COVID-19 Supply Chain Resources & Strategies
Redefining Global Supply Chain Management The traditional ways of managing the supply chain may have changed forever as COVID-19 brings heightened awareness of its fragility. Every shipper, carrier, and logistics manager appreciates there could be a significant paradigm shift for future sourcing and inventory management. While just-in-time shipment delivery with tight inventory-to-sales ratios were the […]
How Can Trucking Companies Navigate COVID-19-Driven Regulation Complexity?
The coronavirus pandemic is upending logistics and the trucking industry. With many government offices closed, authorities are relaxing some regulations, such as for CDL license renewals and medical certifications. Hours-of-service regulations are temporarily suspended for drivers transporting loads of essential supplies, such as medical devices, protective equipment, food, and petroleum. SHIFTING GUIDELINES Organizations are also […]
GOOD QUESTION | How should shippers adjust their supply chains in response to the disruption caused by COVID-19?
Keep a daily pulse on supply and customer demand. Daily monitoring on COVID-19 restrictions in supplier and customer locations is essential to understanding when and where to ramp up or down capacity within your supply chain limits. It’s also important to communicate up and downstream projected manufacturing or demand signals so that your supply base […]
Helping Shippers Make Efficient and Effective Truckload Decisions
HNRY Logistics boosted its truckload brokerage offering with Logistical Labs’ LoadDex, accelerating response rates and letting shippers initiate rate requests.
Packaging Improvements: Reducing Costs and Improving Visuals
MagicLogic Optimization’s BlackBox significantly improved cartonization for True Manufacturing. The solution determines the optimal size and fill material for each box, optimizing fulfillment.
10 Tips | Managing Inbound Freight
Inbound freight can be challenging to analyze or control, but it significantly impacts operational results and costs. Traverse this “final frontier” of supply chain management by collaborating on the following strategies across departments.
3 Ways to Mitigate Supply Chain Slowdowns
As the supply chain faces factory closures and limited access to employees and logistics to move goods amid the COVID-19 outbreak, leaders can help ease disruption by focusing on their workforce, products, and costs. Gartner recommends: 1. Support Your Workforce To limit the impact of COVID-19, governments and employers instructed many employees to stay at […]
This Is Not a Drill
Create an agile, real-time approach. Have an effective communication strategy, one that includes internal users, vendors, and carrier partners.
UPS Upgrades Unmanned Drone Fleet
UPS drone delivery subsidiary UPS Flight Forward will collaborate with German drone-maker Wingcopter to develop the next generation of package delivery drones for multiple uses in the United States and internationally. Both companies will work toward earning regulatory certification for a Wingcopter unmanned aircraft to make commercial delivery flights in the United States and build […]
Sysco Shifts Fleet to Grocery Supply Chain
Multinational food distribution company Sysco Corporation, based in Houston, launched several new grocery sector-focused initiatives in response to reduced customer demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sysco has one of the largest trucking fleets in the United States, with approximately 14,000 delivery vehicles consisting of tractors, trailers, vans, and panel trucks. The company employs 69,000 people. […]
Do You Have Bad Strategies or Bad Data?
Q: Why do most supply chain strategies fail? A: It comes down to data. Most companies have data quality issues. Companies make decisions with no data, partial data or, worse, misleading data. The misleading data is the worst because it looks right, but is inaccurate. Decisions made with incorrect data lead to no cost savings […]
Labeling Is Key in Keeping Up with Today’s Supply Chain
COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for supply chain and logistics management. Products like canned food, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies have seen a significant rise in demand, while the demand for oil and refined products has slowed down. At the same time, e-commerce is booming, and some companies are struggling to meet the demand. Multiple […]
Battling Through Crisis Together
As society adjusts to the impact of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, many households have stockpiled goods for safety reassurance. With retail stores being one of the few businesses that remain open to the general public, supply chain operations have had to embrace creativity to deliver effectively. Q: What are some of the bigger challenges that […]
3PLs Flex Their Tech Muscle
By increasing visibility, flexibility, and accuracy, the latest technology pumps up 3PLs’ ability to move, store, and fulfill shippers’ orders—even amidst supply chain disruptions.
