Bulk Cargo: Definition, Containers, and Handling

Bulk cargo poses unique handling and transportation challenges, due to its volume and weight. Effective bulk cargo handling requires a comprehensive understanding of the specific materials in transit and the appropriate storage, handling, and transportation methods to ensure safety and efficiency throughout the transaction. Container handling systems quickly and efficiently unload, load, and handle bulk […]

Bonded Warehouse: Definition, Classes, and Benefits

International trade has increased by about 3.5% from the previous year, reflecting a trend that has been growing over several years. The increase in international shipping can be attributed in part to a growing global economy, which has introduced several new business opportunities. However, inventory storage remains a limiting factor as some products are fragile […]

10 Tips: Choosing a Freight Bill Audit and Payment Provider

When it’s time to select a freight audit and payment provider, evaluate the services and solutions each prospective company offers against what your company needs. Here are 10 capabilities to consider.

VERTICAL FOCUS: Home Improvement

Building Smarter Homes Consumers love their smart home devices. Spending on smart home hardware that includes individual devices, such as automated lighting systems and controllers, grew in 2022. It surpassed $30 billion worldwide, up 15% over 2021 spending, according to an ABI Research market data report. Manufacturers have taken notice. The largest consumer technology and […]

Easter Eggs-travaganza

With a Little Help From My Friendshoring

For more than 40 years, economic policies encouraged companies in the developed world to move production offshore to reap the benefits of cheap labor and raw materials. But times are changing.

Bye, Bye Barcode?

For more than 70 years, the barcode has been an integral component of nearly all supply chains. But is the ubiquitous technology taking its last breaths after Amazon announced it is developing a new warehouse reader technology?

Snail Mail Goes Green

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is ready to deliver your mail greener and quieter. As it begins to replace its aging fleet of more than 220,000 vehicles, USPS expects to acquire at least 66,000 battery electric delivery vehicles as part of its 106,000 vehicle acquisition plan between now and 2028. As part of a […]

Follow the Process

Process automation plays an important role in building supply chains, finds a benchmark report from Precisely and SAPinsider.

What Keeps CEOs Up at Night?

Fears of inflation, recession, and overall slow growth are the top worries interrupting the sleep of many CEOs around the world.

SMBs Find Ways to Compete

The business disruptions of the past few years have made it harder to optimize supply chains and forced all businesses to examine the best use of resources. It’s tough enough for large companies with deep pockets, but how are small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) adapting?

IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions

Technology Pio (Product In/Out), a plug-and-play version of AutoStore’s cube storage technology tailored for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), is now available in North America. Based on a pay-per-pick service model, Pio allows SMBs, such as retailers of apparel, sporting goods, crafts, and cosmetics, to deploy robotic automation for storage and distribution for a relatively […]

Warehouse Slotting: Definition, Benefits, and Best Practices

Planning and organization are the cornerstones of a successful warehouse. When a company’s inventory products are in their proper locations, pickers can quickly assemble and dispatch orders, increasing productivity and overall efficiency. This article explains warehouse slotting, its benefits, and best practices. What Is Slotting? Slotting refers to organizing warehouse inventory to maximize the efficiency […]

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 all or part of these functions can improve efficiency and in some cases, reduce costs. This article describes the concept of outsourcing, as well as the pros, cons, and examples of outsourced functions. This information is intended […]

Supply Planning: Definition, Process, and Best Practices

Supply planning is a business management tool that impacts supply, demand, and inventory levels. Retailers use supply chain planning systems to provide projected demand for products and materials needed to support those demands.  The process is designed to balance plans for future demand with the availability of goods in inventory. Supply planning helps companies determine […]

Supply Chain Education Kindles New Skills

Eager to turn the page on disruption and upheaval, supply chain programs bookmark critical skill sets and help prepare future leaders and logisticians.

GOOD QUESTION: What’s your biggest supply chain takeaway from peak season?

With peak season 2022 in the rear view, readers and industry insiders reveal key lessons and insights.

Finding Stability in a Turbulent Truckload Market

SMC³’s Cost Intelligence System provides a freight costing tool that helps carriers make better decisions and achieve profitability in both inflationary and deflationary times.

