3PL CEO Perspectives on the Current Status and Future Prospects of the Third-party Logistics Industry in North America: The 2014 Survey

Abstract This article reports the findings of a 2014 survey of the CEOs of 14 of the largest third-party logistics (3PL) companies serving the North American market. The survey marks the 21st annual iteration of this effort to document and analyze their views concerning such matters as the major dynamics, opportunities, and challenges facing their companies. The article also addresses such issues as the “Amazon Effect” and its impact on the 3PL industry, the industry's involvement in the nearshoring movement, and the recent restructuring of the regional industry through a wave of large-scale acquisitions. The implications of the findings are also discussed by the authors.