IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions

IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions

OOCL celebrated the naming of its third new 16,828-TEU container vessel, OOCL Sunflower, at Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co. in January 2025. The OOCL Sunflower serves its Trans-Pacific Trade ECX1 service. The port rotation is: Hong Kong – Yantian – Xiamen – Shanghai – New York – Savannah – Charleston – Laem Chabang – Cai Mep – Hong Kong in a 91-day round trip.

Transportation Spend: Waste, Fraud, and Abuse?

Transportation Spend: Waste, Fraud, and Abuse?

Even if you are not a news junkie, there is no escaping all the coverage of waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending; there is no DOGEing it. But what about U.S. spend on transportation infrastructure? Transportation for America, an advocacy group of leaders concerned about the importance of our transportation network, recently took a shot […]

IoT in Logistics: What It Is, Applications, and Benefits

IoT in Logistics: What It Is, Applications, and Benefits

IoT in Logistics: What It Is, Applications, and Benefits As the world becomes more interconnected, the logistics landscape is significantly transforming. Technology has become the backbone of supply chain management, propelling logistics companies into a new era of efficiency and connectivity. Internet of Things (IoT) is a transformative force reshaping the fabric of logistics and […]

Reverse Logistics: Moving Against the Current

Reverse Logistics: Moving Against the Current

Handling the growing volume of returns has never been more challenging—or important—so now is not the time to play “Go Fish” with your reverse logistics operations. Learn to to swim against the typical supply chain flow with effective and efficient reverse strategies.

What is Outsourcing? Definition, Advantages, and Examples

What is Outsourcing? Definition, Advantages, and Examples

Many businesses have successfully adopted outsourcing processes into various aspects of their logistics and supply chain operations. Outsourcing (or out sourcing, as some refer to it) all or part of these functions can improve efficiency and in some cases, reduce costs. Additionally, outsourcing can provide a competitive advantage by accessing specialized expertise and technologies. This […]

6 Types of Wholesaling: A Comprehensive Guide

6 Types of Wholesaling: A Comprehensive Guide

  Wholesaling is a vital part of the wholesale trade and the supply chain, connecting manufacturers with retailers and consumers. It involves buying goods in bulk from manufacturers and wholesale selling them in smaller quantities to retailers or other wholesale businesses. There are different types of wholesaling, each serving different purposes and markets. This comprehensive […]

FCA Meaning: The Ultimate Guide to Free Carrier Shipping, Obligations, and Responsibilities

FCA Meaning: The Ultimate Guide to Free Carrier Shipping, Obligations, and Responsibilities

Dealing with international shipping requires clarity on responsibilities, costs, and legal duties for buyers and sellers, which is why understanding the trade term FCA meaning—Free Carrier Shipping—can significantly improve your logistics planning and avoid costly mistakes. In this arrangement, the seller handles delivery to a specified location, transferring responsibility and risk once the goods reach […]

The Process of Capacity Planning: Meaning, Strategies, and More

The Process of Capacity Planning: Meaning, Strategies, and More

  Capacity planning is an excellent way to increase corporate productivity. Effective capacity planning helps you identify potential areas for growth, which boosts investment returns, and maintains good employee morale. Planning your resource capacity is helpful when you manage several projects because it improves your chances of accomplishing them on schedule and within budget. Using […]

The Future of the Automated Supply Chain

The Future of the Automated Supply Chain

Automation is revolutionizing warehouses and transforming the future of supply chain operations, while AI drives smarter forecasting, streamlined planning, and greater efficiency. To harness these advancements, organizations need a strategic approach that includes robust governance and well-managed data to ensure sustainable, cost-effective growth.

Takt Time: Origins, What It Is, and Formula

Takt Time: Origins, What It Is, and Formula

Takt time is a crucial concept in manufacturing. It defines the pace at which products must be completed in the manufacturing process to meet customer demand efficiently. The word takt, which comes from the German word “takt,” means “rhythm. “ Takt time represents the harmony between production and demand, ensuring that each product aligns perfectly […]

The Logistics Leader of the Southeast

The Logistics Leader of the Southeast

If your company is thinking about opening up or expanding operations in the Southeast, I’ve got interesting news. The demographic shift of consumers and businesses, particularly manufacturing, is driving an uptick in logistics and supply chain activity across the South. That uptick is reflected in the phenomenal increase in logistics infrastructure investment, with one state […]

