FamilyMart Fanny Mae
FaradayFuture Fayva Federal Mining Federal Reserve Bank Federated Group Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Fiat-Chrysler Firehouse Subs

168 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Fisher Research Labs Flagg Bros Shoes Flagship Food Group Flagship Tire & Wheel Flex Pharma Florida Power Florida Silica Fluid
Aire Fluor Flux USA Flynco FM Minerals & Pigments Foam Concepts Foley Mansfield Food Barn Food Fair Food Mart Food
Service Specialties Food Team International Ford Ford Four Points by Sheraton Fresh Market Fresh Start Fricks Quality Meats
Frito-Lay Furniture of America Futuristic Store Fixtures Gardner Industries Garmin Gasper Tool GE Appliances GEA Flow Components
India General Electric General Mills General Motors General Motors General Nutrition Centers GENESYS Gestamp NA Giant
Gilchrist & Soames Gilead Sciences Ginos Hamburgers GKN Aerospace GlaxoSmithKline Glazers Glicks Furniture Global Brands
Group Global Harvest Foods Global Industrial Equipment Global Thermoforming GNC Gold Star Feed Grain Goldens Distributors Golf
Pro Gould Paper Graham Chemical GrayBar Great Lakes Tool Specialties Great Northern Great Western Green Mountain Keurig
Greenbriar Gregory Manufacturing Greif Grupo Fernando Automotriz Grupo Industrial Valro Grupo Modelo GTI Chemical Solutions
Guhring India Guy Chemical Gymboree Corp Habitat for Humanity Hachette Book Group Hagie Manufacturing Halliburton Hampton
Farms Handy Andy Hanesbrands Harbor Freight Harbor Freight Tools Hardee Hardees Harvest Foods Hasbro Hayes Pump HB
Fuller Construction Products Heilig-Meyers Furniture Heinold Feed Mill Helice Internacional Sa de CV Henderson Specialty Papers Heniz
Kraft Henkels & McCoy Henrys Hamburgers Herbalife International Heritage Ammunition Herko International Herndon Products Herr
Foods Hershey Compnay Hidden Valley Industries Hills Brothers Hills Supermarkets Holship Suomi Oy Home Depot Honda Motor
Honeywell Houlihans Huckster Packaging & Supply Hudson Printing Co Hughes Markets Hugs Pet Products Huhtamaki Husky
Corporation Husqvarna Canada Hutchinson Sealing Systems Hyundai-Kia IBM ICD Alloys & Metals Icicle Seafoods Ideal Products
Imperial Foods InBev Industrial Supply Ingersoll Rand Inland Standard Equipment Innovative Concrete Technology Insect Shield
Insulfoam Insulsafe Textiles Intel Intelligrated InterContinental Hotel Group Interline Brands International Aerospace International
Flavors & Fragrances International Paper International Paper Interstate Batteries Intertape Polymer Intertech Commercial Flooring Intex
Forms Invalsa Coffee IPC Subway Iron Horse Rail Car Iwatani Corp of America Jatco Mexico S A de C V Jersey Mikes Jets Pizza
Jewel Mart Jewell Hardwoods Jimmy Johns Jinhua Garden Tools Johns Manville Johnson & Johnson Johnson Controls Johnsonville
Sausage JumboSports Just For Feet Kandy Kiss of California Karls Shoes Keiaisha Mexico Kelloggs Kerry Ingredients And Flavours
UK Kessel Food Market Keurig Keurig Canada Keystone Cement Company Keystone Screw Kikkoman Foods Kilo industries Kinney
Shoes KLEENEX Koch Air Koch Companies Kohls Kohls Food Stores Kohler Kona Ice Kool Pak Korns Kraco Enterprises Kraft
Heinz Kragen Auto Parts Kramer Industries Kroger Kupcakes Kyocera Solar La Petite Boulangerie Lamberti USA Lancaster Foods
Larson Manufacturing Laura Ashley LCH Products Leapfrog Lear Corporation Leggett & Platt Lenova Libbey Glass Liberty Fastener
Lift Products Lindsay Manufacturing Linens n Things Online Liquinox Co Littlers Lockton Companies Logan Aluminum Logo Brands
Lonerider Brewing Louisiana Sugar Refining Lowes Companies LP Building Products Lumbermans Drywall and Roofing Supply MAAX
Bath Mac Tools Mack Trucks MacMarr Stores MacNeill Engineering Macys Mad-Croc Magid Glove & Safety MagniFlood Magnolia
Metals Mahindra USA Mallkrodt Manchester Tool & Die Mancor Carolina Manitowoc Foodservice Marshalls Martex Fiber Southern
Martin Farms Marvell Foods Mary Kay Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA Mastercard Masterfit Enterprises MasterSource MatchBack
Systems Matco Tools Maxx Auto Glass McCain Foods McCormick & Co McDonalds McLain Foods Mead Johnson Medcare Products
Medtronic Menards Menasha Merck Mercury Products Meritor Merrell Industries Mervyns Miami Herald Michelin Michigan
Packaging Microsoft Milgram & Company Millercoors Mission Foods Missouri Sugars Modells Sporting Goods Modern Plastics
Modern Polymers Modular Interior Technologies Mondelez International Monsanto Monster Energy Drink Montana Woodworks Morgan
Farms Morrow Equipment Motorola Mount Hope Wholesale Mullin Rubber Products Multi-Pack Murphy Company Murrays Discount
Auto Stores Muscle Factory Naked Earth Wine National Chemicals Natural Choice Natural Wellness Needak Manufacturing Nestle
Nestle Purina PetCare Company Newell Rubbermaid Niagara Bottling Nice-Pak Products Niche Foods Co Nickerson Farms NIFCO
America NIKE Ningbo Ning Shing Industrial Nissan Americas Nissan-Renault Group North America Beer Supplies North Coast Ink
Supply Northern Lights Northern Roof Tiles Northern States Metals Northrop Grumman Nugo Nutrtion Nuova Ricambi USA OBryan
Barrel Oasis Bags Ocean Spray Cranberries Office Supply Solutions Ohio Valley Mfg Oklahoma Tire & Supply OldCastle Materials Group
Olympic Sports Oppenheimer Companies Optikon Corporation Orkin Pest Control Orthio Clinical Diagnostics Overstock Owens Corning
Owens-Illinois Pac-Van PACA Foods Pace Industries Pace Industries de Chihuahua Pacific Foods Pacific Gas & Electric Packaging
Corporation of America Packaging Plus Packsize Page Hardware Supply Paramount Cosmetics Pay N Pak Payless Cashways Peeks
Floor Company Penguin Random House Pentel of America Pepperidge Farm Pepsi Pepsico Foods Mexico Performance Advantage
Company Performance Minerals Petco Petsource Pfizer Philip Morris International Phillips 66 Pilkington Glass of Canada Pinnacle
Entertainment Pioneer Chicken Pioneer Plastics PNC Bank PODS PopChips PPG Industries Precision Marshall Steel Premier Foam
Premium Pet Health Procter & Gamble Propel Fitness Drinks Provistemas Mexico Purity Quantum Industrial Supply Questcor
Quintel USA Raytheon Reliable Tape Products Remington Robert Bosch GmbH Robinson Fresh Food Rotadyne-PMD Rudolph Foods
Ruiz Food Products Rust-Oleum Corporation Rustler Steak House Sable & Rosenfeld Foods Safepak Sams Club Savers Thrift Stores
Savory Foods Schlumberger Schneider Electric Schnuck Markets School Specialty Products Schucks Auto Supply Schuster Electronics
Schuyler Rubber Co Scientific Games Corporation Scrubs & Beyond Sealed Air Products Sears Homelife Security Sporting Goods
Seedburo Equipment Company Servicios Especializados Alanis Shanghai DCW Trading Shanghai Huiling New Chemical Shell Oil Sherwin
Williams Shorts Brewing Company Sigler Companies Signature Brands Smith & Wesson Smithfield Specialty Foods Group Smurfit
Snacks on Racks Snap-on Tools Solvay America Sonoco Alloyd Southwest Airlines State Farm Insurance Stewart Candy Company
Stifel STIHL Stryker Medical Subway Summerfield Foods Sunny Delight Beverage Co Sunrise Brands Swiss Valley Farms Sysco
Guest Supply Taco Bell Tailored Brands Target Tesla Tesla Motors Thomasville Thyssenkrupp UK Timberwolf Products Toshiba
International Toyota Toyota Material Handling Toyota Motor Sales USA Toys R Us True Value United Airlines United Technologies
United Wine and Spirits UnitedHealth Group US Air Force US Army Material Command USG Corporation USPS Valeant
Pharmaceuticals North America Vanseal Corporation Ventura Foods Verizon Verizon Communications Volkswagen Group Wacker
Chemical Company Wal-Mart Walgreens Wayfair WD-40 Company Weber Automotive Wenner Bread Products Westlake Chemical
Weyerhaeuser Wingstop Restaurants Wise Foods WOW Baking Company Wrigley Nut Products Co Wyoming Machine Xenetech
Yakima Products Yamaha Jet Boat Yardbirds Home Center YETI Coolers Zen Bathworks

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 169

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The
GAME
CHANGERS
Expectations have changed,
have you?

Transportation Life Sciences Omni-Channel Call Center Packaging

In a rapidly changing environment with increased pressures due to

S
consumers, its staff works from locations in the ome still question whether such efforts
United States, and Central and South America. go far enough to ensure all members
Employees train co-op leaders and farmers on opti- of the supply chain, and particularly
mal agricultural practices, risk management, and producers, benefit equitably. On average, cof-
other functions. fee farmers are paid at or below the cost of
For instance, Sustainable Harvest helped train production, Tremain says, citing ICO statistics.
women coffee growers in Rwanda on the meth- Roasters and retailers continue to reap the lions
ods needed to prepare coffee for North American share of the coffee value chain, he says. This
markets, Cuevas says. The Sustainable Harvest is unsustainable.
Premium Sharing Rewards program enables To counter this, Pachamama created a vertically

184 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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This farmer in Mexico serves the Starbucks supply
chain. The coffee giant has made addressing the
environmental impact of its supply chain a priority.

integrated supply chain. When customers buy

roasted coffee from Pachamama, theyre buying
directly from farmers. According to a 2015 finan-
cial snapshot provided by Pachamama, farmer
members were paid $3.08, or 26 percent of the
retail price, for each pound of coffee.
In addition, all profits from coffee sales are
returned to the farmers as dividends or retained
earnings. In 2015, this amounted to $6.34 per
pound. Farmers are guaranteed a good price and
a distribution channel that they control, Tremain SOURCE: The Climate Institute
says. This allows them to invest in the future and
to continue producing high-quality coffee for a in its 2016 report, A Brewing Storm: The Climate
long time. Change Risks to Coffee. Production likely will
Conversely, farmers in the conventional market move farther up mountainsides, where it risks bat-
receive about 15 to 20 percent of the retail price. tling with other land uses, including forests, the
report notes.
Climate Change Based in Sydney, Australia, The Climate
Institute encourages progressive policies for man-

O
n e looming challenge to the cof- aging climate change in Australia. In late June
fee supply chain is climate change. 2017, its funds and intellectual property trans-
While U.S. policymakers continue ferred to The Australia Institute.
to debate the causes and potential impact of The report identifies several crop adaptation
climate change, a number of coffee industry strategies, such as developing more resilient pro-
experts have acknowledged its likely effect on duction systems, diversifying crops, and shifting
coffee production. plantations upslope. It notes, however, that the
On its website, for example, coffee giant global trend is toward intensification, as produc-
Starbucks states, The potential impact of cli- ers try to boost yields. Ultimately, climate change
mate change on farming communities is a key is likely to push many producers out of coffee alto-
reason addressing our environmental impact is a gether, the report says.
priority for Starbucks. Many involved in the supply chain are working
Without strong action to reduce emissions, cli- to avoid that. We think of coffee farmers and our
mate change is projected to cut the global area supply chains as partners, Popkin says. We need
suitable for coffee production by as much as 50 to understand the challenges they face, and how
percent by 2050, states The Climate Institute we can share in that risk and in the solutions. n

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I C E N S E T O
L
C H I L L
Specialized providers offer more than just
standard refrigeration and freezing services.
They also have value-added services down cold.
By Karen M. Kroll

F or a long time, cold storage served a single purpose, says

Brooks Royster, president of MTC Logistics, Baltimore, Maryland.
Namely, it kept products refrigerated or frozen.

