Preparing for Emerging Global Supply Chain Challenges
How can the the global trade sector remain competitive and relevant in an increasingly fragile digital economy? Here are four proactive approaches.
Shipper Owned Container (SOC): What It Is, Types, and Benefits
Shipper owned containers (SOCs) offer businesses more control over their shipping needs and flexibility compared to carrier owned containers (COCs). These shipping containers are purchased or leased by businesses, allowing them to manage container ownership without relying solely on shipping lines. In recent years, the use of SOCs has grown significantly, with businesses increasingly looking […]
VAI and Kinnunen: Constructing Efficient Inventory Management
Kinnunen, a family-owned business that offers a range of construction supplies—from air compressors to wood glue—has enjoyed so much growth that its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system was struggling to keep up. This hindered the company’s ability to effectively manage inventory and serve customers.
Securing the Core Through Third-Party Risk Management
In today’s intricate global business landscape, robust third-party risk management (TPRM) and supply chain oversight frameworks are indispensable for maintaining operational integrity, adequate security, and regulatory compliance.
AI and the Essential Supply Chain Worker
When it comes to AI in the supply chain, we can choose fear or embrace change. Only one approach is likely to be successful.
Building a Future-Ready Supply Chain; Intermodal Rebounds; Strategic Shoring Gains Favor; and Other Logistics News
A look at the latest news stories in global supply chain and logistics.
Upgrading Your Supply Chain Skill Set
By implementing these action items, professionals and students can better prepare themselves for the complexities of modern supply chain management.
Work in Progress (WIP) Inventory: Definition, Importance, and Calculations
Understanding and managing work in progress inventory is essential for keeping your production process efficient and reducing manufacturing costs.
Why We Need Advanced Manufacturing
What I learned over 40 years in manufacturing is that innovation and manufacturing are intertwined. Brilliant scientists and engineers invented some of the world’s most innovative and impactful products, and many of them need to be manufactured on innovative processes.
Shipping Container Sizes: Dimension, Costs, and Types
Efficient cargo management starts with understanding the right shipping container sizes for your specific needs. Every shipment relies on selecting the appropriate container to ensure safe, cost-effective transportation. Whether you’re moving standard dry goods or delicate, temperature-sensitive items, the dimensions and features of shipping containers are crucial. Picking the wrong container can lead to wasted […]
Auto Supply Chains: Pinpointing the Commercial Case for Sustainability
Pinpointing and quantifying the commercial case for green initiatives in the automotive industry is tricky. To sharpen sustainability planning, try this modeling technique: Treat environmental performance as a product feature, one of many that customers consider when making purchasing decisions.
Supply Chain Technologies that Empower the Human Workforce See Growing Investments
The 2024 MHI Annual Report, “The Collaborative Supply Chain,” shows companies are leveraging artificial intelligence and other technologies in a human-centric way.
Broker Transparency – Why It’s Both Unnecessary and Burdensome to Industry
By prioritizing an outdated and unnecessary regulatory debate, FMCSA has chosen to misdirect its resources and attention, leaving a glaring and urgent problem unaddressed: freight fraud.
DC Automation Gets Real
While pie-in-the-sky technologies capture imaginations, these systems do the heavy lifting and boost worker safety and productivity in warehouses right now.
Raw Materials Inventory: Explanation, Benefits, and Tips
Understanding how to manage raw materials inventory is crucial for smooth business operations. By implementing best practices like regular audits, using software, and improving inventory turnover, businesses can control costs and optimize their production process.
EDI Isn’t Dying—It’s Evolving and Can Be Integrated with API
“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” Mark Twain famously said upon reading his own premature obituary. The same can be said about EDI software.
Customer Service—A Magnet for More Business
Customer service beyond expectations can act as a magnet for more business. It’s a force that an independent Landstar agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has put into practice.
Shippers Get On Board With Air Cargo
As ecommerce soars and global trade accelerates, the demand for air freight solutions is a boarding pass to the future. But can capacity keep up with the industry’s rapid ascent?
