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January 2010
In between pulling and parsing source information, then writing, the mind wanders. There's no shortage of distractions. Press releases, phone conversations, e-mails, RSS feeds, and Google have a way of triggering a not-so-recessive Kerouac gene, transporting Senior IL Associate Editor, Joe O'Reilly, to people and places worlds and times apart. Often finding himself compelled by an urge to drop down from the "editsphere" and engage the supply chain on the ground, in person. On the Road: A Supply Chain Travelogue embraces this impulse.
January 2010
Shippers use overseas consolidation, strategic loading tactics, and container sharing to cast off ocean transportation's financial burden.
January 2010
Healthcare leaders diagnose their biggest supply chain pains and write a prescription for the Obama administration.
January 2010
Companies that combine the "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra with the supply chain wisdom of managing costs and stamping out inefficiencies are developing reverse supply chains that help the Earth, the customer, and the bottom line.
January 2010
Can public-private partnerships transform America's ailing transportation infrastructure?
January 2010
What's happening South of the Border? For an update on customs, infrastructure, and manufacturing, IL went straight to the supply chain leaders and economic development experts who make Mexico their business.
January 2010
The Supply Chain's Starring Role in Popular Entertainment
January 2010
Does an LLP perform the same service as a 4PL? Can you run a just-in-time operation without being lean? When push comes to pull, are logistics and supply chain management interchangeable? Industry experts explain the source of some common misperceptions regarding supply chain and logistics lexicon.
January 2010
Cosmetics and skin care manufacturers look in the corporate mirror and smooth logistics and supply chain wrinkles.
January 2010
A thriving black market keeps cargo thieves in business -- to the detriment of the global economy.
January 2010
In cases of double payment liability, innocent shippers and consignees find themselves ordered to pay for services twice. Contracting with a reputable broker can protect you from ending up in this situation.
January 2010
In cases of double payment liability, innocent shippers and consignees find themselves ordered to pay for services twice. Contracting with a reputable broker can protect you from ending up in this situation.
December 2009
Moving Shoes Is No Easy Feat
December 2009
Time flies, and careers evolve quickly. Since 2002, Inbound Logistics' Reader Profile column has introduced readers to more than 90 colleagues who work in logistics and supply chain management. Many of those professionals have since moved on from the jobs they held when we visited with them. Others still hold the same positions but have seen significant changes in their work. Let's catch up.
November 2009
Ground carriers redefine expedited services to meet new delivery and security demands in a down economy.
November 2009
Retail madness doesn't stop at year's end -- it just reverses direction. A medicine chest of reverse logistics remedies helps alleviate retailers' inventory headaches.
November 2009
Wind machines have been spinning imagination and innovation for centuries, but only now is past fancy and contemporary fabrication melding into a composite reality for U.S. industry. Where wind blows, economic promise follows. The wind energy industry is taking over the world and the United States is center stage in an unfolding drama.
October 2009
Although volumes dipped in nearly all transport sectors this year, a small boost in domestic intermodal points to a better future for multi-mode transportation as the economy rebounds. In the meantime, intermodal facilities are taking advantage of the lull to upgrade so they'll be ready when business picks up again.
October 2009
A visit to five U.S. locations that are creating inviting environments for companies striving to achieve logistics excellence.
September 2009
They did things the hard way because they had to. They saw opportunities and seized them, took risks, rolled with the punches, and reaped the rewards. They didn't squeeze pricing or pinch service; everything was set in stone. And they hauled everything and anything during the Great Depression, World War II, and beyond. Join Inbound Logistics as we celebrate the legacies that made motor freight move.
September 2009
Our annual Motor Freight Market Insight Survey provides an in-depth look at the trucking sector. Motor carriers and Inbound Logistics readers address growth areas and obstacles.
September 2009
Need to be within easy reach of just about everything? Missouri is the place to be.
September 2009
Freight payment/audit providers scrutinize shipper invoices using detailed reporting, sophisticated technology, and international capabilities. Here's a close-up look at how they discover savings and efficiencies.
August 2009
Whether they're pooling loads or promoting best practices, retailers tag consolidation and collaboration as powerful strategies.