Thats changing.

Heres a look at 12 trends that are shaping cold chain logistics.

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 189

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Cold storage provider Americold offers customer-dedicated temperature-controlled warehouses to guarantee available capacity.

1. NEW SERVICES.
Temperature-controlled warehouse,
In its place are many products that land and labor are more expensive.
ship in and out on the same day. We Many North American firms lagged.
run an organized, high-velocity distri- Thats no longer the case. In addi-
truck, and trailer providers are add- bution center, says Jason Dick, vice tion to the efficiencies automation can
ing numerous servicesincluding president and operations manager with bring, its a way to compensate for the
logistics management and repack- the firm. Within hours after custom- difficulty in finding qualified employees.
ing operationsto their portfolios. ers drop pallets on the dock, theyre Similarly, more cold chain provid-
Indeed, 56 percent of the cold chain gone. Shippers save on storage costs ers are turning to robotics to rack and
industrys revenue now comes from and move products to their destination pick goods and handle other functions.
non-storage activities, according to the more quickly. Some logistics systems look like a giant
International Association of Refrigerated The velocity is exciting, yet requires kids playset, says Robert Fay, president
Warehouses 2016 Productivity and sharing accurate, detailed information of Florida Freezer, North Fort Myers.
Benchmarking Survey. across the supply chain, Dick adds. This Automation also can cut energy con-
For instance, a shipper that imports includes unique pallet numbers, code sumption. Providers can reduce the
clementines from Morocco may dates, mixed code dates, pallet case physical opening to the cold storage
engage its cold-chain provider to sepa- counts, and item descriptions. to the size of the goods themselves
rate massive containers of the fruit into An efficient high-velocity cold chain whether a full pallet or single units on a
retail-sized packages. For some cold- also requires manufacturers bills of conveyorreducing cold loss, Fay says.
chain shippers, a provider can help lading that accurately match a loads The system also can send an alert when,
identify less-expensive international physical description, so they provide for instance, a door is stuck open and
and/or domestic transportation routes. the next party in the supply chain with allowing cold to escape.
The value-add services have become all traceable information.
equally important as the cold box,
Royster says.
3. AUTOMATION. 4. ENERGY-
2. FASTER If I were to pick one recent trend
that stands out, its the higher degree
of automation, says Joe Couto, chief
EFFICIENT FACILITIES.
Many cold-storage providers are
deploying technology to monitor elec-
INVENTORY TURNS. operating officer with Minneapolis- tricity costs and usage, Royster says.
Dick Cold Storage, based in based HighJump, a provider of supply Their goal is to cut usage as the cost per
Columbus, Ohio, used to store many chain network solutions. kilowatt increases throughout the day.
products for three to six months. Now, Until the past few years, automation The facilities are designed to maintain
long-term storage accounts for less than had been more prevalent in other parts their temperature even as they consume
one-tenth of the firms total income. of the world, such as Europe, where less energy.

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For more than 60 years, the mission of Atlanta Bonded

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pharmaceutical, and related CPG industries. Our goal is
nothing short of total customer satisfaction.

Visit atlantabonded.com or call

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To improve service to cold-chain customers, MTC Logistics operates three distribution centers strategically located to move temperature-
controlled products safely and cost effectively.

can load and unload themselves within category to identify relevant buying

5. MORE minutes, Couto notes. This saves on

labor and reduces the risk of violating
the cold chain, as the products are on
patterns. For instance, companies
traditionally analyze products based
on attribute, so they compare one
EFFECTIVE MATERIALS. the dock for a shorter time. Manual brand or flavor of yogurt against other
The basic science behind cooling a loads and unloads can run 45 to 60 min- yogurts. But it can make more sense to
building hasnt changed, but the mate- utes, he adds. focus on consumers buying patterns,
rials to do so continue to advance. For Brzoznowski says. An analysis might
instance, polystyrene as insulation on
pipes not only is more efficient than
urethane, but it also doesnt retain
7. REDUCED WASTE.
Up to 40 percent of food in the
show consumers yogurt buying hab-
its are more similar to those of apples
than other dairy products.
water, Fay says. That reduces the risk United States goes uneaten, according By applying this information, cold
it will rust the pipes. to a report by the Natural Resources chain professionals can tailor produc-
Improved packaging provides Defense Council. Many factors drive tion and distribution to reduce the
extended transit time, says James this percentage, but given the volume number of products that expire before
Wilkinson, perishables manager of of food that moves through the cold theyre purchased.
sales, international group with Yusen chain, it plays a role.
Logistics (Americas). One example
is Maxtend technology, developed by
Mitsubishi Australia Limited. This
One underlying challenge has
been accurately anticipating demand.
Companies need to develop supply
8. E-COMMERCE.
E-commerce transactions are impact-
atmosphere control system manages chains with the flexibility and capa- ing the cold chain. Not so long ago, our
the carbon dioxide and oxygen lev- bility to move the right amount of industry was focused on full-pallet-in,
els that fruit and vegetables release in product to the right place at the right full-pallet-out transactions, says Daniel
transit, mitigating spoilage and prod- time. Its the supply chain ethos, Cooke, director of marketing with
uct deterioration. which holds even more true for per- Atlanta-based Americold, a provider of
ishable items, says Toby Brzoznowski, temperature-controlled infrastructure

6. HIGH-TECH co-founder and executive vice presi-

dent of Llamasoft, a supply chain
design technology provider based in
and supply chain solutions. Today, food
producers are increasing SKU counts to
meet customers growing preference for
TRUCKS AND TRAILERS. Ann Arbor, Michigan. home delivery of individual items and
Its not just buildings that feature That need is driving the application meal kits.
more sophisticated cold-chain technol- of demand analytics. Supply chain pro- That, in turn, requires a greater
ogy. Trucks that incorporate conveyors fessionals are going beyond product SKU count on trucks, more pick faces

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reason is the proliferation of SKUs, as
manufacturers continue to add flavors,
sizes, and types. In addition, con-
struction of new space slowed during
the recession.

12. LABOR.
The difficulty many supply chain
companies experience in attracting
and retaining qualified drivers and
warehouse employees is even more pro-
nounced within the cold chain. People
in our industry work in a cold, harsh
environment, Rosenbusch says.
Moreover, the move to electronic log-
ging devices may prompt some smaller
To attract and retain qualified employees, U.S. Cold Storage provides training and firms to exit the business. Anything
support at all levels and in every department.
that affects capacity affects specialty
in warehouses, high rates of replenish- with Transplace, a non-asset-based logis- markets, such as the cold chain, to a
ment, and faster overall cycle times, tics services provider headquartered in greater extent, Moss says.
Cooke says. Frisco, Texas. While this wont happen Given that the Supreme Court
overnightbuilding warehouses and recently declined to hear arguments

9. PREFERENCE FOR distribution centers takes time, after

allthe move is underway.
Regional routes also allow more driv-
against the electronic log regulation, it
appears poised to move forward. Firms
that havent prepared to implement
FRESHER FOOD. ers to return home at night. That likely these tools have little time to catch up.
Consumers preference for food will help cold storage providers attract Several tactics will be key in revers-
thats fresh and local, rather than fro- and retain truck drivers, Moss adds. ing the labor shortage. One is telling
zen or shipped across the country, also the bigger story of jobs within the cold
impacts the cold chain. The break-
down between frozen and refrigerated
food used to be about 80 percent fro-
10. CONTINGENCY chain. Were helping to feed the world,
Rosenbusch says.
Another is developing solid career
zen, and 20 percent refrigerated, says PLANNING. paths. Cold-chain employees might
Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO The fear that a disaster will force the start as case selector, and then advance
with the Global Cold Chain Alliance shutdown of an operation keeps many to shift lead, supervisor, and into man-
(GCCA), a trade group representing the supply chain professionals up at night. agement. They will not be in a freezer
major industries engaged in tempera- With products that require a tempera- for 40 years, he adds.
ture-controlled logistics. Thats shifting. ture-controlled environment, a thorough Another critical t actic is tell-
The trend toward fresh food is com- contingency plan is even more critical. ing potential candidates the work is
pelling cold-chain providers to find Contingency planning requires more advanced than they may realize.
creative ways to provide fresh products collaboration with service providers, Employees arent simply driving fork-
without incurring skyrocketing costs. granular detail, and a willingness to lifts, for instance; they need to know
It requires strong tactical execution change, Chen says. For instance, he how to handle food and pharmaceuticals
of details, says Pan Chen, senior direc- worked with a chicken company that safely, such as complying with allergen
tor of business analytics with HAVI, had one line devoted to patties and protocols. Most providers apply technol-
which helps foodservice companies another to nuggets. They re-worked the ogy, including warehouse management
optimize their supply chains. Supply lines so both could do eithera key systems, RFID, and even drones, to a
chain professionals need to consider, ability if a line went down. greater extent than some might assume.
among other factors, how long the food The cold chain will continue to
can remain fresh, and their cross-dock-
ing and refrigeration capabilities.
The interest in fresher food also is
11. CAPACITY CRUNCH.
The GCCAs latest report finds an
advance and the application of technol-
ogy will continue to expand. Cold chain
logistics is a more sophisticated industry
prompting many shippers to establish average occupancy rate of more than than some might think, Royster says.
regional supply chain networks, says Jay 85 percent, which most industry experts Well be chilling out for a long time
Moss, president of specialized services consider full, Rosenbusch says. One to come. n

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Delivering.
Synergies.
Together.
In a competitive world collaboration counts,
so choose your supply chain partner carefully.
At APL Logistics, we will work side by side with you
to understand your business, tackle your challenges
and realize your business vision together. To do this,
our experts collaborate internally across teams, functions
and regions, and externally with your suppliers, vendors and
partners. We never lose sight of your goals, or the role our people
play in helping you achieve them.
If youre looking for a logistics partner that builds confidence through
collaboration, contact us today.

OUR PEOPLE. YOUR ADVANTAGE. www.apllogistics.com

A member of the Group

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PM
it from the port of Dubai to the project site Gunasekera recalls. Duty-free allowances transformers, and the equipment needed
on time and in good condition. typically are awarded only to imports for for a successful installation were allowed
In many other locations, that might have manufacturing, not construction, projects. on the road only between the hours of
been a relatively matter-of-fact operation. That doneand it was easier said than 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
But in the Emirate of Dubai, the physical doneGunasekera also had to arrange all Everything happened only after 10 p.m.
terrain and business landscape presented the port and road clearances and conduct because the Dubai ruler used this road
singular challenges. the risk analysis associated with the project. most of the time, Gunasekera says. Other
The first challenge concerned cost This whole project is actually built on the vehicles were not allowed on the road
containment around import duties. We Dubai rulers private property, he says. As because its private property. He agreed to
worked on getting the whole project on a a result, access to the site was strictly con- open the road for us only at 10 at night,
duty-free program, because in Dubai there trolled. In fact, contractors, crews, and the with a police convoy and police escort.
is no duty-free allowance for a solar project, trucks carrying all the solar panels, the two We had to be very careful, he adds.
He has 16 falconsand goats, and deer,
and all his pets. We had to train the drivers
Touring Show Gets Logistics Satisfaction how to avoid killing these pets.

