It's often been said that "no one sets out to make a bad movie." But each year, even some of the world's most talented filmmakers succeed in doing just that. In much the same way, no one aims to pull off a less-than-perfect logistics start-up or transition; yet such "failures" happen all the time, even to companies with the best of supply chains and noblest of project management intentions.

Doesn't it seem as though we are forever plunging into recession, then clawing our way back to recovery? In recent months we've seen hints that the U.S. economy is on the mend, with unemployment levels dropping. At the same time, consumer confidence is once again on the decline. It's a mixed bag by anyone's measure, but we've yet to return to pre-recession numbers in key sectors.

Global third-party logistics had a mixed year in 2011, and 2012 could be more of the same. But the signs are highly promising, at least in certain areas, that the industry's fortunes are indeed looking up.