Optipoint Tracking's Mirensky: 3PL Companies Must Innovate to Help the U.S. Transition to an Exporting Economy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. logistics and transportation leaders must set the stage for the country's transition from an import economy to an export economy by embracing new technologies that improve efficiencies and transparency within the industry. This was among the key messages from leading supply chain expert Ruben Mirensky as he spoke today to hundreds of industry executives at the Global Trade & Transportation Symposium in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mirensky, founder and president of Optipoint Custom Tracking (www.OptipointTracking.com) spoke as part of the symposium's Supply Chain and 3PL Analysis Panel. He said that American transportation companies are resistant to making the changes that are necessary for the transition to occur swiftly, "but at some point, as a country, we have to come to accept and adjust."

Fueling the current U.S. transition from an import-oriented, low-savings economy to a more export-oriented, higher-savings one is the Obama administration's "weak dollar policy," which encourages exports and discourages the consumption of imports. These changing dynamics promise to create a economic boon for agile and forward-looking transportation companies. "Those companies that will adapt will succeed," Mirensky said. "Those that don't will perish."

Indeed, existing 3PL companies must lead the way in creating efficiencies that facilitate the transition, he said. Among the examples of innovations cited were new cost-effective technologies that provide global GPS tracking of shipments and crucial transparency to customers during moves. The $507 billion-a-year global 3PL industry is becoming more specialized and market-specific each year. Increasing competition is forcing creative technology solutions that produce new efficiencies, he added.

Mirensky also discussed the need for manufacturers to build elasticity into their processes as U.S. 3PLs are increasingly called on to store and redistribute raw products. The integration of new tracking and monitoring software with legacy ERP and materials management systems will become crucial.  

Optipoint Custom Tracking adds invaluable strength to clients' materials management systems by tailoring logistical tracking solutions to meet particular needs. The company's experts integrate the latest in Internet-based or stand-alone GPS software with existing ERP and other legacy systems to improve the deployment of mobile assets — whether they are on the road, on rail or in container shipments. For more information, see www.optipointtracking.com.

SOURCE Optipoint Custom Tracking