This growing optimism in the 3PL market is echoed by the survey results published in the 2014 18th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study. The overall nature of shipper-3PL relationships continues to improve, with both parties viewing them as successful. Shippers are seeing positive results again this year: an average logistics cost reduction of 11%, an average inventory cost reduction of 6%, and an average fixed logistics cost reduction of 23%. Shippers agree that 3PLs provide new and innovative ways to improve logistics effectiveness, and that they are sufficiently agile and flexible to accommodate future business needs and challenges. Despite ongoing churn in shipper-3PL relationships, shippers are generally increasing their use of outsourced logistics services, and shippers and 3PLs are now about equally satisfied (70% and 69%, respectively) with the openness, transparency and communication between them.