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Materials Handling, Asia, Global Logistics, E-commerce, Canada, Latin America
Global Logistics—July 2014
CeMAT 2014 showcases the latest materials handling innovations; Alibaba buys stake in Singapore Post; Paris looks to reduce city speed limits; Canadian rail industry begins phasing out DOT-111 tankers amid crude-by-rail boom; EU and China sign Customs agreement; Chinese food imports continue to grow; Nigeria looks to resurrect defunct national steamship line; Latin America is the world’s fastest growing market for software; Maersk Line voice support for Nicaragua Canal proposal.
Site Selection, Supply Chain Management, Materials Handling, E-commerce, Customer Service, Inventory Management, Warehousing, Retail
Setting the E-Commerce Gold Standard
Chris Halkyard, chief supply chain officer for e-commerce site Gilt, discusses managing flash sale logistics.
Distribution, Materials Handling, E-commerce, Picking Solutions, Inventory Management, Warehousing, Retail
DSW Tries On New SKUs and Stocks
Retailer DSW's new replenishment materials handling solution improves inventory control and reduces in-store markdowns.
Materials Handling, E-commerce
Sorting Out Savings Opportunities in Your E-Commerce Warehouse
Savvy distribution and supply chain managers should be looking at sortation and its related disciplines as a means of addressing problems and achieving savings, writes Jay Moris of Invata Intralogistics.
E-commerce, Inventory Management, Retail
Searching For the New Perfect Order
Retailers need new technologies and capabilities to operate in a new omni-channel world.
Site Selection, Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Logistics
Clothes Encounters: The Logistics of a Revolving Closet
With its subscription-based clothing rental model, Gwynnie Bee is tailoring the rules of e-commerce to make fashion fulfillment a perfect fit.
Supply Chain Management, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), E-commerce, Logistics, Logistics I.T., Retail
The Luxury of Logistics Excellence
To expand its footprint in the luxury accessories market, Royce Leather indulged in a solution that connects it to new customers and streamlines fulfillment. That’s how Royce rolls.
Supply Chain Management, Materials Handling, Bar-coding Systems
Steps to Take When Choosing a Bar-Code Scanning System
Managers must carefully consider all factors of their operation before selecting a new bar-coding system.
E-commerce, Customer Service, Retail
Service With A Demand-driven Smile
As e-commerce and ominchannel raise expectations, and consumers become more impatient, supply chain practitioners turn to technology to help them perform.
Transportation, Supply Chain Management, Transportation Infrastructure, Ports, E-commerce, Customer Service, Air Cargo, Logistics I.T., Ocean, Trucking, Retail, Economic Development
Trends—October 2014
UPS makes major improvements to save Christmas; PANYNJ invests $5.5 billion to streamline port operations
Asia, Partnership, Global Logistics, China, E-commerce, Customer Service, Canada, Retail
Global Logistics—October 2014
Pilot program uses drones to deliver time-sensitive goods; Canadian government lines up two new bilateral trade agreements; Labor rights causing supply chain disruption; Using social media to understand carrier usage.
Supply Chain Management, Asia, Risk Management, Global Logistics, E-commerce
Global Logistics—September 2014
Plan now to avoid supply chain disruptions from the latest Icelandic volcano eruption; Australia struggles with home delivery challenges; EU and China sign landmark customs agreement.
E-commerce, Inventory Management, Logistics I.T., Retail
The New Retail: Three Legs to Stand On
Retail operations need support from e-commerce, IT, and logistics execution.
Expedited Shipping, Partnership, Risk Management, E-commerce, Trucking
Trends—August 2014
Google and Barnes & Noble partner to provide same-day book delivery; Shippers prioritize day-to-day problem-solving over contingency planning; APICS and SCC merge; Transplace identifies four areas key to preferred shipper status
Ports, Rail, Global Logistics, Cross-border Trade, E-commerce, Canada, Ocean
Global Logistics—August 2014
DB Schenker tests silent brake blocks; India changes policy for e-commerce foreign investment; Canada opens Customs Self Assessment preferences to U.S. shippers; Global steamship lines raise rates; European ports struggle with congestion and larger ships
Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Inventory Management, Retail
New Retail Strategies: It’s a Store! It’s a Site! It’s a Warehouse!
