State of logistics: pretty good.(annual State of Logistics Report)(Report)

BYLINE: BY JOSEPH BONNEY

First, the bad news: Logistics costs are growing faster than the overall economy. As a percentage of gross domestic product, they jumped from 9.4 percent in 2005 to 9.9 percent last year, the highest figure since 2000. The good news: The increased logistics spending appears to be helping to boost companies' profitability.

"One of the most important trends that has emerged in the last couple of years is more companies viewing the big picture and trying to understand their entire supply chain, not just their link," said consultant Rosalyn Wilson, author of the annual State of Logistics Report. "As a result, more are trying to manage the entire chain."

Wilson has written the State of Logistics Report since 2003. Previously she collaborated on several editions with the late Bob Delaney, who first issued it in 1984. The report is sponsored by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

The report's key feature is a calculation of estimated U.S. logistics costs as a percentage …