How to Manage LTL Spend with a TMS
If you don’t know how much your company spends on LTL shipments, you’re not alone. Because of the complex nature of LTL moves and the complicated pricing structure, you may be paying more than you need to and leaving margin dollars on the table. For small to mid-size companies that ship LTL several times a […]
U.S. States Reopen During COVID-19 Pandemic
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, is allowing her state to start reopening on April 30, 2020, after her stay-at-home order expires. “As of this week, we no longer believe our hospitals will see an overwhelming amount of ICU patients who need ventilators, as we once believed, and that is sure good news,” Ivey said. […]
COVID-19 Pandemic: Do Your Shipments Have the Right Protection?
Despite the many events that can disrupt today’s complex global supply chains, shippers too often don’t make cargo risk-management planning a priority for their business. But now, with the emergence of the coronavirus and its disruption of global trade, many shippers are seeing the value in such planning. Shipping delays are a very real possibility […]
Disruptions in Today’s Economy: How Can Supply Chains Prepare?
How can we better prepare to minimize the risks that disruptions present and mitigate their impact? Here’s how to build a more flexible and agile supply chain.
Uncorking Automation Bottlenecks
Although 57% of organizations say they’re piloting automation processes and 93% of employees are optimistic automation will make their jobs easier, digital transformation efforts often fall apart, according to a new McKinsey survey. Many companies rely on IT to drive transformation without engaging other departments, creating bottlenecks. Company size and the structure of automation efforts […]
Continued Support Through Seasonality
A premium CPG company turned to Hub Group to develop a dynamic solution to eliminate supply chain inefficiencies and support a surge in volume.
How IoT Can Optimize Overwhelmed Supply Chains
With more and more brick-and-mortar shops temporarily closing their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s immense pressure on retailers to deliver much-needed supplies to individuals at home. More packages—including crucial deliveries of food, medications and sanitation supplies—need to be shipped, which increases the pressure on supply chains to perform as efficiently as possible. At […]
Alaska: Rewarding the Resilient and Resourceful
Logistics providers in Alaska are on top of the world, literally and figuratively. They are a special breed prepared for every challenge the Last Frontier poses.
COVID-19 Is Supply Chain’s Wake-Up Call
The power of centralized organizations must harness and unleash the strengths of decentralized communities to help beat this crisis.
4 Ways to Safeguard and Stabilize Your Supply Chain
Stabilizing core business operations, managing risk, and taking steps to perfect and enforce rights under existing agreements and insurance policies should be key priorities at this stage of your company’s response to COVID-19. Here are four strategies for supply chain professionals, in-house counsel, and risk managers to keep in mind as they work with their […]
Logistics Lexicon for the Times
Always responder Logistics professional who keeps goods moving at all times, including crisis situations. Replenishment algorithms If-then inventory scenarios that can be adjusted to ensure grocery supply chains can respond to surging demand. No-contact or contactless delivery Completing transport to a prearranged location without any face-to-face interaction. […]
SPOTLIGHT | Materials Handling Innovations
Senergy Motor Drive Rollers (MDRs): Senergy MDRs from PULSEROLLER can move materials at different speeds—designed for both lower-speed, heavy-duty applications such as pallet handling and high-speed carton or tote handling. The rollers can reach speeds up to 1,000 feet per minute, with a starting torque up to 215 in/lb. They’re also quieter than a typical […]
Amazon Shoppers Won’t Abandon Ship
Many U.S. consumers have negative feelings toward Amazon’s impact on the retail industry and the environment, according to a recent consumer survey by Convey. The negative sentiment, however, doesn’t translate to lost sales. The key to Amazon’s success is its industry-disrupting shipping. Major findings include: 25% of Americans have negative feelings about Amazon’s impact on […]
Supply Chain Execs Brace for Global Slowdown
