The aftermarket parts sector has long taken a back seat to the manufacturing side. But that's beginning to change, as companies realize the importance of parts to the bottom line.

The opportunities and challenges for serving China's domestic market are enormous. The secrets to success are a reliable supply chain with trusted partners and reliable 3PLs that can navigate China's immature infrastructure and complex regulatory environment.

New product introductions are dramatically increasing, but the important role of logistics in the success of product launches still is often overlooked.

The mid-market third-party logistics providers are on a tear, but consolidation and competition are creating market turmoil that will not go away.

The shift of manufacturing to China and elsewhere is lengthening supply lines and complicating the job of logistics managers. Here are some of the major problems that result-and some proposed cures.

Logistics service providers are split on the question of whether to buy software off the shelf, or build it internally. To be competitive, they should decide quickly-and dump their outmoded equipment.