What is Logistics?

Logistics is the art and science of managing and controlling the flow of goods, energy, information and other resources from the source of production to the marketplace. More than 750,000 Canadian workers are employed in the logistics field, making it the second to third largest employment sector in Canada. Many logisticians work in supply chain management, executive management, consulting, transportation, traffic, customs, distribution, manufacturing, purchasing, and warehousing. They work in small, medium and large companies.

Why Logistics is critical to today's Global Economy

The convergence of economic, political and technological forces in the mid-1990s dramatically increased the importance of logistics. The delivery of goods overtook production as the most critical factor in business success. Almost overnight, the responsibility of logistics grew from simply getting a product out the door to the science of controlling the optimal flow of goods, energy, and information through the purchasing, planning and transportation management. In the wake of this change, the role of logistics went from local to global, tactical to strategic, and from the backroom to the boardroom.

Logistics and Industry

Logisticians work in virtually every industry in the business world, including:

Aerospace Airlines Auto Industry Clothing & Apparel Courier & Messaging Engineering Food & Grocery Forestry Freight Forwarding Government Hotel and Hospitality

International Trade IT Military and National Defence Mining Natural Gas Public Transportation Oil Pharmaceuticals Railways Retail Shipping

The role logisticians play

Logisticians hold a variety of high-profile positions that are responsible for managing a company's operations. Some of these titles include:

Vice President of Logistics Logistics Analyst Warehouse Manager Demand and Supply Planner Inventory Control Manager Vice-President of Operations

Materials Coordinator Contracts Director Senior Dispatcher Traffic Analyst Customs Manager Transportation Specialist

How important is logistics?

Logistics can make or break your business. Here is a list of companies who fully understand the importance of logistics:

Air Canada BC Hydro Cadbury Canada Post Canadian Tire Dept. of National Defence Exel Logistics

HBC Imperial Oil LCBO Levi Strauss Mountain Equipment Coop Pfizer Canada

Purolator Sears Sobeys Staples Toyota UPS

For a list of our corporate members, please click here.

The Logistics Institute and your career

Your association with the Logistics Institute will provide you complete training, support and development for every phase of your professional career. Our development programs that have helped hundreds of logisticians in all levels of management increase their earning potential, strengthen their company's supply chains, and improve their leadership skills. For more information on our programs, please click here.