Lead logistics provider

Emergence of the lead logistics provider, or 4PL a 3PL provider that manages other providers... 

In Level 5, the idea of virtual logistics is part of the collaboration that takes place as the network members want to find the best costs and satisfaction, whether the orders go through traditional channels or are processed through an Internet channel. With residential package delivery, for example, expected to top 2.1 billion per year by 2003, this latter situation is of great interest to business to consumer (B2C) channel providers. Here lead logistics providers (lip) can enter the equation — firms with little to no physical assets, but the wherewithal to find the best answer to logistics needs, inbound and outbound. 

Another model for the co-ordination of complex networks that has been proposed is the idea of a 4PL or a lead logistics service provider. 

In addition to sharing a lead role in the ESF 6, the American Red Cross is named as a support agency in several other emergency support functions, including ESF 8, health and medical. This could involve activities such as providing logistic support for vaccine administration or adapting usual shelter services in catastrophic situations (such those that existed after Hurricane Katrina). 

If the distributor does not play an important role in terms of value-added and customer access, a direct disintermediation approach may be advisable. Such a strategy is unlikely to lead to complete elimination of the distributor, since chemical producers will not want to build capabilities speciBcaUy for the complex supply chain management of small customers. However, the distributor s role will change more to that of a logistics service provider. The approach of some of the consortia remains to be seen here. 

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