Fast Track to Expedited Shipping Success
Expedited shipping helps organizations elevate their competitive edge, enhance customer satisfaction, and swiftly respond to supply chain disruptions—all while keeping inventory costs in check. Here’s how to speed expedited shipping success.
Supply Chain Bottlenecks: Causes, Challenges, and Resolutions
A supply chain bottleneck occurs when one part of the supply chain slows down or halts the entire process, disrupting the flow of goods and services. These bottlenecks can create serious problems for businesses, delaying production and deliveries, which can directly impact profitability and customer satisfaction. In modern supply chains, identifying and addressing these bottlenecks […]
Absorption Costing: Definition, Formula, and Tips
Absorption costing is a crucial managerial accounting method that captures all manufacturing costs involved in producing a product. It includes direct materials, direct labor, fixed manufacturing overhead, and variable manufacturing overhead, providing a full picture of production costs. This method ensures accurate product pricing and compliance with accounting standards like GAAP, making it vital for […]
Turning Cold Chain Data Into Smart Decisions
Supply chain companies have the data they need to optimize performance, but they lack the ability to turn that data into actionable insights. Here’s how they can put that data to use.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
In its biggest transaction to date, DSV will acquire Schenker from Deutsche Bahn. The acquisition will strengthen DSV’s global network, expertise and competitiveness.
When Robotics, Starlink, and AI Converge: What’s Next?
The maturation and convergence of three technologies—robotics, Starlink, and artificial intelligence—will revolutionize the practice of supply chain management across the globe. I know you have heard that before, but this time it is not hyperbole. When these three technologies converge, much of how we manage logistics today will be legacy, a fading memory in a […]
5 Types of Quality Management Systems Explained
Different types of quality management systems, such as Total Quality Management, Six Sigma, and ISO standards, play a vital role in helping businesses achieve operational excellence and meet industry standards. Implementing quality systems enhances quality control, and promotes continuous improvement.
10 Leading Air Cargo Partners You Should Consider
Choosing the right air cargo provider can significantly impact a company’s logistics performance and customer satisfaction. By evaluating each provider’s capabilities, services, and alignment with current trends, shippers can find the best fit for their needs in today’s fast-paced global market.
What Supply Chain Term Will Be Top of Mind in 2025?
Convergence because we can’t afford to have planning and operations working in their separate silos where plans can’t be executed or if they can they are very expensive to execute. Good companies plan. Great companies execute. –Tom Moore Founder & CEO ProvisionAi Optimization. 2025 will be a year of optimization as companies look to offset […]
Landscaping Box Trucks: Essential Features and Benefits
The right landscaping box truck brings value to your business, helping you manage materials efficiently and leave a professional impression on every job.
Canada’s Supply Chain Act Is in Effect. Complying May Be Easier Said Than Done.
It’s a truth businesses can’t ignore: Various forms of modern slavery are embedded throughout the global supply chain, across geographies and industries. What meaningful steps can organizations take?
Perfect Order Fulfillment: Explanation, Tips, and How to Improve
Achieving perfect order fulfillment is crucial for businesses aiming to improve both customer experience and customer retention. By ensuring orders delivered are accurate, with correct invoices and accurate documentation, companies can minimize imperfect orders and reduce the likelihood of customer fails.
3 Key Questions to Answer Before the DSCSA Stabilization Period Ends
Life sciences and healthcare supply chain organizations must comply with the serialized traceability requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act by Nov. 27, 2024, unless they have applied for an exemption. Here are three questions you should answer before the stabilization period ends.
Improving Global Rail Container Visibility
To borrow the Thomas Friedman phrase, the world has truly become “flat”—open to all through technology. With this transformation, the humble shipping container has become the backbone of international commerce.
Micro-Fulfillment Explained: Key Benefits and Strategies for Ecommerce Success
Discover the key benefits of micro fulfillment and essential insights for businesses looking to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Cargo Theft on the Rise; The Impact of Truck Driver Detention; and Other Logistics News
Updates and insights on the latest supply chain and logistics news stories.
The Lean, Green Supply Chain: Where 1+1=3
The topic of sustainability is starting a trend toward supply chains that are both lean and green.
