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Logistics managers in Europe's leading manufacturing and commercial organisations were surveyed regarding their use of third-party logistics (TPL) services. Their responses provide insights into the depth and scope of logistics outsourcing in Europe. Areas specifically addressed in the European survey include; services being used, related implementation problems, the benefits that have emerged and the impact of third-party services on costs, customer satisfaction and employees. The results indicate that logistics outsourcing, at least for basic services, has become well established in Europe. Emphasis on logistics cost reduction, service improvement and flexibility of response are at the centre of most logistics outsourcing decisions. On the downside there is a mixed response on employee morale associated with outsourcing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides information gathered in a survey of the CEOs of the 25 largest third-party logistics companies operating in the US. Their industry is relatively new, with more than half of their companies having initiated operations since 1984. Most of their companies are subsidiaries of large transportation or warehousing enterprises. These service providers are becoming increasingly international, with nearly all of them having expanded their operations outside the US. As the industry continues to evolve, the large providers are increasingly turning to alliances with other companies as a means of broadening their services offerings. Transportation services, warehousing, and value-added services are the industry's most significant revenue generators. The net investment, employment base, and customer base of these companies vary considerably. All of the survey respondents reported annual revenues in excess of $50 million, with one exceeding $1 billion. Many of the companies have attempted to niche themselves in particular industries, and, to date, they have primary focused their sales efforts on large corporations. The industry continues to grow rapidly, with more than two-thirds of the CEOs projecting one and three year company growth rates in excess of 20 percent. According to the CEOs, the most important industrial dynamics affecting the industry are increased interest in outsourcing logistics activities, greater interest in one-stop shopping, and increased CEO/CFO participation in considering the third-party option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports the findings of a survey of the chief logistics executives of the 500 largest manufacturers in the United States concerning their use of third-party logistics services. One of the most widely discussed contemporary topics in the field of business logistics is the evolution of third-party logistics. Third-party logistics involves the use of external companies to perform logistics functions that have traditionally been performed within an organization. The functions performed by the third party can encompass the entire logistics process or selected activities within that process. The number of companies offering such services has expanded rapidly during the past several years. Those companies have tended to enter the industry through public warehousing, transportation services, or corporate spin-offs. While many third-party providers are small, a number of major players have entered the industry, including Federal Express, Roadway Express, CSX Transportation Inc., and United Parcel Service. The concept of third-party logistics has led to considerable debate within the logistics community. Those advocating the use of third-party services contend that manufacturers should concentrate on their core business, while allowing others to manage the logistics function.