The North American Third-party Logistics Industry in 2013: The Provider CEO Perspective

This research is based upon a 2013 survey of the CEOs of 15 of the largest third-party logistics companies serving the North American marketplace. The survey is the 20th iteration of this annual study, and it addresses such topics as the major dynamics operating in that marketplace and the opportunities and problems facing 3PLs in that region. It also addresses such issues as the movement toward near-shoring, 3PL actions with respect to environmental sustainability issues, 3PL services to the healthcare industry, and the industry’s chronic problems related to finding and retaining talented managers. The CEOs also provide one- and three-year forecasts of company and regional 3PL industry revenue growth, while identifying the major changes they believe will occur in the regional 3PL industry during the next year. The implications of the data to 3PLs and their customers are discussed.