In the world of logistics, a large number of terms, abbreviations, and slang can confuse any outsider. To those unfamiliar, 3PL (third-party logistics) companies like Port City Logistics and 4PL (fourth-party logistics) companies like Deloitte operate similarly, yet have a few small differences that force them into different categories. 

Over the last year, The United States has imported trillions of dollars worth of goods from around the world. As analysts research the nation's top imports and exports, there are multiple things that appear on both lists. Here is a closer look at The United States' top imports and exports.

Shipping involves sending out products to customers. However, many manufacturing companies are aware that the shipping process can become complicated. That's why it is important that every manufacturing company develop a set of safe shipping practices. Here is a look at some safe shipping practices to help your company overhaul its shipping process.

3PL stands for third-party logistics. It’s also known as a TPL, and its purpose is to help businesses manage their supply chain. You can use a 3PL to help increase customer service, improve your supply chain and control costs.

Though we haven't quite made it to having our groceries delivered by drone, the way consumers and retailers acquire what they need has changed radically, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.  A quick look at a topic like "the future of retail" indicates that traditional models of the distribution of consumer goods are fast disappearing.

Working with superior single source logistics partners will increase your profits. It will also improve your internal employee job satisfaction levels, speed up delivery times to your end users, improve customer service, allow for quick adaptation to the ever-changing market and provide you with a competitive advantage. The right shippers and 3PL partnerships will improve your bottom line because they are able to offer certain services that would cost your business too much to be comfortably profitable.

It used to be that most cargo theft targets were always high-priced items. By today’s standards, such items would equate to electronic goods, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc. While these items are still highly targeted goods, it is also important to understand that other goods have become bigger targets since the economic recession of 2008. Now, cargo criminals will target any items they can sell for a decent profit margin. This includes energy drinks, frozen seafood or meat, pharmaceuticals, home and garden items, construction materials, auto parts, clothing and shoes, metals, personal care products and tobacco.

Third Party Logistics, or 3PL, is a service that is experiencing incredible growth. According to a study by Armstrong and Associates, approximately 400 of the Fortune 500 companies use 3PL, and nearly all of the Fortune 100 companies use a 3PL company in some capacity to meet their logistics needs. So what is 3PL? Is it something your company should consider using? Let's take a look at what 3PL is and why it is a service your company might need.