Logistics Management's 2008 Quest for Quality - Table of Contents
By Logistics Management Staff -- Logistics Management, 8/20/2008
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The 2008 presidential election has the potential to usher in significant changes for the logistics and transportation sector. And while much weighs in the balance, many promises are being made to many different constituencies, forcing us to sift through the rhetoric to decide which candidate will best serve our country.
THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS: Shifting in the polls
According to the reporting of our intrepid John Paul Quinn in LM’s annual 3PL Market Report this past June, the overall market is still posting impressive revenue numbers despite a bit of a slowdown in the U.S. While global 3PL gross revenues continue to surge ahead, posting a record $487 billion for 2007, the U.S. sector posted its second straight year of single-digit numbers after nearly a decade of averaging 14 percent annual growth.
FREIGHT FORWARDERS: Foreign policy titans
Year after year it seems that we report that globalization—and now the growing shift to near-shoring—will continue to paint a pretty rosy picture for the world’s freight forwarding community. This past year was no different. According to a recent report by the U.K.-based analyst firm Transport Intelligence (TI), the freight forwarding market has been the single biggest beneficiary of an increasingly global world economy, and it should continue to reap those benefits even as shippers continue to see the emergence of mega-forwarders and a growing interest of the private equity market to leap into the business.
AIR CARRIERS: Delivering under pressure
When you dig into the numbers over the past year it would be tough to find a group under more pressure from rising fuel costs than the world’s air carriers. As LM’s Karen Thuermer reported last month in our 2008 Annual Report, the high cost of fuel is affecting the financial health of nearly every air carrier in the global market.
OCEAN CARRIERS: Steadfast incumbents
For the past four years we’ve been reporting that ocean carriers have been working feverishly to differentiate themselves as ocean shippers have started to treat the mode as a mere commodity. Well, it appears that this steadfast group of incumbents has figured out a way to not only stand out in a crowd, but also deliver world-class service when they’re called into action.
RAIL/INTERMODAL: Popularity rising in the polls
As our Jeff Berman reported last month in our 2008 Annual Report, the two sides of the rail equation—shippers and carriers—seem to have arrived at a stalemate. On one side are the Class I carriers that, in most cases, are barely earning above their cost of capital—but still have pricing power at a time when volumes are largely down. On the other side of the aisle are shippers that contend that rates are excessive and service is still lacking.
TRUCKLOAD: Influential long-haulers
Over the past few years it’s been difficult to find a sector of the logistics and transportation industry that’s been beaten up more by the pundits than truckload—and then along came sharply rising oil and fuel costs. As we reported last month in our 2008 Annual Report, fuel costs in some cases have exceeded labor as the highest expense for some big TL carriers. However, fuel surcharges have helped blunt the record rise in diesel costs.
REGIONAL LTL: Perennial local front runners
Over the past few years, the leading regional LTL players have shaken the dead weight from their campaigns and the most vibrant have worked diligently to re-vamp their message to their local constituencies. If today’s regional players were to raise a collective voice from the podium they would most certainly shout, “This is not your grandpa’s LTL.”
NATIONAL LTL: Canvassing the nation
As John Schulz writes in this month’s Special Report, the LTL sector is truly the Rodney Dangerfield of trucking. Despite the fact that this mode of carriage is practically essential to running the nation’s supply chains, it just doesn’t get a whole lot of respect. According to several industry analysts, long-haul LTL is considered a mature sector since many are reporting pretty flat revenues across the board. Some of its largest players are unionized, which doesn’t excite shippers. And, like the truckload side of the business, profits have been scant the past couple of years as fuel and other related operating costs have skyrocketed, forcing some to shut their doors altogether.
Research Reports
- LTL Report - includes national, regional, multiregional and interregional, and surface package carriers
- Truckload Report - includes bulk, dry-freight, expedited, high-value goods, household-goods, and industrial and heavy haul carriers
- Rail and Intermodal Report - includes standard rail service, intermodal marketing companies, and intermodal service providers
- Airfreight Report - includes airlines, air express carriers, and freight forwarders
- Ocean Carrier Report - International ocean carriers
- Third-Party Logistics Reports
- Methodology
- Executive summary/highlights
- Complete carrier ratings for each mode of transportation
- Importance ranking of each category studied
- Average core customer rating for each carrier
- Historical data
Download the logo
Congratulations to all Quest for Quality winners! We have made artwork for the Quality for Quality logo available for you to use in your marketing and advertising materials, including your Web site.
