As the logistics landscape continues to face freight, capacity and regulatory issues, in addition to demanding customers and consumers, the industry is more focused than ever on innovation, according to the research, which surveyed more than 770 shippers and logistics service providers in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

Areas of special emphasis for the 2016 report include relationship alignment, 3PL differentiation and asset resourcing. The full report is available, click here.

Key findings include:

Competition within the logistics industry: The ways in which shippers and 3PLs work together is changing as competition within the logistics industry ramps up.

Industry consolidation: Tighter capacity along with increased consolidation within logistics service providers is leading to fewer partners for 3PLs and increased prices.

3PL differentiation: 3PLs are using technology and data-driven insights to provide sustained value, maximize efficiency and reduce costs, for example by increasing visibility within orders, shipments and inventory and improving transportation management planning/scheduling.

Shortage of talent: The unprecedented labor shortage within the logistics industry is leaving a majority of 3PLs unprepared for the impact on their supply chain, pushing them to re-evaluate their workforce to meet shippers’ expectations.

Utilizing resources to meet increasing customer requirements: Freight, capacity, competition and regulatory issues mean the logistics industry is more focused than ever on driving innovation, for example tapping capabilities from competitors or from companies in different industries.

Source: Capgemini Consulting