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One-third of North American distribution centers are outsourced

The percentage of distribution centers being outsourced is increasing, according to a Tompkins Associates study.

Nearly one out of three North American distribution centers (DCs) are entirely outsourced, according to the Supply Chain Metrics report recently released by the Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium. The group canvassed nearly 100 North American companies across nine industry segments for the study.

The report noted that the high-tech industry led the way in outsourcing DCs to third-party logistics companies. Bruce Tompkins, executive director of the consortium, said that while many companies continue to staff their own facilities, "there is an upward trend in the percentage of DC buildings and labor being outsourced in the past two years."


Download a copy of the report.

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