Supply chain industry executives anticipate a recession in 2020 amid concerns about downward pressure on global trade volumes, uncertain growth prospects, and ongoing friction between the United States and China. A recession is likely in the next 12 months, according to 64% of industry professionals surveyed for the 2020 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index (see […]
Robots Arrive in Cars
North American robot unit orders increased 1.6% in 2019 compared to 2018 with 29,988 robotic units ordered, according to the Robotic Industries Association. The largest driver of the growth was a 50.5% increase in orders from automotive original equipment manufacturers and a 16.6% increase from the plastics and rubber industry. Orders to automotive component markets […]
5 Operational Actions Shippers Can Take to Build Resilience
As the COVID-19 crisis and focus spreads, specifically in the United States—leading the world in reported confirmed cases north of 124,000 as of March 29, 2020—businesses and supply chains continue to come under increased pressure and are put to the test on a daily basis. As shippers apply current lessons learned from the pandemic to […]
Noted: The Supply Chain in Brief-Apr 2020
Green Seeds The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor and South Shore Clean Cities reduced diesel emissions throughout the port and started several sustainable projects, such as constructing a trucker lounge and paved truck-marshalling yard. H&M is sharing its sustainable supply chain expertise—in everything from product development and sourcing to production and logistics—with smaller brands. The fast-fashion […]
When Bad Things Happen to Good Supply Chains
In the face of trade uncertainty and disruption, importers stay resilient.
Ahora todos lo saben
Keith Biondo es publisher de la revista norteamericana Inbound Logistics. Algunas categorías de búsqueda en la plataforma Inbound Logistics han subido más del 108%. ¿Qué buscan las empresas? Soluciones de logística, transportistas, ayuda de cumplimiento, soluciones de almacén, tecnología de gestión y soluciones 3PL, por nombrar algunas. La lucha por soluciones logísticas y experiencia está […]
Replenishing the Fuel Supply Chain During COVID-19
When we head to the gas station, we rarely think twice about whether there will be fuel at the pump. Fuel supply management is never really a concern for consumers until there is a shortage or a pandemic, such as COVID-19. But for supply chain managers, the coordination and smart replenishment of fuel are monitored […]
Georgia: Logistics Focal Point
Companies set their sights on Georgia with its booming
ocean ports, bustling airport, and thousands of miles of highway and railroads.
Global Trade Management Systems: A Smart Bet
What’s the payout on global trade management (GTM) systems? They help organizations comply with trade regulations and tariffs, automate transactions, and gain supply chain visibility. Leverage the information captured by the GTM and you hit the jackpot.
Business Intelligence: The Key to Success in Asia Pacific
The Asia Pacific region is becoming the next supply chain battleground. Instead of being a low-cost manufacturing region, it is developing into a significant marketplace as affluence and consumer demand increases. Many multinational corporations are already shifting key business functions to Asia Pacific to better understand the market and position themselves to capitalize on burgeoning […]
Now They Know
Some search categories on the Inbound Logistics platform are up more than 108%. What are companies looking for? Logistics solutions, such as more carrier lift in certain areas, fulfillment help, warehouse solutions, transportation management technology, and 3PL solutions, to name a few. The scramble for logistics solutions and expertise is on. Everyone needs what you […]
What supply chain insight would you share with your younger self?
Supply chains are more straightforward than they appear. All the acronyms and industry-specific terms seem confusing, but they’re all in service of moving things from origin to destination. —Ethan Frisch Co-founder Burlap and Barrel Take emotion out of your decision making and always be forward thinking with your long-term strategic plan in mind. Take care […]
Flexing Muscle on China Trade Compliance
The Trump administration is using a novel approach—e-commerce shipment enforcement—to ensure that China complies with Phase 1 of the U.S.-China trade deal signed in January 2020. Trade compliance intersects with billions of dollars of e-commerce shipments in Operation Mega Flex, which the Department of Homeland Security outlined in late February 2020. Mega Flex targets what […]
Accounting for Lean
While it’s one thing to have a lean supply chain, it’s another thing to properly account for it.