Retailers are modifying their supply chain strategies in response to recent industry trends.
Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Inventory Management, Logistics I.T., Retail
Diving Into Multi-Channel Fulfillment
Kaikini Bikini manages growth with integrated inventory control and shipping.
3PL, Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Retail
3PL e-Volution Continues
Online retailers such as Amazon and eBay are expanding their offerings to provide their vendors with logistics support.
Reverse Logistics, E-commerce, Customer Service, Education & Careers, Retail
Bruce Kulp Scores Big
When it comes to keeping up with demand, Game Stop's Bruce Kulp doesn’t play around.
3PL, Distribution, Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Retail
The Mechanics of 3PL Partnerships
Partnerships between four shippers and their 3PLs demonstrate logistics outsourcing strategies.
Materials Handling, Bar-coding Systems, Logistics I.T., Warehousing
Wheel Genius: Racing to Improve Data Collection
Bar-code reading errors slowed Champion Tire and Wheel’s operation; a new laser scanner got the company back on track.
E-commerce, Inventory Management, Retail
Optimizing the Fashion Supply Chain
Fashion businesses must react instantly to fashion shifts and focus on getting goods to consumers quickly.
Materials Handling, Labor Management, Safety, Forklifts
How to Create a Forklift Safety Culture
New forklift-based technologies can positively impact safety goals in your facility.
Forklift Design Reaches New Heights
Innovation in forklift design has reduced overall warehouse and DC footprints and increased throughput.
Distribution, Materials Handling, Picking Solutions, Logistics I.T., Warehousing
Dispelling Five Common Myths about Voice-Directed Work
Voice-directed technology can help improve worker safety and reduce employee-training time, yet some companies avoid them because of these five common misconceptions.
Materials Handling, Pallets, Warehousing
Stack, Store & Transport: The Indispensable Pallet
Pallets are a vital piece of warehouse equipment for storing and moving products.
Distribution, Materials Handling, Picking Solutions, Warehousing
Materials Handling Equipment: Sorting Through the Options
Companies planning new distribution centers or warehouses weigh process data to choose materials handling equipment.
5 Lift Truck Innovations That Will Change Your Warehouse
New lift trucks feature device mounts, rugged tablets, digital controls, hydrogen fuel cells and auto guided navigation.
3PL, Site Selection, Distribution, E-commerce, Warehousing, Retail
E-Commerce DC Site Selection: Connecting the Dots
E-commerce retailers choose specialized distribution centers near parcel carrier hubs and transportation infrastructure.
3PL, Distribution, Packaging, E-commerce, Inventory Management, Retail
Cosmetics Logistics: The Beauty of an Optimized Supply Chain
Cosmetics companies face challenges such as time- and temperature-sensitive shipments and retailer packaging requirements.
Expedited Shipping, E-commerce, Last Mile Delivery
Same Day Delivery: The Amazing Race
Garrick Pohl of Zipments discusses how the company facilitates same-day delivery.
3PL, Distribution, Materials Handling, Labor Management, Safety, Logistics I.T., Warehousing
Materials Handling Meets Big Data
Big data gathered by materials handling equipment helps warehouse managers improve productivity and safety.
Reverse Logistics, Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Inventory Management, Retail
Minimizing the Financial Impact of Peak Season Returns
Processing defective returns and overstocks quickly helps retailers maximize the recovery rate on this inventory.
3PL, Site Selection, Supply Chain Management, Security, Materials Handling, Expedited Shipping, Risk Management, Global Logistics, Ocean, Trucking, Warehousing
163 Ways to Supercharge Your Supply Chain
Actionable tips help you revitalize your warehousing, 3PL, trucking, and global logistics operations.
3PL, Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Customer Service, Retail
Customer Service: Delivering the Royal Treatment
As evolving retail models push shopper expectations, companies explore new models for delivering great customer service.
Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Customer Service, Retail
Visions of Customer Service
Companies such as Amazon show delivery speed and logistics agility provide the customer service levels retailers need to win.
Materials Handling, Picking Solutions, Warehousing
Implementing a Pick-to-Light Solution
The right pick-to-light system can help increase productivity, improve accuracy, and increase picking speeds.