Some logistics jobs come with a soundtrack. For the team charged with moving When Drivers Are Cargo

W
the 500-plus items featured in Exhibitionisma four-year, 12-city touring show hats more, extra vans and
that covers the lifespan, to date, of the Rolling Stonesthat soundtrack might well buses had to be dispatched to
feature a continuous loop of 19th Nervous Breakdown. the siteall within that 10-to-6
After all, the loot on display includes an array of priceless items, everything from timeframeto ferry drivers off the prop-
onstage and offstage garments to handwritten lyric books and personal diaries, as erty once they had left their loads at the
well as some of the bands most treasured instruments. solar park. They had to be ferried back
The nail-biting job of moving these artifacts between locations belongs to to retrieve their trucks after all the cargo
DHL, a global brand known for, among other things, its logistics work with the was unloaded.
entertainment industry. The site itself4.5 square kilometers
In an interview by email, Christine Nashick, chief marketing officer of DHL of ever-shifting, wind-swept desert sand
Express Americas, recalls the complex operations behind the first stagings of presented enormous obstacles. Basically
Exhibitionism in London, New York, and Chicago. the ground had to be compacted and pre-
For the shows global launch in London, one of DHLs most important tasks was pared, because it is just desert, Gunasekera
delivering the Marquee Club doors to the site. These adorned the venue that hosted says. Nothing was there except camels
the first-ever live performance by the Stones, making them sacred to die-hard fans. and insects.
After the show left London, Nashick says, DHL assumed responsibility for Nothing at all. No concrete platforms to
delivering event infrastructure, most of the artifacts, and even the merchandise for receive unloaded materials. No facilities for
the exhibits retail efforts. Each time the exhibit moves, the logistics team must be the crew. No snack shops or canteens.
summoned into action. Overall, the size of the team and time committed has varied The elements didnt help either. The
depending on the level of activity taking place, Nashick says. wind factor was so strong that lifting and
Clearing customs for a show like this can be challenging, but for the U.S. leg of moving the transformers by crane was out
the tour, that proved relatively easy, Nashick says. The bigger headaches centered of the question. One good gust and both
around transportation. crane and transformer could have toppled.
One of the biggest challenges when touring a show like this can be logistics, To forestall this disaster, the logistics crew
Nashick explains. We knew we had to pay special attention and due care to the devised a hydraulic jack system to convey
fragile artifacts being transported. the heavy loads to their final destination.
The exhibition was moved by a combination of air, sea, and road, she adds. By the time SEKO successfully delivered
The packing of the show pieces was undertaken in part by DHL and an art handler the transformers, Gunasekera had worked
who specializes in moving fragile items. Fifteen shipping containers of freight were his way through countless what could pos-
required to transport this iconic body of work. sibly go wrong scenarios. None came to
Wheeling Stones memorabilia on traffic-clogged highways or flying it through pass, but they did offer invaluable experi-
even the friendliest skies is fraught with what ifs. Road closures, flight delays, ence for solar energy logistics in the region.
turbulent weatherall had the potential to stall progress and inflate costs. No one had done a project of this mag-
We did have contingency plans in place; for example, the operations team had nitude in Dubai previously, so no one had
alternative routing that could be deployed and additional resources that could be any experience, Gunasekera explains.
called upon, Nashick says. Now, SEKO and Gunasekera have been
Fortunately for the teams sanity, Plans B, C and so on were unnecessary. No one there and done that. Next time, its rinse
needed Mick, Keith, and the gang to come to their emotional rescue. and repeat. n

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SUMMER READING GUIDE

Add these books to your summer reading list to keep

your logistics and supply chain skills sharp, even while
you enjoy some time away from the office.

By Jason McDowell

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 205

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Supply Chain EthicsUsing CSR and Sustainability On Time, In FullAchieving Perfect
To Create Competitive Advantage Delivery With Lean Thinking in Purchasing,
By John Manners-Bell Supply Chain, and Production Planning
Supply chain stakeholders can no By Timothy McLean
longer afford to rush to the cheapest Meeting product delivery windows sounds
supplier. From climate change to easy, but in practice can be extremely
human trafficking, any number of ethical difficult. Many factors work in tandem
concerns can impact todays global supply to bring a shipment to its destination on
chain. This book shows supply chain time. This practical guide breaks down
managers not only how to address moral complex practices and concepts to help
obligations in an end-to-end supply chain, manufacturers and supply chain managers
but also how to do so in a way that drives ensure on-time delivery.
value and growth. Highlights: On-time delivery
Highlights: Many businesses choose to ignore their obligation shouldnt seem like an impossible feat
to build a sustainable supply chain, relying only on bare and it shouldnt break the bank. Understanding shipment
minimum efforts to comply with guidelines laid forth by their processes end to end enables supply chain managers to
governments. Business leaders have a responsibility to create implement the appropriate Lean solutions in the proper places
an integrated approach to public policy that takes into account to ensure consistency and cost effectiveness.
environmental, social, and economic factors. Quick Takeaway: A strong and Lean supply chain not only
Quick Takeaway: Many ethics violations are not overtly retains existing customers, but is also a powerful negotiating tool
intentional, but result from a lack of supply chain visibility. when seeking new ones.

Demand-Driven Supply Chain Management The Handbook of Logistics and Distribution Management
Transformational Performance Improvement Understanding the Supply Chain, 6th Edition
By Simon Eagle By Alan Rushton, Phil Croucher, and Peter Baker
Traditional methods of pushing supply This handy reference for students and
were invented in different times, when practitioners alike covers every major
holding large amounts of inventory distribution, logistics, and supply chain
was the norm and market stability was management-related topic. Advances in
predictable. Modern supply chain supply chain practices occur continuously,
managers, however, realize the value of making this indexed guide a highly useful
demand-driven replenishment practices. tool for those who need to stay in the
This book lays out the what, why, and know on the latest industry best practices,
how for anyone looking to understand or philosophies, and theories.
implement demand-driven supply chain Highlights: A virtual A to Z of logis-
strategies and processes. tics practices, this book provides a general overview of nearly
Highlights: Materials requirement planning has become an any concept or practice a reader may not be clear on. Updated
outdated method that doesnt account for the modern supply to reflect the most recent changes in supply chain management,
chains ability to collect and analyze data. Demand-driven the sixth edition includes new or revised content on costs and
supply chains operate more efficiently, hold less inventory, trade-offs, demand forecasting, inventory planning, international
require less transportation capacity, avoid stock outs, and freight forwarding, and outsourcing logistics.
improve service levels. Quick Takeaway: Fostering an environment of partnership,
Quick Takeaway: Forecast-based push systems fail because engagement, and communication between a client and logistics
forecasts are, by their nature, inaccurate to some degree. Supply provider is key to ensuring a successful relationship.
chain managers are constantly adjusting to match new forecasts,
which only drives inefficiency.

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Shipping and the 800-lb Gorilla Successful Supply Chain Vendor Compliance
By K.D. Adamson By Norman A. Katz
Covering topics from autonomous ships Managing multiple vendors is difficult,
to artificial intelligence to brand image, and without an effective vendor com-
this collection of articles and essays from pliance program in place, all parties
futurist K.D. Adamson both praises and face increased costs and strained rela-
criticizes the maritime industry. The book tionships. The author outlines how to
examines whats coming in ocean ship- build a program that educates vendors
pings future, and what the industry must and enables them to meet compliance
do to prepare for it. demands through self-management
Highlights: The shipping and mari- instead of relying on increased bureau-
time industry consistently fails to predict the impact of disruptive cracy and communication.
technologies. Adamson argues that the industry must come Highlights: Vendor compliance programs dont have to be
together to create a more comprehensive long-term vision that a headache. If properly managed, the right relationship with
anticipates technological advances and how they should be the right vendor can benefit both partners and reduce supply
implemented, defended against, and taken advantage of. chain disruptions.
Quick Takeaway: The global shipping industry has become Quick Takeaway: A properly managed relationship with the
so sure of its place in the world that it fails to adapt quickly and correct vendor can set a company apart from its competitors.
necessarily to change.

Contemporary Issues in Supply Chain

Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Management Management and Logistics
Principles and Practices for Sustainable By Anthony M. Pagano and Mellissa Gyimah
Operations and Management, 2nd Edition Countless books detail the basics of supply
By David B. Grant, Alexander Trautrims, and Chee Yew Wong chain management, but books that focus on
The impact of climate change is edg- documenting current trends are more dif-
ing closer to irreversible levels and the ficult to come by. The authors delve into
rise of technology enables consumers to supply chain practices on the cutting edge,
see how the supply chains of the brands giving readers insight into global issues and
they buy impact environmental and trends todays logistics practitioners face.
social factors around the globe. This book This guide is a handy reference for practitio-
examines sustainable practices in nearly ners who want to stay on top of the changes
every aspect of the supply chain to help impacting their supply chain.
executives and supply chain leaders oper- Highlights: This book covers several hot-button issues,
ate responsibly. including public-private partnerships in transportation infra-
Highlights: The environmental impact of the supply chain structure, the need to improve forecasting and demand models
goes beyond fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions, extending to better predict the toll of increased traffic on economies,
into purchasing, warehousing, packaging, and product design. and the latest supply chain technology developments in the
To move responsibly into the future, companies must incorpo- United States.
rate sustainable practices into their business model. Quick Takeaway: Logistics professionals who stay current on
Quick Takeaway: Science-based approaches can help man- new developments and technologies will be most suited to lead
agers sustainably operate nearly any aspect of the supply chain. supply chain strategy for their organizations, and best positioned
to be tomorrows industry thought leaders.

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 207

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The LIVING Supply ChainThe Evolving Resilience by Teaming in Supply Chains and Networks
Imperative of Operating in Real Time (Automation, Collaboration, and E-Services)
By Robert Handfield and Tom Linton By Rodrigo Reyes Levalle
The LIVINGLive, Intelligent, Velocity, After a global disaster, some supply chains
Interactive, Networked, and Goodsup- face severe disruptions while others seem
ply chain method helps companies to keep moving right along. Why? This
navigate emerging trends and chang- book explores the concept of supply chain
ing technologies as they build a real-time, resilience and how even companies prone
more sustainable supply chain. Many to disruption can design a supply chain
traditional supply chain strategies are thats resistant to the unpredictable.
beginning to break down, making Highlights: Resilience by teaming
new rules for supply chain manage- is the old one stick breaks, a bundle of
ment necessary. sticks is strong concept, but for supply
Highlights: Each word forming the acronym LIVING comes chain partners. If many weaker partners collaborate to ensure
with a valuable question attached to help supply chain manag- continuous service, they become much more difficult to disrupt
ers evaluate their supply chain and its methods. Each word drills than if they were to stand alone.
down into key areas of focus, including visibility, data, speed, Quick Takeaway: The first step toward operating a resilient
and sustainability. supply chain is admitting that it is vulnerable to internal and
Quick Takeaway: Balanced, sustainable supply chains external threats.
are the way of the future; selfishly designed supply chains are
doomed to fail.
Warehouse ManagementA Complete Guide
to Improving Efficiency and Minimizing Costs
International Supply Chain RelationshipsCreating in the Modern Warehouse, 3rd Edition
Competitive Advantage in a Globalized Economy By Gwynne Richards
By Patrick Daly Warehouse managers dont just manage
You cant make a chain by yourself. Each goods. They also manage teams of peo-
link in the supply chain represents a ple and must stay up to date on the latest
relationship, and maintaining those regulations and technologiesincluding
relationships is what makes the global equipment and softwareamid myriad
economy run. To be successful, supply other responsibilities. This newly updated
chain practitioners must have the tools, reference book covers nearly any issue
strategies, and communications skills to warehouse managers might face as they
keep relationships healthy, or they risk strive to run an efficient and cost-effec-
breaking a link in their chain. tive facility.
Highlights: Strategic relationships are Highlights: This new edition features new or updated
critical to the success of any business, and fostering relationships sections on warehouse technology and robotics, as well as ware-
on international, inter-organizational, and multi-disciplinary lev- house design and the challenges e-commerce creates. It also
els is crucial to the success of the modern supply chain manager. comes with downloadable tools to help warehouse managers
Even short-term strategic partnerships can be critical to success. audit their own operations.
Quick Takeaway: Maintaining healthy relationships with Quick Takeaway: The benefits of improving warehouse oper-
supply chain partners at all levels helps mitigate disruption ations outweigh the costs. An improperly run warehouse can be
caused by changing trends and practices one of the costliest parts of the supply chain.

208 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Global Liner ShippingThe Engine Room of World Trade Reverse LogisticsThe Complete Self-Assessment Guide
By Lars Jensen From The Art of Service
The advent of modern shipping lines Logistics is a complicated and many-
changed the way global commerce faceted field, so implementing or
occurred, allowing goods to move in large maintaining a reverse logistics program
quantities between any two points in the can often seem like a daunting task.
world. Now, with a capacity crisis fad- Through this self-assessment, supply chain
ing and disruptive technologies on the and logistics managers can review their
horizon, this book helps logistics man- existing operation and see whats miss-
agers deal with challenges, both current ing, whats already in place, and how it all
and future. stacks up against best practices and indus-
Highlights: Every supply chain man- try standards.
ager deals with goods, components, or materials that moved by Highlights: Its difficult to know what data you need to begin
ocean transport, so there is value in understanding this transport or improve a reverse logistics program if you dont know the
method. Each chapter ends with a case study that puts the con- right questions to ask. This books questionnaires ask the correct
tents of the chapter in context, helping to apply concepts and questions to help any supply chain practitioner evaluate the per-
theories to real-world events. formance of their reverse logistics operation.
Quick Takeaway: Ocean shipping plays an important part in Quick Takeaway: A proper self-assessment can occur only if
maintaining international stability and security. the assessor keeps an open mind about whether or not the opera-
tion needs improvement.

