The Automotive Industry Action Group has been working with several other industry groups to standardize container labeling requirements in the automotive industry. According to Larry Graham, global manager of manufacturing technology for General Motors and AIAG executive, eliminating the discrepancy in shipping labels between automakers and suppliers will streamline handling and reduce costs. AIAGS Automatic Identification and Data Collection workgroup has developed a global transport label template intended to serve as the preferred format for suppliers or automakers developing or revising container labels.

The International Warehouse Logistics Association is "cautiously optimistic" about the business prospects for 2002. According to its annual State of the Warehouse Logistics Industry report, 47% of respondents say business is worse than a year ago while 36% find it better than last year. But 65% of respondents say they are cautiously optimistic about the business prospects this year and 7% say they are very optimistic.

A new online marketplace for storage capacity has been launched. StorageCapacity.net is an online marketplace for businesses that want to let out for hire or need temporary or permanent storage capacity. The marketplace seeks to optimize the fluctuations in warehouses, silos, and bulk storage due to seasonal activity.