The Five New Rules of E-commerce and the Path to Successful B2B Online Sales
Business to business (B2B) e-commerce sites must be well planned to increase revenue and support a growing client base.
Pallet Strategies: Stacking the Odds in Your Favor
Decisions about buying pallets or leasing pallets require shippers to think strategically to acquire the best option for their operation.
Distribution, Materials Handling, Warehousing
DC Automation: Sorting It Out
Changing consumer expectations and demand for greater efficiency, economy, and productivity present new twists and turns in warehouse automation.
3PL, Distribution, Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Retail
E-Fulfillment Strategies That Deliver the Goods
This story examines what customers want in an e-commerce operation and shares fulfillment strategies that merchants use to keep those customers happy.
3PL, Supply Chain Management, E-commerce, Retail
8 Ways to Strengthen Online Retailer Supply Chains
Monitoring contracts, delivery commitments, and contingency plans helps online retailers keep their supply chains running smoothly, writes John Haber of Spend Management Experts.
Trends—April 2013
E-commerce presents retailers with challenges and opportunities; Food regulation top of mind for 3PLs and shippers; Daktronics’ lean machine keeps production at home; Nike partners with Bluesign Technologies to facilitate sustainable sourcing program among supply chain partners.
Site Selection, Distribution, E-commerce
e-Commerce: Finding the Sweet Spot
Online retailers seeking new sites for DCs and warehouses need the transportation infrastructure to support a constant, rapid-fire flow of shipments – plus a capable workforce, affordable utilities, and business incentives to help them get the most from their investment.
E-commerce, Picking Solutions, Warehousing
Improved Warehouse Operations: Cause to Celebrate
A warehouse control system that integrates voice-directed picking technology, a high-speed sortation system, and scanning technology streamlined party goods supplier Oriental Trading Company’s picking, packing, and shipping operations.
Materials Handling Equipment: Flex Appeal
The materials handling landscape is shifting to accommodate traditional brick-and-mortar and Internet retailers’ changing needs.
Surveying the Home Delivery Landscape
Retailers and shippers need to find ways to meet consumers’ changing demand for home delivery services, while maintaining adequate margins and finding new avenues for continued growth, writes Foster Finley of AlixPartners.
Maximizing Productivity in E-commerce Warehousing and Distribution Operations
Continuous e-commerce growth has prompted an increasing number of retailers to use third-party logistics (3PL) providers for handling their direct-to-consumer fulfillment. Jeffrey B. Graves of Sedlak Management Consultants explains that for retail logistics executives, assessing 3PL capabilities that best fit their company’s requirements can be a challenge, yet critical for optimum return on investment (ROI)
Retailers Rebalance Time vs. Cost?
Velocity is more important than price for some consumers, perhaps giving some retailers another component to consider as they compete, writes Publisher Keith Biondo.
Holiday Stocking: Preparing for the Seasonal Retail Rush
Strong forecasting, careful vendor management, solid partnerships with carriers and optimized use of labor and equipment all help retailers manage the year-end holiday rush.
3PL, E-commerce, Inventory Management, Retail
You Are Everywhere: Mapping the New Retail Supply Chain
Multi-channel apparel retailers such as Nordstrom use strategic inventory management, order fulfillment, transportation management, and reverse logistics to meet customer demand.
Lift Truck Strategies Raise the Bar
Advancements in lift truck technology give distribution center and warehouse managers flexibility in using their forklift fleets.
Stacker Cranes Cure Pallet Pain
Pharmaceutical manufacturer Catalent upgraded its Philadelphia packaging center’s high-bay warehouse with an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) served by three aisle-changing stacker cranes developed by LTW Intralogistics.
Determining If AS/RS Fits Your Facility
Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) can be an efficient materials handling option for warehouses and distribution centers, but they are not right for every facility. Norm Saenz, senior vice president and principal, TranSystems Corporation, offers advice on deciding if AS/RS is right for your facility.
Materials Handling: A Better View
With production already at capacity and limited room for expansion, visual technologies manufacturer Christie installed two Shuttle Vertical Lift Module (VLM) storage and retrieval systems from Kardex Remstar – recovering 70 percent floor space, doubling capacity, and cutting labor requirements in half.
