With the year coming to a close, Logistics Manager is reflecting on 2024, taking a look at some of the biggest news stories in the logistics and supply chain sector, as well as other highlights from Logistics Manager’s magazines, online content and in-person events.
The most-read stories on the Logistics Manager website in 2024:
In April, a competitive bidding war for the acquisition of third-party logistics company Wincanton came to an end, as GXO confirmed that it had taken ownership of the entire issued share capital of Wincanton. CMA CGM had initially made an offer for the 3PL, which was recommended by the Wincanton board. It then submitted an increased offer and shortly after GXO submitted its own offer. Wincanton proceeded with this offer as CMA CGM dropped out of the race. There was one last twist in the tale before the year reached its climax though, as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) deemed that the acquisition ‘gives rise to a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition’. Following this revelation from the initial Phase 1 investigation, the CMA referred the merger for an ‘in-depth Phase 2 investigation’, and a date of 30 April 2025 was set as a statutory deadline for a decision to be made. This ongoing saga will be one to keep an eye on in 2025.
October saw the first coast-wide strike since 1977 at ports from Maine to Texas come to a fairly swift end as a ‘tentative agreement’ was agreed between the two parties involved. Threats of strike action at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts of America first surfaced in September, as the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) failed to reach an agreement over a new Master Contract Agreement, with the existing one set to expire at the end of the month. October rolled around and, with no deal in sight strikes began, with president Joe Biden even weighing in, urging USMX to “come to the table and present a fair offer”. Just days into the strike, a joint statement was made by the ILA and USMX confirming that the organisations had “reached a tentative agreement on wages and agreed to extend the Master Contract until 15 January 2025, to return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues”. While an agreement appears to have been reached on wages, other matters such as the use of automation to replace staff members and healthcare benefits for members and retirees remain unresolved, and will likely be key talking points as the new date of 15 January next year approaches.
In May, International Distribution Services (IDS), the parent company of Royal Mail, submitted paperwork officially recommending a cash offer for the takeover of the company, made by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský. However, several months on and the takeover had yet to be approved. This all changed on 16 December though, as the government approved Kretinsky’s EP Group’s takeover, with the government set to retain a ‘golden share’ that will require it to approve any major changes to Royal Mail’s ownership, headquarters location and tax residency.
In February, parcel delivery company Yodel was sold in a deal by a consortium led by its rival operator, Shift. But just months after this sale, the newly formed YDLGP was reported to be seeking additional funding. Then in August, it announced that it had secured an £85 million funding package that it said would enable it to invest in plans to further automate and modernise its business over the next three years.
Akabo Media, the publisher of Logistics Manager and sister magazines Robotics & Automation and CiTTi, has organised a plethora of fantastic events in the past year, including some exciting new launches. Here are some highlights of Logistics Manager’s coverage of Akabo Media events in 2024:
IntraLogisteXOn 19-20 March, nearly 9,000 attendees visited Halls 6 and 7 of the NEC in Birmingham for the three co-located exhibitions – IntraLogisteX, Robotics and Automation and the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition – across the two days, Logistics Manager can unequivocally say that this year’s event was by far the biggest and best yet.
At the show, Logistics Manager spoke to some of the exhibitors about industry trends, and what innovations and solutions they were showcasing at their stands. These included: Exotec; Movu Robotics; Interroll; Indigo Software; Craemer Group; SICK UK; Swisslog; Invar Group; and Lucas Systems.
There were three conference theatres at the show, one for each exhibition.
Click here for the highlights from the IntraLogisteX Stage on Day One.
Click here for the highlights from the IntraLogisteX Stage on Day Two.
IntraLogisteX, Robotics and Automation and the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition will return to the NEC on 25-26 March 2025. Register now for free to secure your place for next year’s event!
Conferences
Logistics Manager hosted two in-person conferences in 2023: the Sustainable Supply Chain Conference and the ESG Industrial & Logistics Conference. Check out the morning and afternoon highlights from the Sustainable Supply Chain Conference and the morning and afternoon highlights from the ESG Industrial & Logistics Conference! And click here to learn more about the 2025 Sustainable Supply Chain Conference, being held in London on 24 June next year!
Supply Chain Excellence Awards
The 28th Supply Chain Excellence Awards took place on 28 October 2024 at London’s biggest ballroom, the Great Room at Grosvenor House. The event celebrated the hard work, dedication and innovation of those working in the logistics and supply chain sector, recognising excellence in the delivery of efficient, reliable and sustainable logistics.
Hosted by legendary comedian Ed Byrne, the ceremony was attended by some 800 industry professionals. With over 300 entries having been submitted for the awards, winners were crowned in 27 different categories over the course of the night, making 2024 the biggest Supply Chain Excellence Awards to date.
You can read the full list of winners here and read the full stories behind all the successes – including details on the categories and entry criteria – exclusively in the December issue of Logistics Manager!