Omnichannel Fulfillment for Retail E-Commerce

Here’s how to double shipping capacity without doubling your staff. Start with a full stack warehouse management system (WMS) toolset.

Education: A Call to Action

A lot of transportation, logistics, and supply chain expertise is cycling out of day-to-day operations in the United States and it is worrisome.

NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights

Good Works Toyota Material Handling Solutions (TMHS) donated $2,500 to The Foodbank of Southern California. TMHS associates (pictured) also collected 500 pounds of canned goods to accompany the cash donation. The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) launched an initiative funded through a Walmart Foundation grant to provide disaster-focused non-profits with the opportunity to apply best […]

Logistics Disasters: Hang On

As extreme weather events increase in number and severity, logistics professionals must overcome some wet and wild challenges to deliver much-needed disaster relief supplies as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Managing Your Automated Warehouse

While more than 80% of warehouses are not automated, everyone is thinking about it. As supply chain technology continues to evolve, here’s what to consider if it’s time for you to implement automation and robotics to improve warehouse operations.

LeaderSHIP Profile: Omnidirectional Capability

Because he leads by consensus and allows team members to course-correct on their own, JJ Schickel can devote his time to creating innovative solutions that help customers sleep better.

Leveraging NFTs to Elevate Shipment Security

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have the potential to revolutionize shipping. By digitizing the shipment process and providing a secure, tamper-proof way to track shipments, NFTs can help shippers protect their valuable cargo from theft and fraud.

4 Ways Procurement Will Evolve in 2023

It may be easy for procurement professionals to have a dampened outlook for 2023 due to ongoing supply chain disruption and a potential recession looming. Despite these market conditions, there remains cause for optimism, as procurement leaders uncover opportunities to help their organizations navigate bumps in the road.

Collaboration and Connectivity Have to Come Before Technology

Supply chain disruptions are at an all-time high, so it’s no surprise that technology designed to solve problems is plentiful. It should be. With pressure on everyone in the supply chain, we need tools like digital bookings, automated invoicing, and instant integration of data into transportation management systems. Let’s give thanks for technology, because nine times out of 10, it makes a difference.

Plastic vs. Wood Pallets: Key Differences and Comparisons

Pallets are flat platforms used as a base for storing, stacking, handling, and transporting goods and products. Their design allows for lifting by a pallet jack, forklift, or other material-handling equipment. This design facilitates the efficient movement of goods through the supply chain, enabling easy loading and unloading onto trucks, ships, and other vehicles. Plastic […]

Proforma vs. Commercial Invoice: Definitions, Examples, and Differences

There are significant differences between a proforma and a commercial invoice. Both documents look alike, so it is important to know how to differentiate one from the other. What Is a Proforma Invoice? A proforma invoice may answer a letter of inquiry from a potential buyer or provide the terms of a final invoice, so […]

Order Fulfillment: Meaning, Process, and How To Optimize

Order fulfillment is a crucial part of the overall sales process. The process of order fulfillment can be complex and time-consuming. However, it can be optimized with the right strategies and ultimately improve customer satisfaction, increase repeat business, and reduce costs. Let’s review the meaning, process, and ways to optimize order fulfillment for your business. […]

Discrete Manufacturing: Definition, Benefits, and Examples

In the past, manufacturing tended to involve long assembly lines with armies of workers playing a part in creating the finished products. This description fits well for conventional manufacturing industries. However, with rapid technological advancements, various alternative manufacturing options exist now. Discrete manufacturing is one of the most prevalent manufacturing processes that utilize a production […]

Just In Time Manufacturing: Definition, Benefits, and Origin

New technologies, raw materials, and production strategies are being adopted daily as companies strive to remain competitive in their respective industries and to meet changing customers’ demands. Manufacturers must remain flexible and adaptable in their production methods to allow adjustments to their supply chain.  Manufacturers can adopt many different production strategies, each with advantages and […]

Electronic Data Interchange: Definition, Process, and Benefits

The use of technology is rapidly increasing in many industry sectors worldwide, including logistics. Technologies such as cloud computing and IoT devices have enabled logistics companies to access real-time data and improve the coordination of their operations. One key improvement area is how Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is used in logistics operations. This technology has […]

