Penske Logistics-Sponsored Third-Party Logistics Study Celebrates 30th Anniversary by Examining Shipper-3PL Dynamics and Emerging Technologies
The 2026 Annual Third-Party Logistics Study marks a significant milestone, celebrating its 30th anniversary as a historic chronicler of the U.S. supply chain.
Dr. John Langley, the study’s creator and a Penn State University supply chain professor and emeritus professor at the University of Tennessee, along with sponsors NTT DATA and Penske Logistics, will commemorate this edition by highlighting the most effective ways that the supply chain can collaborate and the emerging technologies that make them run.
The study is available for download at no cost at www.3PLStudy.com.
The publication centers its efforts on three special sections: How the relationships between shippers and 3PLs might evolve from transactional to strategic, successful strategic partnerships, and emerging technologies within the supply chain.
Each year, the research provides a deeper dive into the current state of the 3PL market and tackles contemporary issues like the supply chain’s response to rising tariffs and the crucial role of supply chain talent.
Highlights from the 2026 3PL Study:
- Relationships between shippers and 3PLs are moving away from being transactional to more strategic in nature. Shippers note that supply chain disruptions (81%), cost optimization through collaboration (76%) and digital transformation (57%) are among the top drivers for strategic partnerships. On the 3PL side, key considerations are demand for end-to-end visibility (61%), customized/value-added services (61%) and cost optimization via collaboration (56%).
- Contracts and other financial benefits drive strategic partnerships. Service level agreements are the most common way to connect shippers and 3PLs. Other elements that shippers employ include guaranteed volume/capacity (67%), flexible terminations (62%) and contract extensions (57%). For 3PLs, there are continuous improvement targets (72%), guaranteed volume/capacity (61%) and contract extensions (56%). It is interesting to note that a little over half of all shippers explained that they do not rebid business at the end of contracts.
- How the latest and greatest technology can improve the shipper’s supply chain. The great majority of shippers (90%) regard technological capabilities among the most critical elements of selecting a 3PL. The majority of shippers (80%) and 3PLs (81%) are deploying advanced analytics at some level. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are utilized by shippers at a 67% rate and at 73% for 3PLs. Barriers to deployment of next generation tech includes funding, unclear business cases, inadequate talent, trust of that technology, risk aversion and scalability.
According to Dr. Langley: “the 3PL industry has grown and transformed significantly over the past 30 years. Both shippers and providers and managers of supply chain services have responded forcefully to the continually changing and challenging business and supply chain environments.”
“In 30 years of the 3PL study, we’ve tracked countless industry shifts, but this year holds something unique,” said Shanton Wilcox, senior vice president of supply chain consulting at NTT DATA. “For the first time, we see an overlap with a significant and ubiquitous business condition in the global tariffs, coinciding with material advancements in enabling technology, namely AI. This situation provides the motivation and capability for organizations to address the volatility and dynamic nature of this business challenge.”
“We would like to congratulate Dr. Langley for three decades of 3PL Study excellence,” stated Stacy Schlachter, Penske Logistics senior vice president of sales. “This year’s report does a great job of delving deeper into the relationships between shippers and their 3PLs, what translates to the most effective collaborations, and what new technologies matter most to shippers.”
By “Move Ahead” Staff
