Ten of the major trends we expect to see in the logistics industry in 2022

How is the logistics and supply chain management industry evolving – and what developments do you need to consider?

1. Equipment and vehicles are more automated than ever before
Not so long ago self-guided autonomous vehicles and robots were a thing of science fiction. And then they were the exclusive realm of big-brand global retailers like Amazon.

Now they’re within the grasp of many organisations with a logistics or warehouse function.

Fact: The global autonomous warehouse robotics market is expected to nearly double in size by 2025, reaching US$27.2 billion.
It’s likely that in 2022 and beyond autonomous vehicles and equipment will increasingly emerge as a key trend in the logistics and supply chain sector. Equipment that we’ve seen increasingly automated includes:

1. Automated storage & retrieval: Robotic order picking systems and other storage or retrieval technology lets robots find, pick and move inventory around large warehouses – at a much faster rate than humans can and with less risk to safety. One company, Exotec, has already deployed over 2,000 such units around the globe.
2. Automated trucking: It’s believed that use of self-driving trucks will be widespread long before self-driving cars. In fact, investor funding for this technology has ballooned since 2017, growing from US$0.1 billion to $5.6 billion in 2021.
3. Automated delivery: Delivery drones are the final piece of the logistics puzzle, automating the last mile of delivery using either driving or flying robots. Starship Technologies is a company that uses small, six-wheeled drones to move goods within a small radius, and has completed 2 million deliveries as of 2021. Amazon Prime Air is leading the way in flying drones, offering 30-minute delivery to some customers thanks to this technology.

2. Covid-19 has seen cloud technology boom
Cloud technology in logistics and supply chain management certainly isn’t a new trend, but thanks to Covid-19 it’s seen a boom since 2020 and will likely continue to experience increased popularity as we move into 2022 and beyond.

The cloud industry as a whole has seen enormous success, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.1% leading to an expected market size of US$1,251.09 billion by 2028. A surge in big data consumption, digital transformation and adoption of 5G has all contributed to this monumental growth, and the further development of AI and internet of things (IoT) technology will contribute further.

The cloud technology boom will impact SMEs more than large brands
Grand View Research predicts that digital transformation will impact SMEs most of all, as the cost of cloud technology keeps falling – enabling more and more companies to access advanced software such as data analytics, ERP, inventory management, CRM, and accounting software.

Logistics firms must also think about eCommerce
Self-improvement technologies like ERP or inventory management are one thing, but organisations in logistics and supply chain management must also look to technologies that better connect them to customers too – namely, B2B e-commerce tools.

Fact: ECommerce is not just for retailers. In fact, Gartner believes that 80% of B2B sales will be done digitally by 2025.
Any B2B business that still relies on sales reps, in-person meetings and phone calls may see itself fall behind as we move past 2022. Gartner’s research shows that when a B2B buyer is comparing options, they’ll only spend about 5% of their time with an individual company’s reps.

Meanwhile, a purpose-built eCommerce platform that puts power in the customer’s hands and makes browsing your products and services a breeze can help improve your competitiveness in 2022.

3. Last mile as a service
There’s a lot of pressure on the last mile these days, with customers wanting faster, more accurate deliveries at cheaper and cheaper prices.

Brands such as Amazon are generally capable of meeting these demands (remember that 30-minute delivery we mentioned above), which means smaller logistics companies must be able to keep up or else risk losing business.

Third-party logistics (3PL) has been a solution for a number of years, and we expect that some of these providers will pivot their focus more and more onto the last mile by providing last mile as a service (LMaaS).

But LMaaS is not yet well-established
Many companies are trying to revolutionise the last mile, which means we’re seeing a few different business models popping up into the market – and sometimes sinking within a few years: the Shyp app is an example of this.

On-demand crowdsourcing is seen as one potential revolutioniser for shipping, using an Uber or AirBnB-like model but for final mile delivery. This has huge potential for dense urban areas, but may not be able to accommodate rural communities.

