Fourth-party logistics (4PL) companies are quickly becoming the go-to solution for businesses requiring more than shipping and warehousing services. They need a strategy, integration, and total supply chain coordination. However, as demand increases, so does competition, and standing out requires more than offering excellent service.
Whether you’re a rising 4PL or a 3PL evolving into a full-service logistics partner, your success will come down to how well you market yourself. How you attract and retain 4PL customers today could determine your share of the market, expected to soar past $100 billion by 2031.
If you’re looking for real growth—not just more leads, but better, longer-lasting client relationships—this guide is for you.
Let’s start with what the numbers are telling us.
4PL Marketing Statistics and What’s Coming Next
Over the past few years, the 4PL industry has quietly but steadily transformed into a major player in global logistics. More companies are realizing that outsourcing logistics coordination to a single, experienced partner is not just efficient—it’s essential.
Here’s a snapshot of what that looks like.
A Market on the Move
- The global 4PL market is projected to reach $67.30 billion in 2025, with a compound growth rate of 7.65%.
- By 2032, the market could hit $114 billion, growing at an average CAGR of 7.50%.
- For the past two years, the 4PL market has grown 10% and is expected to have a CAGR if 8.39%, reaching $104.54 billion by the end of 2030.
No matter which numbers you track or projections you follow, one thing is clear: demand for 4PL solutions is rising fast, and the opportunity is massive.
Ready to expand your 4PL business into new market?
4PL Market Around the World
This surge in demand isn’t limited to one region. Here’s how it’s shaping up across the globe:
North America
The North American 4PL market is projected to reach USD 22.46 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 7.0%. This growth is driven by increasing demand for integrated supply chain solutions and the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance logistics efficiency.
Europe
Europe’s 4PL market is expected to expand by USD 6.39 billion from 2024 to 2029, with a CAGR of 5.6%. The growth is attributed to the rising need for efficient logistics management, cost-effective supply chain solutions, and real-time process control.
Asia-Pacific
The APAC 4PL market is projected to grow significantly, with a CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period. This surge is fueled by the rapid expansion of e-commerce and the increasing demand for efficient, tech-driven supply chain solutions.
Latin America
Latin America’s 4PL market is anticipated to reach USD 3.72 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 8.79% from 2025 to 2030. The growth is driven by the need for advanced logistics solutions to support complex supply networks and the increasing adoption of 4PL services in the region.
Struggling to increase your sales? Discover how to drive sales in B2B logistics.
Adoption Trends
According to Extensiv’s 4PL statistics that you should know:
- By 2030, as many as 20,000 companies could be using 4PL services—double the number from 2021.
- The retail industry leads in 4PL demand and is expected to hold its top spot well into the next decade.
- The boom in e-commerce, forecasted to grow another 18% by 2026, is pushing both 3PL and 4PL providers to expand capabilities and coverage.
How to Attract and Retain Customers in the 4PL Industry
Growth is good. But in a competitive market, getting noticed—and staying relevant—takes more than great operations. It takes a clear, confident 4PL marketing strategy that helps your business stand out to the right people at the right time.
Here’s how to approach it.
Start With a Clear Vision
Before launching any campaigns, step back and define your ideal customer, not just in general terms but in specifics.
Are you built for fast-moving retail brands? High-value electronics? Mid-sized companies needing help with cross-border freight? The more detailed your picture, the more precisely you can target and tailor your message.
Attracting the Right 4PL Customers
Once you’ve nailed down your audience, it’s time to get in front of them strategically.
1. Create a strong first impression online
Your website should act like a 24/7 top sales rep: educating, answering questions, and prompting action. That means it needs to be easy to find (SEO-optimized), fast, mobile-friendly, and packed with content that speaks directly to your customers’ challenges.
Use clear messaging, showcase past wins, and make it easy for prospects to get in touch.
2. Go beyond one channel
In today’s buyer journey, no single channel does all the work. Decision-makers don’t live in one place online. That’s why a multi-channel approach—email, targeted social media/LinkedIn, outbound calls, and performance-driven ads—helps ensure your message gets seen.
3. Speak to the real problems
Your prospects aren’t just looking for logistics—they’re looking for fewer delays, more cost control, and better visibility. Use content, case studies, and real-world examples to show how you solve those challenges.
4. Be helpful before you’re hired
Use blogs, guides, and videos to answer common questions. Provide insights that help your prospects make better decisions—even before they’re ready to buy. It builds trust and sets the tone for what working with you would be like.
Check out how lead generation can increase sales for 4PL companies.
Retaining 4PL Customers Once You Have Them
Winning a new client is a milestone. But keeping them? That’s what builds sustainable growth. Here’s how to stay top of mind and top of their vendor list:
1. Keep delivering value
Clients stay when they see consistent results. Use data to track performance and proactively share insights. What’s working? What can be improved? Make every touchpoint count.
2. Keep the communication flowing
Create a cadence—monthly check-ins, quarterly business reviews, and real-time updates when needed. Open lines of communication build trust and allow for upsell opportunities.
3. Be their expert, not just their vendor
Share news, updates, and ideas that go beyond your contract. Help them navigate supply chain shifts. Offer solutions before problems arise.
Related: How to Find 3PL Customers
4. Make collaboration easy
From shared dashboards to responsive support teams, make it simple for your clients to work with you. The easier you make their lives, the less likely they are to look elsewhere.
5. Celebrate the wins together
Clients want to know about their business matters. Highlight successes. Hit KPIs? Reduced costs? Closed a tough quarter? Acknowledge it. It strengthens the partnership.
6. Make referrals easy
Happy clients often want to share their experience, but may not know how. Provide simple ways for them to refer others or leave testimonials.
Final Thoughts
Marketing your 4PL business isn’t just about getting noticed—it’s about being noticed by the right companies and giving them every reason to believe that partnering with you is the smartest move they can make.
The 4PL market is growing fast, and with that growth comes more competition, more noise, and more pressure to stand out. It’s not enough to offer optimization, automation, and integration—every provider says they do that. The ones that rise above are the ones who can clearly communicate why they’re better—and prove it, consistently.
Customer acquisition and retention aren’t separate goals. They’re two halves of the same playbook. And the 4PL companies who understand that—who show up with clarity, speak directly to their customers’ needs, and build trust over time—are the ones who will lead the next era of logistics.
This is your edge. Use it.