August 2009
Haunted by the challenges of environmental unpredictability, safety scares, and regulatory red tape, food shippers rely on supply chain efficiency to keep their cool.
August 2009
Across the country, public utilities are empowering local and state economic development while helping businesses amp up their site selection due diligence.
August 2009
Linking North America's top energy and agricultural regions, the Ports-to-Plains Corridor helps deliver food and fuel to the city, and keeps the Heartland economy humming.
July 2009
Like any well-oiled, multi-articulated machine, today's supply chain comprises many inter-related parts that alone serve specific needs and together function as a finely calibrated mechanism for consuming raw materials and spitting out finished goods.
July 2009
SCOPED OUT: Market Insight & Trends
July 2009
When small and medium-sized firms are ready to swim with the big fish, they team up with 3PLs to gain a sea of business capabilities.
July 2009
One key to logistics success is a healthy, well-maintained trailer yard. YMS solutions provide the fertilizer to help grow a yard to be proud of.
July 2009
Summer's lazy weekends and long nights are the perfect time to catch up on your logistics reading. Dive into these titles for a new supply chain perspective and a logistics knowledge boost.
July 2009
At the core of America's heartland, Northwest Iowa delivers easy access to major markets, a first-class transportation infrastructure, a welcoming business environment, and outstanding workforce development programs.
June 2009
Security and customs requirements impose major constraints on airfreight shipments. Two new programs aim to remove some of the obstacles.
June 2009
Leading air cargo companies share their perceptions on important trends shaping the trajectory of today's global supply chain.
June 2009
How are chemical shippers and carriers handling the economic crisis? What's the latest news in chemical logistics training and regulations? Find out in this informative resource from Inbound Logistics and Chemical Week.
June 2009
Companies that source and manufacture products in Mexico gain opportunities to cut transportation costs, hold less inventory, and provide faster service to customers. But to reap logistics benefits in Mexico, you have to know your way around.
June 2009
Relevant, rigorous, and wide-ranging, university studies of supply chain issues focus on real-world challenges.
May 2009
In a tough economy, the universal battle cry is, "Do more with less!" We're all looking for new ways to squeeze a few more dollars, or a few more hours, from our operations while also delighting customers with ever-better service. In many cases, we're trying to achieve those goals while saving energy and reducing our environmental impact.
May 2009
Why are companies sticking with green packaging initiatives in the midst of an economic recession? Because reusing materials, reducing waste, and improving transportation efficiency is not only good for the planet, it's good for business.
May 2009
Arkansas has long been known for its geographic diversity and scenic beauty. Now it's a burgeoning Natural Wonder when it comes to transportation, logistics, and trade.
April 2009
Logistics information technology is many things to different companies. It is an investment, a risk, a market neutralizer, and often a competitive differentiator. Technology can micromanage the mundane with extraordinary savings; or it can tackle the extraordinary with mundane consistency.
April 2009
Leading companies are plugging into current economic volatility to switch up their supply chains and make a connection between internal logistics departments.
April 2009
In the face of a recession, plastics companies recognize the importance of efficient transportation and supply chain management.
March 2009
A decade ago, garment manufacturing in the United States was practically dead as apparel companies flocked to low-cost countries. But then came the economic downturn, and the realization that the time merchandise spends traveling in a container is time not spent on store shelves. Suddenly, America is the new global hot spot.
March 2009
When it comes to protecting shipments from theft, businesses have an arsenal of tools at their disposal. From high-tech tracking and monitoring to basic intrusion prevention, these devices and technologies, combined with common-sense security practices, can help thwart cargo thieves.
February 2009
The sun never sets on the global supply chain. Advanced education programs at a variety of universities offer logistics professionals a world tour unlike any other.
February 2009
Understanding the latest CBP programs and requirements involves homework and headaches. So...
January 2009
Logistics fundamentals are oft cited but more often overlooked or misread. Mastering these basics builds a foundation for supply chain sophistication. So grab your slippers, pull up a chair, and stoke the fire -- get comfortable. Join us as we retire to Inbound Logistics' library of logistics best practices and dust off some classics.
January 2009
Inbound Logistics asked seven leading trucking executives to tackle some tough questions about the challenging year ahead. Their advice, words of caution, and strategic vision can help you face the challenges of using motor freight in the short term and beyond.