Smart Procurement: Using Technology to Strengthen, Not Substitute, Human Judgment

Smart Procurement: Using Technology to Strengthen, Not Substitute, Human Judgment

According to a Gartner study, 50% of procurement contract management will be AI-driven by 2027. While this headline will grab the attention of procurement leaders, it’s essential to pause before diving into technology investments. A deeper analysis is needed to ensure the technology aligns with the organization’s maturity, processes, and people. Procurement leadership needs to […]

ABC Analysis: Definition, Importance, and Implementation

ABC Analysis: Definition, Importance, and Implementation

  ABC analysis stands out as a fundamental approach in managing inventories effectively. By categorizing the total inventory items into three groups—A, B, and C—based on their value and consumption rates, businesses can prioritize their resources and focus on the most impactful items. This guide explores the intricacies of ABC analysis, providing a comprehensive understanding […]

14 Moves to Master Demand Surges

14 Moves to Master Demand Surges

Effectively managing increases in demand requires a strategic series of moves—each one calculated to advance your position and ultimately put surges in checkmate.

How to Prepare for Nearshoring

How to Prepare for Nearshoring

Nearshoring is experiencing a resurgence, mainly due to lessons learned from supply chain shortages and delays during the pandemic. Shippers realize there is much to gain from nearshoring, including reduced costs, shorter wait times and increased efficiencies.

Supplier Relationship Management: What It Is, Importance, and Challenges

Supplier Relationship Management: What It Is, Importance, and Challenges

Supplier Relationship Management: What It Is, Importance, and Challenges Supplier relationship management (SRM) is vital for modern business practices. Effective supplier relationship management systems and strategies enhance supplier management, prevent supply chain disruption, and foster strategic alliances. Imagine running a business where every link in your supply chain is seamless and efficient. Sounds ideal? That’s […]

Customs Clearance: Meaning and Process

Customs Clearance: Meaning and Process

  International trade can be complex and time-consuming, but it is crucial for businesses that import or export goods to understand one of the most critical steps in the process: customs clearance. Customs clearance is the procedure you must follow to legally import or export goods across international borders. The process can be daunting, but […]

Project Logistics Spotlight: Heavy Lifting, Sensitive  Cargo

Project Logistics Spotlight: Heavy Lifting, Sensitive Cargo

From ensuring safe delivery of rare or injured animals to transporting oversized machinery, project logistics requirements are unique and complex. Here’s how DHL, FedEx, Lufthansa Cargo, and other transportation providers tackle unique, high-value shipments with precision, care, and efficiency during every leg of the journey.

Turnaround Time in Logistics: Definition, Importance, and How to Calculate

Turnaround Time in Logistics: Definition, Importance, and How to Calculate

Turnaround Time (TAT) measures how long it takes to complete a process from start to finish. Logistics includes the time from arrival to departure and crucial steps in supply chain operations, such as warehouse intake or truck unloading. Understanding “what is Turnaround Time” will help improve operational efficiency and maintain a competitive edge. Efficient turnaround […]

What is MRP? History, Definition, and How it Works

What is MRP? History, Definition, and How it Works

Running a manufacturing process without an organized system often leads to chaos—too many raw materials or not enough to meet customer demand. That’s where material requirements planning (MRP) comes in. So, what is MRP? It’s a planning system that helps production managers calculate the materials needed, schedule production efficiently, and balance inventory levels with actual […]

15 Types of Pallet Racking

15 Types of Pallet Racking

Discover the different types of pallet racking systems to optimize your storage solutions. Improve efficiency in your warehouse—read the full guide now!

All About Flatbed Trucks: Definition, Types, and Uses

All About Flatbed Trucks: Definition, Types, and Uses

  Flatbed trucks are most often encountered when there is a need to transport oversized items that would be difficult or impossible to place in a conventional cargo vehicle. While these rigs may seem simple, they are essential in transportation. Additionally, there are various flatbed trucks for sale, offering a wide range of options and […]

FOCUS ON: Nearshoring

FOCUS ON: Nearshoring

Nearshoring: Hype or Happening? While businesses of all types are exploring the idea of reorganizing supply chains so manufacturing and production occurs closer to the United States—with the focus largely on Mexico—it’s still unclear exactly how much traction nearshoring has gained. Some experts say nearshoring is definitely here to stay, while others claim the buzzworthy […]

What is a Courier Service: Meaning, Benefits, and Functions

What is a Courier Service: Meaning, Benefits, and Functions

  When you need customizable and speedy pickup and delivery services to keep your supply chain flowing, you might consider the post office. Unfortunately, the post office charges high rates for anything faster than the norm, and its services are limited. The solution exists with couriers In the past, courier services were limited to local […]

Most Read Articles of 2024

Most Read Articles of 2024

From boosting supply chain visibility to optimizing warehouse labor and turbocharging last-mile delivery, these are the articles that resonated most with our audience last year.

