Warehousing ‘Outside the Box’
Historically, warehousing was viewed as a function that exists inside “four walls.” Visibly, that’s true. But when you consider all the different parts and impulses that influence a distribution operation, it can no longer be cornered so conveniently. That’s why our May 2012 issue spotlights warehousing and distribution wall-to-wall—and beyond. For example, it’s easy to […]
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Benchmarking Keeps Logistics IT Outsourcing On Track
Logistics departments rely on technology to drive operational excellence. Benchmarking—analyzing an organization’s performance against the comparable activities of another or its own over time—has traditionally been applied to validate and/or improve a service contract’s value. In an economy characterized by unstable growth and eroding margins, optimal logistics IT performance is necessary for companies to remain […]
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LCL Plays Growing Role in Global Ocean Transportation
Demand for less-than-containerload (LCL) services is rising among global importers and exporters whose business models rely on cost, inventory control, and supply chain visibility. The shift to more LCL services in industries such as oil and gas (O&G), retail, and automotive can be attributed to several factors. Oil and gas fuels change: Running an end-to-end […]
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Load Boards Evolve Into Social Networking Tools
When you look at an Internet-based load board, it’s hard to believe how far the freight and logistics sector has come. It wasn’t long ago that carriers all over the country found much-needed backhauls by posting handwritten notes on truckstop bulletin boards, and brokers used those same boards to locate trucks. But technology—particularly the Internet—has […]
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Hey! Your Numbers are Trying to Talk to You!
I run across many companies in my travels. For a while, I’ve been centering a bit on different companies’ methodologies for the continuous quest of supply chain network optimization, amongst other things. Some do quite a bit of planning and research, even hiring consultants, while others, it appears, do not. Particularly, the methodology for the […]
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Proper Care and Nurturing of a Supply Chain
Supply chain can be complicated, but managing it effectively doesn’t have to be. Creating a superior supply chain is like parenting a baby through adulthood. It requires continual focus, monitoring, and care. Taking your eyes off your baby can be costly! But with proper care and nurturing, you can grow something that performs beautifully—even in […]
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Global Logistics—May 2012
London Braces for Olympic-sized Logistics Logjam For global TV viewers, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London will be a two-week parade of sports pomp and pageantry. But behind the scenes, a grittier story will unfold—how the rest of London gets on with life during a busy fortnight. The Freight Transport Association (FTA), a United […]
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Trends—May 2012
Seeding the Cloud, Harvesting Supply Chain Intelligence The rise of "the cloud" and the proliferation of social media networks—both public and private—offer companies new avenues toward better analytical insight about their supply chains, says Siddharth Taparia, senior director, solution marketing for SAP. Inbound Logistics sat in on his recent presentation at the Supply Chain World […]
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Michael Gilbert: A Fresh Start
Michael Gilbert is director of logistics and facilities at Indianapolis Fruit Company, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to grocery stores and restaurants in eight midwestern states. He joined the company in 2011. Responsibilities: Supervising a team of four managers who run the warehouse’s shipping department, the facilities maintenance and sanitation department, and regional inbound […]
Read MoreBecoming a Transportation Industry Advocate
Legislators are currently considering and implementing laws and regulations many transportation experts fear will significantly erode trucking productivity and increase the delivered cost of goods. There’s no time like the present to begin advocating your company’s interests. Brian Everett, ABC, executive director for the National Shipper’s Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC), outlines how business leaders can […]
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