9 Types of Manufacturing Processes Every Business Should Know
Businesses rely on different types of manufacturing processes to create products, and each method serves a specific purpose. From turning raw materials into finished goods to producing at scale, manufacturing plays a critical role in meeting consumer demand across various industries. These manufacturing techniques vary based on the nature of the product, required output, and […]
Decoupling Inventory: Definition and How It Protects the Supply Chain
In today’s complex logistics and inventory management world, maintaining a resilient and efficient supply chain is more crucial than ever. One key strategy businesses employ to safeguard against disruptions is decoupling inventory. This approach helps prevent inventory shortages and ensures customer demand is consistently met. Decoupling inventory is essential for anyone involved in manufacturing processes, […]
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Lufthansa Cargo welcomed its 18th B777 freighter at Frankfurt Airport in August 2024. The long-haul freighter was transferred directly from the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington, to the cargo airline’s largest hub.
’Tis the Season to Dodge Folly
Retailers, don’t get hung up on these potential peak season pitfalls and perils.
MRO Inventory: Definition, Strategies, and Types
By comprehending the definition, types, and significance of MRO inventory, as well as implementing best practices in inventory management, businesses can optimize their supply chains and ensure smooth operations.
Marcus Chung: Guiding a Sustainable Career
RESPONSIBILITIES: Ecommerce and retail operations, supply chain, sourcing, production, sustainability, and IT. EXPERIENCE: Vice president, manufacturing and supply chain, ThirdLove; director, sourcing, Stitch Fix; vice president, responsible sourcing, The Children’s Place; director, responsible sourcing, Talbots; director, sustainability, McKesson; senior manager, social responsibility strategy, Gap Inc.; consultant, CEB (now Gartner). EDUCATION: MBA, University of California, Berkeley; […]
Strengthening the Port-Rail Connection
U.S. ports embrace rail connections through capital and technology investments designed to move cargo more efficiently and quickly.
Distributed Inventory: Definition, Management Strategies, and Benefits
Distributed inventory is a strategy for storing goods across multiple locations rather than in a single central warehouse. This approach is important in commercial shipping and logistics because it helps companies align inventory with market demand and significantly cuts delivery times. By distributing inventory, businesses can achieve greater flexibility and responsiveness, enhancing overall supply chain […]
Finished Goods Inventory: What It Is, Formula, and Examples
Finished goods inventory is a critical part of managing any manufacturing business. It refers to the final products ready for sale after the manufacturing process is complete. Efficiently managing this inventory helps companies meet customer demand, optimize stock levels, and avoid lost sales opportunities. Businesses that actively manage their finished goods inventory can reduce excess […]
Bridging the Divide: How Connector Countries Can Shape the Future of Global Trade
In a world of geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation, connector countries are essential bridges, ensuring the seamless flow of goods and fostering economic stability.
Horizontal vs. Vertical Integration: Their Key Differences
Understanding the differences between horizontal and vertical integration is key to selecting the right strategy for your business. Each approach offers unique benefits and challenges, and the choice depends on your specific business goals, industry context, and resources.
Temperature-Sensitive Mail Order Pharmaceuticals: How AI Offers a Solution to the Risk of Spoilage and Degradation
Any wrinkle in the supply chain can jeopardize the efficacy of certain pharmaceutical products. Maintaining the integrity of perishable pharmaceuticals, particularly those delivered via mail order, is a challenge that can be tackled with artificial intelligence.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
Intralogistics group Mecalux has equipped pet supplies provider Moderna Products’ plant in Belgium with an automated warehouse connected to production.
Generix SOLOCHAIN WMS Offers Smooth Implementation Process and Efficiency Gains
Packaging company Emballages Carrousel implemented the Generix SOLOCHAIN Warehouse Management System (WMS) simultaneously in five distribution centers and gained immediate efficiencies.
Inventory Management Techniques And Their Benefits
Each effective inventory management technique is crucial for helping a business maintain smooth operations and meet changing customer demands. By implementing inventory management strategies, companies can optimize their inventory management process, avoiding stockouts or overstocking.