January 2009
Click...Click...Click.... Consumers' short attention spans demand greater shopping flexibility. For some retailers, that means it's time to flip the supply chain processes behind their sales channels.
January 2009
With a nod to the Food Network, and a toast to the Chef, join us as we cut from the table and go straight to the source.
January 2009
Spend some time with the professionals who get business in gear.
January 2009
Companies can avoid import duties and other fees by shipping through and manufacturing in a Foreign Trade Zone.
January 2009
Spurred by its advantageous location, international trade prowess, and transportation assets, the Gulf Coast emerges as a new distribution and logistics powerhouse.
January 2009
Inbound Logistics' NAFTA Summit Report -- Insider Perspectives on the NAFTA Nations' Economies
January 2009
Military Veterans At The Front Lines Of The Supply Chain
January 2009
The more transparent the supply chain, the more easily you can spot ways to squeeze value from your operational data.
January 2009
In the entertainment industry the show must go on, despite heart-stopping supply chain challenges.
December 2008
Symptoms such as erratic billing rates, supply closet vertigo, and constricted inventory flow have healthcare facilities diagnosing better supply chain management as the cure for what ails them. To improve their condition, theyıll need help from suppliers and service providers.
December 2008
Businesses today face the unenviable task of reducing supply chain costs while increasing front-facing service to end customers. Technology and automation help integrate and expedite service, but they don't allay the problems and emotions -- good, bad, and indifferent -- that befall poor execution or unforeseeable exceptions.
December 2008
Whether you're a rookie warehouse operator, a mid-level transportation manager, or a veteran logistician, industry associations can help you make a name for yourself.
November 2008
When an item really has to get there -- and fast -- critical shipment service providers spring into action.
November 2008
Taking a lesson from a holiday hero with a glowing red nose, retailers and suppliers embrace accurate planning, lean strategies, and transportation efficiency to guide their supply chain sleigh through any storm.
November 2008
The multimodal transportation network known as NASCO runs through the heart of trade in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Find out what makes this corridor unique and why companies are banding together to support it.
November 2008
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, drug distributors, and health care providers are taking a double dose of technology and business process improvement to keep consumers safe and competition one step behind.
October 2008
Ocean carriers toss out lifelines to help shippers navigate economic riptides.
October 2008
Inbound Logistics invites you to tour some of the ocean freight industry's top players.
October 2008
The road to successful Pacific Rim outsourcing has more than its share of bumps. Here are some turn-by-turn directions to the path of least resistance.
October 2008
With its wealth of resources, central location, highly developed infrastructure, depth of logistics and transportation services, and talented labor pool, Memphis claims its right to the title "North America's Logistics Center." No wonder so many companies can't help falling in love with Memphis.
October 2008
Throughout the United States, local, regional, and state economic development authorities are ramping up investments in transportation and logistics infrastructure to stimulate and sustain business growth.
Ground Tactics: Optimizing Transportation Networks September 2008
Battle-weary shippers design strategic networks to withstand market challenges.
September 2008
Our annual Motor Freight Market Insight Survey provides an in-depth look at the trucking sector. Motor carriers and Inbound Logistics readers address growth areas and obstacles.
September 2008
Freight payment services are no longer just about paying your carriers quickly. Today's freight payment service providers have expanded their portfolios to offer an array of cost-cutting, productivity, and efficiency benefits.
September 2008
Purchasing managers juggle a To-Do list of stressful, business-critical tasks -- from striking the best deals to projecting demand to staying abreast of financial and political changes worldwide. Listen in as four purchasing managers chat about challenges and shoot the breeze on strategy.
August 2008
Retailers are deploying a number of survival strategies and tactics to cope with the U.S. economic downturn.
August 2008
Variety and freshness are paramount to keeping fast-food customers hungry for more and supply lines and inventory ripe and ready for change. Fast-food chains look to logistics service providers with a similar craving for made-to-order selectivity, quality, and service - all at an affordable cost.
August 2008
With safety and recalls, sustainability, rising costs, and infrastructure improvements the usual suspects, food companies investigate strategies for locking down supply chain management efficiencies.