Order Picking: Definition, Methods, and Advantages

Order picking is the process of products being retrieved from warehouse inventory to fulfill orders by customers. This article will describe order picking, how it works, and ways order picking processes can improve supply chain and business results. What is Order Picking? Order picking, or the warehouse picking process, refers to selecting items from a […]

Logistics Optimization: Importance, Process, and Optimization

Supply chain management refers to all the steps necessary to ensure goods reach their destinations. Consumer expectations have increased steadily, requiring companies to operate supply chains as effectively as possible to meet the demands of commerce. Logistics optimization is a strategy that companies implement to meet the growing demand for fast and efficient supply chain […]

Near Sourcing: Definition, Benefits, and Drawbacks

Near sourcing is a business strategy that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It involves shifting production and services closer to the point of sale or consumption rather than relying on global supply chains. It can offer numerous advantages such as reduced shipping costs, faster delivery times, and improved environmental sustainability; however, there are […]

Supply Chain vs. Logistics: Definitions, Similarities, and Differences

As companies continue to grow, it is important to understand the differences between supply chain and logistics. Although related, the two have distinct attributes that can substantially influence how businesses manage their activities.  This article explores supply chain vs. logistics – what they mean, how they differ from each other, and the integration opportunities. The […]

9 Types of Air Cargo: A Guide To Transporting Goods by Plane 

The ability to transport goods quickly, securely, and cost-effectively is crucial for many businesses. Air cargo offers a fast, reliable way of moving products around the world. It represents 35% of global trade by value to the tune of $6.8 trillion annually.  This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of air cargo, […]

LeaderSHIP Profile: Right on the Dot

Bryan Langston has had a busy few years. He’s getting his company back up to speed after the pandemic; focusing on driver safety, training, and retention; and opening a new distribution center. But, he is never too busy to be there for all his employees and his door is always open.

10 TIPS: Make Your Supply Chain Data Work for You

The term “big data” describes harnessing information from disparate systems and situating it in one place for deep analysis. Some companies thought this was a fad, but supply chain data is the lifeblood of your business. Here’s how to make it work for you.

NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights

Good Works J.B. Hunt Transport Services awarded $55,000 to 55 classrooms as part of its Adopt-a-Class program, which provides schools with resources to obtain learning supplies and other essentials. Atlanta-based Americold and Feed the Children worked with the Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs-Welcoming Atlanta to distribute 8,000 ready-to-eat meal kits to students throughout December […]

VERTICAL FOCUS: Pet Supplies

Biofuels: A Pet Peeve A proposed EPA rule has the pet industry howling. The rule would establish required Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes and percentage standards for 2023, 2024, and 2025 (see chart). The EPA also recommended a series of modifications to strengthen and expand the RFS program. The pet food industry’s response was swift […]

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 two […]

Gary Harber: A Window Into Success

Gary Harber is distribution manager for Milgard Windows and Doors, a residential window and door manufacturer based in Tacoma, Washington.

Site Selection: How to Optimize Your Distribution Network

In the search to map out the best location for your next distribution center, anticipating what lies on the road ahead is as vital as understanding your company’s immediate priorities and needs.

U.S. Ports: New and Notable Developments

At a time when simply staying the course could be considered an achievement, ports across the country are making significant advancements in their capabilities to serve shippers.

Five Factors to Consider: Intermodal or Truck

2022’s capacity crunch is in the rearview mirror, but it’s never too early to plan for the next upcycle. Here’s how to choose your optimal ground transportation mode.

Most Read Articles of 2022

The challenges of the past few years did not ease up in 2022. Here are some articles covering practical strategies that readers turned to for advice last year.

The Best Strategies for E-Fulfillment Success

E-commerce fulfillment gets a lift from inventory management, variability strategies, and innovative technology.

E-Commerce Evolves

E-commerce companies carve out success through a unified approach to omnichannel order management and distribution, along with a focus on demand planning.

Core Carriers or Load Boards? Striking the Right Balance

In today’s freight climate, finding capacity via core carriers or load boards are both solid options. Here’s how to weigh the advantages of using core carriers against the necessity of turning to load boards and the spot market.

