Adapting Your Business to Market Changes with Intermodal and 3PL Logistics
Looking for a way to gain a competitive edge, no matter how the market changes?
Successful companies are the ones that can adjust their supply chain and distribution strategies fast enough to keep up with customer demand fluctuations, cost increases, and other disruptions.
The problem is that most businesses are locked into the same old logistics plan. When changes arise, they just play catch-up. Spend more on inefficient transportation. Deal with bottlenecks in the supply chain.
It doesn't have to be this way. Enter intermodal and 3PL services.
In this post, we're going to show you:
Why Market Adaptation Is Essential
How Intermodal and 3PL Services Transform Your Supply Chain
The Hidden Cost Savings
Simple Steps To Get Started
Why Adaptation to the Market Is Essential
The logistics sector is going through a sea of changes. The North American 3PL market alone was valued at $419.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 10.4% CAGR through 2034. Businesses are finally waking up to the reality that they can no longer do everything in-house.
Consider the kinds of issues your business faces:
Fuel price volatility
Driver shortages
Rising customer expectations
Supply chain disruptions
These challenges are only going to increase. Thriving businesses will be the ones that make flexibility a priority. They will demand supply chain solutions that can scale up or down with the ebbs and flows of the market.
What better way to gain this kind of flexibility than through modern 3PL and intermodal logistics?
How Intermodal and 3PL Services Change Your Supply Chain
Intermodal and 3PL services combine to give your business unparalleled flexibility. Instead of being stuck with one method of transportation or tied to an in-house logistics team, you now have access to a variety of shipping modes. Plus, you can outsource logistics management to experts.
Partnering with a 3PL company that provides intermodal services is a game-changer. Here's why. You are no longer dealing with just another trucking company. You are gaining a strategic partner. One that can transport your freight by truck, rail, or a combination of both modes. Whichever method is more efficient for your specific shipment.
Intermodal freight volumes increased by 8.5% in 2024. The rate of change has certainly picked up in the last few years and is picking up steam again after previously dealing with declines.
A surge like this doesn't just happen. More and more companies are seeing the hidden benefits of this form of transportation.
Rail transport is ideal for long-distance hauls in terms of cost-efficiency. Trucks are perfect for the shorter distances and final delivery. Combining the two options yields you the best of both worlds.
Real Cost Savings You Can Expect
Oh, and did we mention the money you will save? For every shipment over 1,000 miles, fuel use and emissions can go down by as much as 65% when compared to truck-only transportation. Great for the environment and your business.
Partnering with a 3PL company allows you to eliminate several overhead costs:
Fleet maintenance
Hiring and training drivers
Equipment maintenance
Capacity during slow periods
You convert fixed costs into variable costs. Paying only for the transportation and labor you need, and when you need it. The U.S. 3PL market grew by 1.8% to $131.5 billion in 2024. Companies aren't throwing that kind of money around if they aren't seeing results.
Building Flexibility into Your Operations
Here's a little secret most business owners and operators don't realize. Flexibility is about more than just having options. It's also about having the right partner that can execute efficiently on those options. That's where modern 3PL companies come in.
They use cutting-edge technology to optimize every load. Visibility tools and data analytics provide your company with the most cost-effective and on-time delivery options.
When a disruption occurs—and it always will—your 3PL partner can quickly pivot and implement contingency plans.
Supply Chain Resilience
Intermodal transport naturally builds redundancy into your operations. If truck capacity dries up, freight can move by rail. Rail schedules shift? You increase truck capacity for time-sensitive freight. Such flexibility allows products to keep moving despite changing market conditions.
Environmental Benefits that Translate to Business Sense
Ok, let's talk about something that's becoming extremely important: The environment. Customers care about it, as do your investors. Not to mention, we're starting to see stricter regulations being put into place.
Rail transport requires 80% less energy than trucks per ton of freight. By implementing rail into your logistics strategy (through intermodal services), you drastically cut your carbon footprint.
This is more than just nice marketing. It's a competitive edge that can help you to:
Attract more environmentally-conscious customers
Meet corporate sustainability goals
Get ready for more stringent environmental regulations
Reduce fuel costs
Pretty amazing, right? You can save money and help the planet at the same time.
Easy Steps To Get Started
Ready to revolutionize your logistics operations? Let's start with a step-by-step process:
The first step is to look at your current spend on transportation. Make a list of your long-haul shipments. Anything over 750 miles qualifies as a great opportunity for intermodal transport. Figure out how much you are currently spending on these routes.
Now, identify the pain points. Are you struggling with capacity during peak seasons? Dealing with fluctuating freight costs? Lacking visibility into shipments?
3PL providers have the solution to all of these problems.
Selecting The Right 3PL Partner
The best way to identify potential 3PL partners is to use the following criteria:
Size and experience in your industry
Quality of their intermodal network and transportation options
Cutting-edge tracking and visibility technology
Scalable solutions that can grow with your business
Don't get too focused on price. The cheapest option is almost never the best value. You want a partner that understands your unique business needs. One that can offer you guidance and strategy.
Making the Transition Smooth and Easy
One last thing to keep in mind about changing up your logistics strategy. It's easier than you think.
Start small and choose one lane or a segment of your freight to test out with a new 3PL company. Closely monitor the results. Track the savings you make on costs, transit times, and quality of service.
Once you see the benefits, slowly start to expand the partnership. Most companies will notice significant improvements in both cost and service levels within the first 3-6 months.
Staying Ahead of the Competition in the Long-Term
Ok, last question. What separates thriving companies from the struggling ones? It's simple. Adaptability.
The market isn't going to stop changing. Customer expectations will only rise. New competitors will always emerge. Supply chain disruptions are a given.
Businesses that build a flexible logistics strategy now (intermodal transport mixed with expert 3PL services) will be the ones that thrive. Your business will have the adaptability to pivot quickly when conditions change.
You will have the costs structure to keep prices competitive. Plus, you'll have the access to leading technology to help you to optimize constantly.
Final Thoughts
The game of logistics is quickly changing. Companies that realize this and adapt are going to be the ones coming out on top.
Partnering with an intermodal and 3PL company is not just about reducing freight costs. It's about building a more adaptable supply chain. One that is ready for whatever the market may throw at you.
That's all for now. To quickly recap:
Modern 3PLs offer the flexibility businesses demand in order to better adapt to the changing market
Intermodal transportation provides the cost savings
The combination delivers on supply chain resilience
Environmental benefits also provide competitive advantages
Starting with one lane makes the process of changing over simple
North American logistics market is booming. Businesses are investing in new and better solutions. It's time you did the same.
More and more companies are abandoning rigid systems and processes. They are turning to flexible partnerships. Ones that can scale up and down with the demands of their business.
Your competition is already on the playing field. Are you?