READING, Pa., Oct 1, 2024 – The 2025 Third-Party Logistics Study, spearheaded by Dr. C. John Langley of Penn State University and developed in collaboration with NTT DATA and Penske Logistics, was unveiled today at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) EDGE. In its 29th year, the study delves into the evolving dynamics of the supply chain under the theme Navigating Change, reflecting the current challenges within the industry.

The research highlights three pivotal areas: Change management in shipper (companies that manufacture goods or provide services) and 3PL (third-party logistics providers) relationships; artificial intelligence; and the importance of the direct-to-consumer experience.

The research provides a deeper dive into the current state of the 3PL market, and contemporary issues like nearshoring and trends in commercial real estate and supply chain labor are also contained within.

Some key learnings from the 2025 3PL Study include:

• Change management is essential to keeping pace in the marketplace: Shippers (61%) and 3PLs (73%) both agree that supply chain change management is vital. Demand for change management is driven by customer experience, economic factors and technological advancements. Among survey respondents, 58% of shippers and 76% of 3PLs are currently employing a change management framework.
• Artificial intelligence is a supply chain competitive advantage: Both shippers and 3PLs are in agreement that AI can be pivotal in automating data analysis, identifying patterns, solving problems and automating repetitive tasks. Results uncovered that 33% of shippers are seeking implementations related to supply planning and demand forecasting, while 19% of 3PLs reported planning implementation in this area. Also, 27% of shippers expressed an interest in transportation and route optimization technologies, while 22% of 3PLs noted they are planning to install these capabilities.
• The continued e-commerce effect is shaping the direct-to-consumer experience: 48% of shippers and 53% of 3PLs reported that customers routinely expect deliveries in less than two days, and 27% of shippers and 26% of 3PLs noted that there are three-day or less delivery expectations. Shippers (44%) and 3PLs (38%) are willing to absorb a small percentage of the costs related to shipping speeds. Both shippers and 3PLs view delivery speed and further delivery visibility as strong areas of differentiation.

The study surveyed 3PL providers and users of 3PL services to understand the current state of 3PLs and how 3PL relationships are evolving with their customers. The research continues to capture and measure this evolving industry and document the transformation of the third-party logistics sector as new challenges and opportunities emerge. The 2025 study and past versions are available for download at www.3PLStudy.com.

“While users and providers of 3PL services continue to report successful relationships, they find themselves having to deal with an increasingly wide range of challenges,” said Dr. C. John Langley, Professor, Supply Chain & Information Systems, Penn State University. “While examples include economic concerns, geopolitical unrest, and changing markets for supply chain services, they also are taking advantage of change management processes to benefit from new and improved capabilities such as AI and direct-to-customer proficiencies.”

“This year’s study once again achieves success with providing readers with a nuanced understanding of the key issues facing our supply chains today,” said Ramu Pannala, Vice President of Supply Chain Technology, Penske Logistics. “Technology will drive the industry forward in many exciting ways.”

“This reinforces what we see in the market regarding businesses trying to manage through the volatility of day-to-day operations, relying on new capabilities like AI, and deeper partner relationships,” said Shanton Wilcox, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Consulting, NTT DATA. “All of these efforts and investments rely on change management to increase the likelihood of success.”

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services. We serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping clients innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. As a Global Top Employer, we have diverse experts in more than 50 countries and a robust partner ecosystem of established and start-up companies. Our services include business and technology consulting, data and artificial intelligence, industry solutions, as well as the development, implementation and management of applications, infrastructure and connectivity. We are also one of the leading providers of digital and AI infrastructure in the world. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3.6 billion each year in R&D to help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. Visit us at nttdata.com.

Penske Logistics is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. The company is a leading provider of innovative supply chain and logistics solutions. Penske offers solutions including dedicated transportation, distribution center management, lead logistics, freight management, transportation management, freight brokerage, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit PenskeLogistics.com to learn more.

Supply chains are investing in technologies to accelerate resilience, agility and flexibility to better navigate current and future disruption.

LOMBARD, Ill., June 18, 2024 -- The 2024 State of Logistics Report was unveiled at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. today, with the 35th annual publication finding that U.S. supply chains pressured by global economic volatility -- including inflation, climate change and geopolitical conflicts -- are enhancing their capabilities by investing in supply chain technologies to accelerate resilience, agility and flexibility to navigate current and future disruption.

