Supply Chain Control Towers
Which 4PL to select for your SC Control Tower?
Selection of a 4PL provider (including 4PL overview)
Shippers are using Supply Chain Control Towers to orchestrate and improve their supply chain. A Control Tower can be insourced and operated by the shipper’s SC organisation or can be outsourced to a logistics service provider. How to select a provider that best fits your objectives and requirements when you decide to outsource your Supply Chain Control Tower?
Providers offering supply chain control tower services, also known as fourth-party logistics service providers (4PLs), have emerged in several ways:
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Third-party logistics service providers (3PLs) who added 4PL services to their portfolio
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Consulting firms among others specialised in supply chain management, sometimes also offering business process outsourcing services, adding 4PL services to their scope
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Providers of IT solutions like Transport Management Systems or AI solutions who decided to also offer control tower services using these systems
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Dedicated 4PL providers specifically established to offer (independent) 4PL services
A provider's origin will affect its overall service portfolio, industry and geography focus, which are the first criteria to look into when selecting a 4PL. Subsequently, the supply chain focus and core capabilities are key criteria to take into consideration. Many 4PLs started with and still have transport management as their primary supply chain focus (see overview based on a selection of 4PLs above). Only a few providers added order management, warehouse management and/or supply chain planning to their scope or focus on end-to-end SC orchestration. Another dimension to examine are the capabilities of the providers in these supply chain areas. Almost all 4PLs mention reporting, operational, tactical planning and supply chain transformation services on their website. In real life, the actual capabilities of providers regarding these services vary widely and should be subject of a more detailed analysis based on the actual requirements of the shipper.
Below you find an overview and the main characteristics of 4PL providers:
- provider: description, HQ, industry and geography focus
- 4PL service: name, provider/service type, supply chain focus and capabilities
For questions or comments on this overview, please contact Rob van Doesburg (rob.van.doesburg@transportimprovement.com).
4PL Central Station Group
Basel, Switzerland
Partner For 4th Party Logistics Solutions
Chemicals, Construction, Mechanical and Railway Engineering
Europe
4PL business management and operations
Dedicated 4PL offering consulting/coaching and operating services
Transport + Order + Warehouse management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
4PL Group
Pretoria, South Africa
Provider end-to-end transport solutions via land, air and sea
FMCG, Mining, Petroleum, Printing, Textile and Wholesale
South Africa and internationally
Logistics Technology
Part of 3PL portfolio (each transport mode + customs)
Transport management
Reporting
4flow
Berlin, Germany
Optimization specialist for logistics networks and global supply chain
Automotive, Machinery, Consumer goods and retail, Hi_tech, Pharma, Energy, LSPs
Europe, North America, South America and Asia.
Supply Chain Services (4PL, integrated TM, SCM)
Dedicated 4PL offering consulting, software and services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
4vation
Poznań, Poland
Subsidiary of 4PL Central Station Group
Not known
Europe, North America and Asia
4Vation Control Tower
Dedicated 4PL offering software and services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations
Accenture
Dublin, Ireland
Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services provider
Aerospace, Automotive, Chemicals, Consumer goods, Energy, Health, High Tech, Life Sciences, Retail, Utilities
Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Asia and Africa
BPO Supply Chain Services
Consulting, Technology and BPO services provider offering 4PL services as part of BPO services
SC Orchestration end-to-end
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
Bahwan Exel
Oman
Upstream Oil & Gas supply chain specialist
Oil & Gas
Middle East
Command Centre and LLP
Dedicated 4PL offering consulting, software and services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
CEVA
Marseille, France
Provides and operates transportation and supply-chain solutions
Automotive, Consumer & Retail, e-Commerce, Energy, Healthcare, Industrial & Aerospace, Technology and Showfreight
Europe and North America (strong) plus Apac, South America and Africa
Lead Logistics
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
Caroz
Venlo, Netherlands
Control tower and TMS solutions provider
Retail, Wholesale, Packaging, Chemicals, Food, Manufacturing and Furniture
Europe and China
THE Control Tower
Dedicated 4PL and TMS services
Transport + Order management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical planning
DB Schenker
Essen, Germany
Provider land transport, worldwide air and ocean freight, contract logistics and SCM services
Automotive, Technology, Consumer Goods, Trade Fair Logistics, Special Transports and Special Events Logistics.
