Commentary
What Grade Would You Give Brands on Reverse Logistics Operations?
I would give a range of grades from A to F for how brands are handling reverse logistics. There is still a lot of variation in this area—from consumer spending to B2B direct spend. A stellar reverse logistics program can lower the bar to buy. It’s so much easier to make a purchase decision when you know you can send the product back if needed, with no hassle. This is an area for improvement.
–Doug DeLuca
Product Marketing Manager
SAP Business Network, SAP
Tips for Closing the Visibility Gap
With modern supply chains being so intricate and involving numerous stakeholders, maintaining full visibility is becoming increasingly challenging. However, many businesses operate with fragmented and legacy systems where data lives in different silos and across different platforms. This lack of integration makes it difficult to track and monitor the entire supply chain in real time.
Are We Ready for Fully Digital BoLs?
While the advantages of electronic bills of lading (eBoLs) are clear, several hurdles—complex implementation, legal concerns, and a reluctance to let go of established processes—hamper its adoption.
Case Studies
A Supply Chain With Beauty and Brains
While selling beauty products may seem like a straightforward endeavor, “When you talk about cosmetics, it’s a world of complexity,” says Germán Ricardo Rodríguez Parra, operations strategic planning senior manager, supply chain, for Latin American direct-sales beauty firm Belcorp.
Port Houston’s People Person
John Moseley dreams big, champions diversity, relies on constant communication, and touts relationship management as his superpower.
Solving Problems, Improving Processes
Amy Augustine is senior director of network supply chain with UScellular, the fourth-largest U.S. full-service wireless carrier.
How-To
10 Tips for De-Risking Your Supply Chain
The supply chain can be impacted by everything from weather to infrastructure, so creating diversified, resilient networks has become essential. Here’s how to navigate uncertainties, enhance flexibility, and fortify supply networks against disruptions.
Optimizing Warehouse Efficiency
Tremendous growth in warehousing and related industries in the past decade brings real challenges—inexperienced labor, safety concerns, and squeezing productivity out of limited space. The right strategies and technology can meet these challenges.
10 Tips for Becoming a Shipper of Choice
In today’s “carrier’s market,” it’s more important than ever for shippers to become a shipper of choice—to go the extra mile and make it easier for carriers to do their jobs. Here’s how to strengthen your carrier relationships and achieve this coveted status.
Sponsored
3PL Partner Is Instrumental in Guitar Amp Maker’s Growth
For an American boutique guitar amplifier manufacturer with less than 20 employees, the usual shipping route from Southern California to Japan typically involves enlisting a distributor for execution.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
When a construction materials company realized that transporting a massive rock crusher for repairs would put them between a rock and a hard place, it knew who to call: Landstar.
2024 State of the Supply Chain Labor Market
Over the past 28 years, MD Logistics has hired individuals who embrace and create its culture. The 3PL remains poised to use new technologies to find the best cultural fit for the organization.