Capgemini, a global provider of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, recently released the findings of two studies that explore the status of logistics in the manufacturing industry. One, entitled the 13th Annual Third Party Logistics Study, canvassed more than1,600 logistics executives from North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America, and was conducted in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology, Oracle and DHL. It examined the current state of logistics outsourcing.
According to the results, 98 percent of logistics executives consider green supply chain initiatives to be essential for future business success; the theft of material goods continues to be the top security concern; and companies can achieve significant cost savings, shorter order cycles, better customer service and improved business efficiency through detailed contracts and metrics with logistics providers.
The second one, the 17th Annual Trends and Issues in Logistics Study, was conducted along with Georgia Southern University, the University of Tennessee and SAP. It evaluated rising energy costs, burdened transportation capacity, infrastructure issues and other challenges confronting the industry by surveying more than 1,000 senior executives globally, representing organizations with $60bn in logistics and transportation spend. The study says that 35 percent of participants reported reducing costs as the number one aim of the firm; large firms (more than $3bn in revenue) spend between 11 and 30 percent of their time on strategic planning, compared to 38 percent for medium-sized firms ($500m to $3bn in revenue) and 45 percent for small firms (less than $500m in revenue); and international firms rely more on customer service as a strategy, whereas North American firms are more intent on being all things to all people.
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