1. Click on the link below.
2. Right click (or click and hold down, depending on your platform).
3. Select 'Save Picture As.'
4. Select a location on your system.
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To request a high-resolution image for use in printed materials, please email Sandra Pfennighaus (sandra.pfennighaus@reedbusiness.com).
Order a Plaque
At the banquet, each company will receive one award plaque. Many of our winners have requested more than one plaque. Because of this, we offer you the opportunity to order custom duplicate plaques. Additional plaques are available for $100. To order additional plaques, please email Sandra Pfennighaus (sandra.pfennighaus@reedbusiness.com).
Reprints
Reprinted sections from the articles in the Quest for Quality issue are a great way to reinforce your superior position in the marketplace. Let us customize a reprint containing your ad message with an article from this issue. Turn this valuable exposure into a powerful marketing tool. Call Reprint Management Services at (800) 290-5460 ex.100 or e-mail: logisticsmgmt@theygsgroup.com
Extra issues
Acquire copies of the August 2008 issue of Logistics Management for use with your marketing and sales efforts. Make your customers aware that you are among "The Best of the Best." Extra issues cost $5.Payment required before issues are shipped. Contact Sandra Pfennighaus (sandra.pfennighaus@reedbusiness.com)
Our Sponsors
Truckload
CRST International
CRST Van Expedited and CRST Malone are proud to win the Quest for Quality Award. As part of the CRST Carrier Group, we offer a variety of transportation solutions to meet your shipping needs. Van Expedited is the nation’s largest team carrier with more than 1,750 trucks and 3,500 drivers. Our long haul and dedicated fleets will move your freight faster and more efficiently than anyone else. Malone is the nations’s flatbed specialist. With more than 1,600 contractors, specialized trailers and the largest fleet of side kits in the country, we have the capacity you’re looking for.
Ocean Carriers
Hyundai Merchant Marine
HMM is an integrated logistics company, operating over 110 state-of-the-art vessels. HMM offers worldwide global service network, diverse logistics facilities, leading IT shipping related systems, a professional highly trained staff, and continual effort to provide premiere transportation services.
Beginning with three VLCCs in 1976, HMM has strengthened its competitiveness to advance new services such as bulk carrier, tramper, container carrier, LNG carrier and special product carrier. As a result, HMM has a stable business structure that can withstand sector fluctuations by operating diversified businesses.
HMM has formed a global business network with four international headquarters, 23 subsidiaries, 57 branches, six overseas offices and 10 liaison offices. It is highly regarded as one of the world’s top integrated-logistics companies with its targeted market prospects, efficient organization, top personnel, and advanced internet systems.
HMM transports nationally strategic materials such as crude oil, LNG, iron ore/coal and diverse special products as well as import/export goods. Earnings are five trillion Korean won per year, clearly playing a major role in Korea as a vital economic artery.
Read more »Freight Forwarders
SEKO
SEKO’s unique third party global logistics services are widely recognized for our customized supply chain solutions. We operate through an integrated network of 47 offices in the United States, with offices in more than 45 countries worldwide.
SEKO offers a full range of supply chain solutions, including domestic and global air and ocean freight forwarding transportation and logistics services on an expedited and time-definite basis, 24/7. SEKO’s commitment to quality and industry-leading IT solutions offer a broad range of real-time Web-based shipment management and data exchange tools for a high degree of supply chain visibly. For more information, visit: www.sekoworldwide.com.
Read more »Air Carriers
Southwest Airlines Cargo
For an airline to carry the most passengers in the United States, its commitment to excellent Customer Service must be strong. At Southwest Airlines, we are committed to the Customer experience in every aspect of our business—especially Cargo. To remain an industry leader, Southwest Airlines is responsive to its Customers and to industry changes.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the readers of Logistics Management for voting us tops in the Air Carrier category. In fact, 2008 marks the 12th consecutive year for Southwest Airlines Cargo to be named a Quest for Quality Award Winner. Excellence is our goal at Southwest Airlines, and we seek to deliver the most reliable service, at the best value with the best Customer Service in the industry.
We understand that you want fast, efficient service. And, with more than 3,400 daily flights to over 64 cities in 32 states, Southwest Airlines gets your air cargo packages to destination with plenty of options and flight times to choose from. Not only that, we give you and your shipments the exceptional treatment they deserve.
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