Transportation Intermediaries Report Modest Growth

The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) second quarter 3PL Market Report indicates increases in both volumes and billings by member companies.

Total dollars billed by all study participants for all activities increased about 7% in second quarter of 2009 when compared to first quarter, said TIA. This indicates modest growth in the 3PL market. Average volume was also up slightly for the same period, another encouraging sign of increased activity, continued TIA.

The majority of the firms responding expressed expectations that were generally more positive in second quarter of 2009. Fully 60% of those who answered the question about future business expectations indicated their outlook for the future was positive and they expect business from core customers to increase in the near future.

This positive outlook is tempered with a higher percentage of respondents who indicated some possibility that equipment shortages could occur in the next 90 days, the report added. While most equipment availability concerns revolve around refrigerated equipment (46% predicting a possible shortage), surprisingly 20% to 30% of respondents now indicate the possibility of equipment shortages for flatbed, van, and container equipment.

"We are very excited about the release of the TIA 3PL Market Report,” said Bob Voltmann, TIA President and CEO. “This represents our third quarterly release of the report. There are now 42 companies reporting data on a monthly basis. The TIA 3PL Market Report is the only empirical report on the dynamic and growing 3PL market," Voltmann added.