Shipper Owned Container (SOC): What It Is, Types, and Benefits

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

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.

Why We Need Advanced Manufacturing

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 […]

DC Automation Gets Real

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

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.

Shippers Get On Board With Air Cargo

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

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

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: 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 […]

NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights

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?

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

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 

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?

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 […]

Perfect Order Fulfillment: Explanation, Tips, and How to Improve

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.

Improving Global Rail Container Visibility

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.

9 Types of Manufacturing Processes Every Business Should Know

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

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

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.

Marcus Chung: Guiding a Sustainable Career

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; […]

Distributed Inventory: Definition, Management Strategies, and Benefits

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: 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 […]

Horizontal vs. Vertical Integration: Their Key Differences

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.

NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights

NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights

Intralogistics group Mecalux has equipped pet supplies provider Moderna Products’ plant in Belgium with an automated warehouse connected to production.

Inventory Management Techniques And Their Benefits

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

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.

AI Power Drives Supply Chain Gymnastics

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, […]

9 Types of Containerized Cargo Compared and Explained

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: 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 […]

IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions

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

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.

Protecting Supply Chain Trade Secrets

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.

Just-in-Case vs Just-in-Time: Understanding the Differences

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: 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: 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 […]

The Port Strike Is Over (For Now): What’s Next?

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. […]

How to Integrate AI Into Your Supply Chain

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

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!

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.

WMS 2024: Solutions Unlock Warehouse Efficiencies

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

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.

IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions

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

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: 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

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 […]

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Warehouse Robotics

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 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 […]