New ERP Smooths the Way for Skin Care Company
After an exhaustive review of its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, E.T. Browne Drug Company, the maker of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, understood it needed to upgrade. By recommitting to SYSPRO, its long-time ERP provider, E.T. Browne was able to leverage a scalable solution that has enabled the venerable skin care company to reduce inventory and grow profits.
10 Tips for Strengthening Supplier Relationships
The supply chain is a business built on relationships. The stronger your relationships, the stronger your business. Here’s how to create ties that bind.
AI Power Drives Supply Chain Gymnastics
If you’re reading Inbound Logistics, you already drank the supply chain Kool-Aid. But many others in our audience are tasting the inbound logistics brew for the first time. “Inbound logistics makes sense,” they say as they sip. “But it’s a lot more complicated than just letting my vendors and logistics partners control my inbound flow. I just don’t think I can handle that.” It tastes great, […]
How Procurement Can Prepare for the Inevitable, Sustainable Future
To meet sustainability initiatives, chief procurement officers must untangle a complex web of global supply chains, dizzying individual country standards, and more. Here are the four major challenges and how they can tackle them:
9 Types of Containerized Cargo Compared and Explained
In commercial shipping and logistics, containerized cargo plays a pivotal role in facilitating the efficient transportation of goods across international borders. This method of shipping has revolutionized the industry by providing a standardized way to handle various types of cargo, making it easier to load, transport, and unload goods quickly and safely. As global trade […]
Pipeline Inventory: How To Manage It and Why It’s Important
Pipeline inventory plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of businesses across various industries. Simply put, it refers to the goods that are in transit between the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer and are not yet available for sale. Properly managing this type of inventory is essential for maintaining efficient supply chains, reducing costs, and […]
Solving the Southeast Asia Logistics Puzzle
Southeast Asia is growing as a driving force in global trade. Its logistics sector has faced several stress tests in recent years. Here’s one factor that can make a difference.
Horizontal Integration: Definition, Examples and Strategy
Understanding the nuances, potential drawbacks, and potential benefits of horizontal integration versus other growth strategies, like vertical integration, will enable you to make decisions that align with your company’s needs and aspirations.
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
One Air expanded its fleet with a third Boeing 747-400F entering service at the end of August 2024. The British cargo airline provides regular weekly full charter capacity linking Asia and Europe as well as ad hoc global charter services. It aims to double its freighter fleet by the end of 2025.
Ecommerce and Logistics Partner Up
As the ecommerce industry expands, it has brought with it a fundamental shift in how logistics companies operate. We see increasing collaboration between ecommerce companies and logistics providers like FedEx, UPS, and even Uber.
Smart Sailing: Maritime Success Strategies
Faced with a complex wave of interconnected challenges, ocean carriers keep shipments on course by refining schedules, enhancing fleets, adding new technology tools, and introducing greener fuels.
Protecting Supply Chain Trade Secrets
Very few businesses operating today do not use some kind of AI in most aspects of their operations. Therefore, the question of how to use AI to protect intellectual property, especially in global supply chains, requires some definition.
Vendor Managed Inventory: Definition, Benefits, and Challenges
Reflecting on the strategic benefits of VMI and staying informed about future trends can help companies achieve greater efficiency and success in their supply chain operations.
Supply Chain Planning: What It Is, Importance, and Examples
Effective supply chain planning is essential for running a successful business and staying ahead in today’s fast-moving market.
What’s the First Thing You Would Do to Combat Cargo Theft?
Cargo theft is surging as thieves get more strategic and steal cargo from warehouses, parking lots, truck stops, roads, and yards. Readers share the impactful actions that could deter thieves and protect shipments.