How Supply Chain Managers Can Help Their Business Recover from COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is negatively affecting the global economy, and supply chains are especially affected. The Institute of Supply Management’s survey assessing the short- and long-term impacts of the outbreak shows that nearly 75% of businesses report supply chain disruptions due to transportation restrictions related to COVID-19. The survey further highlighted that 16% of these […]
10 Ways to Prepare for Global Trade Disruption
Finished goods importers are especially vulnerable when unexpected disruptions take place. These suggestions can help you through what is shaping up to be a trying 2020.
Transport Companies Stamp U.S. Postal Service Suppliers List
The number of transportation companies at the top of Husch Blackwell’s Top 150 U.S. Postal Service Suppliers list—an annual look at the companies with the largest supplier relationships with the Postal Service—increased in 2019. Seven of the top 10 suppliers are involved in transportation, which is one more than in fiscal year 2018. As it […]
5 Crucial Ways Warehouse Managers Can Improve Warehouse Efficiency
If one thinks of today’s Amazon-era supply chain as a sports car, warehouses would most definitely be the engine that makes it “go.” If you’re a manager or warehouse operator, however, you know that there is a single all-important element that fuels that engine, and it makes all of the difference between smooth, supercharged performance […]
Cultivating Raw Talent
Stephanie Benedetto is co-founder and CEO of Queen of Raw, an online marketplace that makes buying and selling unused fabrics efficient and transparent. Responsibilities: Developing and enhancing Queen of Raw’s blockchain-enabled marketplace for unused materials, hiring and managing staff, attracting both customers and suppliers. Experience: Associate, Baker Botts; associate, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft; legal assistant, […]
2020 Global Logistics Guide
Inbound Logistics’ 16th annual Global Logistics Guide provides an around-the-world look at the issues, opportunities, and concerns likely to affect global supply chain networks.
4 Steps to Ensure Port Resiliency After a Critical Incident
Across the nation, seaports support more than 30 million jobs and have an economic impact of more than $5 trillion. In my home state of Florida, our ports support nearly one million jobs and have an annual impact of more than $117 billion.
7 Smart Steps to Minimize Risk
Inherent risks exist in trading globally that businesses don’t have to deal with when they keep things closer to home. But the rewards of expanding to new markets can far outweigh those hazards, especially if you take the following steps to minimize and manage your exposure to risks.
There’s No Business Like Shoe Business
About 12 years ago, G. Brent Barkin, the son of Shoe Station founder Terry S. Barkin, urged his father to start a website for the family-owned business. The senior Barkin followed his son’s advice and invested some money in creating a new channel. But he had his doubts, asking, “Who’s going to buy shoes from a website?”
E-Commerce Engine Technology Revs Up Efficiency
E-commerce has remapped supply chains. Across both business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions, technology is taking on the complexity caused by this shift and driving efficiency.
Supply Chain Labeling and Logistics: How to Deal with Customer and Regulatory Requirements
When it comes to logistics, the speed and convenience of e-commerce has led to changing expectations in the business-to-consumer sector. Many leading third-party logistics (3PL) groups say their customers expect the same level of speed and convenience that they’d get from an e-commerce platform. Customers want the ability to see their cargo in near-real time […]
The Need for Speed: Overcoming the Final Hurdles to Faster E-Commerce Deliveries
Retailers need to address new challenges, from bolstering distribution networks to managing complexity, to continue to expand their e-commerce operations.
Blockchain Pilots Aren’t Landing
A majority (80%) of supply chain blockchain initiatives will stay at the pilot stage through 2022, according to new Gartner research. Many organizations pushed to create robust use cases for the supply chain; however, most were inspired by banking and insurance pilots, and didn’t translate to supply chain. This should not discourage supply chain leaders […]
2020 Global Trade Management Guide
Global trade management (GTM) systems connect sourcing and logistics to make global trade transparent, efficient, and cost effective. From resource planning and transportation management to analytics, these top 30 GTM companies can help take the stress out of managing your global supply chain.