There are also major brands like Walmart looking to move into the space, offering services like Walmart GoLocal for white label delivery. Theoretically this enables smaller companies to access the logistics capabilities of major brands but – as with on-demand services – it is a potential competitor to existing logistics and supply chain businesses.

What does this mean for the logistics industry?
2022 will be a year of choice. Do you choose to focus your own company on providing a high-value last mile delivery service – or do you abandon this and allow a third-party to handle it for you? Given the focus on this area, and the expectations of the customer, there may not be a third option.

This is definitely a trend to watch for in the coming years.

4. Sustainability continues to be a focus
Sustainability has appeared on lists of supply chain trends before, and it’s likely to appear on them for years to come. With COP26 having taken place in Glasgow in 2021 to shed light on climate change issues, this is especially true in 2022.

The reality is undeniable: sustainability in the supply chain is under the microscope and green practices are the future. But the question is: which practices?

The future of electric trucks
We mentioned autonomous trucks above, but what about electric trucks?

The EV trucking industry is expected to grow to US$1,893.1 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 25.8%. This growth is being driven globally by government green initiatives and emissions sanctions, but has been hindered by Covid-19 and fears of a recession, which has hampered vehicle sales.

It’s likely that some type of sustainable trucking alternative will be used in future, but it may not be EVs and it may not be in the next five years. That’s because while the technology is making leaps and bounds in terms of cost versus efficiency, EV infrastructure is lagging behind and the trucks themselves remain prohibitively expensive for many companies.

Examples of sustainability initiatives in logistics & supply chain management
-   European Union nations introduce plastic tax on non-recycled plastic packaging.
-   Amazon vows to go carbon neutral by 2030.
-   Researchers offer solutions to optimise CO2 emissions through smarter vehicle assignment.

5. Companies optimise for reverse logistics
Returns, end-of-life goods, end-of-lease rentals, and even delivery failures all used to be a lot simpler when shipping areas were smaller and most companies operated out of brick-and-mortar stores. But our modern age is global and goods are increasingly bought via eCommerce – which means they must be returned through the same channels.

This is where reverse logistics has grown in importance

Optimised reverse logistics is essential for any supply chain management company, which must now be able to handle goods flowing back in as efficiently as it can handle goods flowing out.

But there are a great many challenges to this process. For one, businesses need to be able to predict which items are likely to come backwards up the supply chain, and where they are most likely to arrive. If the cost of this outweighs the value of the item, companies lose money. It’s also important that the goods themselves don’t get lost in the process.

6. Circular supply chains close the loop
The ‘circular supply chain’ is a hot topic at the moment, particularly when discussing sustainability. A circular supply chain is one where goods that flow in the reverse direction are able to be reused, recycled or resold. If they then flow back up the supply chain again, they can be reused, recycled or resold again – with this process occurring repeatedly.

This closed loop supply chain is likely the future, but not in the short term. We still lack much of the infrastructure required to break down and reuse materials, so even goods which could be recycled – such as certain types of plastic – still go to landfill, despite best intentions.

It’s likely we won’t see any major changes to this loop in 2022, but we will see more steps taken towards its realisation. That means companies in logistics must continue to optimise their reverse supply chain functions and keep an eye out for sustainability partners such as packaging manufacturers and recyclers. Being able to advertise these types of green initiatives could prove to be a point of competitive advantage for eco-conscious customers.

7. Cross docking facilities cut storage costs
What is cross docking? Cross docking is the transfer of inbound goods to an outbound carrier through the use of a cross docking facility – that is, a temporary storage terminal that cuts out or reduces the need for inventory storage. All incoming goods are sorted and loaded onto outbound trucks as quickly as possible – often immediately.

The cross docking market is another growth area. Globally it’s expected to reach US$342 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of around 6%. This growth is being fuelled by rising customer expectations for delivery times, putting pressure on logistics through the ‘need for speed’.