July 2008
When shippers mix the 3PL elements of expertise, process efficiency, and technology into their supply chain, the results are potent. Eureka! A stronger, more efficient, and cost-effective logistics operation! Step into the logistics lab for a look at how and why outsourcing can give businesses a positive charge.
July 2008
Discovering 3PL market insight and trends.
From the Back Room to the Boardroom: Logistics Gets on the Agenda July 2008 Supply chain management is no longer a backroom function. It has secured its place at the boardroom table, and greatly impacts corporate success.
Project Logistics: Mission Possible July 2008 Their mission, should they decide to accept it, is to transport sensitive materials around the globe. They'll grapple with issues of size, time, cost, scheduling, security, and fragility. Failure is not an option. They are project logistics professionals.
Green Packaging: Waste Not, Want Not July 2008 By moving beyond conventional packaging methods and materials, companies can reduce their carbon footprints as well as their transportation spend and warehousing costs.
Snapshot: Sewing Up the Apparel Supply Chain July 2008 Weak supplier relationships, restrictive trade regulations, and brand counterfeiting can put a wrinkle in garment transport. How do apparel shippers keep from getting tied up in knots.
Fresh Water Rising: Charting Great Lakes Shipping July 2008 A once-flourishing means of transportation is poised to not only withstand change, but also thrive on it.
Summer Reading Guide 2008 July 2008 After you pack the picnic basket with sandwiches, potato salad, and lemonade, toss in one of these interesting summer reads. You'll quench your appetite and your thirst for supply chain knowledge at the same time.
Airfreight Logistics: Plane and Simple Strategies June 2008 Although high fuel costs cloud the view, airfreight forwarders still play a vital role in transportation and supply chain strategies.
IL Exclusive Research: Airfreight Forwarders Perspectives 2008 June 2008 In a recent survey, Inbound Logistics asked airfreight forwarders how they are expanding their global coverage and services to meet shipper and corporate expectations. Listen in as they air their thoughts. Learning for Life June 2008 Logistics professionals who pursue continuing education keep up with industry innovations and move ahead in their careers. Exclusive IL/Chemical Week Supplement: Chemical Logistics June 2008 What is the state of today's chemical logistics market? Find out in this informative resource from Inbound Logistics and Chemical Week.
June 2008
As rising fuel costs and lengthening supply lines give businesses further pause assessing total landed logistics costs and proximity to market, Latin America finds itself squarely in the middle of an emerging logistics land swap. Thanks to the pioneering efforts of visionary 3PLs, U.S. companies are prospecting sites in Mexico, Brazil, and elsewhere as they explore new sourcing and selling opportunities. Warehouse Labor Performance: And the Winner is...Everyone May 2008 Looking for award-winning performance incentives for your warehouse workforce? The nominees are: Measuring Productivity; Setting Labor Standards; Implementing Gainsharing Programs; Training Workers for Results; and Promoting Safe Practices.
Getting Lean and Going Green: Innovations in Warehouse Operations May 2008 When warehouses and DCs explore innovative ways to optimize flow and reduce waste, the benefits can be bottom-line friendly and eco-friendly, too.
May 2008
When it comes to economic development, there are two Americas -- communities that invest in transportation infrastructure and those that don't. Here are three that do. May 2008
Looking for easy access to major U.S. markets? A gateway for international trade free of traffic snarls? Inexpensive utilities and real estate with plenty of room to expand logistics or manufacturing operations? Spokane is just what you're looking for.
Balancing Act: Matching Supply to Demand April 2008 Three companies at different stages of demand-driven sophistication use greater visibility, automated data flow, and real-time alerts to preserve the delicate balance between suppliers and customers.
TMS Under the Microscope April 2008 Companies take a closer look at technology solutions to discover the secret of optimizing transportation operations.
IT Perspectives 2008 April 2008 Supply chains are only as flexible as the technology that exists to support them -- and thanks to an emerging class of logistics IT providers, and a new breed of sophisticated solutions, there are plenty of options to help enterprises respond more quickly and efficiently to shifting market dynamics.
