The world of global logistics has evolved rapidly and processes that were common to businesses decades ago are now unrecognisable. To remain relevant and competitive, companies need to keep up with the latest trends that the industry is adopting, and make plans to incorporate them into their own business practices.
Here are five key logistics trends across the logistics industry to watch out for:
Automation
Of all the logistics trends that are having an impact on the industry, automation using collaborative robotics is the one companies should pay the closest attention to. This is due to the range of benefits it provides – as Financial Newspaper recently stated: ‘The automation in logistics ensures saving of energy, time and material while increasing accuracy and quality.’ Automation is driven by rapid technological advancements and greater affordability. Think about how robotics can assist with your supply chain, helping your workers with warehousing, transportation and even last-mile delivery activities.
Green logistics
Minimising the ecological impact of logistics activities is sweeping the industry as companies become more aware of the environmental burden of their supply chains. ‘Going green’ is largely a response to the continued growth in global trade and the ongoing success of international ecommerce, which is causing a spike in parcel-delivery volumes. With more companies joining the revolution, there has been an increasing shift towards renewable energy sources and greener facility solutions for logistics. The benefits of adopting green logistics include a positive brand reputation and increased loyalty from customers who share the same values.
Better home delivery solutions
More customers are receiving deliveries at home with the worldwide growth of ecommerce, leading to an increase in consumer expectations with regards to home delivery. However, logistics companies know that ‘as fast as possible’ and ‘free of charge’ are unrealistic terms and there has to be a better balance between delivery service and the fees charged. As a result, retailers are understanding that allowing consumers to self-select their delivery options based upon speed and price could lower overall delivery costs. The trend is to create home delivery solutions that will give customers more choice, but steer them to options that help the bottom line.
Big data
Logistics is being transformed through the power of data-driven insights and big data has become synonymous with better business, improving efficiency in the supply chain and continuous improvement. Thanks to the digital revolution across the industry, huge amounts of data can be captured from various sources along the supply chain. Companies around the world are using big data to improve their operations and customer experience, while creating useful new business models. IT Technology News24 recently reported that big data in the logistics market is ‘growing immensely’ with a growth rate of over 17% forecast over the next six years.
Consolidation
It seems counter-intuitive to work with your competitors, but cargo consolidation is one of the best solutions to reduce costs and achieve shorter transit times, allowing companies with average-sized cargoes to compete with bigger retailers. Combining a number of smaller shipments into one large shipping container has many benefits, including inventory flexibility, enhanced safety and access to cheaper bulk rates. Find a trusted provider that handles consolidated shipping and has a proven track record of managing complex international logistics – such as Sprint Logistics.
Sprint Logistics is a leading logistics solutions company that provides supply chain management and global warehousing for a wide variety of businesses. With over two decades of operating experience and developing world-class systems, you can be assured that we will meet all your logistics needs.
If you would like any assistance or advice in planning logistics strategy please contact us.