Bolting Ahead: Specialty Bolt & Screw Tightens its Supply Chain

Bolting Ahead: Specialty Bolt & Screw Tightens its Supply Chain

Specialty Bolt & Screw, Inc. (SBS), a leading provider of fastening solutions, offers more than 15,000 SKUs across 12 locations, and manages a complex global supply chain. As a result, it required a more efficient and accurate inventory management and forecast function than it was able to achieve with its older, homegrown system.

IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions

IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions

Savage opened a new Niagara Transload facility at the Thorold Multimodal Hub in Ontario. Located in the Golden Horseshoe, the facility provides connections between rail, maritime, and truck transportation, which can reduce transport costs for the manufacturing, agriculture, and construction industries.

Optimizing Your Pharmaceutical Warehouse: Best Practices and Standards

Optimizing Your Pharmaceutical Warehouse: Best Practices and Standards

Pharmaceutical Warehousing: Definition, Handling Standards, and Supply Chain Rules   Pharmaceutical warehouses are specialized storage facilities that safely store pharmaceutical products, including medications, vaccines, and other health-related items. For the pharmaceutical industry, warehouses play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity and quality of medicines that impact billions globally. They are not just a storage […]

What is FOB Destination? Meaning, Terms, Who Pays?

What is FOB Destination? Meaning, Terms, Who Pays?

  If you’re in the shipping industry, you need to be familiar with the shipping term FOB destination and all it implies. You should be able to answer the question of what does FOB mean in shipping and convey the fob price meaning. FOB is an acronym that means “free on board,” so FOB destination […]

RFID Drives Visibility, Sustainability

RFID Drives Visibility, Sustainability

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is at the forefront of helping tackle the sustainability challenge by enabling visibility across the entire supply chain journey, allowing retailers to track and mitigate waste.

The High Cost of Hidden Workarounds

The High Cost of Hidden Workarounds

Costly problems stemming from excessive paperwork, manual workarounds, and hidden work remain deeply nestled throughout inbound logistics processes, out of sight from senior leadership.

Top Supply Chain Management Schools

Top Supply Chain Management Schools

Here’s a roundup of some of the top programs to consider around the world, whether you’re looking to major in supply chain or supply management at the undergraduate level, obtain an MBA with a supply chain concentration, or find the right executive education or certificate programs to further your career. The next generation of supply […]

Vertical Warehousing: What It Is, Analyzing, and Benefits

Vertical Warehousing: What It Is, Analyzing, and Benefits

Logistics operations face increasing demands for smarter and space-saving storage strategies due to rapid growth in e-commerce and shifting consumer expectations. Businesses with limited floor space often struggle to scale efficiently without expanding their facility’s footprint. Adopting vertical warehousing helps companies build upward rather than outward, maximizing storage capacity and enhancing operational flow. This innovative […]

Podcast Roundup: Hear & Now

Podcast Roundup: Hear & Now

Our audience played these 12 podcasts on repeat in 2024. Listen for insights on everything from dedicated transportation solutions to nearshoring to managing supply chain disruptions.

Just-In-Time Inventory: Definition, Advantages, Disadvantages

Just-In-Time Inventory: Definition, Advantages, Disadvantages

Just-In-Time inventory, or JIT, is a strategy that streamlines a business’s inventory and improves efficiency by receiving goods only as they are needed and minimizing inventory costs. This method helps maintain a lean inventory, significantly enhances cash flow, and reduces waste. In this guide, we will extensively review the JIT inventory system, exploring its core […]

The Power of Single-Source Partnerships

The Power of Single-Source Partnerships

To maintain a competitive edge, every aspect of a supplier’s operation must operate seamlessly. Opting for multiple logistics vendors may initially seem like a way to increase flexibility, but this approach often leads to fragmented communication, inconsistent service levels, and added complexities.

