Trust and respect: twiStock-503226977.jpgo words that are imperative for a mutually rewarding outsourcing relationship. And so it is for an optimal 3PL experience. It seems easy, right?

Trucking has provided drivers and families with a decent living for decades. Although the demand for truckers has been persistent, most don’t expect it to last forever, especially since major truck manufacturers and startups have been busy testing automated and driverless trucks.

Analyzation of countries such as Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia, prove that emerging markets are popular again, as suppliers are increasingly flocking to these new manufacturing hubs. Small, independent suppliers within emerging markets offer great benefits to established retailers in developed markets, and the relationship is one that is valuable and extremely worthwhile for both parties.

Somali Pirates Hijack First Commercial Ship Since 2012. Pirates have hijacked an oil tanker with eight Sri Lankan crew on board, Somali authorities said last week, the first time a commercial ship has been seized in the region since 2012. (Read more here.)

Nowadays, we’re living in the age of the “spoiled consumer.” E-commerce shoppers have an undying demand for both fast and free shipping, one that has been perpetuated by benefits like Amazon’s Prime membership, a $99 per year membership that qualifies buyers for free two-day shipping on eligible products. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a Prime member who will buy a product with no “Prime” logo without extensive searching for a substitute that comes with the free two-day shipping benefits first.

A substantial amount of over-the-road freight transportation is handled by freight brokers. A freight broker is a person or company that brings together a shipper (with freight to move) and a qualified carrier (who has the capacity to move the freight).

Shippers are expecting higher rates and less capacity this year, so many are trying to lock in contract rates and secure trucks before the spike. Carriers have been hammered by low fuel prices, strict regulations, and rising equipment costs.

Large and even medium-sized, companies that are strictly domestic are becoming increasingly less common. Today, the clear majority of enterprise-class companies are global because the benefits of low-cost sourcing into other countries and selling into new foreign markets cannot be passed up.

When a company outDistribution_Center.jpggrows its distribution capacity, it expands by opening a new distribution center (DC). The best approach to choosing your new DC location is to evaluate your entire logistics strategy.

Have you ever wondered about how the product you buy from a store ended up there? The complexities of a supply chain and the steps for moving freight to its end location are often overlooked. But, for manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers, logistics is a top priority to business operations. Accurately planning for efficient transportation routes and potential delays comes with many challenges, which is why many shippers turn to a freight broker to ship goods.

“Trucking Futures Exchange” Could Launch This Summer: DAT Solutions and Transvix have teamed up to create a futures exchange that will allow trucking companies, 3PL’s, and shippers to better combat spot market rate uncertainty. The Exchange would use a similar process to the New York Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade. Futures contracts will be bought and sold on commodities like fuel, oil, or grain. (Read more: The Interrelated Issues Facing the Trucking Industry)