- SCALA’s 23rd Annual Supply Chain Debate examined whether third-party logistics providers are the true heroes of the supply chain
- An audience poll revealed that 59% believe 3PLs can be the heroes if they have “skin in the game” and are structured for success
- The debate highlighted the need for stronger trust, shared accountability and more integrated partnerships between businesses and their logistics providers
An industry debate hosted by global supply chain and logistics consultancy, SCALA, has revealed that supply chain leaders believe third-party logistics providers (3PLs) can catalyse supply chain innovation, but only if partnerships are built around stronger trust and shared accountability.
SCALA’s 23rd Annual Supply Chain Debate, held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, brought together senior leaders across the industry to debate the value of 3PLs in an operating environment shaped by geopolitical instability, cost pressure, labour challenges, climate risk and rising customer expectations.
Audience polling found that 90% of attendees believe supply chain success should be owned through shared accountability, underlining the need for stronger partnership between businesses and their 3PLs.
However, the results also revealed a clear tension in how the industry views these relationships. While 65% of attendees said a modern 3PL should act as an integrated extension of the business, 27% cited lack of trust as one of the biggest barriers to greater innovation between customers and 3PLs, just behind procurement’s focus on cost at 29%.
This was reflected in the final audience poll, which asked attendees if 3PLs were the real heroes of the supply chain. The largest share, 59%, said 3PLs could be heroes if they have “skin in the game” and are structured for success, rather than to avoid failure. A further 19% said 3PLs can be a key partner in manufacturer and retailer-led innovation, while 14% said they are heroes for shared-user customers and as a training ground for supply chain talent. Just 8% said no, arguing that 3PLs still need to get the basics right.
The debate brought together senior voices from across retail, FMCG and logistics, including Grace Smith, supply chain director UKI&N at Mars, Joanne Moore, customer service & logistics director at Suntory, Gavin Chappell, VP supply chain, Food & GM at ASDA, and Fabian Koehler, deputy group CEO at Culina Group.
Together, the panel examined how the role of 3PLs is changing as supply chains become more complex, with discussion covering the importance of operational reliability, the need for stronger commercial alignment, and the role logistics partners can play in helping businesses manage disruption, improve resilience and turn innovation into practical day-to-day value.
Chris Clowes, executive director at SCALA and chair of the debate, said:
“In a world that often looks for polarised answers, the conclusion was much more nuanced. 3PLs can be heroes of the supply chain, but only if the relationship is structured in the right way.
“What stood out was the contradiction between what businesses want from 3PLs and the reality of many current relationships. Manufacturers and retailers increasingly want logistics partners to operate as integrated extensions of their own organisations, yet trust remains a persistent barrier.
“As disruption becomes a more permanent feature of global supply chains, and innovation becomes more essential, businesses will need to address that trust gap. Stronger partnerships will depend on clearer shared objectives, better commercial alignment and more open conversations about risk, value and responsibility.”
The 2026 debate was proudly supported by Culina Group, XPO Logistics, GXO and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Find out more about SCALA here: https://www.scalagroup.co.uk/
