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UNIT
2
Logistics services
|
15
8
Read the following text from a logistics company magazine about new trends in third-party
logistics. Then label the paragraphs with the correct headings from the list.
Today’s role of major providers
•
Changing logistics requirements for manufacturers
•
3PL in the past
•
New challenges for 3PL
•
Change in logistics concepts
Recent trends in 3PL
1 __________________
Until a few years ago, companies used
to outsource only parts of their logistics
operations to providers specializing
in services such as distribution or
warehousing. A single company sometimes
had several third-party logistics providers
(3PLs).
2 __________________
The globalization of trade and increasing
demand for services, however, has led to
a drastic shift in logistics concepts and
management with an impact on both
producers and logistics providers.
3 __________________
As far as manufacturers are concerned,
logistics management has become a lot
more complex. By now, many of them have
learned that outsourcing single segments
to different providers has not really made
their logistics operations more efficient.
That is why they are looking for providers
who can provide a higher level of service
and more comprehensive supply chain
solutions.
4 __________________
For 3PLs all over the world, requirements
keep getting more demanding with
customers asking for a wider range of
logistics solutions. Apart from that,
logistics providers today are facing an
increasingly tough and highly competitive
market. In recent years, growing pressure
on prices has led to a decrease in profit
margins. In order to compensate for
this, many third-party logistics providers
now offer value-added services for their
customers. Due to fierce competition in the
3PL market, however, experts predict that
only the big international players will be
able to work profitably in the future.
5 __________________
The big global players, also called super-
3PLs, can provide their customers with
comprehensive supply chain or end-to-end
solutions. These services usually include
forwarding, transportation, consolidation,
customs brokerage, warehousing, and
distribution, as well as a range of value-
added services.