Delivering for Customers from the Last Mile to the Final Inch

Whether the last mile of delivery is actually one mile or several hundred miles, shippers are meeting customer expectations and reducing costs by building carrier relationships and leveraging technology.

Transportation Strategies to Offset Inflation

Business professionals have had a tough time navigating fluctuating logistics costs over the past two years. But hold on! There are ways to keep your balance while negotiating price increases.

Too Hot. Too Cold. Just Right.

Flowers, pharma, chemicals, and other perishable products require temperature-control solutions with various degrees of difficulty.

Carrier Success Stories

The road to a successful partnership with your transportation provider can be long. But with the right mix of dedicated service, innovative strategies, advanced technology, and old-fashioned work ethic, carriers go above and beyond to meet shippers’ unique needs. Here’s how they get the job done.

Warehouse Safety First

Keeping employees safe is every warehouse operator’s responsibility. Collision-avoidance systems, wearable solutions to improve ergonomic safety, and virtual reality training programs help reduce the risks.

Retailers Come Closer to Home

E-commerce companies are reworking the twists and turns in their distribution networks to get closer to their customers and speed delivery times by shortening the last mile.

Winter Reading Guide 2023

It’s cold outside. Why not stay inside and catch up on the latest literature that can help boost your supply chain skillset?

Industrial Real Estate Keeps the Pace…for Now

U.S. industrial leasing activity will decline in 2023, but demand will keep pace with supply for the 13th consecutive year of positive net absorption, predicts CBRE in its U.S. Real Estate Market Outlook 2023 report. Vacancy rates that remain below the 10-year average, however, will lead to double-digit rent growth, finds the report. As of […]

Polish Up That Crystal Ball

Making informed decisions that impact all aspects of the supply chain requires access to quality, actionable information. While it’s not possible to accurately predict the future, BlueGrace Logistics’ Logistics Confidence Index (LCI) examines expected revenue growth for upcoming quarters and how shippers can adjust based on those expectations. The LCI shipper survey measures expected industry […]

California Here We Come

Nearly one-third of logistics managers polled in a CNBC survey do not know how much trade they would return to West Coast ports after an International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) labor deal is reached. Negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association and the ILWU, which represents 22,000 West Coast port workers, began on May 10, […]

Last-Mile Deliveries Grow Bigger and Bulkier

Big and bulky last-mile delivery will be one of the fastest growing third-party logistics (3PL) segments for the next three years, driven by expanding e-commerce product categories that include furniture and appliances, predicts Making it Count: Big and Bulky Last-Mile Delivery in the United States, an Armstrong & Associates report. The report estimates the 3PL […]

Robotics Demand Skyrockets

Robots are seeing a population growth. By 2027, more than 4 million robots will be installed and operating in warehouses and distribution centers. Shipments of mobile robots jumped 53% in 2022 when compared with 2021, driven by increasing e-commerce, labor shortages, and shifting manufacturing methods, finds research from Interact Analysis. The market will experience compounded […]

Walmart Takes to the Skies

Retailers continue to look for new ways to meet consumer demand for fast delivery. Many, including Walmart, are banking on drones. For a cool $3.99, Walmart customers who live within one mile of a participating store can now have thousands of eligible products delivered to their home via same-day drone delivery. Walmart expanded its DroneUp […]

Reviewing 2022 Shipping Challenges

How did shippers respond to challenges in 2022 and how do they plan to respond in 2023? That’s what Averitt’s eighth annual State of the North American Supply Chain Survey set out to discover. The survey asked 1,800 shippers about supply chain challenges in 2022 and measures their interest in various supply chain services moving […]

Many Supply Chains Still in the Dark

Although technology innovations help shed light on additional insights into supply chains, some knowledge gaps remain. Up to 80% of executives responding to Verusen’s 2022 State of Supply Chain Management report say they can’t digitally track the movement of direct and indirect materials across their enterprise, which suggests that many companies may lack the technology […]

Managing Supplier Risk: It’s All About the Information

What was once “nice to have” information has been defined by law. As social and environmental concerns grow, governments and related third parties are demanding, with regulatory backing, that businesses manage ethical supply chains. What can large organizations with complex supply chains do to help mitigate supplier risk?