Managing Global Supply Chains, 2nd Edition

By Ron Basu and J. Nevan Wright The Supply Chain RevolutionInnovative Sourcing
As technology, transport methods, reg- and Logistics for a Fiercely Competitive World
ulations, environmental concerns, and By Suman Sarkar
numerous other factors continue to Its time to take the supply chain out
change the way the supply chain operates, of its silo. Major global brands such as
practitioners must stay up to date with Starbucks, Zara, and TJX have realized
current best practices. This book gives an that they can no longer consider the sup-
updated overview of currently used supply ply chain as a function that rests behind
chain methods and how they apply across the scenes. The supply chain is not just
multiple verticals. an easy place to cut costs, but is a source
Highlights: The updated chapters on of value. The author draws on 20 years of
e-business, emerging markets, and sustainability combine with experience and practical examples to show
current case studies to show how the most recent advances in supply chain practitioners how to get the
supply chain methods function in practical environments. The most out of not only partners and suppliers, but also internal cor-
author offers a plethora of practical, evidence-based advice on porate resources.
how to build a lean and agile supply chain in nearly any vertical. Highlights: Sales, marketing, research and development, and
Quick Takeaway: Even though supply chains vary in size customer service departments must learn to collaborate with sup-
and form, the most basic principles of supply chain management ply chain and procurement teams to discover breakout solutions
apply across all verticals in operations of all sizes. that provide the most value. Supply chain and procurement
professionals must also learn to collaborate with others if an orga-
nization hopes to have the most efficient supply chain possible.
Quick Takeaway: Use performance-based metrics to avoid
clashing with suppliers and partners. If everyone knows the
threshold for successful partnership from the beginning, theres
no reason for conflicts to arise.

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 209

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INPRACTICE

DC Solutions| by Jennifer Baljko

Improving Food Distribution:

Knife, Spoon, and Forklift

F
ine foods purveyor and distributor Ace Endico Corp. wanted to
keep its warehouse operators motivated and safe, lessen the fatigue
they feel from high-volume order-picking, and give them the tools
they need to perform well in a physically demanding environment. Like
all businesses, Ace Endico also wanted to increase productivity, improve
its distribution centers efficiency, reduce order-pick errors, and satisfy cus-
tomers with quick-turn deliveries.

The supplier learned those goals current 125,000-square-foot distribu-

A fine foods supplier were not mutually exclusive, and was tion center in Brewster, New York.
able to achieve them thanks to the Today, the company offers its cus-
optimizes order picking dedication, commitment, technology, tomersrestaurants, hotels, country
and equipment from its long-time clubs, casinos, cruise lines, athletic
and improves worker partner, Crown Equipment Corp. venues, and education facilitiesabout
safety with systems that Ace Endico may have come from 10,000 products across the dairy, pro-
humble beginnings, but its commit- duce, meat, seafood, and dry and
pass the taste test. ment to continuous improvement has canned goods segments.
made it a competitive full-service food Its 20,000-square-foot climate-con-
supplier in the New York tri-state area. trolled shipping and receiving dock is
The family-run company, founded equipped with 15 bay doors. Its prod-
in 1982, started in a small garage in ucts, tiered in 5 million cubic feet of
Mt. Vernon, New York. Consistent storage capacity, move in and out of
growth compelled two moves, first the facilitys 11 temperature zones on a
to a facility in Elmsford, New York, nearly constant daily cycle of picking,
in 1993 and then again in 2005 to its distribution, and replenishment.

Sofa So Good: WMS

Upgrade Bolsters Efficiency

I
n the retail furniture business, there is no time for reclining; a
company needs every edge to stay alive and thrive. Just ask retailer City
Furniture, based in South Florida, which continuously changes and
adapts to new circumstances while relying on supply chain best practices.
In 2015, City Furniture found Soft ware, a global provider of
that its warehouse management supply chain network solutions,
system (WMS), which had served the and it s HighJump Warehouse
company well over the years, needed Advantage WMS for a flexible and
to be replaced. It was a homegrown customizable system.
A furniture retailer system, customized many times over.
City Furnitures in-house IT staff Jumping from Waterbeds
upgrades its warehouse kept patching in changes, which cre- City Furniture began as a waterbed
management system to ated glitches. It became risky to make store in 1971. We had to move
any further modifications. into full-size furniture because of
polish productivity. And, due to the software architec- declining demand for waterbeds,
ture, the WMS had to be shut down recalls Shaun Feraco, managing
one hour every day so the IT team director of operations. By 2001, the
could update and clean tables. This company opened a 1-million-square-
practice reduced the systems available foot warehouse. We began same-day
operating time to 23 hours, making it delivery in 2002, as a competitive
difficult for the company to satisfy its advantage, says Feraco.
customers demands. City Furniture now operates 28
Cit y Fu r n it u re t u r ne d t o showrooms in Central and South
Minneapolis -based HighJump Florida, a network that includes an

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INPRACTICE

e-Tales| by Rosie Wolf Williams

Green E-tailer Fertilizes

The Bottom Line

G
rove Collaborative, an e-commerce company originally
launched as ePantry in 2014, serves consumers who care about
buying green and sustainable products for their homes, but who
also want convenience and accessibility. Growing quickly because of eco-
conscious decisions about product and customer demand, the company
recently started to nurture its shipping data reporting tools as well.

Online retail will grow 8 to Rae-Staples, head of fulfillment

Thanks to a data 12 percent in 2017, up to three times operations and logistics at Grove
higher than the growth rate of Collaborative. We want to make sure
analytics platform, Grove the wider industry, predicts a 2017 what you put in your home, on your
National Retail Federation forecast. body, and around your family is eco-
Collaboratives shipping With green products often priced friendlyits safe not only for you, but
costs wither while higher than not-so-earth-friendly for the environment as well.
alternatives, shipping costs can put
fulfillment efficiencies them out of reach for the average Green Curator
household budget. Grove Collaborative researches and
blossom. As a Certified B Corporation selects products for its e-commerce
recognized for it s social and site from a number of green product
environment al impactGrove companies, including Seventh
Collaborative focuses on quality prod- Generation, Method, Dr. Bronners
ucts, with affordability wrapped into a All-One!, and its own signature line of
low- or no-cost shipping program. all-natural, U.S.-made products.
The best natural products should Its Happiness Guarantee ensures
be easiest to acquire, says Roni a level of trust and incentive to try new

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 219

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e-Tales
Photo: Mike Mihalo Photography

California-based e-tailer Grove Collaborative opened a second warehouse in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to reduce shipping costs and meet
the demands of consumers who expect fast delivery.

products, allowing customers to return time and were unnecessary to track what was useful on its reports, and how
any product for any reason with a pre- fulfillment costs. to clean up the data. GrandCanal used
paid shipping label included in their A s a young company, Grove the answers to get to the sweet spot of
order. New customers receive free ship- Collaborative didnt have the bandwidth Grove Collaboratives needs and tailor
ping on their first order, and a flat fee or the manpower to spend 6 to 10 hours the system accordingly.
of $2.99 for future orders. VIP members per week trying to get through reporting
pay a yearly subscription fee and receive and consolidate spreadsheets, Rae- Pruning Costs
free shipping for every order. Staples says. That was the tipping point G r o v e C o l l a b o r a t i v e ch o s e
for me. Fulfillment Intelligence Cloud, a solution
Fertile Ground Rae-Staples started looking at that allows quick access to metrics such
The concept is a hit. The company software providers that offered report- as demand density, transit time, average
shipped 300,000 packages in 2016 ing tools, and liked what she saw in zone, and cost per shipment. The tool
and projects it will deliver more than California-based supply chain manage- displays a heat map that tells me exactly
750,000 packages in 2017. ment solutions provider GrandCanals. what my shipping demand is, while a
When we first started shipping orders, She had worked with Kelan Raph, co- drop-down menu displays average cost
we worked with FedEx, says Rae- founder of GrandCanals, when she was per shipment, and what I am spending
Staples. As we continued to grow, and with another company, and knew Raph on ground versus air transportation,
shipping volumes increased, we added understood the logistics challenges of an says Rae-Staples.
other carriers into the mix to get bet- e-commerce startup. She also used this information
ter pricing. I wanted to make sure that a new pro- while working on a proposal with UPS,
Controlling shipping costs is a big vider would understand our business, trying to determine if the package
struggle for young companies that says Rae-Staples. Raph knows that delivery company would be a good fit
dont have robust reporting tools, she operational people just dont have time. for Grove Collaborative. GrandCanals
says. Pulling the data from carriers was When they log on to a shipping report- gathered information from the UPS
always a challenge. ing tool, they want to get information as proposal, as well as FedEx and other
Rae-Staples needed to record freight quickly as they can. GrandCanals has a carriers, and then used data science to
information and cost per shipment great tool, but it also knows the business. translate what the information meant for
in as few man-hours as possible. She Rae-Staples had a series of phone Grove Collaborative.
previously used a spreadsheet to manage calls with GrandCanals representatives, Data showed that shipping volumes
shipping data, but found that more than discussing the e-tailers challenges, what to the eastern states from its California
half of resulting spreadsheets wasted information needed to be accessible, warehouse had increased significantly.

220 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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After using modeling to determine
the net cost of an East Coast origin,
Grove Collaborative opened a second
warehouse in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
reducing shipping costs and meeting
the demands of consumers who want
fast delivery.
From the new facilit y, Grove
Collaborative could accomplish ship-
ping in two business days by ground,
says Raph. And once you use ground
and not air, you achieve the opti-

Photo: Mike Mihalo Photography

mal cost.
With the data analytics program in
place, Rae-Staples saw that her company
could save 15 to 25 percent on 1- to
2-pound packages simply by switching
to priority mail.
Just looking at that piece of the
business made an immediate impact on
Grove Collaboratives e-commerce site sells products from green brands such as Seventh
shipping costs, says Rae-Staples. I saw Generation, Method, Dr. Bronners All-One!, and Mrs. Meyers, as well as its own signature
the difference on my bottom line. line of all-natural, U.S.-made products.
The tool also revealed an extended
area surcharge. Grove Collaborative the fulfillment, handling, and ship- For Rae-Staples, managing shipping
had customers who were living in rural ping costs of all the products within costs manually wont cut it anymore.
areas, and didnt realize it was paying its marketplace, says Raph. Based on All companies have to control their
$5 extra to deliver packages to those interaction with the customer and the shipping costs, she says. They want
customers, say Raph. Rae-Staples was shopping cart, the new feature allows it to be as informed as possible, have all
happy to receive all this information in to offer discounts as an incentive for cus- the data they need, be able to analyze it,
an automated report, rather than having tomers to fill the box. and figure out what drives up shipping
to download spreadsheets and manually As a result, Grove Collaborative can costs. Doing that manually takes a
manipulate the data to determine optimize its packing to take advantage lot of time. It is tough, and its easy to
weekly shipping costs. of fixed shipping costs. For instance, miss things.
it costs a carrier the same to deliver a
Growing Solutions 1-pound package to a residence as it does Feeling Groovy
The program also allows Grove to deliver a 4-pound package. Working with carriers also can be
Collaborative to look to future plans to Theres no cost increase between 1 overwhelming, but Grove Collaborative
better serve Midwest customers, as well and 4 pounds, says Raph. So if a seller has found its groove with GrandCanals.
as meet demand for shipping to Canada. can take a larger order but have shipping Having a partnera shipping
The e-tailer can use the analytics plat- costs stay the same, then it subsidizes fulfillment company that looks at
form to model costs and transit times, fewer dollars per retail value. your costs for youis helpful, says
and find the best services for a launch The platform performs the analysis Rae-Staples. When you are a young
into that country. to show actual weight, billable weight, company, you can use those three or 10
Rae-Staples is hands-on, and if she and cost differential for the next extra hours every week to do something else
finds some analysis that the company pound. Many times the cost of that that provides value.
needs to do a better job of packing car- extra pound is minimal, or free, Raph Customer satisfaction remains Rae-
tons to create fewer shipments, or use explains. So if an e-tailer can sell two Staples first priority. It all boils down
the right box, she will roll up her sleeves 1-pound items, and get twice as much to the customer experiencethat is the
and deliver, notes Raph. retail value for only a few cents more in most important part of growth, she says.
For instance, Grove Collaborative costs, thats something that companies You want to save on shipping costs, but
developed a product called Smart such as Grove Collaborative would want you cant sacrifice your customer having
Cart. The company now understands to incentivize. a great experience. n

