It was Amazon that drove America's warehouse operators into the robot business.

The ability to monitor the behavior and condition of one's suppliers depends on having access to hard numbers. But a surprisingly large percentage of companies lack this critical data.

Analyst Insight: The 2016 DC Measures Study from the Warehousing Education and Research Council shows over 35 percent of respondents report to the C-suite, where interest in logistics performance will only increase. To better communicate to the C-suite, logistics needs to focus on managing and monitoring their performance by concentrating on the three pillars of performance management. In order to be successful, we must think beyond simple short-term results and move towards a better model for managing performance. - Joe Tillman, principal research lead for supply chain, APQC

The return of manufacturing to the U.S. and Europe from Asia is happening - but not at the pace that proponents of reshoring might hope. And there are some unexpected complications that need to be addressed.

So the major driver behind all those lost American jobs is free trade? Not so fast.