Logistics impacts the economy at different levels; global, national, and corporate. It is a $4.3 trillion industry, too important that the World Bank releases annual Logistics Performance Index (LPI) to determine challenges and opportunities countries are facing in trade, infrastructure, technology, visibility, and speed. These components are the pillars of economic growth. Highly efficient logistics improve international trade, reduces product costs, and increases corporate profits.

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSMP) defines logistics management as;

“Logistics management is that part of supply chain management that plans, implements, and controls the efficient, effective forward and reverses flow and storage of goods, services and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customers’ requirements”

The definition clearly describes the role of logistics that is to manage both the forward and reverse flow of assets efficiently and effectively. Managing the flow entails strategic planning, monitoring, and resources management. That means the company needs to carry out key decisions, operations strategies and processes to achieve a high performing and efficient product flow.