The Costly Consequences of Bad Data

A majority of sourcing and procurement leaders say they were inadequately prepared for supply chain disruptions in 2022. This lack of preparedness is partly due to continued and overwhelming reliance on manually updated source-to-pay platforms, which seriously limit operational efficiency. Worse, inaccurate supplier data inhibits business continuity, especially as disruptions continue.

Solving the Talent Crisis

The greatest untapped talent pool in manufacturing, logistics, and the supply chain sector in the United States is women. Even though women make up almost half (47%) of the entire U.S. labor force, they make up only slightly more than one-quarter (27%) of the manufacturing workforce. This needs to change if the manufacturing industry is to have any hope of addressing the enormous talent chasm that has opened up in recent years.

Design Time: Leveraging a WMS to Furnish Homes Sustainably

By offering minimalist, modern design and quality materials, home furnishing company Oliver Space has grown to more than 100 employees over the past three years, expanding from its headquarters in San Francisco to serve six cities along the West Coast and in southwestern United States. Along the way, it has helped furnish thousands of homes.

Easing the Pain of Fulfillment and Shipping

Since its launch in 2006, Tiger Tail USA, a pioneer in muscle care and recovery, has expanded from the garage of Spring Faussett, its founder, to producing and selling tens of thousands of units.

Is Your Business Ready for Intelligent Document Processing?

The world has seen the damage a slow supply chain can do—it stunts economic growth, negatively impacts revenue, and leads to customer frustration, or worse, customer loss. Technology has been touted as the end-all to supply chain woes, but it can be difficult to determine the most beneficial solutions. Yet, one AI solution can lay the foundational groundwork for implementing future technologies: Intelligent Document Processing (IDP).

Innovation Takes a Turn at the Wheel

When it comes to meeting supply chain goals, many companies want to take a breather and buy a vowel. But with some innovative thinking, they can boost visibility, increase fulfillment operation efficiency, and streamline transportation, without losing a turn.

2023 Supply Chain Predictions: Plan Ahead & Get Organized

Supply chain leaders share predictions, tips, and notes to help you tackle the business challenges ahead.

Disruption-Busting Moves for 2023 and Beyond

During a downpour of disruptions, these maneuvers can ensure your supply chain can withstand volatility and even thrive through upheaval and inclement conditions.

IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions

From new e-commerce solutions to RFID tags for tracking assets, here’s what’s new and notable in the supply chain.

What’s the Word? The Language of Logistics

IL breaks down the logistics terms gaining traction in 2023 (from social commerce to footprinting) as well as defines the basic concepts that keep cargo moving.

Custom TMS and Freight Management Solution Provides Industrial Distributor with Full Supply Chain Visibility

The Logistics Plus® MyLogisticsPlus™ cloud-based portal is customized to provide a direct interface with the client’s WMS for its parcel, freight, and international order and shipping processing. The Logistics Plus Freight audit and payment solution offers the client complete invoice visibility with business intelligence reporting.

GOOD QUESTION: What’s one supply chain misnomer? What would be a better term?

“Driver shortage” could be missing the mark. “Supply chain” might be overly simplistic. “E-commerce” a bit dated. Industry insiders and readers point out one supply chain misnomer and come up with a more accurate term.

A Good 3PL Partnership Starts With a Strong Systems Integration

From early involvement to robust support and continued flexibility, MD Logistics knows the fundamentals of systems integration and building a successful working relationship with customers.

2023 Inventory… Too Much? Too Little?

Inventory. That was the theme unifying both attendees and exhibitors at the 2023 National Retail Federation (NRF) convention in New York City. More precisely, everyone I spoke to was interested in load balancing inventory to serve new retail fulfillment approaches striving to catch up with the blindingly fast evolution in consumer buying habits. For retail […]

Overcoming Global Trade Barriers

Lockdowns, land wars, and rising costs had companies scrambling to keep sourcing intact in 2022. Is reshoring the key to unlocking international trade challenges?

