Competing With E-Commerce Giants
Despite the highly competitive environment, it is possible for small and mid-sized companies to compete with the e-commerce giants. It just takes creativity, a strong, optimized supply chain and, of course, exemplary customer service. Paul D’Arrigo, vice president of information technology for Spend Management Experts, offers this advice. 1. Provide excellent customer service. Ensure the […]
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What’s the most fun or interesting part about working in the supply chain?
Knowing I work in an industry that touches every aspect of everyone’s life. I like knowing that if we do our job well and someone goes to the shelf for something they need—the shelf is full.
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Fueling Transportation Breakthroughs
Doug Mueller was enjoying a long, happy career at Schneider National when Craig Dickman, a former colleague, proposed Mueller join him in a new kind of business. MORE TO THE STORY: On Becoming Breakthrough Fuel would help shippers save money on fuel surcharges, allowing them to base those charges not on a nationwide index, but […]
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FedEx Reserves 20 Tesla Semi Electric Trucks
FedEx Corp. has placed a reservation for 20 Tesla Semi trucks. Less-than-truckload unit FedEx Freight will operate the fully electric trucks, which are scheduled to begin production in 2019. This new big rig will deliver a far better experience for truck drivers, while increasing safety and significantly reducing the cost of cargo transport, according to […]
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2018 Top 100 Logistics IT Providers
Need logistics IT solutions? These leading providers, presented alphabetically, offer the services that match your supply chain needs. Search the Logistics IT Decision Support Tool for an even deeper dive.
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Checking In: The Last Grimy Mile
At the end of March, in between nor’easters in New York City, I went out for a lunchtime stroll. I wanted to check out the 14 new gleaming skyscrapers of the Hudson Yards development—a “self contained, e-commerce friendly city within a city”—where thousands of young urban professionals won’t ever have to leave their apartments to […]
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Noted – The Supply Chain in Brief
Sealed Deals Gifts, toys, apparel, and accessories e-tailer Hollar deployed inVia Robotics’ Picker robots and cloud-based Robotics-as-a-Service management system to streamline e-commerce fulfillment in its Los Angeles warehouse. Hollar uses the collaborative mobile robotics platform to automate goods-to-person fulfillment, boosting warehouse productivity. The e-tailer deployed 100 inVia Picker robots and will scale as needed to […]
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2018 Top 100 Logistics IT Market Research Survey
Inbound Logistics surveys the supply chain technology market to evaluate the latest trends and uncover the most innovative providers in their respective fields.
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Software-as-a-Service or Outsourced Managed Services: Which is Right for Your Organization? – Transplace
When it comes to managing transportation operations, shippers are often at a crossroads. They may find themselves asking the questions: Should I implement a transportation management system (TMS) in-house or via software-as-a-service (SaaS)? Should I outsource everything to a Managed Transportation Services (MTS) provider? Or take a hybrid approach? Not all companies’ core competencies are […]
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Michele van Krieken: Formulating Supply Chain Clarity
Michele van Krieken is global supply chain manager with The Chemours Company, a $1.5-billion global chemistry company with leading market positions in titanium technologies, fluoroproducts, and chemical solutions. Responsibilities Manage global supply chain for the fluoroproducts business, driving both day-to-day execution and improvements, and developing career paths for supply chain employees. Work closely with business […]
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Supply Chain Strategy and E-Commerce Success – Unyson
Companies with an e-commerce strategy often sell a wider variety of products than brick-and-mortar companies. To reap the benefits of that product mix, however, they may need to adapt their supply chain strategy to accommodate the needs of every product they sell. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, e-commerce sales for the second quarter of […]
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Bridging the Gap Between Craft and Technology – Crane Worldwide Logistics
Blockchain, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles…it seems like you can’t have a conversation about technology without these buzzwords being thrown around. These kinds of technologies are extremely exciting and will likely change the way we live and work. Having said that, it’s important for companies in our space to strike a balance […]
Read MoreTrucking Shortage: Buckle Up for Worsening Conditions
The United States has been facing a severe trucking shortage since the electronic logging device (ELD) implementation in late 2017 exacerbated capacity issues. More than four months in and the crunch does not only seem far from easing but appears likely to worsen. Trucking spot rates are 28 percent higher through March 23, 2018 than […]
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Alaska: North To The Future
A mix of experienced logistics service providers, resilient infrastructure, flexible transportation options, and a seasoned workforce combine to make Alaska a land of promise for companies doing business with the state.
Read MoreSupply Chain Efficiency: Packaging for the Automotive E-Commerce Era
According to the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the e-commerce automotive aftermarket sector is currently growing at a rate of $1 billion annually, and is expected to rise to $15 billion by 2020. For the most part, the sector is focused on two primary customers: those seeking accessories for upgrades and those interested in purchasing […]
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Panama Canal Has a 3-in-1 Day
The Panama Canal successfully transited three LNG vessels through its Neopanamax locks on April 17, 2018, marking a first for the waterway. The Clean Ocean, Gaslog Gibraltar, and Gaslog Hong Kong vessels first arrived at the Canal from the Pacific Ocean then transited north, departing on the Atlantic side. The development marks a significant milestone […]
Read MoreSupply Chain Insight: Improve Accuracy and Visibility with GS1 Standards
It’s no surprise warehouse processes have grown more complex in the on-demand economy. Greater demand and higher customer expectations mean employees must move product through the warehouse as efficiently as possible. Warehousing technology has evolved to meet these challenges, helping employees better track inventory through the receiving and put-away processes. While these advancements address concerns […]
Read MoreSupply Chain Commentary:
10 Ways to Enhance Visibility
Seeing what’s happening throughout the supply chain—and being able to make changes when things don’t go as planned—is essential in today’s always-on, omnichannel shipping environment. But even though businesses have more tools, providers, and resources than ever for supply chain management, two-thirds still report they don’t have end-to-end visibility, according to the Business Continuity Institute. […]
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Outsourced Manufacturing: Ethical and Environmental Concerns Grow
Some interesting trends around the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, as well as continuing challenges with environmental issues and health and safety, have emerged. That’s according to AsiaInspection’s (AI) quarterly barometer of outsourced manufacturing and the quality control services industry for Q1 2018. Highlights of the report include: As many as […]
Read MoreGetting the Most Out of Foreign Trade Zones
When I first started working in logistics, I heard a horror story about what can go wrong when a single detail is missed in a given transaction. A classic-car collector found his dream car in Europe after many years of searching and bought it for several million dollars. When shipping the car to the United […]
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