If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that the future is always uncertain. The global pandemic that shook the world has altered and disrupted the logistics and supply chain industry for years to come. Companies have an increased urgency to fill the gaps in their supply chain that the pandemic exposed. To prepare for 2021, we dive into some of the top supply chain and logistics trends to look for this coming year.
Sustainability
One notable trend in the supply chain and logistics industry is the advancement of environmentally-friendly logistics practices. Besides benefitting us and our planet, it’s cost-effective, promotes a good brand, and increases customer loyalty. Most logistics companies are joining sustainability partnerships and organizations that promote cleaner fuel, more efficient equipment, and lower emissions. As we shift to 2021, look for even more businesses to lower their carbon footprint to align with this sustainability trend.
Supplier Diversification
As 2021 begins, logistics companies continue to find ways to incorporate diverse suppliers in their daily operations. Ideally, supplier diversity programs combine social responsibility with the desire for a better and more inclusive world. Not only does supplier diversity benefit under-represented businesses, but it also increases the economic impact of our nation by creating more jobs and higher wages for all. Small and minority-owned businesses will play a major part in supply chains moving forward.
Supply Chain Visibility
15 years ago, supply chain visibility was virtually an unknown term. Today, visibility has become a must-have for supply chain managers around the globe. Increased communication is a major factor for improving supply chain visibility because it allows companies to identify the gaps in their current processes. Visibility also ensures that you are knowledgeable about every aspect of your product’s life cycle and inventory levels, which can help you improve performance and reduce errors.
The Growth of Omnichannel
This past year has taught us that in order to succeed from a sales standpoint, companies need to maximize every available sales channel. These channels include e-commerce, direct-to-consumer, retail, and distributors. Whether a customer is shopping online or in-person, your business should be able to offer convenient omnichannel services. By consolidating demand and optimizing your supply chain strategy across every channel, companies can maximize service, minimize costs, and grow revenues.
Flexibility
In 2020, companies quickly learned that they must be flexible and agile to overcome supply chain disruptions. To ensure stability, companies must ensure that their supply chains are agile enough to cope with unknown events such as pandemics, natural disasters, and the changing costs and availability of raw materials. In 2021, companies must have contingency plans in place so that they can respond quickly to disruptions in production, supply, and delivery.
Staying ahead of these supply chain and logistics trends can ensure that supply chain disruptions have a minimal effect on your business. By embracing new trends and technologies, the industry is set to face new challenges and achieve greater efficiency.
This week, Logistics Plus employees were encouraged to show off their holiday spirit by competing in two holiday-themed contests. The first contest was for the best holiday-decorated door and the second contest was to determine the best holiday sweater. The winner of the holiday door decorating contest was the DELTA team located at the Logistics Plus global headquarters in Erie, PA. The winner of the best holiday sweater was Carmen Fucci, working at the Logistics Plus ETN warehouse in Erie, PA.
A big thanks to everyone at our Erie and Dallas offices who participated and helped spread the holiday spirit. We wish you all a happy and safe holiday season!
2020 was the year of adapting, learning, and overcoming obstacles during challenging times. The entire Logistics Plus team wishes you a joyous and safe holiday season and a happy New Year! As always, we thank you for your continued support, business, partnerships, and loyalty.
As a reminder, our U.S. operations will be closed for the holidays on December 24th and 25th, and on January 1st.
If you haven’t yet worked with Logistics Plus, we invite you to tell us your most pressing logistics or supply chain challenge and then give us a try in 2021. We put the ‘plus‘ in logistics by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things that ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
Logistics Plus Named a 2021 Top 3PL by Multichannel Merchant
It’s the fourth straight year that Logistics Plus has been named to the list.
ERIE, PA (December 21, 2020) – Logistics Plus Inc. (LP), a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, is proud to announce it has been named a Multichannel Merchant (MCM) Top 3PL for 2021 for a fourth consecutive year. Logistics Plus will be joining dozens of other leading third-party logistics providers selected by Multichannel Merchant in its sixth annual directory.
3PLs, already growing in importance before COVID-19, have seen significant growth in 2020 as the massive shift to e-commerce fuels demand for outsourced warehousing, fulfillment, and logistics operations. The company profiles in the MCM Top 3PL directory include vital information to help merchants in their selection process, including critical services, average annual client order volume, top merchandise categories handled, facility locations, and more. The directory is available throughout the year.
