As with a marriage, the success of 3PL partnership is largely determined before the union is sealed, says Harry Drajpuch, CEO of Weber Logistics. Clarity about mutual expectations and the nature of the relationship, whether tactical or strategic, are issues that need to be thrashed out well in advance of any commitments.

Newgistics Inc., a vendor of small-parcel delivery, returns-management and freight-shipping services, has acquired AtLast Fulfillment, a Colorado-based provider of fulfillment and warehousing services.

The Supply Chain Group of third-party logistics provider LeanCor is expanding operations to the Chinese market. The unit will launch logistics services, training and education efforts to support the logistics, infrastructure and academic needs of Chinese and American companies.

Logistics companies and their clients run the risk of prosecution under the UK Bribery Act which was passed 12 months ago, according to research carried out by GoodCorporation.

U.S. domestic intermodal growth slackened slightly as the economy slowed in the second quarter, but the transport of international containers on the rails has its healthiest showing in the period since 2008, according to the Intermodal Association of North America.

DHL Global Forwarding has opened an Automotive Competence Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The logistics group of Crowley Maritime Corp. has expanded its service to include less-than-containerload (LCL) ocean and air-cargo lifts, as well as customs brokerage services, to Cartagena, Colombia from key points within the U.S. and Latin America.

Cardinal Logistics Management Inc., which provides dedicated and delivery domestic transportation services, has been acquired by affiliates of Centerbridge Partners, a private investment firm.

SciQuest Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire the assets of Upside Software Inc., a vendor of contract lifecycle management (CLM) software.