Supply Chain Strategies: How SMBs Can Compete with the Big Dogs

Supply chain technologies unleash the power that levels the playing field and lets small and mid-sized businesses scale.

3 Ways Digital Transformation Enhances Capacity

After consecutive pandemic years, supply chains are a mess. As a result, businesses are running out of stock just as surging consumer demand drives up prices for remaining goods, contributing to record inflation and further disrupting consumer markets.

5 Ways to Strengthen and Future-Proof Your Supply Chain

In recent years, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) practices have become a critical aspect of any company’s reputation and success. Consumers don’t care just about what they are purchasing; they also care about how the product or service gets to them. For instance, an Edelman study shows 64% of consumers worldwide will buy or boycott a brand solely because of its position on a social or political issue.

Holman Logistics Uses Artificial Intelligence to Increase Forklift Safety

Holman partners with OneTrack to bring AI solutions to the issue of forklift accidents.

Resolving the Driver Retention Crisis

While the trucking industry has been put under further pressure by current supply chain issues, the real problem started long before the pandemic. Driver shortages were being felt as far back as 2005, according to a 2019 American Trucking Associations report.

How Verst Logistics Powers Agility and Scale Utilizing Cleo Integration Cloud

Upgrading to a modern EDI solution helped the third-party logistics company scale to meet their customer demands and improve operations.

That’s the Spirit! Partnership Brings Supply Chain Visibility Into the Mix

Non-alcoholic spirit company, Lyre’s, turned to SEKO to gain access and visibility into every part of their supply chain and root out inefficiencies. Here’s how SEKO delivered.

Powering Up a Better Supply Chain

Aggreko ensures business is always on by delivering energy anywhere it’s needed so that businesses can grow and communities can thrive. The power company found an ideal partner in RedStone Logistics.

If You Are Struggling with Freight Delivering On-Time, Partner with a Quality 3PL Freight Provider

The right third-party logistics freight provider (3PL) can help you improve on-time performance as well as achieve long-term goals using its expertise and services.

Optimizing Customer Service and Corporate Value

Q. How can a company maximize customer service and corporate value? A. The first interaction is often with the customer service department. This team makes the first impression, setting the tone for the relationship and the perception of how your brand can fulfill their needs. Suppose the experience is pleasant and productive; your credibility increases. […]

What Does the Post-Pandemic Fulfillment Model Look Like?

With both just-in-time and just-in-case strategies posing challenges, approaching e-commerce fulfillment with these four best practices is the key in 2023.

Automation: From Benefit to Necessity

Even prior to the pandemic, consumers were demanding. Since the rise of e-commerce, end users expect the ability to order what they want, when they want it, via the channels they want. Brands are adapting to this demand by offering curbside pickup, third-party delivery services, direct-from-social media purchasing, and a variety of other channels to cater to different consumer preferences.

WMS ROI: Is a New WMS Worth the Investment?

When deciding to implement a new warehouse management system (WMS), there will come a point where the return on investment (ROI) is questioned.

How Parcel Shippers Can Prepare for 2023 and Beyond

Every shipper needs to ensure they have a backup plan or an alternative carrier to deliver their packages should a strike occur. What’s more, that plan needs to be in place sooner rather than later.

2023: A Year of Opportunity for U.S. Manufacturing

Despite the global economic turmoil of the past two years, we are amidst a once-in-a-generation shift of global manufacturing footprints, and 2023 should continue to be a year of opportunity for manufacturers in the United States. This translates to a lot of sustained site selection activity in the market.

How to Avoid Paying Ransom

It is no great secret that cyberattacks are on the rise, and recent data suggests supply chains are no exception. A 2022 NCCGROUP survey shows that supply chain organizations experienced a 51% increase in attacks within the six months preceding the survey. The first step in addressing this risk is acknowledging that it exists. The good news is this should be a relatively easy step, especially compared to what comes next.

Get Closer to the Action With Onshoring

Supply chains are the lifeline of globalization. In the years leading up to the pandemic, western companies routinely outsourced production to suppliers in lower-cost economies around the world. However, the seemingly never-ending string of supply chain disruptions over the past two years highlighted the fragility of complex and dispersed supply chains.