Despite increased congestion, higher costs and more demanding consumers throughout the EU, the logistics-savvy Netherlands again has proved that it is the right choice for global companies looking for a European base of distribution operations.

It's good for the environment, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. That's why leading companies are going green at virtually every stage of the supply chain.

Few analysts predicted the surge of ocean containers that moved across the Pacific in 2006-or the surprising lack of congestion that accompanied it.