Top 10: Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Companies

Third-Party Logistics, or 3PL, refers to the business solution where a company outsources its logistics operations to an external company, letting it handle the complex, behind-the-scenes work.

The services provided can include warehousing, transportation, inventory management and order fulfilment, covering the physical aspects of the supply chain to ensure the product reaches the final customer on time.

3PLs provide efficiency, cost-savings, flexibility and expertise, meaning workflow occurs seamlessly and businesses utilise resources to full capacity. 

Here, Supply Chain Digital takes a look into the Top 10 3PL Companies which are helping businesses around the world thrive.

10. CEVA Logistics

Revenue: ~US$18.7bn
Employees: ~110,000
CEO: Mathieu Friedberg
Founded: 2007

CEVA Logistics offers a range of logistics options to its customers, seamlessly designing best fit solutions. It has the capacity to navigate each part of a supply chain, with strategically positioned teams to support global operations. 

It uses a state-of-the-art IT system which ensures optimal orchestration and delivers consistency.

It has a range of ambient and temperature-controlled areas, special goods handling expertise - such as hazmat capabilities - and a thorough quality check system to ensure the best practise possible.

9. C.H. Robinson

Revenue: US$17.7bn
Employees: ~14,000
CEO: Dave Bozeman
Founded: 1905

C.H. Robinson offers reliable capacity at scale with third party logistics sourcing, with a network of more than 450,000 carriers to meet clients needs. From truckload and LTL, to ocean and air solutions. 

With its high-quality technology and insights and 2.3bn yearly digital interactions, it allows its clients to make data-driven decisions to scale. From order management and spend management, to cross-border and last mile services, C.H. Robinson can help with them all.

8. Kuehne+Nagel

Revenue: CHF 27.4bn (US$28.2bn)
Employees: 80,000+
CEO: Stefan Paul
Founded: 1890

7. XPO Logistics

Revenue: US$8.07bn
Employees: ~39,000
CEO: Mario Harik
Founded: 1989

XPO Logistics is a trusted 3PL provider, working as an extension of a team. Its combined forces of operational excellence, tailored solutions and smart technology allows it to help its clients get optimal results across their logistics operations.

With a focus on advancing automation, increasing visibility, amplifying its digital freight marketplace and expanding its data science capabilities, XPO has been investing significantly in technological development in order to support its clients better.

6. Maersk

Revenue: US$55.5bn
Employees: ~110,000
CEO: Vincent Clerc
Founded: 1904

Maersk offers its 115+ years of global logistics experience in more than 130 countries. Due to its multi-modal capabilities, Maersk is able to help its customers reach even the most remote locations around the world.

Its end-to-end logistics services simplify global supply chains, orchestrating movement across ocean, inland, airfreight and warehousing. 

Maersk offers consistent visibility from origin to destination, helping customers know where orders are within the supply chain at all times.

5. UPS

Revenue: US$91.1bn
Employees: ~490,000
CEO: Carol B. Tomé
Founded: 1907

UPS has the resources and flexibility to meet the ever-changing needs of clients, offering industry expertise to transform its clients’ fulfilment processes. It boosts efficiency and lowers costs with its scalable shipping services, alongside specialised packaging created in the UPS design labs.

Its Track Alert API offers high-quality tracking visibility across the supply chain, with real-time data solutions to optimise network and ensure inventory is in order. It also has customisable fulfillment and shipping solutions for e-commerce businesses.

4. DSV

Revenue: DKK 167.1bn (US$24.23bn)
Employees: ~160,000
CEO: Jens H. Lund
Founded: 1976

DSV has various locations around the world to offer third-party logistics services, with the capabilities for increasing orders and storage. It provides supply chain solutions for thousands of companies every day, with the capabilities to help businesses of every size. 

It has a global network across 80 countries, with modern warehouses and strong carrier relationships. Using a blend of optimised and flexible solutions, visibility tools, secure IT infrastructure and sustainability, DSV can offer specific and catered services to each client.

3. FedEx

Revenue: US$87.7bn
Employees: 500,000+
CEO: Raj Subramaniam
Founded: 1971

FedEx offers more than 650 services around the globe, with exceptional scalability and flexibility. Using the strategically placed fulfillment centres, it can ship orders fast and reach customers around the world.

It is fueled by the latest tech and R&D, providing expert reliability and modern solutions. With next-gen AI and cloud-based intelligence tools, FedEx helps clients reduce errors and make data-driven inventory decisions.

Its multi-carrier network allows clients to balance spend and efficiency with the best solution.

2. DHL

Revenue: ~ €84.2bn (US$90.9bn)
Employees: 600,000+
CEO: Tobias Meyer
Founded: 1969

DHL provides clients with a fulfillment network, a range of technologies and modern digital tools to support supply chain logistics. As a global 3PL company, it has an extensive network to offer both local and global solutions, with the capabilities to help clients grow quickly, with full control and sustainability. 

It operates in more than 50 countries, with an excess of 1,300 warehouse locations. 

DHL’s world-class IT allows for easy integration of fulfillment services with web shops and ERP systems, as well as the client’s own systems and those of delivery partners. DHL is meeting the rise of e-commerce demands, with its ever-growing investments into new technology and AI services.

1. Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfilment

Revenue: US$637.96bn
Employees: 1.5m
CEO: Andy Jassy
Founded: 1994

Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment network provides operational expertise and a range of trusted solutions. It offers fast pick, pack and shipping services with its Prime-like capabilities and next-day shipping. It offers more than 100 prebuilt and developer-friendly integrations to aid with automated fulfillment, including Shopify and Veeqo. 

Amazon MCF allows customers to track orders from the fulfillment centre to the consumer’s doorstep, using various shipment methods and speeds, providing flexibility and transparency. 

Using MCF has helped businesses around the world grow to scale, increase revenue, reduce operating costs and increase delivery speeds. 

Its investments into its own capabilities, such as into AI and robotics, ensures that Amazon MCF is meeting customer expectations and allowing them to grow their own businesses, rather than meeting capability hurdles.