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National Logistics Day

Spend some time learning about the sector of business that keeps everything moving and organized: logistics. See how you can help, and apply it to your own life.

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Position your logistics or supply-chain solution as an industry enabler by sponsoring or creating educational content around National Logistics Day to reach procurement and operations professionals.

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Behind-the-scenes supply chain breakdown of a popular product
Logistics industry trends and innovation spotlight
How your company optimizes the journey from raw materials to customer
Logistics career spotlight and industry insights

History

The term ‘logistics’ was originally coined as a military term. It was used to describe how military personnel moved, stored, and obtained supplies and equipment. Today, though, the term is widely used in the business sector, especially by businesses operating in the manufacturing industry. It is used to reference how resources are moved and handled in the supply chain.

The logistics sector first started to gain momentum when Marco Polo traveled on the Silk Road to China, keeping a detailed written record, which paved the way for merchants and traders to use this road between China and Europe in the future. In 1896, the first semi-truck (horseless carriage) was created. This improved how items would be transported.

In 1910, the first-ever air cargo flight happened between Columbus and Dayton. This increased the speed at which products could be delivered within the United States. The first container ship also occurred across America, sailing to Texas from the port of New Jersey in 1956. This changed how products would move globally forever. And, this is how logistics started. Since then, the industry has only gone from strength to strength!

Now that you know about the history of logistics, but what about the day itself? This was founded in 2019 by Logistics Plus Inc with the aiming of celebrating the growing and important logistics sector. The company has been supporting the logistics industry since 1996.

It is headquartered in the historic Erie, Pennsylvania train station. The building has almost 50 country flags flying on top of it, representing the nationality of one of its customers or employees. This gives a nod to just how global logistics is in the current day and age.

How to celebrate

Learn About Logistics

One option is to simply spend some time learning about logistics. There are so many great resources on the web, including sites that are purely dedicated to logistics news. It is certainly worth allocating a bit of time from your day in order to enrich your knowledge about the industry.

Discover Logistics

Another activity that you can enjoy on logistics day is discovering the logistics behind one of your favorite products or services. This could be anything from your favorite make-up products to your sports jerseys. Why not do a little bit of research and delve into the details regarding how the product goes from being raw materials to arriving at your front door? The Internet is home to a wealth of information, and so you may be able to piece together all of the details so that you can understand the full journey that your most-loved products go on. You can also learn about the logistical effort that goes into some of the world’s most famous events, from moto events to award ceremonies. You will probably be surprised to learn about how great of a role logistic plays!

Attend a Logistics Day Event

You could also find out whether there are any events going on in your local area. There are often logistics trade shows, conferences, and events that take place around the world. If you really want to get an understanding of this industry, going to one of these events is certainly recommended.

Have Fun with Logistics

You could even play a logistics game! You can get online games based on everything nowadays! From building your own hotel empire to running a travel agency, there is nothing you can’t do. This includes building your own logistics empire. I f this is something that you’re interested in, simply do a quick search online and you will see that you actually have a few different options to choose from. This is a fun way to get a better understanding and appreciation for the logistics sector.

FAQ

How is logistics different from supply chain management?

Logistics focuses on planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient movement and storage of goods and related information between points of origin and consumption. Supply chain management is broader and includes logistics along with sourcing, procurement, production, and coordination with suppliers and customers across the entire value chain. In other words, logistics is one part of supply chain management, not a synonym for it.

What are the main components of a modern logistics system?

Experts typically break logistics into several core activities: transportation, warehousing and storage, inventory management, order processing and fulfillment, packaging, material handling, and customer service related to delivery performance. Different frameworks may group these functions in various ways, but these underlying activities appear consistently in professional definitions and curricula.

Why did the concept of logistics start in the military?

Historically, armies needed reliable systems to move food, weapons, equipment, and people over long distances, often in unpredictable conditions. Military thinkers and commanders developed specialized methods for provisioning, transport, and camp support, which came to be known as logistics. Many planning principles used today in commercial freight, warehousing, and distribution trace back to these military supply practices. [1]

How has containerization changed global logistics?

Standardized shipping containers allowed goods to be packed once and moved seamlessly between ships, trains, and trucks without being unpacked and repacked at each transfer. This reduced handling time, labor costs, cargo damage, and port congestion, and it enabled far more predictable shipping schedules. Containerization is widely credited with helping drive down transport costs and supporting the growth of global trade. [1]

What is “last mile” logistics, and why is it so challenging?

Last-mile logistics refers to the final leg of delivery from a local hub or distribution center to the end customer. It is challenging because it often involves many small, dispersed stops, urban congestion, limited parking, and high customer expectations for fast, precise delivery windows. These factors make last-mile operations relatively expensive and complex compared with moving bulk freight between major hubs.

How does logistics affect the environment?

Logistics affects the environment mainly through fuel burned by trucks, ships, planes, and trains, which produces greenhouse gases and air pollutants, and through energy use in warehouses and packaging waste. Studies show that freight transport is a significant contributor to overall transport emissions, while logistics facilities themselves add indirect emissions through electricity and heating. This has led to growing interest in “green logistics” practices that reduce emissions and waste.

What are some examples of “green logistics” in practice?

Green logistics can include optimizing routes to cut empty or unnecessary trips, shifting some freight from road or air to rail or ocean, using electric or low-emission vehicles for local deliveries, and improving warehouse energy efficiency with better insulation, LED lighting, and rooftop solar. Companies also increasingly redesign packaging to use less material, favor recyclable options, and reduce shipment weight and volume. [1]