Trucking Perspectives 2011: Exclusive Inbound Logistics Research
When the economy took its first plunge in late 2008, there was little doubt the motor freight industry would be collateral damage. Capacity was flush. Fleets had grown fat feeding on steady demand. Inefficiencies ran amok. The recession hit carriers hard and they paid a heavy price with bankruptcies, acquisitions, consolidations, layoffs, and stock insecurities […]
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Nebraska: Lasting Logistics Appeal
A central U.S. location, dedicated workforce, and affordable industrial power combine to create an ideal site for logistics operations.
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Delivering a Slice Of Fresh Supply Chain Solutions
To help manage rapid expansion, Papa John’s orders an inbound/outbound logistics operations solution—with the works.
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Freight Payment and Auditing Services: Finding the Hidden Gold
They may be designed to perform a straightforward function, but freight bill payment and auditing services can also reveal money-saving operations data.
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The Bright Side of Logistics in India
There is more to India’s supply chain scene than its transportation infrastructure shortcomings. APL Logistics’ David Frentzel shares insights from a recent tour of his company’s Indian facilities and meetings with shippers.
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Coordinated Transportation Improves Margins for Wholesalers
Q: What are wholesale distributors hoping to achieve with transportation initiatives? Mulqueen: Transportation initiatives are approved and funded based on their track record of delivering quick ROI through freight spend reduction. However, leading wholesalers understand that siloed transportation planning, while beneficial, has limitations. It does not take into account the impact of transportation on the […]
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Getting a Handle on Specialized Transportation Costs
Q: Why is controlling fuel and permitting costs important for companies moving heavy equipment? Lowry: Managing these increasing costs is a major task, but it’s essential to gain greater efficiency and profitability. With state governments across the country facing significant declines in tax revenue, many are enforcing new weight restrictions and fuel tax requirements on […]
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APIs Enrich Software Users’ Experience
Q: What is an Application Programming Interface (API)? Heine: It’s a software-to-software interface that enables Web-based applications to be part of your transportation management system. You can access outside information without leaving your working application. For all practical purposes, it’s built-in. For example, Google Maps APIs are often built into Web sites. Q: How are […]
Read MoreTruckers Play Role in Homeland Security
Con-way Freight’s Chief Security Officer Curt Shewchuck talks about how the LTL carrier thwarted a possible terrorist event and is working with shippers and government to secure the supply chain.
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Love it or Hate it, CSA is Here to Stay
Whether you applaud or oppose the FMCSA’s new truck-safety monitoring program, CSA will no doubt impact the way your carriers operate. Here’s what you need to know.
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Refrigerated Trucks Haul More Than Just Perishables
It may come as a surprise that “perishable goods” include items more diverse than fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, frozen foods, and dairy products. Today’s truck and trailer refrigeration systems, known as reefers, also keep other high-value loads at ideal temperatures and humidity levels so they arrive safely at their final destinations. Prompted by regulations […]
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Looking Down the Road
Despite its challenges, the motor freight industry is on a roll, according to exclusive interviews with five trucking big wheels.
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Inventory Intelligence: The Key to Unlocking Omni-channel Retailing
Omni-channel retailing–providing shoppers a seamless experience through all channels–combines the flexibility of cross-channel and mobile shopping with the revenue- and loyalty-building capabilities of a face-to-face retail experience. Because keeping availability promises is vital to omni-channel success, retailers depend on integrated IT systems. Retailers who succeed at integrating their inventory intelligence can cut costs, accelerate turns, […]
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Drawing Value from Managed Drayage Solutions
Many shippers view drayage (the service offered by a motor carrier for pickup and delivery of ocean or rail containers) as a necessity and a fixed cost. But new approaches to drayage can bring significant savings and benefits to both shippers and drayage carriers. Traditionally, shippers have either relied on steamship lines to secure drayage […]
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Global Logistics—September 2011
Swiss Attraction? Bank On It Even as Europe’s economic prospects remain mired in uncertainty, Switzerland continues to attract foreign investment. To date in 2011, "the island of stability" scored a number of new and expanded investment opportunities. "By mid-year, at least 24 projects from North America landed in Switzerland, generating an estimated $625 million in […]
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Trends—September 2011
To Buy or Not to Buy: Truckers Brake on New Equipment The threat of a double-dip recession and the promise of capitalizing on a yet-to-be-seen capacity shortage have motor freight carriers wavering on whether to invest in new equipment, according to a recent business expectation survey conducted by Chattanooga, Tenn.-based consultant Transport Capital Partners (TCP). […]
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Angela Duesterhaus: Joining the Jet Set
Angela Duesterhaus is logistics and export compliance manager at PAS Technologies. Headquartered in North Kansas City, Mo., PAS repairs and overhauls aerospace and industrial components such as gas turbine engines, airframe parts, and oil field equipment. Along with its facilities in North Kansas City, the company runs operations in Ohio, Florida, Arizona, Singapore, Ireland, and […]
Read MoreBuilding Efficiency Into Your Supply Chain
When it comes to supply chain efficiency, information is king. The more you know, the better you can manage the process and engineer improvements. Ellen Fontaine, general manager, strategic planning and business development, at Georgetown, Ky.-based third-party logistics provider VASCOR Ltd. offers this advice for boosting supply chain efficiency. 1. Seek opportunities to optimize. Optimization […]
Read MoreIt’s Time for Freight Classification Reform
If the volatile economy hasn’t made the case, demographics might. The motor carrier pricing structure needs an overhaul.
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Freight at Rest is Freight at Risk
Today’s stressful economic conditions are driving thieves to steal everything that’s not nailed down—from railroad tracks to copper wiring. Truckers and their customers have had to deal with the cargo security issue for as long as the five-finger discount has been around. As part of our special Trucking Safety issue, we asked motor freight carriers […]
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