True Next Day—Why It Matters
As retailers compete for the perfect delivery experience and consumers continue to pay premiums for speed and reliability, last mile delivery drives growth and profitability.
Employee Engagement Is Your New Success Metric
Globally, 85% of employees report that they’re either not engaged or are actively disengaged within their jobs, according to a 2019 Gallup study. This is a big factor in employee turnover, because disengaged team members often feel underequipped, underdeveloped, and underappreciated. Logistics leaders who recognize and further engage their employees will reap long-term and short-term […]
Caffeine Fix: Mug Maker Meets Brewing Demand
With their temperature-controlled mugs in high demand on a global scale, manufacturer Ember turned to SEKO Logistics to handle an influx of orders and help establish a supply chain.
Inland Ports: An Efficient Alternative
Coastal seaports remain pivotal components of many supply chains. Yet, for U.S. manufacturers and distributors scouting new locations, nearby real estate options are pricey, scarce, and/or stuck in a web of congested roadways. One viable solution is inland ports—intermodal terminals directly connected to seaports by rail or road.
Is Your Supply Chain Resilient? How Manufacturers Can Map Dependencies and Minimize Risk During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically disrupted many global supply chains, and there is no way of knowing when the disruptions will peak or begin to return “normal.” Presently, the focus on public health and welfare is paramount—the ability of nations to contain the pandemic comes first. But the health of the global economy is also […]
Why Hub Group?: ‘100% End-to-End Visibility at the SKU Level’
A growing CPG company benefits in multiple ways as Hub Group optimizes its supply chain with a streamlined outsource strategy.
State of Retail Tech
Equity funding to retail tech companies slowed globally in 2019—down 31% to $45.2 billion—largely due to a slide in funding to e-commerce platforms and enabling technologies, finds CB Insights’ State of Retail Tech report, a comprehensive look into retail trends from 2019 and what to look for in 2020. Specifically, funding to supply chain and […]
Warehouse 2020
From materials handling workhorses to voice-activated picking systems and DC reconfigurations, let’s take stock of the warehouse solutions powering e-commerce success.
5 Steps to a Contract High
In the mid-2000s, a U.S. computer manufacturer signed a long-term contract with an overnight delivery service to transport its products. By the eighth year of the 10-year contract, both the manufacturer and carrier wanted out. But both companies knew ending the agreement would be a lose-lose. The result: two years of distrust, retaliatory measures, and […]
Streamlining E-Commerce Fulfillment
Creating an efficient e-commerce fulfillment strategy isn’t easy. Here are tips every digital retailer needs to know to simplify the process.
Automated Materials Handling Gets a Lift
A labor market in which it is increasingly difficult to recruit, train, and retain workers is a major factor driving growth of the automated materials handling equipment market in North America, finds a report by BCC Research. The market expects a compound annual growth rate of 7.1% through 2024 and may be worth $28.7 billion. […]
VERTICAL FOCUS | Automotive
On the Road to Sustainable Mobility Mercedes-Benz, working with Circulor, a startup specializing in blockchain technology, is conducting a pilot project dubbed Ambition 2039 that aims for a carbon-neutral new passenger car fleet in less than 20 years. This transformation will require detailed knowledge of all climate-relevant processes associated with the entire vehicle value chain. […]
Predicting the Future of Consumer Demand
Improving demand forecasting is a priority for manufacturers—61% of respondents to a recent AIMMS report say that improving forecast accuracy is either important or extremely important for their organizations. However, only 2% of respondents are extremely satisfied with their forecasts. Many bet on new technologies such as machine learning and demand sensing to improve forecast […]
Going in Reverse in the Circular Economy
While 70% of supply chain leaders plan to invest in the circular economy in 2020-2021, only 12% have aligned their digital and circular economy strategies so far, according to a recent survey by Gartner. About 27% of respondents currently use digital technologies to improve reverse logistics, and 39% plan to do so in the next […]
3PL Market Revenue to Cross $1.8 Trillion by 2026
Growing demand for low-cost services and a rapidly expanding e-commerce sector will boost the market valuation of third-party logistics (3PL) to $1.8 trillion by 2026.
