As e-commerce and the global economy continue to expand, supply chains everywhere feel the strain.

According to the Institute of Supply Management, manufacturing activity grew again in February, marking the sector’s 18th consecutive month of growth. The institute also revealed that the overall economy has grown for 105 consecutive months since the recession of the late 2000s. Both of these growth measurements have e-commerce to thank, as the U.S. Department of Commerce found that online sales in the country rose 16 percent between 2016 and 2017.

All those sales require a supply chain that can handle the increased load, and companies across multiple industries are looking for advantages in this progressively competitive landscape. Read the full article here.

Topics: Outsourced Logistics, logistics, growth

 

Companies often flaunt new technological tools as reducing mistakes and increasing productivity beyond established expectations. This is particularly true when it comes to the shipping and logistics business.

Topics: Outsourced Logistics, 3PL, technology, logistics, TMS

 

Investing in a logistics partner often requires a crash course in acronyms. Companies talk at length about 3PLs, 4PLs, and other equally confusing designations, sprinkling in terms such as "brokers" and "brokerages." It's enough to make anyone's head spin.

 

To cut through the confusion and determine whether your company needs to partner with an LSP or a broker, ask yourself a few questions.

 

Read the full article here.

 

Topics: 3PL, logistics, brokerage, transportation, 4pl