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 221

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COMPANY NAME PAGE COMPANY NAME PAGE COMPANY NAME PAGE

3PL Central 224 GlobalTranz Enterprises 230 R2 Logistics 236

Alliance Shippers 242 Holman Distribution 230 Romark Logistics 236

Amber Road 243 J.B. Hunt Transport 230 RPM 232

American Expediting Company 224 Johanson Transportation Service 231 RR Donnelleys DLS Worldwide 237

American Warehouse 224 Kane Is Able 231 Ruan 237

A.N. Deringer 224 KDL - Keystone Dedicated Logistics 231 Saddle Creek Logistics Services 237

Approved Freight Forwarders 225 Kenco 231 Schneider 237

ArcBest Corporation 245 KINEXO 243 SEKO Logistics 238

Arcline (2000) Inc. 244 Landstar Systems 232 Shippers Group 238, 245

Atlanta Bonded Warehouse 225 LEGACY Supply Chain Services 232 SMC3 243

Bender Group 225 Lynden 232 Sunset Transportation 238

Burris Logistics 225 MacroPoint 243 Syfan Logistics 238

C.H. Robinson Worldwide 226 Mallory Alexander International Logistics 233 Taylored Services 239

Capacity LLC 226 Matson 233 TransGroup Global Logistics 239

Cardinal Health 226 MD Logistics 233 Transplace 239, 244

CaseStack 226 MGN Logistics 244 Transportation Insight 239

Celadon Logistics 227 NFI 233 Tucker Company Worldwide 240

CLX Logistics 227 Nolan Transportation Group (NTG) 234 Universal 240

Corporate Traffic 227 ODW Logistics 234 Unyson 240

CT Logistics 227 Odyssey Logistics 234 UTXL 240

CTSI-Global 228 Old Dominion Freight LIne 245 Veritiv Corporation 241

DF Young 228 Packair Airfreight 242, 246 Wagner Logistics 241

Distribution Technology 228 Penske Logistics 234 Werner Enterprises 241

DSC Logistics 228 Performance Team 235 WSI (Warehouse Specialists, LLC) 241

Dupr Logistics 229 Pilot Freight Services 235 Yusen Logistics 242

Echo Global 229 Port Jersey Logistics 235 Zebra Technologies 244

Evans Distribution Systems 229 Port Logistics Group 235

228 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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IN THIS SECTION:

3PL

Dupr Logistics www.duprelogistics.com

With specific emphasis in the chemical, consumer products, and
beverage industries, Duprs unique solutions provide expertise in
dedicated fleets, transportation management/brokerage, materials
handling, and reverse logistics. Dupr works to understand your
business and measure how our system meets your expectations.

Echo Global www.echo.com

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECHO) is a provider of technology-
enabled transportation and supply chain management services. Echo
maintains a proprietary, Web-based technology platform that compiles
and analyzes data from its network of more than 30,000 transportation
providers to serve its clients needs. Offering freight brokerage and
managed transportation services across all major modes, Echo works to
simplify the critical tasks involved in transportation management.

Evans Distribution Systems www.evansdist.com

Evans Distribution Systems has been enabling customer success for more
than 75 years. Evans provides warehousing, transportation, packaging,
quality inspection, and complete 3PL management services for a variety
of industries. Through its experience, flexibility, and innovation, the 3PL
proves to its customers that its easier with Evans. Let Evans provide you
with all the information you need to meet your logistics challenges.

FIDELITONE www.fidelitone.com
FIDELITONE helps you earn your customers loyalty through supply chain
management and specialized services in order fulfillment, last-mile delivery, and
transportation. We manage resources, create right-fit solutions, and optimize
supply chain processes to advance your business performance and profitability.
At every step and in every service, FIDELITONE employees focus on the
touchpoints that safeguard your brand and keep your customers coming back.

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 229

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IN THIS SECTION:

3PL

FLS Transportation www.flstransport.com

FLS Transportation keeps your business moving with services including
U.S., Canadian, cross-border, flatbed, and refrigerated truckload; expedited
and specialized hauling; LTL; air and ocean; intermodal; and freight
management. Thats not all. Value-added services feature visibility software,
EDI capabilities, and an account management program that arranges all
loading, and schedules pickups and deliveries. FLS assigns each shipper
a personal customer care representative, so you know someone is always
available to speak to you. Ready to talk? Visit the website for details.

GlobalTranz www.globaltranz.com
GlobalTranz is a technology-driven logistics company specializing in mul-
timodal shipping, project logistics, and managed transportation solutions.
Our mission is to help shippers and carriers succeed by providing full-service
transportation and logistics solutions. Our innovative, proprietary technology
and industry expertise work hand-in-hand to solve your unique supply chain
needs. If youre looking for a logistics partner that delivers results through
unparalleled relationships and technology, visit globaltranz.com today.

Holman Distribution www.holmanusa.com

With warehouse facilities in Seattle and beyond, Holman Distribution is a
leading provider of third-party logistics with base operations in the Pacific
Northwest. From paper products to major appliances, Holman can offer
you the 3PL and warehouse services you need to stay ahead. If you are
interested in warehousing with us in Seattle, or beyond, contact us now.

J.B. Hunt Transport www.jbhunt.com

J.B. Hunt Transport focuses on providing safe and reliable transportation
services to a diverse group of customers throughout the continental United
States, Canada and Mexico. Utilizing an integrated, multimodal approach, the
company provides capacity-oriented solutions centered on delivering customer
value and industry-leading service. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. stock
trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol JBHT, and is a component of
the Dow Jones Transportation Average. J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. is a wholly
owned subsidiary of JBHT. For more information, visit www.jbhunt.com.

230 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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IN THIS SECTION:

3PL

Johanson Transportation Service www.johansontrans.com

Johanson Transportation Service provides its customers with cutting-edge
logistics technology with the cloud-based FreightOptixx TMS. Shippers
can manage truckload, LTL, intermodal and international shipments,
gaining greater visibility, increased service levels, and time savings on
logistics tasks including: instant rate quotes, tracking, order optimization,
shipment consolidation, reporting, retrieving shipping documents, sending
pick-up directions to carriers and viewing accounts payable status. Carriers
can enter available equipment and tracing, and find available loads
within the TMS to increase their efficiency. www.freightoptixx.com

Kane Is Able www.kaneisable.com

Kane Is Able is a third-party logistics provider that helps consumer
packaged goods (CPG) companies warehouse and distribute goods
throughout the United States. Our CPG logistics solution includes
integrated warehousing, packaging, and transportation services specially
designed to meet the needs of CPG manufacturers. Kanes complete
platform of logistics solutions makes us the right choice for your supply
chain. At Kane, we are able. We are the CPG logistics specialists.

Make ODW Logistics your choice for import logistics, distribution, fulfillment,
and packaging. With more than 40 years of cumulative experience, Columbus,
Ohio-based ODW Logistics grew to one of the Midwests most effective
regional 3PL providers. The company focuses on excellent customer
service, flexibility with small and large companies, and customized rates
and terms. Put ODW Logistics on your team and visit the website today!

Odyssey Logistics & Technology www.odysseylogistics.com

Odyssey Logistics & Technology combines deeply skilled industry
professionals with a leading technology solution to provide multimodal
logistics management services to the chemical industry and other process
manufacturers. Odyssey Logistics & Technology enables these companies
to outsource any part of the management and transportation of their raw
materials and finished goods. They achieve cost savings through reduced
transportation and infrastructure costs, measurable customer service and
process improvements, and improved data quality and management.

Penske Logistics www.penskelogistics.com

Penske Logistics is an award-winning logistics services provider with operations
in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Our products and services
range from dedicated contract carriage and distribution center management
to transportation management and fully customized solutions. No matter what
your needs or industry, Penske Logistics engineers supply chain solutions
that deliver business results like boosting productivity, improving service, and
shrinking carbon footprints. Call us today at 1-800-529-6531 to learn more.

234 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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IN THIS SECTION:

3PL

Performance Team www.performanceteam.net

Performance Team (PT) is an industry-leading third-party logistics company
with nearly 30 years of experience in warehousing, distribution, consolidation
and transportation. PT has 12 domestic hubs (and nearly 7 million square
feet of space) strategically located near major ports, interstate highways,
and intermodal rail lines, allowing us to provide the retail and manufacturing
industries with flexible B2B and B2C solutions for the movement, handling,
and distribution of goods. PT also offers a full suite of retail, wholesale,
e-commerce, and omni-channel distribution and transportation services.

Pilot Freight Services, Inc. www.pilotdelivers.com

Pilot Freight Services, Inc. is a full-service transportation and logistics provider
with over 75 locations throughout North America, as well as stations in
Amsterdam, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, and A Corua, Spain. The companys
freight forwarding services encompass every mode of transportation, including
air, ground and ocean, serving all corners of the globe. Pilots logistics programs
offer a complete line of expedited and time-definite services, international shipping
solutions, product warehousing and inventory management. In addition, Pilots
online shipment navigator, CoPilot, makes online shipping fast, convenient and
secure. Learn more about Pilot Freight Services at www.PilotDelivers.com.

Port Jersey Logistics www.portjersey.com

For more than 56 years, Port Jersey Logistics has been the number-one
choice for transportation, warehousing, and distribution on the East Coast.
Port Jersey operates modern, state-of-the-art warehousing space, as well
as in-house trucking and logistics services. Along with our wide array of
value-added services and first-class customer service team, Port Jersey
Logistics is your one-stop shop for all of your supply chain needs.

Port Logistics Group www.portlogisticsgroup.com

Port Logistics Group is the nations leading provider of omni-channel logistics
services, including value-added warehousing and distribution, transloading
and crossdocking, e-commerce fulfillment, and national transportation. With
6.5 million square feet of warehouse space strategically located in and around
major North American ports, Port Logistics Group provides the critical link
between international transportation and the last-mile supply chain.

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3PL

ProTrans International www.protrans.com

With nearly 25 years of experience in North America, ProTrans knows your
supply chain is one-of-a-kind. Thats why we specialize in designing impactful
solutions that are uniquely customized to fit your companys needs. Our strong
network, innovation, and professional experience make us more than just logistics
providers to our clients. Were their one-of-a-kind strategic problem solvers.

Purolator International www.purolator.com

Purolator International is the U.S.-based freight forwarding subsidiary of Purolator
Inc., Canadas leading overnight courier company. Purolator International
specializes in air and surface forwarding of express, parcel, and freight shipments,
with enhanced supply chain solutions to offer delivery to, from, and within Canada.
Purolator International offers preferred access to an extensive distribution network
in Canada, which includes 11,000 dedicated employees, the leading air fleet, and
ground network with the most guaranteed Canadian delivery points in Canada.

R2 Logistics www.r2logistics.com
Founded in 2006, R2 Logistics is a national provider of transportation services
and logistics solutions. As a third-party logistics (3PL) company, we provide
access to thousands of contracted transportation providers. With offices
located across the United States, we are able to provide your company with any
possible over-the-road shipping need nationwide, including Mexico and Canada.
Backed by game-changing technology and our culture for Reliable Service and
Relentless Passion, weve built a strong reputation as an industry leader.

Romark Logistics www.romarklogistics.com

Make Romark Logistics your choice for nationwide warehousing, distribution,
contract labor management, fulfillment, packaging, real estate development,
and transportation solutions. Our commitment to continuous improvement,
customer satisfaction, and the spirit of partnership has been the foundation of
our growth and success for more than 50 years. Romark Logistics operates more
than 3 million square feet of contract distribution and packaging centers, and
can customize a supply chain solution for your most demanding challenges.

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3PL

RR Donnelleys DLS Worldwide dlsworldwide.rrd.com

Experience the benefits that only come from working with a major, global
shipper that is also a top-ranked 3PL. We offer multiple transportation modes,
an established multi-carrier network, volume-leveraged rates and service levels,
along with technology-enabled systems and processes. Visit our website and
contact us today to see why customers have relied on us for nearly 150 years.

Ruan www.ruan.com
With Ruan, you can take advantage of door-to-door shipping solutions without
the hassles and overhead associated with owning and operating your own
fleet of trucks. We have more than 5,200 employees operating, servicing and
coordinating some 3,400 power units and 5,600 trailers out of more than 100
locations throughout the continental United States. But you get more than just
drivers and equipment we become an extension of your team, advocating
for your bottom line. Find out why the right partner can drive costs out of
your supply chain call 866-RUAN-NOW or visit our website ruan.com.