Small Business Logistics: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants April 2008 Small businesses level the playing field by getting a boost from
big service providers. *One Good Turn (sponsored by SmartTurn)
SmartTurn gives Osteogenics Biomedical inventory insight while streamlining and expediting warehouse operations. April 2008
Beverage makers drink a toast to forecasting, TMS, and WMS solutions, which help them keep shelves stocked when customers' glasses are half empty.
Study Highlights Strategic Role for Logistics March 2008 (Online Exclusive)
For all the operational advances chemical logistics achieved in the past few years, and for all the savings producers and shippers have realized, large opportunities for gaining efficiency and saving money remain. The most important advance would be for logistics to be included in the strategic planning stages with an equal seat at the table with production and sales.
Congress Plans Changes to Chemical Regulations March 2008 (Online Exclusive)
Within days of the late-January deadline for chemical producers and distributors to file their ³top screen² hazard-assessment questionnaire to the Department of Homeland Security, a Congressional subcommittee approved legislation to further tighten handling, transportation, and reporting rules for hazardous materials. Chemical producers, distributors, and carriers responded with a quick and loud call for legislators to wait for current rules to work before changing them.
Brenntag Acquires Schoofs, Names New Regional President
March 2008 (Online Exclusive)
Global chemical distributor Brenntag is not just California dreaming. It recently acquired West Coast specialty chemicals distributor Schoofs, Inc. based in Moraga, CA, and named Steven M. Pozzi as president of Brenntag Pacific, based in Santa Fe Springs, CA. No price was disclosed for the acquisition.
Tracking Totes Turns to Technology
March 2008 (Online Exclusive)
As totes and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) become more sophisticated and more expensive, chemical producers and distributors view them more as a fleet such as rail cars or tank trailers rather than as a disposable cost of doing business. Strict new rules on tracking and tracing hazardous materials also make it imperative for shippers to know where their containers are.
Globe Spinning
March 2008
As the world flattens, global sourcing invariably becomes more dynamic. Sophisticated technologies and an emerging crop of offshore suitors are forcing today's intrepid explorers to balance reason with instinct.
Made in China: Perspectives on the Global Management Giant March 2008
What makes logistics in China so challenging? Who's really to blame for its much-publicized product quality failures? What's the secret to outsourcing success? A trio of industry experts responds.
Snap Shot: Furniture Logistics March 2008
Will the shift to global sourcing - combined with an economic downturn, housing slump, high fuel costs, and lack of visibility - unseat the furniture industry?
February 2008
From an undergrad learning the fundamentals to a Ph.D candidate conducting groundbreaking research, meet the students pursuing supply chain education at all levels.
February 2008
As new challenges drive the need for leaner and faster automotive parts logistics, suppliers ask 3PLs to take the wheel.
February 2008
Is the latest gadget a hit or just hype? Will that newfangled gizmo be cutting- edge for a year or obsolete in a month? Fickle buyers and unpredictable lifecycles can short-circuit the consumer electronics supply chain.
January 2008
From yesterday's legacies to tomorrow's visionaries, the theory and practice of inbound logistics is timeless.
January 2008
Here's a look at the less- than-glamorous work that unsung logistics heroes perform every day.
January 2008
Leading C-level execs with 260 years of combined logistics and transportation experience address tough industry questions. Their advice, words of caution, and strategic vision can help you face the challenges of 2008 and beyond.
Premium Trucking: The Right Tools for the Right Job January 2008
For many high-value shippers, enhanced efficiency, customer service, and profitability offset the cost of investing in DCC, white-glove, and last-mile services.
Sustainability: Green is the New Black January 2008
It's not easy being green. But, driven by impending regulations, consumer pressure, and mandates from corporations such as Wal-Mart, more and more companies are forging ahead with supply chain sustainability efforts.
West Meets East January 2008
Make a good impression on potential business partners in China by orienting yourself to some key cultural differences.
January 2008
Transportation infrastructure lies at the heart of Mexico's ambitious plans for the future.
January 2008
They might not yet have the clout of their long-in-the- tooth but short-on-space peers, but that's exactly why shippers are gravitating toward their pull. These new logistics hotspots are committed to going to the ends of the earth - and then some - to meet shipper and consignee needs.
January 2008
Is product lifecycle management the next market opportunity for third-party logistics providers?
