One of the most common questions we get is what is a fourth party logistics provider or (4PL)? First off it’s worth saying that 4PL is more of a buzzword than any kind of accurate descriptor. That said a 4PL (also sometimes called a lead logistics provider) is a non-asset based company (i.e. they don’t own their own trucks or warehouse facilities) that provides logistics consulting services to fully manage, design, and build supply chains. While the logistics and supply chain industry continues to be confused about the exact role and definition of 4PLs, an emerging category of logistics consulting and management firms are emerging that are invaluable in managing large scale, complex supply chain functions from the top and overseeing innovative technology solutions.

Learn more about 4PL Companies

We’re happy to announce our list of Top Logistics and Supply Chain Blogs for 2011.

From Logistics Viewpoints a blog crafted by Adrian Gonzalez and Steve Banker who bring more than 25 years of logistics research experience to provide their unique voice to the blogosphere to the Supply Chain Management Risk Blog from Daniel Dumke, a researcher at the Institute of Business Logistics we have selected our top logistics based on authority, relevance of content, and frequency of updates.

Over years it’s been incredibly promising to see the quality of writing and content focused on the logistics and supply chain industry that continues to be available on the web and really appreciate all the blogs mentioned in this list in addition to all the other quality web sites and resources providing trusted information to logistics profressionals on a daily basis.

See our Top Logistics Blogs List

Ever hoped for a quick reference guide that you could consult whenever someone mentioned an obscure abbreviation for a trucking or logistics term? You are in luck. Today Logistics List has launched a Logistics acronyms reference guide.

Our hope is to keep this a continually updated guide covering all common acronyms and abbreviations used in the Logistics Industry.

See an acronym that we missed that we should add? Send us a message on Twitter with your suggestions at http://twitter.com/logisticslist

Without further ado, we bring you our official Logistics Acronyms List.

The Journal of Commerce is one of those email newsletters that anyone who has been in the logistics industry long enough is subscribed to.

Considered by many to be a “first-read” for international trade and logistics professionals, JOC Daily Newswire provides the latest news and analysis on current issues effecting the global logistics industry.

This free daily logistics newsletter provides continuously updated news coverage on the International Trade, Logistics and Transportation industry – from container shipping, to trucking, railroads, cargo airlines, customs security and technology – the JOC team of experts delivers the news you need to better manage your supply chain logistics and shipping needs.

Subscribe Free to the JOC Daily Newswire

The Midwestern United States (typically known as the “Midwest”) is one of the most important logistics corridors in the country and just about any logistics company that matters has some presence in this vital region. With a population of more than 66 million residing in these 12 states, it is one of the most important of the 4 geographic regions in the US.

From Chicago, the third largest freight handler in the world and the single largest rail transfer in the United States to key distribution points in St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis/St. Paul among others, the Midwest is home to professional 3PL service providers strategically located to best service the midwest region and to create strong anchors in nationwide warehousing and distribution networks.

Midwest Logistics Companies by State

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Ohio
• Wisconsin

The Midwest has long been a logistics stronghold and you will find quality third party logistics companies providing warehousing, freight management, and integrated logistics providers in all states in the Midwest. As you can see, we have officially launched the entire Midwest region at Logistics List with listings from 3pl companies in each market.

The Pacific Northwest has always been a key region for the logistics industry but it is likely to emerge as a growth area in the 3PL industry as the population in the surrounding areas continues to grow and as our trade with China picks up.

While Southern California had the most notable spike in traffic during the recession, the Pacific Northwest with its key ports in the Portland, OR and Seattle, WA markets, will become increasingly important in the coming years.

Currently around 70% of international cargo coming into the region is intermodal and transferred via rail to bigger inland markets such as Chicago. But with West Coast trade volumes set to double by 2020, the Pacific Northwest is set to become key to supporting this growth.

For companies looking for reliable logistics and warehousing services in the pacific northwest there are many excellent logistics companies in Seattle and  3pl providers in Portland.

JDA recently released a new complimentary white paper covering “Best Practices in Global Logistics.”

As a result of global sourcing, transportation management and third party logistics is becoming more strategic at companies where it has not traditionally been a core competency.

Some key best practices for logistics management covered  include:

• Evaluate and determine the right logistics operating model
• Establish strategic relations with 3PL providers and get alignment on performance metrics
• Deploy global visibility and exception-management processes and systems
• Optimize the global flow of goods through intelligent routing and consolidation
• Institute a continuous process for ongoing logistics/supply chain network design and scenario analysis

Get Free “Best Practices in Global Logistics” Whitepaper

Over the last year, logistics and supply chain management executives worldwide have been working tirelessly to respond to the recession and develop next generation supply chain strategies to get their respective organizations back on track. [Read more…]

In this increasingly volatile business environment, logistics providers continue to look for ways to define themselves and deliver best-in-class services. But a lot of times these attempts at differentiation lead to confusing jargon and acronyms that continue to be built upon year after year.

A few years ago I wrote a post to help distinguish the difference between 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th party logistics. The other day I read a great article in DC Velocity that claimed there was a consultant out there that was trying to define “5th party logistics”.

The latest jargon that is now gaining adoption is that of the Logistics Service Provider and Lead Logistics Provider

Logistics Service Provider – An LSP is really what most people would see as a traditional 3PL provider offering a combination of warehousing and transportation services or one or the other. As global and multi national providers enter the game, things have certainly changed, but the Logistics Service Provider at its core is fundamentally the same. [Read more…]

There is no question that making an informed decision when selecting a WMS or TMS system for your organization whether you are a 3PL provider, manage your supply chain in-house or are talking with a 3PL about the capabilities of their TMS is critical to your succcess.

I remember someone once told me the old adage regarding the purchasing of enterprise systems, “No one ever got fired for choosing IBM.” and it really struck me. Now yes IBM does have extensive solutions for the supply chain, but I’m not here to plug IBM. [Read more…]