“E-commerce and DTC merchants need experienced, qualified 3PL partners as they handle unprecedented growth in their online business, and lack the internal resources or expertise,” said Mike O’Brien, Senior Content Manager of Multichannel Merchant. “Each company has been selected based on their industry experience, services offered, performance, and range of capabilities.”
Scott Motter manages one of LP’s many U.S. warehouses
“Warehousing and fulfillment continue to drive a lot of our growth. That’s why we’ve invested in an additional one million square feet of warehousing space this past year, giving us well over two million square feet in the United States alone,” said Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. “I’m not a ‘crystal ball’ kind of guy, but even I can feel that because of the pandemic, and what will be a new and different normal, Warehousing and fulfillment will be an even bigger thing in the future than it’s been in the past. I believe we’ve made some good moves to expand our capabilities at the right time.”
Multichannel Merchant reaches key decision makers responsible for e-commerce, management, marketing, and operations at companies that sell merchandise through multiple channels — including e-commerce, mobile, social, and catalog. Multichannel Merchant delivers original research, as well as in-depth analysis of trends and best practices, news, tactical/how-to, executive summaries, technology and supplier comparisons, tip sheets, and resource information to help companies sell & deliver products wherever and whenever the customer wants them – at home, work, store or other locations. Visit them online at multichannelmerchant.com.
About Logistics Plus Inc.
Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence technology, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. The company was founded over 24 years ago in Erie, PA, by local entrepreneur Jim Berlin. Today, Logistics Plus is a highly regarded, fast-growing, and award-winning transportation and logistics company. With a Passion For Excellence™, its employees put the “plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices, warehouses, and agents located in Erie, PA; Akron, OH; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Chino, CA; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Des Moines, IA; Detroit, MI; Fort Worth, TX; Haslet TX; Houston, TX; Laredo, TX; Lexington, NC; Los Angeles, CA; Melbourne, FL; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Olean, NY; San Francisco, CA; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; China; Colombia; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Libya; Mexico; Netherlands; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Taiwan; Turkey; UAE; Ukraine; Uganda; and United Kingdom; with additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
The Logistics Plus Europe project cargo team is finishing 2020 off on a high note. In the last few months, our team in Europe has managed a variety of projects including the delivery of steel components to a distillery, a full charter shipment of windmill equipment, and much more. These recent projects are detailed below.
1. Steel Components from Germany to Scotland
Logistics Plus successfully delivered two steel components (each 15.70m x 5.40m x 4.05m / 54 mts) from Germany to a distillery in Bora, Scotland. This project faced multiple challenges including the mandatory guidelines for loading and routing by the Department of Transportation, the limited space on the North Sea Ferry service, and the wintery road conditions in the Scottish Highlands. Despite these challenges, the components were delivered on-time and in perfect condition.
Pictures of the steel components can be seen below.
2. Windmill Equipment from Turkey to Italy
Logistics Plus successfully executed a full charter shipment of windmill equipment (10,587 FRTs/ 1021 MTS/ 59 PCS) from Aliaga, Turkey to Manfredonia, Italy. The equipment consisted of windmill blades, generators, and accessories.
A picture of the windmill equipment can be seen below.
Do you need help managing your next big project? Contact our award-winning, global team of project cargo and breakbulk experts now.
Logistics Plus founder and CEO Jim Berlin was featured on the weekly Business Spotlight program from WPSE AM 1450/FM 107.1 Radio. Business Spotlight is a 30-minute program airing Fridays at noon. Each segment focuses on a business or organization that is making an impact across the region.
In this segment, Jim gives a recap of 2020, discusses company growth, the importance of culture, and more. You can listen to a replay of the interview on the Logistics Plus YouTube Channel or below.
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that the future is always uncertain. The global pandemic that shook the world has altered and disrupted the logistics and supply chain industry for years to come. Companies have an increased urgency to fill the gaps in their supply chain that the pandemic exposed. To prepare for 2021, we dive into some of the top supply chain and logistics trends to look for this coming year.
2020 was the year of adapting, learning, and overcoming obstacles during challenging times. The entire Logistics Plus team wishes you a joyous and safe holiday season and a happy New Year! As always, we thank you for your continued support, business, partnerships, and loyalty.
The 
Logistics Plus founder and CEO