Saddle Creek Logistics Services www.sclogistics.com

Saddle Creek is an omnichannel supply chain solutions company providing a
variety of integrated services, including warehousing, omnichannel fulfillment,
transportation and packaging. We leverage these capabilities, advanced
technology and our nationwide network to customize scalable solutions
that help retailers, manufacturers and ecommerce companies support
their business goals. For more information, visit www.sclogistics.com.

Schneider www.schneider.com
Schneider is more than just truckload services, its the leading provider
of premium truckload and intermodal services. Schneider creates
transportation solutions for customers using the broadest portfolio of
services in the industry. Schneider has several divisions that provide
transportation and transportation related services: One-way Truckload,
Dedicated, TruckRail, OptiModal, Brokerage and Expedited. Visit Schneiders
site to find out more about the company and the services it provides.

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3PL

SEKO Logistics www.sekologistics.com

SEKO prides itself on a commitment to customer service, whether its a 2 a.m.
pickup for a critical industrial part for a plant that is 4,000 miles away, or the cost
savings achieved from proactive communication with your vendors overseas.
SEKO offices have the knowledge and expertise to expedite or to consolidate,
depending on your need. From Hong Kong to Amsterdam, SEKO knows how to
serve its clients. As a non-asset-based third-party logistics provider, SEKO has the
flexibility to meet your supply chain needs using a variety of modes and carriers.

The Shippers Group www.shipperswarehouse.com

The Shippers Group is a well-established regional provider with strong
knowledge and insight into the economic and political infrastructure of the
Dallas/Fort Worth region. All the facilities operated in the Dallas/Fort Worth
metroplex are food grade, and consistently rated excellent and superior by AIB.
Let The Shippers Group help you match your requirements to the appropriate
location, whether it be a new facility, an existing facility, or additional space
that can be leased in the area. Details are available on the website.

Sunset Transportation www.sunsettrans.com

Through our diversity of services and technology to our transparent and
customer-focused culture, Sunset Transportation is positioned as a dominant
logistics management partner for mid-market and large businesses. Sunsets
flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit makes us The Right Size 3PL for your
growing businesslarge enough to provide professional, multi-modal solutions
while remaining agile and committed to our roots with personalized service.

Syfan Logistics www.syfanlogistics.com

Since 1984, Syfan has provided customers with a competitive advantage through
superior transportation and logistics services. Syfan consistently strives to meet
and exceed customer expectations of service through timely communication and
quality information. Leveraging its rich experience and dedicated team, Syfans
commitment is to provide you with on-time pickup and deliveryevery time.

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3PL

Taylored Services www.tayloredservices.com

At Taylored Services, we look at your business as if we were a box moving
through your supply chain. Our goal: to provide a comprehensive array of
fulfillment services that best fit your business needs. Award-winning retail
experts. Strategically located bi-coastal facilities. Expertise in wholesale and
retail distribution. Best-in-class systems and technology. A full range of logistics
services including: drayage management, transload, DC bypass, crossdock, case
distribution, unit fulfillment (B2B, B2C, Digital), and value-added distribution
solutions (repacking, reticketing, point of purchase, display assembly, inserts and
labeling, returns). Visit www.tayloredservices.com or contact [email protected]

TransGroup Global Logistics www.transgroup.com

www.transgroup.com provides comprehensive information about
TransGroup Global Logistics, including locations, services, and global
transportation and logistics capabilities. Detailed information about
TransGroups Web-based logistics management tools is also provided, as
well as customer login access and links to resources useful to shippers. Visit
www.transgroup.com to learn about TransGroup Global Logistics, or contact
TransGroup at 800-444-0294, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Transplace www.transplace.com
Transplace is a North American non-asset-based logistics services provider
offering manufacturers, retailers, chemical and consumer packaged goods
companies the optimal blend of logistics technology and transportation
management services. The company is the premier provider of managed
transportation, consulting & TMS solutions; and intermodal, truck
brokerage, and cross-border trade services. With operations centers
located throughout North America, Transplace delivers integrated solutions
tailored to meet in-county and cross-border supply chain needs.

Transportation Insight www.transportationinsight.com

Global lead logistics provider Transportation Insight offers supply chain optimiza-
tion to help with mergers and acquisitions, site selection, sourcing/distribution
alignment, least landed cost determination, and more. With industry-leading stra-
tegic planning technology, supply chain expertise, and a continuous improvement
mindset, Transportation Insight can help transform your business. Our offering
spans domestic transportation, international logistics, and warehousing to deliver
end-to-end supply chain solutions. Core bundled services include carrier sourcing,
freight bill audit and payment, transportation management system, and supply
chain reporting. Contact us at [email protected] or 877-226-9950.

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3PL

Tucker Company Worldwide www.tuckerco.com

Experiencing truckload capacity problems? Receive steady waves of
truckload equipmentfrom dry vans to flatbeds, refrigerated to specialized
equipmentwith Tucker Company Worldwide. Experiencing problems
implementing an inbound freight management program? We get the job
done, under budget and fully controlled. Tucker Company Worldwide operates
one of Americas oldest freight brokerages. We co-founded the TIA, and
are active members of TCA, NITL, SC&RA, NASSTRAC, and CSCMP. We are
always interested in sales agents, reps, or those selling brokerages/3PLs.

Universal www.universallogistics.com
Universal is a leading asset-light provider of customized transportation
and logistics solutions. We provide our customers with supply chain
solutions that can be scaled to meet your changing demands and volumes.
We offer a comprehensive suite of services including transportation,
value-added, intermodal, air, ocean and customs brokerage services
that can be utilized throughout your entire supply chain.

Unyson www.unysonlogistics.com
As a division of Hub Group, Unyson specializes in elevating supply
chain performance by using industry-leading practices, experienced
professionals and state-of-the-art technology. We provide management
solutions that support your strategic initiatives and deliver the results
you need while guaranteeing supply chain savings and service levels.

UTXL www.utxl.com
Whether you need a core transportation service provider or a resourceful
backup relief valve, turn to UTXL. UTXL handles truckload and multiple
stop shipments (consolidated LTL) between any points in North America,
and can arrange service to or from any state with satellite and/or cellular
equipped teams and single drivers for your van, reefer, flatbed, or oversized
shipments. Shippers nationwide rely on UTXL for reliable service and
economical prices; you can, too. Check out the website for all the details.

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3PL

Veritiv Corporation www.veritivcorp.com

Veritiv Corporation (NYSE: VRTV) is a North American leader in
business-to- business distribution. A Fortune 500 company, Veritiv
provides logistics and supply chain management solutions, packaging,
facility solutions, print and publishing products and services.

Wagner Logistics www.wagnerlogistics.com

Wagner Logistics offers dedicated warehousing, transportation
management, packaging, and assembly operations across the United
States with over 3 million square feet of warehousing space. We provide
genuine customer service to our customers and our superior onboarding
process will make your customers transition seamless. We work tirelessly
to find innovative solutions to reduce supply chain costs while increasing
your speed-to-market with our latest award-winning technology.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. www.werner.com

Werner Enterprises Inc. is a premier transportation and logistics company, with
coverage throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China. Werner
maintains its global headquarters in Omaha, Neb., offering 24/7 service 365
days a year. Werner is among the five largest truckload carriers in the United
States, with a portfolio of services that includes long-haul, regional and local van
capacity, temperature-controlled, flatbed, dedicated, and expedited. Werners
value-added services portfolio includes import and export freight management,
PO and vendor management, truck brokerage, intermodal, load/mode and
network optimization, and global visibility. Internationally, Werner provides
freight forwarding and customs brokerage services, and is a licensed NVOCC.

WSI (Warehouse Specialists, LLC) www.wsinc.com

Reliability is everything. At WSI, that has been our approach to integrated logistics
and supply chain solutions for more than 40 years. Our promise of Condition,
Count & Time ensures accurate, timely, and sound performanceevery time.
Recognized as one of the top 3PL companies in North America, WSI delivers
custom solutions for warehousing/distribution, fulfillment, transportation,
import/export, information technology, and customer support services. Depend
on WSI for increased efficiency, reduced costs, and absolute reliability.

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3PL Intermodal

Yusen Logistics www.yusen-logistics.com

Yusen Logistics offers a complete transport and logistics portfolio of services
to some of the worlds largest companies. We offer full end-to-end service
coverage including origin cargo management, ocean freight forwarding, airfreight
forwarding, warehousing, reverse logistics, surface transportation, and integrated
supply chain solutions. We are committed to contributing to the sustainable
development of our society through safe, environmentally friendly options.

CUSTOMS BROKERAGE

Packair Airfreight, Inc. www.packair.com

Packair started its freight logistics services in 1973 as anInternational Freight
Forwarder Los Angeles. Today, with more than 44 years of experience in
shipping high-value, oversize, and rare one-of-a-kind cargo, Packair isthe freight
logisticscompanyof choice for many major Hollywood studios needing film
production shipping services. Packair ships anywhere, by air, sea and ground,
and is accustomed to dealing with freight of peculiar shapes and sizes, spot
rates, urgent requests, and high-value cargogoing to unusualdestinations.

FREIGHT FORWARDING

Packair Airfreight, Inc. www.packair.com

INTERMODAL

Alliance Shippers Inc. www.alliance.com

Delivering The Perfect Shipment from pick up to destination. With
operating facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Alliance
Shippers Inc. combines excellent customer care with state-of-the-art
rail, highway, ocean and air transportation solutions. Additional services
include warehousing, distribution, customs clearance, equipment/driver
leasing and expedited transportation. For cost-effective logistic solutions
tailored to your companys exact needs, contact Alliance Shippers Inc.

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Logistics IT

LOGISTICS IT

Amber Road www.amberroad.com

Amber Roads (NYSE: AMBR) mission is to improve the way companies manage
their international supply chains and conduct global trade. As a leading provider
of cloud-based global trade management (GTM) solutions, we automate and
optimize the supply chain functions required to import and export goods:
collaborating with foreign suppliers on design and quality assurance; executing
import and export compliance checks; booking international carriers and
tracking goods as they move around the world; and minimizing the associated
duties through preferential trade agreements and foreign trade zones.

KINEXO www.gokinexo.com
Formerly known as International Traders, Inc. & First American Carriers,
Inc., (ITI & FAC), KINEXO strategically propels companies forward by
providing highly customized supply chain solutions that are proven to reduce
costs, increase transactional visibility and maximize operating efficiency.
Part of the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio of companies, KINEXOs vast
experience has led them to become one of the most trusted partners in
supply chain management. For more information, visit gokinexo.com.

MacroPoint www.macropoint.com
MacroPoint offers an unique logistics tracking solution for freight transported
by third parties. Its patented logistics software transforms any operators
pre-existing cell phone, smartphone, or in-cab device into an automated
location tracking system capable of tracking any load, anywhere, anytime.
Today, MacroPoints software tracks more than 500,000 drivers across
North America and is used by more than 6,000 trucking companies and other
third-party logistics providers to provide complete supply chain visibility.

SMC3 www.smc3.com
SMC3 is the foremost provider of data, technology, and education as an
integrated solution to the freight transportation community. SMC3s core
competency is its pricing expertise, which it delivers through products
and services that simplify processes and promote collaboration between
buyers and sellers of transportation services. The company currently serves
more than 5,000 customers operating throughout the contiguous United
States, Canada, and Mexico. SMC3s customer base includes shippers,
carriers, logistics service providers, and freight payment companies.

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Logistics IT Transportation Mgmt/Freight Mgmt

Zebra Technologies www.zebra.com/warehouse

When it comes to creating a real-time warehouse, only Zebra Technologies brings
you true end-to-end solutions. Zebra products help your company wrangle
increasing complexities by automating processes and simplifying operations. Zebra
services help you get and keep your mobile warehouse solution up and running
at peak performance and free your IT staff to focus on business objectives.

TMS

Arcline (2000) Inc. www.arcline2000.com

At Arcline (2000) Inc. we specialize in transportation management software.
We provide two tailored packages: Freight Brokerage and Truck Dispatch.
We provide easy-to-use and learn software that manages every aspect of
your business including billing, dispatching, operations management, and
reporting. Interfaces to accounting and mileage softwares. LTL Dispatch,
Mobile Driver App, Internet tracking, EDI, ACE & ACI eManifest.

