Measuring the industry and providing access to the players

By Peter Bradley -- Logistics Management, 7/1/1998

Welcome to Logistics' Annual Report and Buyers Guide. In this special issue, we have gathered both a wealth of statistics and industry analysis and a wealth of information on transportation-industry providers and how to reach them, all aimed at making your job a little easier.

In the Annual Report, which makes up the front portion of the issue, Logistics' editors have brought together numbers from throughout the transportation industry that measure how carriers and other providers fared in 1997 along with an examination of the issues they face in 1998. First, we look at how the logistics industry did within the context of the broad economy, then we move on to a mode-by-mode analysis, first of the various trucking segments, followed by third-party logistics, rail and intermodal, express carriers, airfreight providers, ocean carriers and ports, and warehousing.

In the back section of the magazine, the Buyers Guide provides information on the services provided by carriers in each major mode and how to reach them. The guide is presented in several easy reference sections, supplying information on motor carriers, intermodal services, third-party logistics companies, airfreight services, and ocean freight services. It also includes information on industry organizations and logistics technology providers.

In a significant extension of service to readers this year, the Buyers Guide now is available online. Please visit the site (www.logistics-buyers-guide.com). You also can gain access to the guide through our home page (www.logisticsmgmt.com). The Buyers Guide site allows you to search for carriers by mode and provides the ability to contact many of them directly by e-mail. In addition, it provides listings from our American Public Warehouse Register, published each winter. We will continue to expand and improve the online version of the guide, based in large part on your suggestions. In addition, information in the listings will be updated on a regular basis.

The print issue of the Annual Report and Buyers Guide, along with the online version of both the Buyers Guide and APWR, reflects our commitment to provide our readers with useful and timely information. We'd like to hear from you on how we can make it more useful to you. Write to us at Logistics, 275 Washington St., Newton, MA 02458 or contact us by e-mail (LM@cahners.com). We'll look forward to your comments.