3PL Selection & Contract Renewal - North American Focus

Recent years have provided a mix of opportunities and challenges for the logistics and supply chain industry. Economic volatility, global political instability and talent shortages continue to impact growth.

However, the current climate means that shippers are continuously re-evaluating their supply chain strategy, creating an opportunity for providers to offer innovative solutions to prospective customers. Now more than ever, it’s time to focus on building, maintaining, and creating new customer relationships.

The report gives insight as to how providers cam maximize customer relationships from a 3PL contracting angle. It collates the survey responses of 3PLs, 4PLs and customers who use the services of both, to present a snapshot of their current perspectives on the industry.

We examine initial contracting trends, contract renewal, RFPs, and the specific factors that one must include in RFPs, as well as employee responsibility for 3PL contracting – all from the point of view of both users and providers, compared.

The dual perspective of users and providers offers a unique snapshot of whre 3PL contracting trends stand at this juncture. The comparison between 2012 and 2009 trends is somewhat uniform, but in places where it comes apart, the results are surprising.

The challenges and trends revealed in the findings below will be discussed further at the 11th 3PL Summit & Chief Supply Chain Officer Forum in Chicago, June 18-20 2013, where 3PL-customer relationships take center stage.