The Global Institute of Logistics (GIL) was founded by Kieran Ring in 2003 under the Chairman of renowned US logistician and author Robert V. Delaney in response to the global logistics industry’s call for “joined up thinking” amongst stakeholders in the global supply chain. Since being established in 2003, the Institute has developed a community of over 8,500 logisticians who act a global knowledge network committed to supporting the Institute's mission of contributing to the resolution of legacy challenges in global logistics. Challenges associated with the traditional approach of managing single transport modes, modal systems as stand-alone operations. The key to overcoming these legacy challenges is for the individual stakeholder groups within the logistics chain to actively engage with each other. The promotion of this agenda is the Institute's work. Acting as a think tank within the sector, GIL brings together thought-leaders as part of a global knowledge network committed to researching and sharing best practices and developing global standards. Today the Institute is a community of organizations and professionals from across the world that share a commitment to collaborating on global logistics solutions. This work is supported by the Institute's benchmarking groups which in the first instance convene to share best practice amongst themselves as it relates to the performance of their individual concerns. Secondly, the groups collaborate with each other to build greater mutual understanding which in turn leads to joined up thinking across the supply chain. The Institute membership base which comprises global shippers, 3PLs, carriers, port authorities and terminal operators collaborate closely, share knowledge and in so doing improve the global supply chain. Members co-operate closely and consistently in leveraging best industry practices to add real value to the supply chain management process. GIL NETWORKING THE GLOBAL LOGISTICS COMMUNITY