Inbound Logistics opens Top 100 applications

Inbound Logistics has opened applications for its annual Top 100 3PL Providers list, giving third-party logistics companies until end of day June 17 to submit or update their credentials for consideration in the publication’s July issue. The form is live on the trade magazine’s website and is part of what Inbound Logistics describes as a 35-year market study of logistics providers. The company says the annual editorial selection is aimed at identifying providers that match the needs of retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and ecommerce businesses. ### What is actually open right now? Inbound Logistics is soliciting entries through a “Top 100 3PL Providers Questionnaire” that asks companies to submit company details, service coverage and operating capabilities. The site says firms should complete the survey by end of day June 17 to be considered for the awards. The 3PL section of Inbound Logistics’ website says the questionnaire is used to add a company to its survey database or update existing information. (inboundlogistics.com) The same page says submissions are for consideration in the Top 100 3PL Providers feature in the publication’s July 3PL issue. ### What does Inbound Logistics say it is looking for? The questionnaire asks applicants to identify whether they are asset-based, non-asset-based or hybrid and to specify geographic coverage such as global, North American, cross-border or U.S.-only operations. (inboundlogistics.com) It also asks for estimated prior-year revenue from logistics activities, though the form says that figure is for evaluation use only and not for publication. (inboundlogistics.com) The application goes deeper into service categories. Inbound Logistics asks companies to check markets served, then list logistics capabilities including 4PL and 5PL services, cold chain, global logistics, inbound logistics, omnichannel logistics and warehousing functions such as crossdocking, ecommerce fulfillment, transloading and vendor-managed inventory. Transportation options including air cargo, intermodal, LTL, ocean, rail, small package, truckload and white-glove services are also part of the form. (inboundlogistics.com) ### Why does the technology section stand out? The technology portion of the questionnaire is one of the clearest signals about how Inbound Logistics is framing the field this year. The form asks applicants to identify technology services and capabilities including AI, automation, control tower tools, ERP integration, IoT enablement, optimization, predictive analytics, RFID, robotics, supply chain design, transportation management systems, visibility tools and warehouse management or execution systems. (inboundlogistics.com) Inbound Logistics has used similar category-based editorial lists elsewhere on its site. In March, the publication released its 2026 Top 100 Logistics & Supply Chain Technology Providers list, which it said was selected by editors to highlight companies offering tools ranging from TMS and WMS to AI and robotics. That provides a recent example of how the publication is emphasizing operational technology alongside core logistics services. (inboundlogistics.com) ### Where will the selected companies appear? Inbound Logistics says its annual 3PL edition spotlights third-party logistics providers and the service they provide during supply-chain disruption. The 3PL page says the July edition also includes the reader-voted Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards. The publication’s July 2025 digital edition shows the same package structure, with the issue featuring the prior year’s Top 100 3PLs alongside market research on logistics partnerships. (inboundlogistics.com) That indicates the 2026 list is likely to appear in the same annual summer 3PL-focused edition. ### What should applicants do next? The June 17 deadline is the next concrete date for 3PLs seeking inclusion. (inboundlogistics.com) Inbound Logistics directs applicants to complete the online questionnaire and lists publisher@inboundlogistics.com for questions, with the selected providers slated for the July 3PL issue. (inboundlogistics.com 1) (inboundlogistics.com 2)