Useful COVID-19 Information & Guidance
The following links provide practical information and official guidance related to COVID-19, including new workplace guidelines, frequently asked questions, and updates from the government. CDC’s official guide for business OSHA’s guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 EPA’s list of disinfectants suitable for use against COVID-19 John Hopkin’s Coronavirus Dashboard showing real-time data on COVID-19 spread […]
Map Mishaps Throw Last-Mile Drivers Off Course
Nearly all last-mile delivery drivers say they would be more effective if they had better maps, according to a new report from Mapillary, a street-level imagery platform that uses computer vision to automate mapping. The delivery industry is racking up $2.5 billion in wasted salary and $611 million in extra miles due to bad maps, […]
How 3PLs Can Minimize Claims and Help Customers Understand Liability
3PLs can become an ally for their customers in the event of a loss, damage, or delay, providing outstanding customer service and support during the claims process.
Preparing for the New World of Work
The first, second, and third industrial revolutions were built around some form of energy: The first was fueled by steam, the second by electricity, and the third by nuclear power. Enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, powered by smart, autonomous systems that use data and machine learning as their fuel.
Finding a Strategic Supply Chain Partner
Q: Companies have many choices when looking for transportation solutions today. What are the important factors to consider when selecting a strategic partner? A: In this ever-changing environment marked by varying availability and unpredictable market behavior, you need a partner who can handle these challenges while you focus on growing your business. You need a […]
From Sea to Supermarket: Tracking the Catch of the Day
In an age when consumers keep pushing companies to prove their sustainability, social responsibility, and fair trade track record, Bumble Bee Foods is counting on its blockchain project with SAP to earn high marks.
Shippers Have Hope for 2020
What supply chain challenges did shippers experience in 2019, and what supply chain services held their interest compared to previous years? The Averitt Express 2019 State of the North American Supply Chain survey of more than 1,800 shippers from a variety of industries throughout North America finds: 66.2% of shippers anticipate increased shipping volumes in […]
6 Work From Home Tips for Manufacturing Professionals
When you begin working from home, you may feel a sense of freedom wash over you. Telecommuting means more free time and no stressful commute. However, after a few days, you may start to feel isolated, uninformed, and less effective than usual—especially if you’ve been asked to work from home because of a traumatic event, […]
GOOD QUESTION | What Supply Chain Terms Do People Sometimes Confuse?
Carrier vs. broker or 3PL. Shippers often don’t recognize the value difference—and motivations—of an asset owner versus a non-asset player. We’re measured the same, but when the rubber meets the road, it’s the asset provider who has to deliver. The key is to understand where a broker brings value. Greg Orr President, CFI Savings vs. […]
Swinging for the Fences
Before a single major leaguer steps up to the plate on opening day March 26, 2020, industry players are already scoring with supply chain team-ups and spring training send-offs.
Eliminating Extra Costs From Double, Triple Orders
Multiple orders moving the same day to the same customer but on different bills of lading add up costs for shippers. The solution is to consolidate them.
The Global Economic Impact of COVID-19
When the novel coronavirus, now named COVID-19, first crept up in the city of Wuhan, China, in early 2020, no one could have predicted how this new virus would ultimately disrupt the global economy. Now, many around the world are contemplating how global supply chains may be affected and how things will play out in the next few months.
Making Sense of Supply Chain Education
Class is in session! Professors at some of the country’s leading supply chain education programs join Inbound Logistics for a lesson in how they are preparing the next generation of professionals, whether they come from business programs or engineering schools, for tomorrow’s challenges.
