SCDigest Editorial Staff
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 Connaughton said his research found no real difference in the level of satisfaction with 3PL relationship between companies that conducted structured and detailed selection processes and those that used more informal methods.
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With the continued growth in logistics outsourcing, many companies, sometimes abetted by consultants, have tended to go through a longer and more complex selection process when looking for new outsourced logistics providers. That also, increasingly, includes use of long and very detailed “Request for Proposal” processes that place a burden on the company and the 3PL.
The question is: does this approach really lead to a better result?
Perhaps not, says Patrick Connaughton, a senior analyst for supply chain research at Forrester.
At a recent conference, Connaughton presented research from Forrester that showed, overall, clients are happy with the outsourced logistics service provider relationships. The one area where companies did express a reasonably high level of dissatisfaction was the ability of the 3PL to manage change during the course of the relationship.
“Very few companies even have a good way to measure that,” Connaughton said.
Interestingly, Connaughton said his research found no real difference in the level of satisfaction with 3PL relationships between companies that conducted structured and detailed selection processes and those that used more informal methods (see illustration below).
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