The Top 10 Logistics & Supply Chain Trends of 2013

At this time of year, every publication comes out with a top 10 list, EFT compiled a list last year for the first time and it made for interesting reading.

For 2012, the most read story was an article I wrote about the supply chain success at Starbucks; but the more interesting fact for me was that the 3rd most read story was about 3D printing and the logistics industry.

This was and many would say still is, a technological development in its infancy, one which is not widespread with supply chains yet. However, it was hugely popular in 2012, and even more so in 2013! (3D Printing and The Supply Chains of The Future)

As you can see from the top 10 most read stories of 2013, an article written by Mark Patterson, the Vice President, Innovation and Product Incubation EMEA at DHL Supply Chain takes the number one spot from myself (I come in at #4 with a commentary on Nestle and the length of 3PL contracts – a still respectable placing) with his thoughts about 3D printing and the Supply Chain. Another article on 3D printing is also the 8th most popular story. Whilst Guy Courtin’s supply chain predictions for 2013 took second place.

Cathy Morrow Roberson of Transport Intelligence wrote about potential logistics start-ups, which took a surprising third place. I say surprising, because the article concentrates on small and new companies, none are household names. But with both this article and the 3D printing stories, the popularity of these lies in the ‘unknown and in uncertainty’.

This is something that I also see during the conferences that eyefortransport organizes. The known, is just not that interesting. What ‘could’ happen? How technology ‘may’ develop? Is of much greater interest to supply chain executives. The recent press explosion around Amazon’s drones is an example of this.

I hope you enjoy this recap of the 10 most popular stories of 2013. I’m not going to make any predictions just yet of what 2014 will bring for the supply chain world, but I will say that after 15 years analysing the industry that I’m sure there will be more uncertainty, more innovations and more opportunities for those executives and companies agile enough to adapt.

1. 3D Printing and The Supply Chains of The Future
2. The Top 10 Thoughts for 2013 and the Supply Chain
3. ‘Out of the Box’ Logistics Startups Challenge Traditional Supply Chains
4. What the Head of Logistics of Nestle is Thinking and Why are 3PL Contracts So Short?
5. Why I No Longer Believe in the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25
6. Annual eyefortransport 3PL Awards Shortlist Revealed – includes top North American 3PLs
7. Bridging the Procurement-Supply Chain Divide
8. What Could 3D Printing Mean for the Supply Chain?
9. The Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Undergoes a New Competition
10. Location Density Map of Top North American 3PLs