Consumers today want the ability to purchase and return products via any channel, at any time, at the best price. To meet those expectations, companies that traditionally have had disparate fulfillment models must now merge both the informational and operational aspects of those models into one, says Todd Peters, CEO and vice chairman of GENCO.

Graybar, a distributor of electrical, communications and data-networking products, as well as provider of related supply-chain management and logistics services, has beefed up its sales network.

DAT, a provider of load boards for the spot freight marketplace, has added more equipment types to its DAT 3sixty and TruckersEdge products.

Many shippers could save money by taking advantage of the substantial spot market for transportation, says Ralph Galantine, product manager at DAT. Capacity varies greatly by lane, however, so good market data is essential.

Regional parcel carriers can fill an important market niche for many shippers, says Mark Magill, director of business development at OnTrac. By specializing in next-day deliveries within specific and often large geographic regions, these carriers can offer greater flexibility, faster transit and lower rates, he says.

The number one imperative for North American shippers continues to be cost reduction and cost containment, which means that logistics providers must analyze and scrutinize operations more diligently than ever in order to find such opportunities, says Jeremy Haycock, president of Damco North America.

Benoit Reinards of Flanders Investment and Trade explains why global retailers like Nike have made Flanders their hub for distribution throughout Europe and beyond.