The third wave dates from the late 1990s. Currently and in the very near future, we will see a number of players entering the TPL market from unexpected areas, such as information technology, management consultancy and financial services. These new players will probably work together with players from the first and second waves. In most cases several shippers and providers are involved [17]. We mention a few examples:
1)18M, has a stake in Hi-Tech Logistics, a UK-
based company specializing in offering logistics solutions to high-tech companies with a turnover of GBP 35 million in 1995 (the other joint-venture partner is a traditional service provider, Tibbett & Britten), and IBM Global Services is involved in an alliance with Ryder and Andersen Consulting.
2) In September 1996, Microsoft introduced its Value Chain Initiative, an alliance of Microsoft and other companies to develop "integrated solutions designed to redefine transportation logistics the length and breadth of the supply chain", based on a combination of PC and Internet technologies [18].
3)Andersen Consulting and New Holland
have established a joint venture called New Holland Logistics, which aims at providing world-class logistics solutions and services to New Holland. It is also involved in the alliance with Ryder and IBM.