Produced annually for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) by global consulting firm Kearney and presented by leading third-party supply chain provider Penske Logistics, the annual report offers a snapshot of the American economy via the lens of the logistics sector and its role in overall supply chains.

The report is a comprehensive compilation of leading logistics intelligence from around the world and shines a spotlight on industry trends and key insights on ever evolving supply chains across a number of sectors.

The report found that uncertainty is now a near constant in the global economy, and that the smartest way to respond to steady times is to rekindle strategic projects and gather resources to improve resilience. The global economy is expected to experience sluggish 2.5% growth across 2024, which would represent the slowest half-decade of output in 30 years. Demand has not yet fully recovered, with myriad forces at play, and new growth engines will need traction before the tide turns.

Report highlights include:

• A notable report statistic, U.S. business logistics costs, is $2.3 trillion, which translates to 8.7% of the national GDP.
• There are multiple reasons why demand has not yet fully recovered, chief among them are simultaneous geopolitical conflicts around the world, climate change (which has affected shipping lanes), high inflation, high interest rates, and apart from the U.S., sluggish demand.
• As a result of the economic headwinds and geopolitical instability, the continued fragmentation of global trade is complicating supply chain transactions. There were over 1,000 U.S. freight brokers that shuttered their doors since the 2023 report was released.
• Some of the largest manufacturers and retailers are seeking to monetize their own logistics capabilities while viewing their supply chain successes as a service to market and profit from.
• Carriers have been plagued by high operating costs, while lackluster demand, and the capacity glut, have made it hard for them to charge the kinds of rates that would allow them to sustain rates and protect their margins.
• Third-party logistics providers continue to work through significant challenges right now, which includes high operating and insurance costs, low freight rates, and excess capacity. Will this lead to further industry consolidation?
• Investments in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, end-to-end visibility, and advanced automation are expected to drive competitive advantage and greater resilience to future disruption in the logistics sector.
• Major global corporations have adopted rigorous environmental goals. Further government funding programs have been launched to encourage decarbonization initiatives, which indicate progress in both the public and private sector, toward higher levels of sustainability.

CSCMP President and CEO Mark Baxa brought the significance of the research to the fore: “I believe CSCMP creates the very finest and most comprehensive unbiased research with ready access to solutions supply chain leaders seek. After reading the report cover-to-cover, I encourage you to ask, ‘what’s different’, and do I understand the course of action to ensure maximum logistics success on the road ahead? Whether you are the senior leader or an entry-level analyst, you have decisions to make that will make a difference in your supply chain’s performance. The CSCMP State of Logistics Report presents powerful and timely insights that bring to life critical data and insights that will help readers develop solutions to their logistics challenges.”

Josh Brogan, Kearney partner and lead author for the State of Logistics Report: “Continued volatility drives our clients to rethink and rewire the logistics capabilities that drive their supply chains. Both shippers and carriers find that the people, processes and tools that move goods and information in global supply chains are often inadequate for their needs and require accelerated investment. The State of Logistics Report shows what is happening, where and why.”

Andy Moses, senior vice president of sales and solutions for Penske Logistics stated: “Our customers, as well as the industry, continue to face significant challenges in maintaining both a consistent and cost-effective supply chain. Investing in technologies to help improve agility and resilience will better position organizations and the industry as a whole to seamlessly navigate future disruptions. The State of Logistics Report provides an excellent explanation of what we are all currently experiencing.”

Kearney is a leading global management consulting firm. For nearly 100 years, we have been a trusted advisor to C-suites, government bodies, and nonprofit organizations. Our people make us who we are. Driven to be the difference between a big idea and making it happen, we work alongside our clients to regenerate their businesses to create a future that works for everyone. www.kearney.com

Penske Logistics is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. The company is a leading provider of innovative supply chain and logistics solutions. Penske offers solutions including dedicated transportation, distribution center management, lead logistics, freight management, transportation management, freight brokerage, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit PenskeLogistics.com to learn more.

Since 1963, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) has supported the supply chain management community through their mission to lead the supply chain profession by connecting, developing and educating the world’s supply chain management and logistics professionals throughout their careers. With more than 10,000 members globally, representing business, government, and academia from 62 countries, CSCMP members are the leading practitioners and authorities in the fields of logistics and supply chain management. To learn more, visit cscmp.org [cscmp.org]