Warehouse Sustainability Doesn’t Measure Up
Only a small number of warehouse operators—18% of those surveyed—currently use sustainability metrics to analyze their environmental impact, finds a new Transport Intelligence warehouse benchmarking survey. Of those who do use sustainability metrics, not one was able to say how much energy they used per square meter or how much carbon dioxide they produced at […]
Gearing Up for a Bright Supply Chain Future
Logistics providers, retailers, and other large global movers are applying a mix of enabling technologies and innovative business models to drive the efficiency and supply chain orchestration needed to meet tomorrow’s package volume demand and capture market share, finds Deloitte’s recent Future of the Movement of Goods study. With growing e-commerce, shifting trade patterns, and […]
Last Mile Delivery Strategies During COVID-19 and Other Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply chains and carriers keep the global economy working amid the unprecedented conditions resulting from COVID-19, but they can seize up under extreme strain.
AI Powers Sustainable Manufacturing
One of the greatest potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) is helping the world become more sustainable. This includes addressing the three P’s of sustainability—people, planet, and profit—in manufacturing.
Plan B: 5 Ways to Weatherproof Your Supply Chain
From establishing secondary suppliers to setting up alternative routes, here’s how Plan B strategies can keep you up and running, even during extreme weather events.
Building a Case for Blockchain
Asset-tracking and traceability are the top uses for distributed ledger technology (see chart), highlighting the need for improved management as supply chains evolve from linear models to multitiered networks, says a PwC report. About 52% of business leaders say asset-tracking and traceability are the best applications for blockchain technology. Among those respondents, 52% identify trade […]
Robot Return Ratios
More robots are on the way to Walmart, says John Crecelius, the retailer’s vice president in charge of in-store innovations. Walmart will add shelf-scanning Bossa Nova robots to 650 more U.S. stores in 2020, for a total of 1,000 or more by the fall. Either Bossa Nova or Simbe robots will be in “the majority” […]
Transporting Cars: RoRo or Containers
The automotive supply chain is global and complex. The integration of smart solutions such as containerization maximizes the safety of the product, no matter how far it will travel to the final destination. Using containerization in place of traditional roll-on roll-off, or RoRo, transportation offers many advantages to the driver, the automotive supplier, and the consumer.
How Supply Chain Drives Business Value
World-class companies such as Apple, Cisco, Amazon, and Unilever have found a way to foster strong collaboration between their supply chain and commercial teams to execute business strategy, and this is a key driver in their success.
Leveraging Your Suppliers: What You Can Do for Me
Engaging in strategic partnerships with suppliers can net big gains.
2020 Reading Guide
It’s time to open up that book you’ve been meaning to read. These titles will help you catch up on the latest deep dives into the world of logistics.
Atlanta Hits the Spot
Atlanta, Georgia, takes the top spot as the easiest market to find spot truckload van freight in 2019, according to a DAT Solutions report. Because spot freight is unscheduled, it can be a useful indicator of economic activity. Take a look at the top 10 markets in 2019 for outbound truckload freight by equipment type. […]
How Does Coronavirus Impact the Supply Chain, and How Can Retailers Minimize Disruption?
With the new coronavirus impacting supply chains globally and shifting consumer spending habits, retailers must assess their response on a daily—or even hourly—basis. COVID-19 has impacted the supply chain by limiting access to employees due to quarantines, closing factories or slowing down manufacturers, and limiting access to logistics to move goods, according to Gartner. Retailers can minimize these disruptions in three ways:
SPOTLIGHT | Technology Innovations
These innovations connect supply chain stakeholders to enable instant booking, seamless collaboration, and increased visibility.
The Ultimate RFP Checklist for Shippers: Essential Things to Include in Every Bid
When it comes to creating a successful request for proposal (RFP), it’s all about dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s. The clearer your RFP, the easier it will be for third-party logistics (3PL) providers to understand your requirements and provide the information you need to make an informed selection.
Surge Protector
About 35 years ago, Mark Hogan left a successful career as an accountant to pursue a job in freight transportation. He hasn’t looked back.