Archive: Jul 2011

Trends—July 2011

Trends—July 2011

The 2011 State of Logistics Report: Logistics Sector Faces a Tough Haul The U.S. economy’s road to recovery during 2011 is like occupational therapy: filled with hard work and occasional setbacks. For the logistics sector, the therapy also involves higher costs and tighter capacity. Business logistics costs rose 10.4 percent in 2010, making up more […]

Read More
Ed Harrison and David Cohen

Technology Powers New Supply Chain Security Systems

In a speech at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology in March 2011, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano said, “Innovation is critical to economic growth, international competitiveness, and national security. We must expand government’s collaboration with the science and engineering communities in industry and academia to include a deeper, broader partnership on homeland […]

Read More
Ron Harris: Getting to the Essence

Ron Harris: Getting to the Essence

Ron Harris is chief logistics officer at Young Living Essential Oils, which grows, distills, produces, and markets essential oils created to promote good health. It also makes nutritional supplements and personal care items containing the oils. Responsibilities: Manufacturing, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, transportation, facilities, and real estate. Experience: Buyer, Chipman’s & Taylor’s; assistant buyer and department […]

Read More
Malysa O’Connor

The Perfect Time to Optimize Labor Management

Q: A confluence of issues related to rising fuel costs, compliance challenges, and lost capacity is currently impacting the logistics industry. Why is now the perfect time to optimize labor management? O’Connor: Driver shortages, rising fuel prices, and legislative changes related to Hours-of-Service (HOS) and Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) are increasing operating costs and will […]

Read More
Martin Hubert

Managing the Logistics Lifecycle 

Q: Cloud computing has become an industry buzzword. How will this technology influence the way companies approach logistics management? Hubert: Enterprises have long sought solutions that deliver immediate value, are easily accessible and scalable, and require minimal up-front investment. Unfortunately, the traditional delivery models of installed software, or dedicated Web-based systems, fell short of those […]

Read More
Bryn Heimbeck

Cloud Computing: Think Globally, Leverage Locally 

Q: What are the elements of a successful cloud-based logistics IT solution? Heimbeck: The “cloud” means different things to many people. I think of it as a highly structured, shared working space with three dimensions that work harmoniously to create a productive alternative to our current bricks-and-mortar-based method of doing business. The three dimensions are: […]

Read More