Feature Stories
Integration: The Dawning of a New Era
When baseball cap maker New Era’s business growth hit critical mass, it realigned its distribution operations, fusing Menlo Worldwide Logistics’ outsourced solutions with its global supply chain.
Integration: Making e-Fulfillment a Pet Project
Deploying a warehouse management system (WMS) on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) basis allowed online retailer PetFlow.com to manage its own fulfillment operations without a large capital investment.
Integration: United They Stand for Corporate Responsibility
Grocery store chain United Supermarkets achieved its sustainability goals by certifying chain of custody within a tight-knit supplier network and integrating responsible practices into daily business operations.
Integration: Call of the X-duty
Nussbaum Trucking and Wabash National collaborated with appliance maker Electrolux to create the X-duty trailer, which combines the protection and security of a dry van with the strength of a heavy-duty flatbed trailer, allowing Electrolux to use the same trucks for its inbound raw material and outbound finished goods shipments.
Integration: Bucking Convention
Buck Knives’ lean integration has allowed the company to sharpen efficiencies in its manufacturing operation, increase output, and pull back production from China.
Tiger Grants: Road Work Ahead?
The Department of Transportation's third set of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants provides funding for a range of projects.
Scrutinizing Supply Chain Security
The logistics sector is using new approaches, mandates, and technologies to support global supply chain security.
Security Guard: Questions and Answers with Dennis Omanoff
In an exclusive interview with Inbound Logistics, Dennis Omanoff, senior vice president, chief supply chain officer, chief procurement officer, corporate facilities and real estate for McAfee Inc., shares his view of supply chain management, security, and the U.S. business climate.
Purchasing Managers: Minding Everyone's Business
With companies intent on optimizing the supply chain, purchasing managers have emerged as key players in the business plan. To be successful, they need to communicate, collaborate, and venture into new territory.
Behind the Buzz About Flexible Automation
Thanks to e-commerce, many distribution centers are now fulfilling a greater number of smaller orders – rendering conventional materials handling automation systems somewhat outdated. Is flexible automation the next frontier?
Smarter Trucking Saves Fuel Over the Long Haul
Trucking companies around the world are looking to boost fuel economy by improving driver behavior, and they are using on-board technology to monitor and control what goes on behind the wheel.
Using Incoterms to Simplify Global Sourcing
Using International Commercial Terms (Incoterms) in transportation contracts give shippers more control over transport and delivery terms. Simon Kaye, CEO of Jaguar Freight Services, explains how importers can use Incoterms Group F for better shipment control.
Retracing the Trails of the Iron Horse
A group of determined leaders, engineers, and industrialists helped drive the westward expansion of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Logistics Lets the Games Begin
Major sports events require intensive logistics planning. Here, a behind-the-scenes looks at the preparations for the 2012 Super Bowl XVLI in Indianapolis and 2011 PGA Championship near Atlanta, Georgia.
Sold! Ports Help Close the Deal on Economic Development
Demand for industrial real estate near U.S. seaports is outpacing demand for industrial sites in general. Whether it actively buys and develops land or simply improves its own facilities to draw more interest, port authorities are crucial partners in regional economic development initiatives.
In Mexico, Rail is On a Roll
As more manufacturers establish plants in Mexico, and as Mexican railroads improve their infrastructure and services, demand for rail transportation within the country and across the border with the U.S. continues to rise.
On the Docket
Key legislative and regulatory items on Capitol Hill will have a bearing on transportation and logistics in 2012 and beyond.
Cheers! Managing the Spirited Supply Chain
A look at the logistics challenges faced by companies shipping alcoholic beverages, and some practices for dealing with those challenges.
Case Studies
Casebook
Transporting Wind Turbines: An Oversized Challenge
Moving wind energy components requires considerable planning efforts and expense. Wind equipment manufacturer enXco Inc. tackles the challenge of transporting turbines and towers via truck and barge.
DC Solutions
High-Reach Lift Trucks: Moving On Up
Thanks to a fleet of new forklifts, Interstate Warehousing is growing upwards rather than outwards. The Crown RM 6000 lift truck is helping it expand capacity and eliminate wasted space.
I.T. Toolkit
The Scoop on Route Accounting Automation
Ice cream distributor Berliner scoops up savings with an automated direct store delivery solution that helps drivers manage customer information collected along their routes.
Reader Profile
John Hodge: Feeding a Need
John Hodge, director of supply chain at Prince Agri Products, creates organizational efficiencies, reduces costs, and optimizes material flow.
