Supply chain services giant DHL is freshly out with its Logistics Trend Radar report for 2016, an annual publication we look forward to reading each year, in large part because unlike most such reports there is some good work here that is not at all self-serving.
SCDigest will review the full report in more detail in coming weeks, but what caught are eye in a quick perusal of the 2016 report was the chart below, which identifies what we would call a number of "next generation" logistics trends.
Source: DHL
We were familiar with most all of the trends conceptually, but this introduced some new terminology. For example, we had not heard of the term "Convenience Logistics," which DHL says has to do with "Online shoppers enjoy not just the price advantage of purchasing online, but also 24/7 availability and convenience. With increasing consumer trust in purchasing groceries and pharmaceuticals online, there is high demand for new cold-chain packaging and delivery solutions."
But we admit we weren't even aware of the trend towards "De-stressing the supply chain," under which supply chain complexity is reduced "by using the right mix of transportation modes
to operate sustainably at lower cost with higher quality. For example, a tactical transportation
'slow-down' can balance the supply chain, cut storage costs, and even reduce the carbon footprint."
So it's like slow steaming for the rest of the supply chain?
It all makes for an interesting read - SCDigest will follow up with more on some of these trends over the next few months.
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