In their December 2022 digital issue, Inbound Logistics identified five logistics trends that they predict will shape the industry in the coming months.
Digitization, Data and Visibility: Zero Down has been at the forefront of the Digital Revolution for years now, and our advanced logistics platform, FreightOptics, provides unmatched levels of supply chain visibility. We’re excited by the continual shift from outdated manual processes to digital data, as increased efficiency across companies and platforms is still desperately needed within the industry.
Reshoring and Nearshoring for Manufacturers: According to the latest LMI report, warehousing capacity in the US is still being pushed to its limits, causing inventory holding prices to soar. Coupled with continued congestion at west coast ports and sustained geo-political uncertainty, this has led many companies to look at localizing their manufacturing, and that trend is expected to continue throughout 2023.
Rising Diesel Prices: This is one that will most likely be around for a long time, but this increase in transportation costs is another factor driving companies to look at alternative distribution options.
Sustainable Shipping and Environmental Regulation: Increased awareness by Governments and consumers of the impact of shipping on climate-change has led to more regulations and demand centered around mitigation strategies. In the coming year, we should see even more companies and carriers adjusting to this new environment.
Automation: Automation (and innovation in general) were highly touted at last year’s Parcel Forum as well, with many new and exciting ideas currently being explored. The more companies can utilize technology to enhance their internal processes, the better their external relationship with their customer base will become. A perfect example is Zero Down’s own Transportation Spend Management System. Our TSMS uses the latest in digital technology to automate client’s bill pay processes, helping to reduce overcharges and late fees, allowing our clients to pass those savings directly onto their customers.
These are just some of the high-level logistics trends that industry experts are expecting in the up-coming year. To get a better picture of what the next few months might hold for your company, reach out to us here, and we’ll do everything we can to help you ship better.