Last Mile Delivery: Trends, Cost and How to Optimize

Last Mile Delivery: Trends, Cost and How to Optimize

Efficient last mile delivery plays a crucial role in ensuring timely shipments, meeting customer expectations, and enhancing brand reputation. By addressing last mile delivery challenges such as route optimization and failed deliveries, businesses can strengthen their supply chain and reduce costs.

2025 Winter Reading Guide

2025 Winter Reading Guide

Cozy up this winter with our curated reading list, featuring 12 essential books for logistics and supply chain professionals. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of global trade, exploring GenAI, or optimizing last-mile delivery, these titles are packed with the insights you need.

End-to-End Supply Chain: Meaning, Benefits, and How to Implement

End-to-End Supply Chain: Meaning, Benefits, and How to Implement

  Fast delivery and exceptional service aren’t luxuries—they’re expectations in today’s competitive landscape. Meeting customer demands requires more than efficient shipping—it calls for complete coordination of the entire supply chain process where an end-to-end supply chain shines. An end-to-end supply chain covers everything from sourcing raw materials to final delivery and after-sales support. This integrated […]

MOQ Meaning: Its Formula, and How To Optimize It

MOQ Meaning: Its Formula, and How To Optimize It

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Meaning, Formula, and How To Optimize It Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) represents the smallest amount of a product a supplier is willing to sell at one time. Businesses commonly use minimum order quantities to streamline production processes, manage costs, and meet operational demands. Understanding MOQs ensures better planning and efficient inventory […]

Automation Takes Blue Sky From Growing Pains to Growing Gains

Automation Takes Blue Sky From Growing Pains to Growing Gains

Growing demand was an enviable problem for Blue Sky Distribution, a family-owned distributor of 3,500-plus grocery, tobacco, and other products to wholesale, big-box, and ecommerce customers across much of the western United States. To effectively onboard and serve new customers, including major grocery and convenience stores, it needed to automate several manual processes.

Big and Bulky Needs an Overhaul Beyond Logistics

Big and Bulky Needs an Overhaul Beyond Logistics

The Mount Everest of delivery is the high-risk, high-reward segment known as big and bulky, where retailers can make more money if they get it right and leave their reputation in tatters and coffers empty with a few missteps.

8 Types of Warehousing Processes

8 Types of Warehousing Processes

  Warehousing is a critical link in the supply chain. It facilitates the storage, handling, and distribution of goods. Effective warehouse management can optimize inventory control and meet customer demands efficiently by utilizing a warehouse management system (WMS). Within this context, warehousing processes ensure smooth operations and maximize warehouse efficiency. This article discusses various warehousing […]

Inbound Logistics: Definition, Examples, and Process

Inbound Logistics: Definition, Examples, and Process

  Logistics is an essential aspect of any business, as it involves planning, organizing, and managing the flow of goods, services, and information from the point of origin to the point of consumption. It encompasses the entire process of sourcing raw materials, assembling products, and delivering finished goods to customers. Logistics can be divided into […]

Time to Sweat Your Warehouse Assets?

Time to Sweat Your Warehouse Assets?

Success in the warehouse is often synonymous with warehouse performance. In retail, this means meeting growing throughput and capacity requirements. Those responsible for ensuring materials handling facilities are up to the task, however, must compete for budget dollars by making a compelling business case for investments.

Christina Nemeyer’s Unexpected Path to Procurement Success

Christina Nemeyer’s Unexpected Path to Procurement Success

RESPONSIBILITIES: Oversee the team responsible for establishing national account programs for indirect spend, leveraging PFG’s scale to generate value. EXPERIENCE: Senior manager, corporate strategic sourcing, and corporate sourcing manager, PFG. Fuel supervisor, Estes Express Lines. Inventory control and loss prevention supervisor, S&K Menswear. Market loss prevention manager, Shoe Carnival, Inc. Regional loss prevention analyst and […]

Small Businesses, Big Supply Chains

Small Businesses, Big Supply Chains

From cloud-based shipping solutions to AI-powered inventory management, small businesses harness cutting-edge technology to scale like never before. Here’s how strategic partnerships, outsourcing logistics, and leveraging data-driven insights help SMBs streamline operations, meet demand, and enhance the customer experience—proving that size doesn’t limit success.

