Final answer:
Intermodal transportation firms are key players in international distribution because they facilitate the movement of goods across different modes of transport, reduce costs, and improve the speed of delivery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intermodal transportation firms are key players in international distribution because they facilitate the movement of goods across different modes of transport, such as trucks, trains, barges, and ships. By utilizing standardized intermodal containers, these firms can efficiently transport goods from one location to another, reducing costs and improving the speed of delivery.
This has resulted in the globalization of supply chains, allowing companies to access markets worldwide and take advantage of lower production costs in other countries.