supply chain management

As rising costs, increasing complexity and shifting market conditions continue to challenge those in the supply chain, integrating logistics services into 2026 planning can help shippers improve their supply chain operations and control costs.

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The trucking and freight transportation industries have experienced several years of low rates, excess capacity and challenging headwinds. While the freight market is beginning to stabilize, uncertainty remains. Throughout 2026, shippers and carriers will need to rely on strategic planning, disciplined asset management and flexible operations to succeed in this evolving landscape.

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Artificial intelligence and machine learning are deriving new insights from supply chain data that are increasing efficiency, improving decision-making and making operations more resilient. Penske is deploying AI to analyze and adjust operations throughout the supply chain.

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Supply chains are always vulnerable to disruptions, and the increased amount of global and geopolitical uncertainty is introducing new operational challenges that can change by the minute. Flexibility and adaptability are becoming table stakes as shippers and their logistics partners navigate unexpected and often unpredictable changes.

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Supply chains often face threats of disruption, from labor shortages to shifts in consumer demand and available capacity. Climate-related challenges and geopolitical tensions, combined with shifting trade regulations, are also introducing potential disruptions by increasing transit times, capacity constraints and rate volatility.

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End-to-End Supply Chain Management Solutions

Penske's supply chain professionals are committed to meeting the needs of the most complex customer supply chains. We bring industry knowledge, advanced systems and technical capabilities to design and implement the most advanced solutions in use today.

Penske will insert the right logistics expertise you need to thrive. Our leadership teams work with customers to ensure responsiveness and flexibility – whatever level of support your priorities require, we have the tactical and strategic skill sets to deliver both site-specific and corporate level solutions.

4PL/Lead Logistics Provider

As a 4PL, or lead logistics provider, Penske will provide a tailored solution designed to orchestrate logistics across your entire supply chain with oversight of other supply chain providers. From transportation and warehousing to technology and analytics, we oversee every detail on your behalf so you can focus on your core business. Learn More.

Supply Chain Network Design

Unlock the strategic power of network design to evaluate or affirm critical decisions related to the effectiveness of your supply chain. Penske Logistics’ engineering experts can help you validate strategic decisions, evaluate scenarios, plan routes and modes and determine the optimal number and location of plants and distribution centers. Regular network design can help you improve service levels, uncover cost savings and help you manage complexity. Learn More.

Supply Chain Strategy Consulting

Sometimes you need a little help to support your vision, whether it’s modeling and evaluating options, analyzing or validating opportunities or implementing a solution. As operators of fleets, warehouses and supply chains, we work with you to understand your business goals and develop solutions for real world operations that are achievable for your organization. Learn More.

Technology, Data and Advanced Analytics

Technology is the beating heart of supply chains today. Our tech stack is comprised of top-tier platforms that we further enhance with applications to optimize your supply chain performance. These platforms and tools enable us to collect and process data from multiple sources, providing you with near real-time visibility and powerful analytics so you can see how your supply chain is performing. Learn More.

Data, analytics and intelligence are now at the forefront of supply chain operations, and companies that are deriving operational value out of supply chain data are gaining a competitive advantage.

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The power of artificial intelligence is advancing at a rapid pace, and the technology is transforming industries, including the supply chain. With its ability to process vast amounts of data, identify and learn from patterns, and improve decision-making, AI, along with machine learning, optimizes processes, increases efficiency and mitigates risk.

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Ongoing disruptions, rapidly advancing technology and the need for continual improvement are reshaping the supply chain. The 35th Annual Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) State of Logistics Report® uncovered several trends altering the supply chain landscape.

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Technology is transforming the supply chain, bringing greater visibility, increased efficiency and more control. As a result, shippers and their logistics providers are becoming more agile, flexing to meet shifting supply chain needs and reducing operational costs.

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Supply chain velocity is the speed at which a supply chain moves from start to finish, from placing an order through production, distribution and consumption of goods. Supply chain velocity directly impacts a supply chain's efficiency.

Supply chain planning involves making plans to ensure that the right things get to the right place at the right time, ensuring a successful and efficient supply chain that meets demand. It includes identifying suppliers, planning production, fulfillment and distribution and finding the optimal balance between supply and demand.

The middle mile is part of the supply chain focused on moving products from the manufacturing facility to the warehouse, distribution center or retail facility. It typically falls between the first mile and the last mile.

A consignee is the person or business designated to receive a shipment. Responsibilities of a consignee may include performing freight inspections, signing for the delivery, coordinating unloading and more.

The supply chain continues to deal with ongoing disruptions, which have become increasingly numerous, larger in scale and more simultaneous. While technology plays a critical role in keeping products moving, 3PLs and shippers can’t overlook the value of getting back to basics and focusing on core supply chain principles that have proven successful time and time again.

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Penske Logistics is requesting insights from supply chain professionals to participate in the 2023 Third-Party Logistics Study. The survey is now live and will close on June 29. Please click here to begin.

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Supply chain management involves overseeing the planning, integration and management of all production activities from a supplier to the customer within a supply chain. It also involves strategy development, optimization, sourcing products, meeting demands and more.

What Is a Supply Chain?

A supply chain encompasses all operations utilized to get a product from production to distribution, from raw materials to finished product and delivery to the end-user. Effective supply chains can create a competitive advantage and, as they become more complex, they must become more efficient, reliable and flexible. Visibility and efficient network designs are two ways to optimize a supply chain.

A circular supply chain is a supply chain framework where products are designed to be reused or recycled, creating a continuous loop, or circle. Circular supply chains are still the exception rather than the rule as there are challenges involving how to introduce circularity into conventional supply chains that are designed to move product forward into markets in a linear fashion. Creative logistics solutions are one way to overcome these challenges. As an example, some companies are exploring the use of e-commerce returns services as convenient channels for collecting end-of-life products.

What Is Capacity?

In logistics, capacity is the amount of physical space, assets or personnel available to carry, store or deliver goods. Examples include warehouse capacity, shipping capacity or truck capacity. Capacity is considered a highly critical part of supply chain management and can impact shipping costs when capacity is tightened.