Inland Waterways: The Key to Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains

Inland Waterways: The Key to Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains

As businesses facing growing pressure to bolster resilience and sustainability, technological advancements and last-mile logistics take center stage. But one critical yet underappreciated element deserves a spotlight: inland waterways. These natural networks offer a reliable, efficient, and eco-friendly mode of transportation that plays a vital role in future-proofing supply chains.

Drayage vs Intermodal: Explaining Two Connected Transportation Modes

Drayage vs Intermodal: Explaining Two Connected Transportation Modes

Efficient logistics rely on different modes of transportation to move freight smoothly from one point to another. Two crucial methods are drayage and intermodal transportation, each serving distinct roles in the supply chain. Both methods handle goods efficiently but differ in scope and purpose. Drayage focuses on short-distance transport, often between transportation hubs like rail […]

8 Trends Influencing Freight Rail in 2025

8 Trends Influencing Freight Rail in 2025

As we look ahead into 2025, we see factors such as consumer confidence, energy pricing, and deregulation—among others—providing a more favorable environment for short-term growth and long-term planning for the rail freight industry.

Partial Trucking: Pros, Cons, and Why You Should Use It

Partial Trucking: Pros, Cons, and Why You Should Use It

Finding the perfect balance between shipping costs and efficiency can be challenging for businesses. Traditional options often fall short for shipments that are too large for LTL shipping but too small for a full truckload, leading to wasted space or higher expenses. This is where partial truckload (PTL) steps in, offering a smart solution that […]

Hype vs. Reality: The Promise of AI  in Supply Chains

Hype vs. Reality: The Promise of AI in Supply Chains

AI-driven solutions are often hailed as the silver bullet for today’s supply chain challenges. The hype promises faster operations, cost savings, reduced risk, and streamlined customer service—but how much of this is reality? Here’s a look at the tangible impacts AI is having on supply chains, dissecting where it truly delivers and where expectations may need a reality check.

Warehouse vs. Inventory: Their Roles And Differences

Warehouse vs. Inventory: Their Roles And Differences

  Understanding the crucial differences between warehouses and inventory is essential for operational excellence in supply chain logistics. This article explores the roles and connections between warehouse capacities, inventory management, and their impact on inventory and warehouse operations in enhancing overall supply chain efficiency. Understanding Inventory Management Definition and Key Concepts Warehouse management is the […]

Transportation Management System: Meaning, Importance, and Benefits

Transportation Management System: Meaning, Importance, and Benefits

  Transportation management systems help manage various transportation activities such as shipping, tracking, and delivery. A transportation management system (TMS) — also referred to as a transport order management system, transportation management solution, on demand transportation management system, 3pl transportation management system, or integrated transport management system—benefits businesses by providing cost savings, improved efficiency, and […]

From Fax to the Future:  Do It Best Reinvents Its Supply Chain

From Fax to the Future: Do It Best Reinvents Its Supply Chain

Aiming to keep pace with the rapidly expanding home improvement market, Do It Best—a member-owned hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative—sought to replace its outdated manual processes with a streamlined, automated system. Since providing exceptional service to its members is crucial to the cooperative’s success, Do It Best partnered with Redwood Logistics to enhance its transportation management system (TMS).

Simple Math, Big Impact: Common Sense Inventory Strategies

Simple Math, Big Impact: Common Sense Inventory Strategies

As a mathematician/engineer, I love advanced analytics as much as the next person. But as a practical person, I can assure you that you don’t need advanced analytics to make substantial improvements for your company. All you need is basic algebra and some time to think.

Warehouse Robotics Unlock Efficiencies

Warehouse Robotics Unlock Efficiencies

From AI-powered AMRs to cobots working safely alongside humans, cutting-edge robotics are transforming supply chain operations. See how the latest innovations are changing the game and driving efficiency.

3PL vs. 4PL: Understanding the Differences and Choosing the Right Logistics Solutions

3PL vs. 4PL: Understanding the Differences and Choosing the Right Logistics Solutions

Q. What is the key difference between a 3PL and a 4PL? A. Third-party logistics providers (3PLs) provide logistics services, including transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, inventory management, freight forwarding, and reverse logistics, handling part or all of these functions. Fourth-party logistics providers (4PLs) handle the entire supply chain. They help manage everything from demand to ordering […]