Transplace www.transplace.com
Transplace is a North American non-asset based logistics services provider
offering manufacturers, retailers, chemical and consumer packaged goods
companies the optimal blend of logistics technology and transportation
management services. The company is the premier provider of managed
transportation, consulting & TMS solutions; and intermodal, truck
brokerage, and cross-border trade services. With operations centers
located throughout North America, Transplace delivers integrated solutions
tailored to meet in-county and cross-border supply chain needs.

TRANSPORTATION MGMT/FREIGHT MGMT

MGN Logistics Inc. www.mgnlogistics.com

MGN Logistics Inc.(MGN), is a leading provider of IT solutions for the freight
management and transportation industry. Headquartered in Pennsylvania,
with offices in Boston, Orlando, Chicago, New Jersey and Dominican Republic,
the company has been providing sophisticated transportation related
technology to Fortune 1000 companies since 2000. Offering advanced cloud-
based freight management software, best-in-class freight audit and payment
services, as well as enhanced analytics and benchmarking, MGN Logistics
has quietly been the engine behind some of the countrys largest brokerages
and web-based 3PLs. With their product offerings now available to small and
mid-sized companies, find out why the largest brokerages in the country
have entrusted their freight management solutions to MGN Logistics.

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Trucking Warehousing

TRUCKING

ArcBest Corporation www.arcb.com

Well Find a Way is a testament of what our customers say about us. We
say yes more often; were the kind of company that partners with them to
problem-solve and make things happen. In short, we do the hard things well. Well
Find a Way has some grit to it; it speaks to the can-do attitude and relentless
will of our people to get things done. It represents the heart and soul of the
ArcBest family. When others say, We cant, ArcBest companies find a way.

Old Dominion Freight LIne www.odfl.com

Old Dominion Freight Line is a less-than-truckload carrier providing
complete nationwide service within the continental United States. Through
its four product groups, OD-Domestic, OD-Expedited, OD-Global, and
OD-Technology, the company offers an array of innovative products and
services to, from, and between North America, Central America, South
America, and the Far East. The company also offers a broad range of
expedited and logistical services in both domestic and global markets.

The Shippers Group www.shipperswarehouse.com

WAREHOUSING

The Shippers Group www.shipperswarehouse.com

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VIDEOLOG Inbound Logistics selects the best
logistics and supply chain videos available
anywhere and serves them up on
www.YouTube.com/InboundLogistics

Logistics to the Rescue

bit.ly/DirectReliefNewcastleSys

Direct Relief and

Newcastle Systems
Direct Relief, a global humanitarian
aid organization, got vital medical
supplies off the dock 67 percent
faster to the people who need them
the most, thanks to mobile-powered
carts from Newcastle Systems. This
video illustrates how the new carts
resulted in major efficiency gains in
Direct Reliefs 24,000-square-foot
distribution facility in Santa Barbara,
California. According to CEO Thomas
Tighe, Direct Relief saw an increase of
40 percent in the number of batches
it received, and can process them
more accurately and in 20 percent
less time.

Playing it Safe
bit.ly/LionTechHAZMAT
Lion Technology
If you ship hazmat/dangerous goods, you and your employees must
complete training on the US DOTs Hazardous Materials Regulations
(HMR), found at 49 CFR 100-185. DOT maintains specific rules for
classifying, naming, packaging, marking, labeling, loading, unloading,
and placarding hazmat shipments, as well as filling out hazmat
shipping papers. Learn how to stay compliant in this informative video.

246 Inbound Logistics July 2017

Turbocharge Your WMS

Test-Drive 3PL Warehouse Manager Today!
Dont Get Boxed In
bit.ly/BoxLatch
Box Latch
B2B fulfillment and distribution centers constantly seek new
ways to enhance supply chain sustainability, and box sealing is
one area to consider. This video shows how Box Latch products
encourage corrugated cardboard box re-use. These reusable
products eliminate money invested in one-time use of tape,
while promoting box re-use and helping the environment.

BluJay Conference Soars

bit.ly/SOAR2017BluJay
BluJay Solutions
Couldnt make BluJay Solutions SOAR 2017 conference? No worries!
This video contains all the highlights of the jam-packed agenda
filled with expert advice. BluJay executives offer insider knowledge
into product roadmaps, while industry experts predict supply chain
trends headed your way. Attendees said they walked away with the
knowledge to improve their own supply chains and their careers.

Make No Excuses
bit.ly/CoyoteNoExcuses
Coyote Logistics
Coyotes No Excuses philosophy is to offer both shippers and
carriers the best service experience in the industry. As you
will see in this video, Coyotes culture, people, and technology
fuel fanaticism for this commitment every day. Coyote
invests in its employees, offering rigorous training programs,
accessible leadership, talent development, and more.

Happy Anniversary!
bit.ly/PortHamburgAnniversary
Port of Hamburg
Tune into this video and get ready to party with a behind-the-
scenes look at the Port Anniversary in Hamburgthe biggest
harbor festival in the world. With more than 300 ships from
all over the world, spectacular displays, and lots of live music,
the 828th anniversary festivities offer a varied maritime
program in the unique setting of the Port of Hamburg. See
how the Hamburg Port Authority plays an important role in
the preparation and organization of this mega event.

Logistics Career Advice

bit.ly/CMUCareers
Central Michigan University, College of Business Administration
Heres some great career advice for future logistics professionals
from Mark Spieles, marketing and logistics instructor at CMU. He
outlines three steps to embrace when you start interviewing for a
new position: Be flexible, be a continuous learner, and work hard,
which sometimes means sacrificing personal time for your career.

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 247

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Test-Drive 3PL Warehouse Manager Today!
WhitePaperDigest
Industry experts amass supply chain
management best practices and skill sets,
and invest in new research and evaluation
tools. Now you can benefit. Inbound
Logistics has selected this collection of
whitepapers that will give you a jump on
important supply chain issues. For more
information on any of these whitepapers,
visit the Web sites listed below.

Saddle Creek Logistics Services

3PL Central
TITLE: The Five New Rules for Smart Omni-Channel Fulfillment
DOWNLOAD: http://hubs.ly/H07BlX00
SUMMARY: The staggering growth of e-commerce and ongoing shift to B2C
fulfillment are changing the game throughout the 3PL industry. If
you are looking to profit from the new opportunities emerging in this
environment, download a free copy of 3PL Centrals latest e-Book.

Purolator International
TITLE: Facilitating the U.S.-Canada Border Clearance Process
DOWNLOAD: http://bit.ly/2uQsrbv
SUMMARY: All businesses engaged in international trade have a critical need
to understand their compliance responsibilities, and to ensure they
have internal processes in place to meet those obligations. Download
this whitepaper for an in-depth overview of the compliance process
including areas of particular vulnerability and the recommendations for
improving your internal compliance management.

Test-Drive 3PL Warehouse Manager Today!
Got 3PL challenges?Getfree expert solutionsatinboundlogistics.com/3pl
CALENDAR YOUR LOGISTICS
DATEBOOK

Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals OCT 15-17, 2017 San Antonio, Texas

CSCMP EDGE Supply American Production and Inventory

SEPT Chain Conference

Control Society

24
APICS 2017
apics.org/annual-conference
& Exhibition
cscmpconference.org | Atlanta, Ga. | SEPT 24-27, 2017
AUDIENCE: Supply chain, operations, and
logistics management professionals
AUDIENCE: Supply chain management professionals FOCUS: Strategies to create more
FOCUS: End-to-end supply chain solutions; global supply sustainable, strategic, and value-driven
chain best practices; increasing visibility; integrated supply chains; simulation and optimization
business planning in complex manufacturing operations;
reverse logistics trends

CONFERENCES OCT 2-4, 2017 Boca Raton, Fla.

MHI NOV 1-3, 2017 Miami, Fla.
World Trade Center Miami
SEPT 17-20, 2017 Long Beach, Calif. MHI Annual Conference
Intermodal Association of North America www.mhi.org/conference Air & Sea Cargo Americas
seacargoamericas.com
(IANA) AUDIENCE: Supply chain stakeholders
Intermodal Expo 2017 in manufacturing and distribution AUDIENCE: Executives from the aviation,
intermodalexpo.com companies maritime, and logistics sectors
FOCUS: From the Internet of Things to FOCUS: Enhancing the growth of the cargo
AUDIENCE: Intermodal freight stakeholders
smart factories, implementing Industry industry; the latest security and safety
FOCUS: Cloud-based solutions to
4.0; innovating swiftly and systematically; regulations to secure cargo; manufacturer
intermodal challenges; the future of and shipper needs in high-growth cargo
NAFTA and North Americas trade lanes; building the future supply chain
the promise and perils of autonomous workforce; current and future state of
vehicles in intermodal; ocean alliances, distribution center technology; trends JAN 29-31, 2018 Dallas, Texas
consolidation, and marine terminal shaping the materials handling sector National Industrial Transportation League
ownership; transloading trends (NITL)
OCT 3-5, 2017 Nashville, Tenn. 2018 Transportation Summit
Worldwide Business Research www.nitl.org/events/
SEPT 18-20, 2017 Nashville, Tenn.
Event Evolution Consumer Returns annual-conference/2018-summit

PARCEL Forum 17 Management 2017 AUDIENCE: Logistics professionals

parcelforum.com consumerreturns.wbresearch.com FOCUS: Navigating the intergenerational
workforce; rail, ocean, and highway
AUDIENCE: Distribution, logistics, supply AUDIENCE: Executive-level supply chain
freight transportation issues; trends in
chain, and warehouse managers; small- professionals rail and ocean transportation; highway
package supply chain stakeholders FOCUS: Overcoming the omni-channel
transportation update; energy outlook
FOCUS: Optimizing the international returns challenge; integrating
supply chain; evaluating DC efficiencies; expectations within the reverse supply
analytics for controlling your spend; the chain; reducing returns through a SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS
labor market and its impact on DC site customer-value partnership; data-driven
selection; choosing between conveyor- insights on optimizing policies SEPT 24-29, 2017 Cambridge, Mass.
based or cart-based picking MIT Sloan Executive Education and IMD
OCT 4-6, 2017 West Philadelphia, Pa. Driving Strategic Innovation:
SEPT 25-29, 2017 Chicago, Ill. Worldwide Business Research Achieving High Performance
International Quality & Productivity Center LogiPharma 2017 Throughout the Value Chain
(IQPC) logipharmaus.wbresearch.com executive.mit.edu
Global Forum 15th Annual AUDIENCE: Pharmaceutical supply chain
AUDIENCE: Logistics and supply chain
Temperature Controlled Life stakeholders professionals
Science Supply Chains FOCUS: Optimizing the supply chain
FOCUS: Managing innovation from
coldchainglobalforum.com to contain costs in an ever-changing concept to commercialization; building
healthcare environment; activating organizational relationships that facilitate
AUDIENCE: Cold chain stakeholders
the digital supply chain to increase knowledge transfer within the firm and
FOCUS: Addressing the medical needs
efficiencies and better meet patient across the value chain; moving ideas
of patients globally through industry needs; building the supply chain of the
collaboration and supply chain innovation; quickly through supply chains
future and partnering for end-to-end
eliminating supply chain blind spots to visibility
increase safety and improve quality

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September 21 & 22, 2017
Four Seasons, Miami, Florida

U.S.-MEXICO
LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN
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RESOURCE 07.17
CENTERINBOUND LOGISTICS WORKS FOR YOU!
3PLs
DF Young pg. 113
A.N. Deringer pg. 83
www.dfyoung.com 610-570-2620
www.anderinger.com 888-612-6239

American Warehouse pg. 183

Distribution Technology pg. 59
www.distributiontechnology.com 704-587-5587
www.americanwhse.com/inbound 503-656-1852

APL Logistics pg. 195

DSC Logistics pg. 27
www.dsclogistics.com 847-635-4952
www.apllogistics.com 602-586-4800