Commentary
How-To
Ten Tips
Ensuring a Worry-Free ERP Implementation
Choosing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendor that addresses flexibility, scalability, and upgrade and maintenance costs can help provide a smooth solution implementation. David F. Ross of APICS, The Association for Operations Management, offers his advice on selecting the right ERP system.
Trends
Supply Chain Outlook: What's Ahead?
Stores Target "Trade in and Trade up" Demand
Airport Warehousing Demand Soars
Turning Back the Clock: Time for Hours-of-Service Changes
2011 HOS Final Rule Provisions (Changes Compared to Current Rule)
Global
Netherlands Tests Truck of the Future
China Growth Shifts High-tech Sourcing Balance
U.S., Canada Ease Cross-border Barriers
Ocean Carrier Currents Converge
Sponsored
Knowledge Base
Global Supply Chain Strategy: Decision Points
In strategic supply chain analysis, multiple groups of decision makers may have conflicting interests, since there can be an impact across departments and business units. Aaron Baker of Damco USA offers two global supply chain strategy examples that illustrate the decision makers and decision variables needed to ensure the chosen solution is optimal for the business.
Knowledge Base
Responsive and Flexible Logistics Management Solutions for 2012 and Beyond
Companies require a logistics technology platform and an integrated set of services that can adapt to the pressures of a changing market, writes Glenn Riggs of Odyssey Logistics & Technology.
Knowledge Base
The Role of Cloud-Based LTL Content in Smarter Supply Chains
On-demand content delivered via cloud-based tools such as CarrierConnect XL help shippers connect with less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers, writes Danny Slaton of SMC3.
Knowledge Base
Tough Economic Times Require LEAN Logistics Solutions
Forward-thinking organizations are pursuing lean assessments to evaluate their supply chain, combined with innovative lean solutions to help them design the future state of their value stream, writes Eric Lail of Transportation Insight.
Digital Editions
3PL LineJeff Vielhaber
Protecting Your Company Against Load Board Scams
Shippers can avoid load board scams by taking the time to research the companies with which they do business, writes Jeff Vielhaber, TTS.
Carriers CornerTrent Dye
How Carriers Keep Great Drivers Behind the Wheel
Driver turnover takes a significant hit to motor carriers’ bottom lines, undermines safety performance and customer service, and exacerbates the capacity shortage. Trent Dye of Paramount Freight Systems explains why focusing on retaining drivers makes more sense than trying to recruit new ones.
Checking InKeith Biondo
A Lost Art?
Today's supply chain professionals are tough, practical, and undeterred by the specter of failure, writes Inbound Logistics Publisher Keith Biondo.
Checking InFelecia Stratton
The Art of Integration
Inbound Logistics Editor Felecia Stratton discusses supply chain integration, citing articles from the January 2012 Logistics Planner issue.
EcoDevLynn A. Westmoreland
On a Roll: How a New Auto Plant Revived a Town
Congressman Lynn A. Westmoreland shares his perspective on West Point, Georgia’s manufacturing revival spurred by the opening of the town’s Kia Motors plant.
Green LandscapeSunny Nastase
Launching a Sustainability Initiative Can Be as Easy as 1-2-3
While some organizations and industries may have operations that naturally lend themselves to sustainability efforts, all companies should be empowered to review their shipping and supply chain operations through the lens of sustainability.
IT MattersBrendan Lowe
5 Steps to Improving Food Product Traceability
Retailers can implement technology and processes to increase traceability and gain greater visibility into their supply chain, which helps track and retrieve products in the event of a product recall, writes Brendan Lowe, Aldata Solution.
Smart MovesDr. Oliver Hedgepeth
Online Education: An Ideal Medium for Logistics Professionals
Online education allows logistics professionals flexible access to broadening their knowledge of supply chain topics, writes Dr. Oliver Hedgepath, American Public University.
Supply Chain SecurityKaren Lobdell
Are You Effectively Managing Supply Chain Risk?
Managing risk in the supply chain requires that shippers address issues such as product safety, environmental concerns, labor management, and social responsibility.
ViewpointChristian Rueckerl
Four Simple Questions for Improved Picking Performance
Slotting is the concept of using data analysis to assign every part a location based on its specific attributes. Determining the best type of storage equipment, stock quantity, and location for each stock keeping unit (SKU) yields more efficient picking operations, writes Christian Rueckerl.