Just-in-Case vs Just-in-Time: Understanding the Differences
Inventory management systems are pivotal in commercial shipping and logistics. They influence a company’s ability to meet customer demand and manage costs effectively. Businesses today often choose between just-in-case (JIC) and just-in-time (JIT) systems, two distinct strategies that cater to different operational needs. JIC focuses on maintaining higher inventory levels as a safety net against […]
Manufacturing Overhead: Definition, Cost Types, and Management
Manufacturing overhead includes all the indirect costs associated with the manufacturing process, which are not directly tied to producing a specific product. By grasping the concept of MOH, businesses can achieve more accurate cost assessments and better financial management. This article will give a detailed overview of manufacturing overhead, its parts, and how it affects […]
Lean Warehousing: Definition, Elements, and Benefits
Lean warehousing is transforming the logistics and warehousing sectors by streamlining operations and cutting down on waste. This methodology focuses on making warehouse processes more efficient, which in turn reduces costs and enhances overall performance. By applying lean principles, businesses can significantly improve their supply chain efficiency, leading to faster delivery times and better customer […]
Ready for Takeoff: World’s Largest Cargo Plane
Currently in development by U.S. aerospace company Radia, the WindRunner is set to claim some heavy-lifting records, including greatest cargo volume. Here’s what’s on the manifest:
Supply Chain VC Update; What’s Next for U.S.-Mexico Trade; Regulations Roundup; and more Logistics News
A look at the latest news stories in global supply chain and logistics.
The Port Strike Is Over (For Now): What’s Next?
On Friday, U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports reopened following a landmark wage agreement between dockworkers and port operators, effectively ending the most significant work stoppage in nearly half a century. The strike, initiated by 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on Tuesday, disrupted operations at 36 ports from Maine to Texas. […]
Trade Tech CEO Builds a Platform for Paradigm Change
From using a typewriter and fax machine to an automated accounting process, Bryn Heimbeck has done it all. These days, he continues to strive to make all processes easier so everyone sleeps better at night.
Port Strike Update: Potential Disruptions and Economic Implications
What to expect in the short-term as the ILA dockworker’s strike carries on.
How the 2024 Presidential Election Could Impact Supply Chains
The importance of efficient and resilient supply chains cannot be overstated, and with the 2024 presidential election rapidly approaching, supply chain organizations are starting to feel the weight of political uncertainty.
The Impact of the Port Strike: Insights from Industry Experts
The ongoing port strike is a stark reminder of the fragility of supply chains and the cascading effects disruptions can have across industries. Industry experts share predictions about the impact of the strike.
Sustainable Warehousing: Definition, Best Practices, and Benefits
Understanding sustainable warehousing allows businesses to make informed decisions that align with modern environmental expectations and regulatory requirements.
Direct Materials in Manufacturing: Definition, Types, and Management
Mastering direct materials management is essential for any manufacturing business aiming to streamline operations and optimize costs. Effective handling of these materials ensures a smooth production process, from procurement to the final product.
Freight Bill Audit and Payment Providers Solve the Case
Clued in by big data and AI, providers detect anomalies and dig up crucial information that shippers can use to optimize transportation costs and improve operational efficiency.
Ice Machine Subscription Company Navigates Rapid Growth with Support from Echo Global Logistics
Echo’s specialized solutions and dedicated support team help Easy Ice scale transportation solutions throughout fast expansion and logistics hurdles.
Looming East Coast Port Strike to Impact Supply Chains
Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have stalled, leading many to believe an ILA strike may begin on October 1. Here’s how it would impact U.S. supply chains.
Returned Inventory: What It Is, Common Causes, and Processes
By leveraging technology, refining return policies, and effectively training staff, businesses can streamline their returns process, ultimately reducing costs and improving the overall customer experience.
Cross-Border Logistics for Mexico Is Complex—We Can Make It Simple
For the first half of 2024, the Census Bureau reported a record-breaking $415.4 billion in goods flowing between the United States and Mexico, but many American companies still allow transportation challenges to stop them from crossing over.
How to Integrate AI Into Your Supply Chain
Artificial intelligence is making inroads across the spectrum of logistics operations, perhaps faster than many in the industry are aware. AI is being integrated behind the scenes in a wide range of applications designed to make them—and the people who use them—exponentially more efficient. You’ll find it in various logistics applications such as route optimization, […]
Companies Prepare for Fallout from East Coast Port Strike
Disruptive strike actions have begun at major U.S. ports on the East and Gulf Coasts such as New York-New Jersey, Savannah, and Houston, exposing ports across the United States to work stoppages, shipping and cargo processing delays, and worsening backlogs. Three main scenarios could unfold.