IntraLogisteX USA
The inaugural IntraLogisteX USA brought the success of the UK event stateside, with the exhibition showcasing a wide range of innovative solutions to some of the industry’s biggest challenges, whether that be efficiency, accuracy, safety or sustainability. Logistics Manager caught up with Ocado Intelligent Automation, White Intelligent Storage, A-Safe and Holland Vision Systems at the show.
Both days of the show also featured a packed conference agenda across two stages, with Mike Kelley, lead product manager for global supply chain analytics at Nike, being a stand-out with his insightful presentation on end-to-end supply chain analytics.
IntraLogisteX USA will return to Miami on 17-18 September 2025 – click here to register for free!
Supply Chain Excellence Awards USA
The winners of the first-ever Supply Chain Excellence Awards USA were announced on 21 October 2024 during an unforgettable night in Miami, celebrating the hard work and innovation of companies in the supply chain and logistics sector from all around the US.
Over 100 entries were submitted for the awards, with 70 companies involved in the shortlisted projects. Those projects on the 2024 shortlist were then scrutinised by a panel of independent judges, who made the final decision on the winning entries in 15 different categories.
Click here to find out which companies took home a trophy at the event!
Top 50 Logistics Service Providers
A trusted reference guide for supply chain decision-makers looking to take their business forward, Logistics Manager’s Top 50 Logistics Service Providers supplement was released following the Top 50 webinar, which counted down the 50 logistics service providers with the biggest percentage growth in turnover year-over-year.
During the webinar, viewers were also able to hear from the sponsor of this year’s Top 50 – Aptean – about what makes effective transport management and how the right software can help reduce costs while improving customer service.
The full Top 50 supplement contains facts, figures, tables and analysis. Included in the supplement is the main Top 50 table ranked by percentage growth in turnover, as well more detail about each of the companies that made this list. Plus, there are tables ranking 3PLs and 4PLs by total turnover and operating profit. There’s also a ranking of the 20 biggest shipping companies by their share of global capacity.
And this year, it also includes coverage of the logistics firms that have made the biggest reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, indicative of the growing importance of sustainability and emissions tracking/reporting in modern business.
Click here to access Logistics Manager’s Top 50 Logistics Service Providers supplement, available exclusively with a subscription to Aurora Insights – the UK-based intelligence service from Logistics Manager’s publisher Akabo Media.
Some personal favourites from this year’s stories, chosen by Logistics Manager:
On 5 July, the results of the UK general elected were announced and a new prime minister stepped through the door of 10 Downing Street. The new Labour government, led by Sir Kier Starmer, made several pledges in its manifesto that would impact the UK logistics and supply chain sector, if the party follows through on their promises.
There was more than one major election this year. Over in the US, Republican Donald Trump won the presidential election on 6 November, beating his Democrat counterpart, Joe Biden’s vice president Kamala Harris. Trump’s proposed tariffs on the import of goods from China and the rest of the world look set to cause complications in globals supply chains once he’s inaugurated next year.
Maersk unveils new container ship running on green methanol
On 10 October, Logistics Manager attended an event at the Port of Felixstowe, during which shipping giant Maersk unveiled the name of its latest container vessel – Alexandra Maersk – which is the sixth ship in its owned fleet capable of sailing on green methanol in its main and auxiliary engines. As well as Maersk’s CEO, the CEO of Primark and parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Transport gave speeches to the crowd about the importance of decarbonising the shipping industry.
In October, ahead of IntraLogisteX USA and the Supply Chain Excellence Awards USA coming to Miami, Logistics Manager took the opportunity to tour the Port of Miami (PortMiami) to find out more about the port and how it was been affected by events like the ILA strike and Hurricane Milton.
Three of the biggest stories of the year from Logistics Manager’s dedicated Property section:
In July, brewer and pub chain Greene King announced that it would be investing £23 million in a new food and beverage depot in Middleton, Greater Manchester. The investment formed part of a 15-year lease, with Greene King’s logistics partner GXO running the operations of the c. 290,000ft² site.
After signing a pre-let agreement in August 2023, meal replacement company Huel and real estate company PLP began to fit out a 71,800ft² warehouse at PLP MK Logistics Park in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire – ready to be operational in February.
In June, construction began on Logicor’s Derby 507 – a 507,000ft² logistics facility at Infinity Park Derby in the East Midlands.
The three most-read stories from our Corporate Insights section in 2024:
Unlocking the potential of low-carbon logistics, step by step
Chris Hyde, managing director of convenience and food services at GXO UK&I, explains how firms can unlock the potential of low-carbon logistics and move towards a more sustainable future.
Puma’s stichd raises bar with next-gen logistics centre
Since November 2022, stichd has been serving its global customers from its new and highly automated fulfilment centre in Tilburg, the Netherlands. This high-performing and extremely versatile omnichannel solution enables stichd to cut lead times and to offer customers an even higher service level. In close co-operation with TGW, a solution was developed and implemented that ensures a future-proof distribution process.
The challenges to electrifying commercial and heavy goods vehicles
Giles Benbow, senior manager for business and partnership development at Mer, considers why electrifying commercial and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) is crucial for the net zero transition and the challenges that fleet managers are facing.
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