Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL) is a supply chain management model in which a single, external provider oversees and coordinates all logistics operations. A 4PL acts as a single point of contact for planning, coordination, and execution. They oversee multiple third-party logistics (3PL) providers, technology partners, and carriers.
Working with a fourth-party logistics provider means one partner takes responsibility for the entire supply chain. For a beverage company, 4PL takes charge of sourcing and packaging, managing warehouse space, optimizing freight routes, and more. This streamlines the logistics process, but often comes at a higher cost.