December 2007
A soft economy, increasing global competition, the Mississippi River bridge collapse, and an influx of product recalls give global shippers plenty of reasons to slow down and check the rear-view mirror before accelerating into 2008.
December 2007
As the transportation management systems market broadens, and as software delivery options expand, businesses increasingly have TMS on the brain.
Career Solutions: It's Who You Know December 2007 A well-engineered network of professional contacts provides the structural support to build a logistics career with potential for expansion.
Expedited Shipping: ''We Need It Yesterday!'' November 2007
Business is a blur for expedited carriers, and that's just the way shippers like it.
November 2007
Changing consumer buying habits compel retailers to integrate in-store, catalog, and online channels to keep inventory on hand and shoppers coming back for more.
November 2007
The multimodal transportation network known as NASCO runs through the heart of trade in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Find out what makes this corridor unique and why companies are banding together to support it.
Rockin' Rail October 2007 For years the rails sang the blues. Now they rock around the clock. Could rail transport soon be the leader of the pack?
Logistics at Sea Level October 2007 Ocean, rail, and intermodal leaders discuss why capacity concerns, infrastructure inadequacies, and a paucity of policy keep them up at night.
Drum Beaters October 2007 Bulk containers and 55-gallon drums continue to duke it out. Bulk containers are the heavyweight favorite, but the venerable drum has not yet gone down for the count. Setting Sites On Tomorrow October 2007 Third-parties and economic development interests can help businesses look beyond the basics to find sites fit for today and tomorrow.
E-Commerce Network Posts Profit, Holds First Conferences October 2007 (Online Exclusive)
Elemica, the virtual supply chain management network for chemicals, reports $50 billion worth of transactions for the fiscal year just ended and will hold its first Supply Chain Collaboration Conference at Ashland Inc. facilities in Dublin, Ohio.
Univar Acquires Dow Canada Inorganics Distribution October 2007 (Online Exclusive)
Univar Canada, based in Vancouver, has signed an agreement to purchase Dow Canada's western Canada caustic soda distribution assets. Those include all related supply and sales contracts, as well as storage and transportation assets and a proprietary fleet of 374 railcars.
Inbound Traffic Control September 2007 Tracking inbound transportation used to fly under shippers' radar screens. Today, however, companies as large as Pepsico and as small as Pamida know the position of every shipment headed their way.
Inbound Logistics Trucking Perspectives 2007 September 2007 An in-depth look at motor carriers and their customers.
Specialized Carriers: And Now for Something Completely Different September 2007 From traversing the tundra to White Glove residential deliveries the last mile is the most important.
September 2007
The cost-savings benefits of outsourcing freight bill payment and audit are well-documented. But it's the decision-support data these third parties provide that delivers the real payoff. Managing Domestic Supply Chains August 2007 How consumer goods manufacturers leverage domestic supply chains for fast cycle times that global outsourcing can't match.
Temperature-Controlled Logistics: Provide or Perish August 2007 Whether shipping fruit, seafood, flowers, or any other perishable goods, transportation must be fresh, fast, and error-free. Welcome to The 3PL Zone July 2007 There is a dimension beyond that which is known. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between demand and supply, between strategy and tactics, and it lies somewhere between the pit of an enterprise's fears and the summit of its visibility and knowledge. "Go Ahead...Pile It On!'' July 2007 Today's outsourcers expect 3PLs to offer a wide range of value-added services. 3PLs respond.
Outsourced Logistics: 4Ward Momentum July 2007 What is the real role of today's 4PLs? How do they differ from 3PLs? Who's driving the growth of this outsourced logistics niche? Inbound Logistics picks up the lead and explores the changing dynamics of the 4PL/LLP market. Inbound Logistics Market Insight Survey: 3PL Perspectives July 2007 IL's annual 3PL Market Insight Survey offers a penetrating perspective into the market drivers governing 3PL growth strategies - in terms of operational scope, as well as the types of services and technologies logistics providers are investing in to meet outsourcers' evolving needs.
Global Logistics Spotlight: Dubai Flying High July 2007 With constant new development, soaring air cargo growth, and a busy port system, Dubai is shaping up to be the crown jewel of logistics in the Middle East. | |
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