CSCMP 28th Annual State of Logistics Report: Accelerating into Uncertainty

News provided by

Jun 20, 2017, 09:05 ET

LOMBARD, Ill., June 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) released the 28th Annual State of Logistics Report™ during a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. (hashtag #SofL). CSCMP collaborated with global strategic management consulting firm, A.T. Kearney, as the author and researcher, with Penske Logistics continuing in its longstanding role as presenter of the report.

"This highly anticipated report contains the statistics and industry insights that will not only help our members do their jobs better, but also better prepare them for the business demands ahead, in a very dynamic marketplace," said Rick Blasgen, president and chief executive officer of CSCMP.

The report includes: a focused narrative on the economic environment impacting logistics; insights from interviews with industry leaders, including shippers, carriers, and analysts; a spotlight on relevant trends; and a strategic point of view on the state of the industry.

"We believe readers will be interested in this year's report for the retrospective view on 2016 market dynamics," explained Sean Monahan, A.T Kearney partner and report co-author. "Most importantly, it will provide the forward-looking view on considerations for the coming 18 months and beyond."

This year's report shows the first decline in United States Business Logistics Costs (USBLC) since 2009, even as a surging e-commerce sector propelled demand for parcel delivery services.

"Even in this current uneven economy, we are seeing upticks in demand for outsourced logistics services," explained Marc Althen, Penske Logistics president. "It is during times like these that our customers rely on us even further for increased collaboration that will result in streamlined supply chain costs."

Highlights:

U.S. economic growth will be strong in the near term
Rising interest rates and an appreciating U.S. dollar could increase the costs of doing business
Businesses appear to be cautious in adding inventory under the cloud of uncertainty
Fluctuations in truck tonnage demand to continue as businesses adjust their outlook over time

About CSCMP
Since 1963, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) has been the leading worldwide professional association dedicated to education, research, and the advancement of the supply chain management profession. With more than 9,000 members globally, representing business, government, and academia from 62 countries, CSCMP members are the leading practitioners and authorities in the fields of logistics and supply chain management. To learn more, visit www.cscmp.org.

About Penske Logistics
Penske Logistics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Penske Truck Leasing. With operations in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, Penske Logistics provides supply chain management and logistics services to major industrial and consumer companies throughout the world. Penske Logistics delivers value through design, planning, and execution in transportation, warehousing, and international freight forwarding and carrier management. To learn more, visit www.penskelogistics.com.

About A.T. Kearney
A.T. Kearney is a leading global management consulting firm with offices in more than 40 countries. Since 1926, we have been trusted advisors to the world's foremost organizations. A.T. Kearney is a partner-owned firm, committed to helping clients achieve immediate impact and growing advantage on their most mission-critical issues. To learn more about A.T. Kearney, please visit www.atkearney.com.