Approved Freight Forwarders pg. 69

Echo Cover 2
www.echo.com 800-354-7993
www.approvedforwarders.com 888-679-5099

ArcBest Corporation pg. 13 Evans Distribution Systems pg. 39

www.arcb.com/simplistics 479-785-6000 www.evansdist.com 800-OK-EVANS

Atlanta Bonded Fidelitone pg. 30

Warehouse Corporation pg. 191 www.fidelitone.com/path 800-475-0917
www.atlantabonded.com 678-322-3120
FLS Transportation pg. 87
Bender Group pg. 115 www.flstransport.com 800-739-0939
www.bendergroup.com 800-621-9402
GlobalTranz pg. 158
Bulletproof Logistics www.globaltranz.com/top1003PL 866-275-1407
For a specific & Distribution pg. 203
response, contact www.bulletprooflogistics.com 855-275-1888
Holman Distribution pg. 19
these advertisers www.holmanusa.com/boxer 253-872-7140
directly. Please tell Burris Logistics pg. 125
them you saw their ad in www.burrislogistics.com 919-394-5100 J.B. Hunt Transport Services pg. 3
Inbound Logistics. www.jbhunt.com/360 855-313-4473
C.H. Robinson pg. 7
www.chrobinson.com 800-323-7587 Johanson
For faster service, Transportation Service pg. 126
go online: Capacity LLC pg. 187 www.johansontrans.com 800-742-2053
inboundlogistics.com/rfp
www.capacityllc.com 732-348-7224
Kane is Able pg. 172
CaseStack pg. 199 www.kaneisable.com 888-356-KANE
www.casestack.com 855-638-3500
Kenco pg. 53
Celadon Logistics pg. 55 www.kencogroup.com 855-877-5910
www.celadonlogistics.com 800-235-2366
Keystone Dedicated
CLX Logistics pg. 133 Logistics (KDL) pg. 78
www.CLXLogistics.com 800-288-4851 www.kdlog.com 877-535-7717

Corporate Traffic Logistics pg. 67 KINEXO pg. 117

www.corporatetraffic.com 800-787-2334 www.gokinexo.com 252-407-2000

Coyote Logistics pg. 217 Landstar pg. 75

www.coyote.com 877-6-COYOTE www.landstar.com 877-696-4507

CT Logistics pg. 204 LEGACY Supply Chain Services pg. 11

www.ctlogistics.com 216-267-2000 x2190 www.legacyscs.com/culture-shocked 800-361-5028

260 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Lynden pg. 49, 201 Saddle Creek Logistics Services pg. 136
www.lynden.com 888-596-3361 www.sclogistics.com 888-878-1177

Mallory Alexander Schneider pg. 42

International Logistics pg. 161 www.schneider.com 800-558-6767
www.mallorygroup.com 800-257-8464
SEKO Logistics pg. 44, 173
Matson Logistics pg. 43 www.sekologistics.com 630-919-4800
www.matson.com 866-628-7663
Sunset Transportation pg. 210
MD Logistics pg. 170, 177 www.sunsetTrans.com 800-849-6540
www.mdlogistics3pl.com 317-838-8900
Syfan Logistics pg. 92-93
NFI pg. 101 www.syfanlogistics.com 855-287-8485
www.nfiindustries.com 877-312-7207
Taylored Services pg. 33
Nolan Transportation Group pg. 121 www.tayloredservices.com 844-746-4833
www.ntgfreight.com 877-744-7684
TransGroup Global Logistics pg. 17
ODW Logistics pg. 61 www.transgroup.com 800-444-0294
www.odwlogistics.com 614-549-5000
Transplace pg. 174, Cover 4
Odyssey Logistics & Technology pg. 107 www.transplace.com 866-413-9266
www.odysseylogistics.com 855-412-0199
Transportation Insight pg. 48 For a specific
Penske Logistics pg. 5 www.transportationinsight.com 877-226-9950 response, contact
www.gopenske.com 844-868-0818 these advertisers
Tucker Company Worldwide pg. 71 directly. Please tell
Performance Team pg. 45 www.tuckerco.com 800-229-7780 them you saw their ad in
Inbound Logistics.
www.performanceteam.net 866-775-5120
Universal Logistics Holdings pg. 24
Pilot Freight Services pg. 65 www.universallogistics.com 586-920-0100
For faster service,
www.pilotdelivers.com 800-HI-PILOT go online:
Unyson pg. 47, 175
inboundlogistics.com/rfp
Port Jersey Logistics pg. 73 www.unyson.com 866-409-9759
www.portjersey.com 609-495-1300
UTXL pg. 63
ProTrans International pg. 9, 176 www.utxl.com 800-351-2821
www.protrans.com 312-240-4101
Veritiv pg. 29
Purolator International pg. 85 www.veritivcorp.com/assurance 855-857-4700
www.purolatorinternational.com 888-511-4811
Verst Logistics pg. 109
QuadExpress pg. 52 www.verstgroup.com 800-582-6706
www.shipquadexpress.com 877-536-5523
Wagner Logistics pg. 139
R2 Logistics pg. 57 www.wagnerlogistics.com 800-817-1264
www.thebest3pl.com 904-394-4677
WSI (Warehouse Specialists, LLC) pg. 46
RR Donnelleys DLS Worldwide pg. 105 www.wsinc.com 920-831-3700
www.dls-ww.com 888-757-0291
Yusen Logistics pg. 36
Ruan pg. 135 www.yusen-logistics.com 800-414-3895
www.ruan.com 866-782-6669

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 261

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RESOURCE 07.17
CENTERINBOUND LOGISTICS WORKS FOR YOU!

Air/Ground Expedited eShipping pg. 222

American Expediting pg. 91 www.eshipping.biz 866-890-3408
www.americanexpediting.com 800-525-3278
Fortigo pg. 77
www.fortigo.com 866-376-8884
Career Solutions
WONOLO pg. 178-179 RPM pg. 50
www.wonolo.com 978-317-7264 www.loadrpm.com 248-414-1910

Events MacroPoint Insert

CSCMP Annual www.whymacropoint.com 866-346-5372
Global Conference pg. 259
www.cscmpconference.org 630-574-0985
SMC3 pg. 141
www.smc3.com 800-845-8090
IL LATAM Summit pg. 214, 257
www.bit.ly/SCLeadersSummit 212-629-1560
Zebra Technologies pg. 193
www.zebra.com/visibility 866-230-9494
Parcel Forum pg. 218
www.parcelforum.com 866-378-4991 Ocean
Bahri General Cargo pg. 123
Financial Services www.bahri.sa 800-732-0204
Regions Bank pg. 185
For a specific www.regions.com/securities 404-888-5111
TOTE Maritime pg. 41
response, contact www.totemaritime.com 877-775-7447
these advertisers
directly. Please tell Freight Forwarding
them you saw their ad in Freight Logistics pg. 108, 213
Ports
Inbound Logistics. www.freightlogistics.com 786-235-7800
Port Everglades Cover 3
www.porteverglades.net 800-421-0188

Freight Payment Services

For faster service,
CTSI-Global pg. 143
Rail
go online:
www.ctsi-global.com 888-836-5135
BNSF Railway pg. 15
inboundlogistics.com/rfp
www.bnsf-kcs.com 866-481-9658
nVision Global pg. 99
www.nvisionglobal.com 770-474-4122 Real Estate Logistics/
Site Selection
Intermodal Pharr International Bridge pg. 97
Alliance Shippers, Inc. pg. 23 www.pharrbridge.com 956-402-4660
www.alliance.com 800-222-0451
Trucking
Logistics IT Old Dominion Freight Line pg. 34-35
3PL Central pg. 131 www.odfl.com 866-637-7333
www.3plcentral.com 888-375-2368
Saia pg. 51
Amber Road pg. 76 www.saia.com/leading 800-765-7242
www.amberroad.com 201-935-8588

ClearMetal pg. 79
www.clearmetal.com 415-857-4390

262 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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Test-Drive 3PL Warehouse Manager Today!
Use our Resource Center and let the information you need find you.

INDEX
ADVERTISER PAGE ADVERTISER PAGE
3PL Central 131 Lynden 49, 201
A.N. Deringer 83 MacroPoint Insert
Alliance Shippers, Inc. 23 Mallory Alexander International Logistics 161
Amber Road 76 Matson Logistics 43
American Expediting 91 MD Logistics 170, 177
American Warehouse 183 NFI 101
APL Logistics 195 Nolan Transportation Group 121
Approved Freight Forwarders 69 nVision Global 99
ArcBest Corporation 13 ODW Logistics 61
Atlanta Bonded Warehouse Corporation 191 Odyssey Logistics & Technology 107
Bahri General Cargo 123 Old Dominion Freight Line 34-35
Bender Group 115 Parcel Forum 218
BNSF Railway 15 Penske Logistics 5
Bulletproof Logistics & Distribution 203 Performance Team 45
Burris Logistics 125 Pharr International Bridge 97
C.H. Robinson 7 Pilot Freight Services 65
Capacity LLC 187 Port Everglades Cover 3
CaseStack 199 Port Jersey Logistics 73
Celadon Logistics 55 ProTrans International 9, 176
ClearMetal 79 Purolator International 85
CLX Logistics 133 Quad Express 52
For a specific
Corporate Traffic Logistics 67 R2 Logistics 57
response, contact
Coyote Logistics 217 Regions Bank 185
these advertisers
CSCMP Annual Global Conference 259 RR Donnelleys DLS Worldwide 105
directly. Please tell
CT Logistics 204 Ruan 135 them you saw their ad in
CTSI-Global 143 Saddle Creek Logistics Services 136 Inbound Logistics.
DF Young 113 Saia 51
Distribution Technology 59 Schneider 42
DSC Logistics 27 SEKO Logistics 44, 173 For faster service,
Echo Cover 2 SMC3 141 go online:
eShipping 222 Sunset Transportation 210 inboundlogistics.com/rfp
Evans Distribution Systems 39 Syfan Logistics 92-93
Fidelitone 30 Taylored Services 33
FLS Transportation 87 TOTE Maritime 41
Fortigo 77 TransGroup Global Logistics 17
Freight Logistics 108, 213 Transplace 174, Cover 4
GlobalTranz 158 Transportation Insight 48
Holman Distribution 19 Tucker Company Worldwide 71
IL LATAM Summit 214, 257 Universal Logistics Holdings 24
J.B. Hunt Transport Services 3 Unyson 47, 175
Johanson Transportation Service 126 UTXL 63
Kane is Able 172 Veritiv 29
Kenco 53 Verst Logistics 109
Keystone Dedicated Logistics (KDL) 78 Wagner Logistics 139
KINEXO 117 WONOLO 178-179
Landstar 75 WSI (Warehouse Specialists, LLC) 46
LEGACY Supply Chain Services 11 Yusen Logistics 36
LoadRPM 50 Zebra Technologies 193

July 2017 Inbound Logistics 263

Turbocharge Your WMS

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LOGISTICS OUTSIDE THE BOX

THE LAST MILE

By the Numbers

Supply Chain Goes

TARGET, WALMART, AND AMAZON

JULY AND AUGUST 2017 ARE THE THREE TOP RETAILERS
ARE EXPECTED TO BE TWO OF
FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPERS.
THE BUSIEST MONTHS FOR
CARGO CONTAINER IMPORTS

$83.6
EVER RECORDED BY THE
NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATIONS
GLOBAL PORT TRACKER REPORT.

THE ESTIMATED AVERAGE

SPENDING ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES
BILLION
PER HOUSEHOLD IS

INCREASE IN IMPORTS AT U.S.

$75.8
CONTAINER PORTS IN JULY
PARENTS OF SCHOOL-AGE KIDS ALSO
2017 COMPARED TO JULY 2016
SAY THEY WILL SPEND AN AVERAGE
AS RETAILERS STOCK SHELVES
OF $239 ON CLOTHING, $204 ON
W I T H B A C K -T O - S C H O O L
ELECTRONICS, AND $130 ON SHOES.
IMPORTED PRODUCTS.

1.75 BILLION
Million
TEUs PERCENT OF ONLINE SHOPPERS PLANNING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE
ESTIMATED CARGO SHIPPING V. PERCENT PLANNING TO BUY ONLINE AND PICK UP IN STORE. EXPECTED TOTAL SPENDING ON
VOLUME AT MAJOR SCHOOL SHOPPING BY SCHOOL-
U.S. PORTS IN AUGUST AND COLLEGE-AGE FAMILIES IN
2017, UP 2.2 PERCENT Sources: National Retail Federation: annual survey conducted by 2017, A MORE THAN 10-PERCENT
FROM 2016. Prosper Insights and Analytics, and its Global Port Tracker Report INCREASE FROM 2016.
prepared by Hackett Associates; Branding Brand

264 Inbound Logistics July 2017

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ACA_ad0517.indd 1 5/3/17 9:57 AM
Logistics is complicated.
Who to vote for is simple.

Every day our team members use their passion and industry expertise
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So vote today for your Uncomplicators. Visit ECHO.COM/VOTE

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