Cross docking benefits
-  Reduced costs, particularly any costs associated with long-term inventory storage and associated facilities, labour and utilities
-  Improved stock turnover, as the goal of cross docking is to get goods in and out as efficiently as possible
-  Minimised risk, given there’s reduced handling of goods and no long-term storage that could increase the chance of spoilage
Cross docking challenges
-  More carriers are required for a cross docking facility to work efficiently. Too few carriers and goods have to be moved into storage – meaning the cross docking strategy fails
-  It puts pressure on planning and coordination staff to manage complex shipping schedules and create more accurate forecasts to get goods in and out efficiently
-  Efficient inventory management technology is required to improve the speed of unloading, scanning, sorting and reloading, and to ensure that goods can be tracked throughout the process – and won’t get missed and left behind at the dock

8. Relationships with suppliers matter
Supplier relationship management (SRM) is hailed as the B2B version of customer relationship management (CRM). It involves making a list of critical suppliers, creating greater collaboration between the two parties and finding ways to make the relationship mutually beneficial.

In the modern age we know that competition is fierce. Access to advanced technology allows start-ups to come out of nowhere, up-end an industry, and push out existing players. Or it gives bigger brands a chance to extend their reach into new areas – as with Walmart’s GoLocal – which can also push out existing players.

Not only that, but during times of economic upheaval – such as during the Covid-19 pandemic – companies can suddenly reinvent their supply chain partners to find ways to minimise risk or cut costs.

That is why supplier relationships matter – and will matter more and more in 2022 and beyond.

Benefits of better supplier relationships
If your relationship with a supplier is about mutual benefit, rather than cost, you can start to unlock more from that relationship and establish the roots needed to keep it steady even during rocky economic times. For example, you can:

-  Work to co-develop new products and services
-  Find ways to reduce costs
-  Share data and information in order to optimise performance
-  Look for ways to reduce waste or increase sustainability
Companies that regularly collaborate with suppliers demonstrate higher levels of growth, lower operating costs and greater profitability than peers.

9. Local expansion is the new global expansion
Covid-19 really was a turning point for many businesses. When access to the global supply chain was disrupted, many companies in the logistics industry found new and significant opportunities by going local instead.

We believe that continued economic tumult, political tensions and growing environmental concerns will mean that local sourcing will continue to be a major opportunity for supply chain management in 2022.

Benefits of sourcing locally
-  Less risk during times of economic or political turmoil – you’re not as reliant on freight coming through restricted or tightening borders
-  Better control of delivery times by focusing on connecting customers with suppliers that are near their area
-  Reduced carbon emissions by relying less on emissions-heavy international freight
-  Better branding by working within communities to benefit small businesses

10. Omnichannel retail means supply chains must keep up
Retailers and other business sectors are going omnichannel. That means their goal is to offer their customers a seamless shopping experience whether they shop in-store, online, via their phones or computers or through social media. No matter the platform, it’s all one experience, rather than siloed channels that don’t work together. Data theoretically transfers from one to the other without obstruction.

The supply chain in some areas isn’t keeping up with this trend, and that will cause tension between parties – especially in this age where customers expect fast delivery.

Digital transformation is key to going omnichannel
Here again digital transformation is key. The logistics and supply chain industry must be able to manage multiple customer channels, fulfilment models, payment options, and even facilities all in a seamless, interconnected way.

This level of synergy between physical and digital systems – and the processes and training required to manage them – sometimes requires significant transformation.

McKinsey identifies seven key building blocks to building an omnichannel supply chain, which involves a blend of process automation, re-evaluated fulfilment networks, customer-centric strategy and change management.

So where to from here for logistics & supply chain management?
When looking at industry trends, there often isn’t a key theme connecting all of them – but here in logistics and supply chain management, there is.

Customers expect better, faster shipping, while keeping prices as low as possible and improving sustainability. This has and will continue to put pressure on every step of the supply chain, requiring significant transformation in almost all facets of the industry.

For any business to compete, especially against large multinationals branching out into logistics, our research shows that process optimisation, efficiency and relationship-building will all be critical in 2022 – and beyond.