Materials Handling, Lean, Warehousing
Making a Business Case for Lean MHE
Applying lean principles to materials handling equipment purchases and configurations helps companies cut costs, writes Robert Arndt, Ryder Supply Chain Solutions.
Dealing With Daily-Deal Sites
New e-commerce sites like Groupon and LivingSocial can bring huge sales volume in a very short period of time by reaching a targeted audience with appealing offers. Tod Yazdi of TAGGlogistics explains how shippers can work with fulfillment partners to make the most of this new opportunity.
E-commerce, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
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.
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?
E-commerce, Customer Service, Warehousing, Retail
Superstar Service: Supply Chain Strategies Win Satisfied Customers
Retailers such as Brookstone, BuySeasons, Pet Supplies Plus, and Wayfair streamline their supply chains to deliver better customer service.
Expedited Shipping, E-commerce
@Home With Demand-Driven Logistics
UPS My Choice, a new direct-to-home delivery service, turns consumers into inbound logistics practitioners.
Mobile Robots Expand Warehouse Automation Options
Mobile-robotic systems are easy to design and install, with overall lower installation and operational costs than traditional warehouse automation systems, says Mick Mountz of Kiva Systems.
Upgrading Order Fulfillment Systems Boosts Warehouse Efficiency
Peter Hartman of Retrotech offers strategies for optimizing product flow through warehouse automation to achieve better order fulfillment performance.
Materials Handling, Warehousing
Tracking Warehouse Inventory on the Move
Warehouse operations visibility means knowing the real-time location of your materials handling vehicles, drivers, and inventory so operations can be optimized for maximum productivity, says Phil Van Wormer of Sky-Trax.
Materials Handling, Logistics I.T.
RFID Delivers the Power to Transform Markets
RFID technologies allow computers, objects, and individuals to interact in new ways, supplying logistics providers and materials handlers with predictable and actionable data to enhance their service offerings and operations, explains Ravi Pappu of ThingMagic.
Supply Chain Gain: Simplified Sorting
Warehouse automation allows distribution centers to take a hands-off approach.
Materials Handling, Warehousing
Sorting Through Materials Handling Decisions
Optimizing materials handling equipment and processes in the warehouse impacts the entire supply chain.
Materials Handling, Green Logistics
Pallet-Sharing Programs: Better for the Planet
For shipping and receiving, there are three types of pallet programs: single-use or one-way, extended-use or buy/sell, and leasing or rental. Hillary Femal of IFCO Systems describes the uses and benefits of each type.
Materials Handling, Picking Solutions, Warehousing
Xylophones, Checkerboards, and Gestalt Theory
Using colors, shapes, numbers, and mnemonics in warehouse signage can help reduce training and picking errors, while improving service.
Supply Chain Management, Materials Handling, Ports, Forklifts, Ocean, Education & Careers
Trends—August 2010
Gulf ports maintain container volumes despite Deepwater Horizon oil spill; Supply chain leaders climb the corporate ladder; Toyota Material Handling engineers work with MIT scientists and the U.S. Army to develop a remote-operated fork lift
Supply Chain Management, Expedited Shipping, Temperature-Sensitive Goods, E-commerce, Transportation Management, Retail
Flower Power: John Kuehn
ProFlowers' time- and temperature-sensitive shipments create plenty of challenges for John Kuehn, senior vice president of supply chain operations. Here's how he nips problems in the bud.
Materials Handling, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Green Logistics
Greening the Supply Chain Through Warehouse Automation
Investing in automated storage and retrieval systems and WMS helps warehouses grow greener and reap financial benefits.
Distribution, Materials Handling, Logistics I.T.
ALDO Boots Up a New System
Global shoe retailer ALDO implements a high-stepping, end-to-end inventory and distribution system.
Materials Handling, Inventory Management, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Retail
E-fulfillment: Finding the Perfect Fit
Online haberdasher Bonobos relies on its third-party fulfillment partner, Quiet Logistics, which operates warehousing facilities with Kiva's robotics materials handling solution.
Materials Handling, Warehousing
Using Distribution and Fulfillment as Strategic Weapons
Smart companies carefully select and intelligently apply automation not only to boost productivity, but also to turn the distribution center into a competitive weapon, writes Mick Mountz of Kiva Systems Inc.
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