For the past three years, a lack of capacity, a lack of personnel, the Pandemic, and increasing sophistication of logistics service providers, particularly in the technology area, have resulted in a significant increase in the outsourcing of logistics services. In many cases, the urgent need for services has caused us to short cut the basic […]
It’s hard to imagine a time when the need for continuing education in our industry has been greater. As the supply chain world becomes more complex and disruptions are occurring more frequently, many practitioners are struggling to keep their heads above water, leaving them little time to keep up with what’s happening around them. Then […]
With the continuing difficulty in securing reliable warehouse employees, some firms are starting to take a harder look at how to make their employees comfortable and motivated. Employers are realizing that work is not all about money. In addition to a fair wage, a comfortable “workstyle” can result in the maintenance of an efficient and […]
Every fall for the past 27 years, Dr. John Langley of Penn State has published the Third Party Logistics Study. I have followed this study since its inception and have found it to be the annual “go-to document” for a thorough analysis of the current relationships between logistics service providers (LSPs) and their customers. Once […]
On August 11, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced that over $2.2B would be awarded from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program to award applicants. The amount is higher this year as a result of an influx of funds from what is now called the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Projects include […]
From time to time, one of the leading trade journals publishes a feature article on Freight Bill Audit & Payment (FBAP). Supported by FBAP advertisers, to some extent it is a “puff piece”; but usually, there is some good information about FBAP firms and their capabilities. According to the recent 2022 Third Party Logistics Study, […]
In April, we wrote about the then-upcoming hearing before the Surface Transportation Board on the continuing deterioration in rail service. This hearing, entitled “Urgent Issues in Freight Rail Service”, was held on April 26-27, 2022, and focused on complaints about poor service on four Class I railroads – BNSF, CSX, NS, and UP. In the […]
On June 21, 2022, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) released the 33rd Annual State of Logistics Report. This year’s report is entitled “Out of Sync”, and to a large extent, is a continuation of the discussion of the effects of the pandemic and other economic conditions affecting the supply chain.
For over 20 years, Armstrong & Associates and Penn State’s John Langley and his associates have examined the logistics service provider (LSP) industry. They have become the “go to” experts for the latest on LSP trends and innovations.
For the past three years, we have either heard and read about or experienced reduced levels of service in the trucking industry. Missed and delayed shipments have worked hardships on many firms and consumers. Many of the service deficiencies have been blamed on the pandemic, but in the motor carrier industry, a shortage of over-the-road drivers and the resulting service issues have been a continuing problem.