Profiling International Freight Forwarders: A Benchmark

Presents a contemporary baseline study of US-based international freight forwarders. Provides much needed information on industry characteristics, which should reduce the occurrences of managers making important distribution decisions based only on conjecture, subjective perceptions and commonly held assumptions. Addresses three research questions, focusing on the selected demographic characteristics of US-based forwarders; the differences between "pure" forwarders (those concentrating primarily on consolidating shipments for international water transport) and "diversified" forwarders (those providing other intermediary services, those deriving a noticeable portion of revenues from air shipments); and the forwarders′ views as to the primary reason for shippers using their companies. Describes methodology and analyses, results and implications.