Europe, Americas and Asian Pacific (focus)
Lead Logistics
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
DHL
Bonn, Germany
Provider parcel delivery, e-commerce, international express, road, air and ocean transport and SCM services
Auto-Mobility, Chemicals, Consumer, Energy, Engineering and Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Public Sector, Retail and Technology
Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Asia and Africa
Lead Logistics Partner (part of Integrated Solutions)
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport + Order management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
DSV
Hedehusene, Denmark
Provider freight forwarding, warehousing, contract logistics, 3PL and 4PL services
Automotive, Technology, Healthcare, Renewable Energy, Industrial and Retail/Fashion
Europe, Americas, Asia, Oceania and Africa
Lead Logistics (part of Logistics Solutions)
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport + Order management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
Expeditors
Seattle, USA
Service-based logistics company providing supply chain, transportation and customs services
Automotive, Aviation, Beverages, Fashion, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Oil and Energy, Retail, Start Ups and Technology
North America, South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa
Supply Chain (among others design, order and delivery management)
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
GEFCO
Puteaux, France
World expert in supply chain solutions and the European leader in automotive logistics
Aerospacee, Automotive, 2Wheelers, Consumer goods, Body care, Energy, Food, Retail, Fashion, Heavy equipment, High-tech, Industrial manufacturers and Life Sciences and Healthcare
Europe, Russia, North America, Latin America, Middle East, North Africa and APAC
4PL
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
Global4PL
Milpitas, California
Helping hi-tech companies penetrate new regional markets and optimize their supply chain delivery models
Hi-tech
North America, Latin America, Europe and APAC
Transportation, brokerage and trade compliance, consulting
Dedicated 4PL offering consulting, software and services
Transport + Order + Warehouse management + SC Planning
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
Hillebrand
Mainz, Germany
Service provider in forwarding, transport and logistics of wine, spirits, beer and other products that require special care
Beverages, food and bulk liquids
Europe, Americas, Asia, Oceania and Africa
Control Tower
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations
IDS
Utrecht, Netherlands
Specialised in fourth-party logistics (4PL), including mutimodal freight and carrier management throughout Europe
Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Chemical, Food and Automotive
Europe
4PL Logistics Control Tower
Dedicated 4PL offering services and software
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
Kuehne + Nagel
Schindellegi, Switzerland
Provider of sea logistics, air logistics, road logistics and contract logistics services
Aerospace, Automotive, Consumer Healthcare, Hi-tech, Industials and Perishables
Europe, Middle East and Africa and North America
Supply Chain Management 4PL
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
Logistics Plus
Erie, USA
Provider of transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, technology, and supply chain solutions
Beverages, Automotive, Chemicals, Consumer Products, Energy, Financial Services, Government, Pharma & Healthcare, Plastics, Retail, Logistics Providers, Manufacturing, Small Businesses and Startups
North America, Latin America, Europe and APAC
Supply Chain Solutions
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
Maersk
Copenhagen, Denmark
Providers of transportation, supply chain and logistics, financial and digital solutions services
FMCG, Fashion, Retail, Chemicals, Automotive, Technology, Pharma and Healthcare
Europe, North America, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and APAC
4PL Logistics Solutions (part of Supply Chain and Logistics)
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport + Order management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
OneLogistics
Woensdrecht, Netherlands
Control tower specialized in packaging, warehousing and logistics of militairy goods.
Aerospace and Defense
Europe
Regional Control Tower
Dedicated 3PL/4PL services for the F-35 sustainment program
Transport + Order + Warehouse management + Planning
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning
Penske
Reading, USA
Provider of supply chain management and logistics services
Automotive, Chemial, Consumer Products, Food and Beverage, Healthcare and Pharma, High-Tech, Manufacturing, Publishing and Retail
US and Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe and Brazil
Lead Logistics Provider (part of SCM services)
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
SCF Supply Chain Factory
Willich, Germany
An owner-managed, neutral and independent “Fourth Party Logistics” service provider without its own assets
Manufacturing
Europe
Transportmanagement / Control-Tower
Dedicated 4PL offering consulting and services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning
Share Logistics
Barendrecht, Netherlands
Provider of international sea and air freight services
Perishables, Oil & Gas, Greenhouse building and Pharma
Europe, USA, Caribbean, Latin America and Asia
4th Party Logistics
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport + Order + Warehouse management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
TMC (C.H. Robinson)
Chicago, USA
Manage their logistics of customers across all modes of transportation
Manufacturing, Automotive, Food & Beverage, Produce, Paper and Consumer Packaged Goods
North America, South America, Europe and Asia
Logistics Managed Services
Dedicated 4PL offering consulting, software and services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
XPO
Greenwich, USA
Provider of truck brokerage and less-than-truckload freight transportation services
Manufacturing, Industrial, Retail, Technology, Aerospace, Commercial, Life Sciences and Government
North America, Europe and Asia
Managed Transportation
3PL provider also offering 4PL services
Transport management
Reporting + Operations + Tactical Planning + SC Transformation
