In spite of a slow economic climate, 74% of North American logistics companies surveyed achieved or exceeded revenue projections in 2011, according to the 19th Annual Survey of Third-Party Logistics Providers. However, companies that failed to meet their financial projections were up sharply from 14% in 2010 to 26% in 2011.

The survey was presented this week at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Annual Global Conference in Atlanta by survey author Robert Lieb, professor of Supply Chain Management at Northeastern University and Joe Gallick, senior vice president of sales for Penske Logistics.

The findings analyze responses from 31 large third-party logistics company CEOs across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific whose companies were responsible for generating approximately $45 billion in revenue in 2011.

The report was co-authored by Kristin Lieb, assistant professor of marketing communications, Emerson College. The survey is underwritten by Penske Logistics, a leading provider of third-party logistics services.

While some North American companies may have fallen short of revenue projections, none of the companies were unprofitable, and none of the CEOs surveyed believed the regional third-party logistics industry operated at a loss for the year.

Globally, 63% of companies either met or exceeded their revenue projections and 71% of these logistics companies experienced moderate profitability during 2011. However, Europe continues to struggle, with 25% of companies surveyed experiencing unprofitability.

"The difficulties facing the European market today mirror the economic instability North American logistics companies faced a few years ago," commented Robert Lieb. "Globally, industry growth and company profitability continue to increase, but at a much slower rate. As we move forward, CEOs are being cautious, forecasting lower revenue growth projections over the next three years."

Looking towards growth, many CEOs have identified the health care industry as a strategic target, with 71% of the companies surveyed already having clients in the industry. Across all regions, companies are forecasting substantial growth in health care business during the next three years.

Within North America, health care clients generated 6% of regional revenues in 2011, with predictions showing an 11% share of revenue three years from now. Within health care, more than half of the CEOs predicted the medical devices segment of the industry will grow fastest during the next three years.

Major Supply Chain and Logistics Industry Trends and Insights:

Forecasting Revenue: Over the next year, all regions are forecasting lower revenue growth than last year.

North American Market Opportunities: Increasing flexibility will be important as customers look for greater collaboration and integration of supply chain activities.

European Market Opportunities: In attempts to increase growth, European companies will continue expanding into new industry verticals.

Asia-Pacific Market Opportunities: As domestic consumption rises within Asia, companies are focusing on expanding 4PL offerings in these fragmented emerging markets.

Thirty-one CEOs completed surveys via an Internet-based questionnaire during the summer of 2012. Companies participating in the annual survey included: Agility Logistics, Cardinal Logistics, Caterpillar Logistics, DHL Exel Supply Chain, DSC Logistics, Genco Supply Chain Solutions, Kuehne + Nagel Logistics, Inc., Menlo Logistics, MIQ Logistics, Penske Logistics, DB Schenker, Transplace, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, UTi Integrated Logistics, Werner Logistics, CEVA Logistics, and Rhenus Contract Logistics.

You can read more in this Penske blog post.