READING, PA — The 2025 Third-Party Logistics Study, led by Dr. C. John Langley of Penn State University in collaboration with NTT DATA and Penske Logistics, was presented on October 1, 2024, at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) EDGE conference. Now in its 29th year, the study examines the shifting landscape of supply chains, focusing on “Navigating Change” amidst current industry challenges.
The study zeroes in on three critical areas: the evolving dynamics of shipper and third-party logistics (3PL) relationships, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chains, and the growing importance of the direct-to-consumer experience.
Key findings from the study reveal that change management is crucial for staying competitive. A significant majority of shippers (61%) and 3PLs (73%) acknowledge its importance, as customer expectations, economic factors, and technological advances drive demand for change management. The survey showed that 58% of shippers and 76% of 3PLs are currently utilizing change management frameworks.
AI emerges as a competitive edge in the supply chain, with shippers and 3PLs recognizing its potential for automating tasks and enhancing data analysis. The study found that 33% of shippers are exploring AI for supply planning and demand forecasting, while 19% of 3PLs are planning similar implementations. Additionally, 27% of shippers and 22% of 3PLs are interested in transportation and route optimization technologies.
The study also highlights the continued impact of e-commerce on direct-to-consumer expectations. Nearly half of shippers (48%) and 3PLs (53%) report that customers now expect deliveries in less than two days. Both parties are willing to absorb a portion of the costs to meet these fast shipping demands, with 44% of shippers and 38% of 3PLs seeing delivery speed and visibility as key differentiators.
Dr. C. John Langley remarked, “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,” citing economic, geopolitical, and market changes. He emphasized the role of change management in leveraging new capabilities like AI.
Ramu Pannala, Vice President of Supply Chain Technology at Penske Logistics, noted, “This year’s study once again achieves success with providing readers with a nuanced understanding of the key issues facing our supply chains today. Technology will drive the industry forward in many exciting ways.”
According to Shanton Wilcox, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Consulting at NTT DATA, “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. All of these efforts and investments rely on change management to increase the likelihood of success.”
The study provides a comprehensive look at the current state of the 3PL market, addressing issues like nearshoring, commercial real estate trends, and labor challenges. The full report, along with previous editions, is available at www.3PLStudy.com.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.