Feature Stories
Measuring Customer Service: The Up-and-Coming KPI
Customer service is improving as some shippers and their service providers work to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure customer service metrics.
Food Logistics Taps into Tech Solutions
Monitoring and tracking tools applied to temperature-controlled shipments ensure that perishables in the cold chain maintain the right conditions, protecting food safety and consumer health, and minimizing product shrink.
Panama Canal: More Questions Than Answers
As Panama Canal expansion nears completion, global shippers gain a viable alternative for shipping ocean cargo from Asia to U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports.
Career Solutions: Closing the Talent Gap
With an eye toward the looming logistics labor shortage, some companies are working studiously to attract millennials.
Case Studies
DC Solutions
An Appetite for Refrigerated Warehousing Improvement
Food company Bob Evans entrusted Millard Refrigerated Services with its warehousing and distribution operations. The two businesses worked together to expand both their supply chain capabilities.
Reader Profile
Victor Hougan: Finding a Love for Logistics
Victor Hougan is set to soar in his new logistics position with aerospace supplier Primus International.
Commentary
How-To
Ten Tips
Cutting LTL Costs
Shippers must develop clear and effective request for pricing (RFP) processes to secure the best less-than-truckload service. Danny Slaton of SMC3 offers tips for developing better RFPs.
Global
Maersk Digs Drilling, Ditches Shipping
DHL Eyes Retail Expansion In India
Europe Recycles Conventional Transport
Sponsored
Above & Beyond
Weaving a New, Strong North American Presence
Third-party logistics provider (3PL) Geodis Wilson helps apparel company Desigual establish its U.S. warehousing, distribution, and retail operation, and ensure shipment visibility and tracking.
Above & Beyond
A Window of Opportunity
Window and door maker Simonton partners with Cardinal Logistics for dedicated delivery to dealers and big box retailers across the United States.
Thought Leaders
Ports and Shippers Prepare for the Post-Panamax Age
The Panama Canal expansion, to be completed in 2015, will impact global commerce and affect trade patterns to the U.S. East Coast. Ports such as PortMiami are preparing themselves to accept the new class of mega cargo ships, says Bill Johnson of PortMiami.
Thought Leaders
Connecting Through an Online Network Gives Supply Chain Partners Strength in Numbers
The cloud-based Real Time Value Network enables trading partners to plan, execute, monitor, and synchronize in real time all of the business processes and events that take place throughout their extended supply chains, says Greg Brady of One Network Enterprises.
Digital Editions
Online Exclusive3PL LineHorst Von Kanel
Air Freight Collaboration and Agility
By implementing collaborative and flexible logistics practices and remaining agile, managing air freight today can be a win-win process for both shipper and forwarder, writes Horst von Kanel of Damco USA.
Online Exclusive3PL LineJohn Paugh
Redefining the Race to Profitability Through Innovation
As manufacturers strive to strike the perfect balance between parts delivered and parts consumed in production, technology innovations allow logistics providers to ensure companies receive only the parts they need when they need them, writes John Paugh of Carter Logistics.
Checking InFelecia Stratton
What Sandy Showed Me
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Inbound Logistics Editor Felecia Stratton sees the supply chain industry's true colors firsthand.
Online ExclusiveIT MattersTim Eusterman
Why Innovation Matters for Rugged Mobile Technology
Advances in consumer technologies such as smartphones and tablets are driving a new generation of rugged mobility innovation for logistics and supply chain applications, writes Tim Eusterman of Intermec Technologies.
IT MattersBill Michalski
Measuring the Value of Collaboration
In a true collaborative relationship between purchasing and logistics, order and routing pattern planning comprises a single, optimized decision process that yields measurable results, writes Bill Michalski of ArrowStream.
Smart MovesDr. Jennifer S. Batchelor
Logistics: It’s Where The Jobs Are
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects increases in both employment growth and replacement needs within transportation and logistics occupations. Educational programs assist in filling these job openings with a skilled and knowledgeable workforce, writes Dr. Jennifer S. Batchelor, Program Director, Transportation and Logistics Management, American Public University System.
The Lean Supply ChainPaul A. Myerson
Playing the Waiting Game
Identify the sources of delay to reduce the time workers spend waiting for instructions and supplies. Lean tools such as Kanban and Total Productive Maintenance can help, writes Paul A. Myerson.
Online ExclusiveViewpointMalysa O’Connor
Are You in the Dark About Labor Visibility?
Workforce management gives companies the tools they need to improve overall performance – whether they’re looking to cut labor costs, improve productivity, or create better revenue growth and bottom-line profitability, writes Malysa O’Connor of Kronos.
ViewpointJoel Anderson
3PLs Create a Unified Supply Chain Voice
Warehouses, third-party logistics providers, and other supply chain businesses are making an effort to manage their collective public image in the face of union disputes and other issues. Joel Anderson, president and CEO of the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA), explains how IWLA’s Public Policy Center seeks to help them achieve their goals.