Quiet Logistics’ adaptability helps to understand how external logistics operators have evolved, or 3PL (Third-Party Logistics). This Massachusetts company was a pioneer in automating the fulfillment – the preparation and delivery of online pedidos – of ecommerce with mobile robots in its storage rooms. When the manufacturer of these robots, Kiva Systems, was acquired by Amazon and the technology was reserved for its own logistics network, the founders of Quiet made it clear: if continuing to offer the best service to their customers meant creating their own robotic company, they would create it.

The result was Locus Robotics, today one of the leaders in robotics for logistics centers. Quiet’s goal was to maintain an external logistics service capable of offering ever shorter times between the online order and the customer’s home delivery.
This story shows how external logistics operators have changed. To remain competitive and adapt to what the market demands, they do what is necessary. In fact, they develop technology, automation and systems that allow them to assume an increasing variety of logistics functions and manage operations with levels of complexity comparable to those of companies whose main business is logistics.

The evolution of external logistics operators can be summarized in three stages:

• Outsource transport and storage. Companies outsource part of their logistics to avoid investing in fleets and large infrastructures.
  • Coordinate global supply chains. With the globalization of the 1990s, 3PLs began to manage international transport, customs and logistics networks that connect production, warehouses and markets.
  • Manage logistics operations supported by technology. The operators integrate inventory, order preparation, transport and data on platforms that allow to coordinate increasingly complex operations.

Today, outsourcing logistics has become widespread. According to consulting firm Armstrong & Associates, 90% of Fortune 500 companies use external logistics operators to manage part of their supply chain.
Operators such as DB Schenker, GXO Logistics or DSV manage complete logistics networks for manufacturers, distributors and ecommerce brands. Its operations range from automated logistics centers and inventory management to international transport and data-backed route optimization
For many businesses, outsourcing logistics no longer means just avoiding investments in warehouses or fleets. It means access to technology, infrastructure and specialized knowledge. In some cases, even operators capable of creating their own robots with the condition of offering the best service.