Hats Off to Core Carriers!
Want to brim with confidence when selecting a core carrier? When weighing this critical decision, consider a range of complex factors before you tip your cap to any one trucking company.
Syfan Logistics Solves Communication Problem for Wisconsin Chemical Company
Syfan Logistics, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider, has successfully resolved a major communication challenge for a chemical company based in Wisconsin.
Six Supply Chain Strategies to Implement before Potential East Coast Port Strike
By implementing these supply chain strategies, companies can help safeguard their operations and enhance resilience against challenges created by the potential strike by dockworkers at ports along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast.
Understanding the Impact of Truck Driver Detention
Addressing the issues of truck driver detention is not just beneficial for the trucking industry; it’s essential for the health of the entire supply chain.
Unlocking Ecommerce Excellence with Generix SOLOCHAIN WMS – A Success Story
Emblem Logistics saw many ecommerce brands faced with an issue: how to respond to customers’ increasing expectations. The SOLOCHAIN WMS from Generix allowed Emblem to adapt to changing needs.
WMS 2024: Solutions Unlock Warehouse Efficiencies
Looking for inventory visibility? Seeking order accuracy? A warehouse management system (WMS) can help your company gain operational insights and tackle the ecommerce boom. Here are three leading providers that can get your warehouse running at peak levels.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
MANA Nutrition broke ground on a new 320,000-square-foot warehouse in Pooler, Georgia, four miles from the Port of Savannah. The facility, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025, will enable the company to double its current production while adding new storage capacity.
Cargo Ships Get Wind of Traditional Power Source
A millennia-old concept—wind propulsion for cargo ships—is catching on with some gusty tech innovations.
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Lufthansa Cargo started operating freighters from Munich for the first time on July 6, 2024. An A321 freighter connects Munich with Istanbul Airport twice a week, complementing the existing belly network from Munich. The new freighter connection is planned every Saturday and Sunday.
VERTICAL FOCUS: High-Value Shipments
Shipping high-value items requires special care and attention to ensure their safe arrival. By following these tips, shippers can significantly reduce the risk of damage or loss when transporting high-value items.
Value Stream Mapping: Definition, Benefits, and Implementation
Value stream mapping (VSM) is a powerful tool in logistics and supply chain management. It allows you to visualize material and information flows, helping you identify waste and find opportunities for improvement. In supply chain management, value stream mapping is essential. You can understand how raw materials and information move through your processes. This includes […]
Inventory Cycle Counting: Definition, Benefits, and How-To
Cycle counting is a crucial method in inventory management that helps businesses maintain accurate records without halting their daily operations. Unlike traditional physical inventory counts, which can be disruptive and infrequent, cycle counting involves regularly auditing small portions of inventory. The main advantage of cycle counting over traditional physical counts is its ability to provide […]
2024 Elections Could Shake Up the Global Supply Chain—Here’s Your Voter’s Guide
With elections in roughly 50 countries worldwide and U.S. voting day right around the corner, supply chain executives must understand how major shifts in trade policies could impact their operations. Here are some tactics for using supply chain design to prepare for election outcomes.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Warehouse Robotics
LocusHub: Locus Robotics’ real-time, business intelligence engine optimizes real-time coordination of Locus’ AMR fleets. A component of the LocusOne platform, LocusHub uses advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning to provide insights that can maximize productivity, lower costs, and increase warehouse intelligence. LocusHub’s reporting capabilities process operational data to forecast labor requirements, identify optimization opportunities, and give recommendations to warehouse operators.
How ESG Policy Impacts Truckers
How do ESG mandates impact trucking? Let’s take a look at some examples. Leading global transportation and logistics player DSV, with headquarters in Denmark, just ordered 300 electric vehicles from Volvo Trucks. If those trucks get the job done, DSV plans to order 2,000 more, making those EVs 10% of the 20,000 total DSV fleet […]
5 GenAI Trends, Freight Forecast & Other Supply Chain News
Today’s top supply chain news stories.