Logistics operator as value creator in the industrial SME's distribution network

Internationalisation of industrial SMEs introduces many kinds of problems to be solved. There is an evident need to design and implement a distribution network (downstream network) based on different kinds of business partners. The basics of the business are transport, warehousing, forwarding, marketing and sales operations. In addition to these activities, customer service functions, such as technical support, spare part sales, document distribution, maintenance, software updates, tracking and tracing, and other functions, need to be established. The Internet and other related ICT technologies provide the opportunity to develop new kinds of services for end-users and distribution network partners. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the third-party logistics service provider (3PL) might manage the development trend illustrated above. The question concerns the 3PL partner's possibilities to develop its own operations to create more added value for the principals, end-users and other business partners