There are many factors that affect the logistics industry. The growing complexity and dynamic nature of supply chains requires progressively advanced Information Technology solutions. 3D printing, for example, promotes local and regional production and the next 20 years will see 3D print centers spring up much closer to end users. This makes accommodating individual customer requests possible during production. Goods and spare parts will no longer need to be shipped halfway around the world, because they will be printed close to the consumer and as a result, certain routes will likely shift or even be eliminated.
As the infographic below indicates, over the next several of years, numerous trends will transform logistics operations, particularly in emerging markets. These technologies must be embraced for many reasons. Growth in the logistics industry is no longer exclusively driven by exports from Asia to North America and from Asia to Europe. Growth will instead increasingly come from other sources and will be more unpredictable. Increasingly, economic and population growth will be centered in cities with infrastructure becoming a major determinant for success.
It is therefore imperative that the logistics industry embraces these trends because meeting customers’ requirements at numerous locations with several transport modes at different times requires a flexible supply chain that can easily adapt to unforeseen changes and circumstances. To be able to secure speed to market and to reduce risk of delays, alternative transport modes and routes will be required to support the continuing trend of outsourcing of logistics services. The people at 2 Flow created the infographic below that details the most prominent emerging logistics trends and outlines why these trends must be employed in the future. Let’s take a look at some more emerging logistics trends in more detail below!
Where do you see the future of logistics going? Let us know in the comments below!
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Guest Blogger – Robert Memory
Robert Memery works with 2 Flow. Their mission is to enable their customers to outsource all of their storage, order processing, stock management and distribution requirements activity to a specialist.
