Robots Arrive in Cars

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 […]

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 […]

Global Trade Management Systems: A Smart Bet

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.

Thomas Halliday

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 […]

Keith Biondo

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 […]

Keith Biondo

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 […]

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 […]

Transport Companies Stamp U.S. Postal Service Suppliers List

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

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.

Gordon Cessford

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

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?”

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.

Brian Bourke

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 […]

Michelle Comerford

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.

State of Retail Tech

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

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.

Felecia Stratton

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 […]

Automated Materials Handling Gets a Lift

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

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

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

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 […]

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

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, […]

Tony Sinton

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.

Andrés Lopera

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 […]

Shippers Have Hope for 2020

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?

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.

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

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

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 […]

Morgan Zimmermann

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.

Building a Case for Blockchain

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 […]

Keith Biondo

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” […]

Christoph Seitz

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.

Neil James

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.

2020 Reading Guide

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:

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.

Autonomous Ship: Maiden China?

Autonomous Ship: Maiden China?

China’s first unmanned cargo ship completed its test voyage in December 2019, marking a significant milestone in autonomous shipping. The ship, Jin Dou Yun 0 Hao, successfully delivered cargo from Dong Ao Island in Zhuhuai to the No. 1 pier of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Measuring about 42.2 feet long and 12.5 feet wide and […]

Coronavirus Precautions

Coronavirus Precautions

The Chinese government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak has impacted 280 supplier sites near Wuhan, China, according to Bindiya Vakil, chief executive officer of Resilinc, a provider of cognitive supply chain monitoring and mitigation solutions. Businesses could experience supply chain disruptions for three to six months, which is comparable to disruptions caused by the swine […]

Crossing the Final-Mile Finish Line

Crossing the Final-Mile Finish Line

Total e-commerce revenue in 2020 will reach $3.52 trillion, growing year-over-year at nearly 19%, according to global tech market advisory firm ABI Research. This explosion is forcing retailers to find faster and more convenient modes to reach the final mile. Retailers will likely trade profits to continue investments in the e-commerce explosion. This growth depends […]

3PLs Do It All

3PLs Do It All

Third-Party logistics providers are building future-proof supply chains, filling their toolbox with business insights, predictive capabilities, and other new solution sets.

Jeff Simpson

Incoterms 2020: Embracing the Rules

International Commercial Terms, commonly known as Incoterms®, standardize the responsibilities of the buyer and seller in an international transaction and are now used frequently in domestic transactions in the United States.

I Like Big-Box and I Cannot Lie

I Like Big-Box and I Cannot Lie

Nearly half of small to mid-sized business (SMB) decision-makers involved in distribution, logistics, and/or procurement estimate an increase in shipping spend in 2020 compared to 2019, and big-box retailers are influencing their strategy, finds logistics technology platform uShip’s 2020 SMB Shipping Strategies report. About 25% of decision-makers say the logistics strategies of Amazon and Walmart […]

Bernhard Simon

Can the New Silk Road Compete with the Maritime Silk Road?

The more I hear and read about the New Silk Road, the more grand the expectations. Politically, the trade corridors between China and Europe, as well as Africa, seem to be China’s key to becoming a leading global power in the 21st century. Logistically, infrastructures and networks are emerging on an entirely new scale, taking a gigantic economic area—representing 60% of the world’s population and 35% of the global economy—to the next level. The New Silk Road could act as a high-speed internet for transporting goods.

Small Ports, Big Benefits

Small Ports, Big Benefits

Smaller, lesser-known ports often deliver substantial benefits to shippers, letting them bypass congestion while leveraging advanced technology. Here are seven reasons to consider these less-trafficked cargo destinations.

VERTICAL FOCUS | Fast-Moving Consumer Goods

VERTICAL FOCUS | Fast-Moving Consumer Goods

4 Things FMCG Retailers Need to Know FMCG retailers need to be aware of four key areas as they build their future omnichannel supply chains, finds RSR Research’s Supply Chain Management 2018 report. 1. Change signals. Retailers are increasingly aware that new digitally enabled consumer behaviors are challenging a key operational assumption—that consumers will start […]

Logistics Leaders Into Outsourcing

Logistics Leaders Into Outsourcing

Outsourcing logistics services has become common—85% of logistics leaders expect their outsourcing budget to increase by more than 5% in 2020; 85% reported a similar budget increase in 2019, finds Gartner’s 2019 Logistics Outsourcing Strategy survey. One reason leaders expect budgets to increase is that logistics outsourcing supports their business objectives. About 70% of respondents […]

6 Supply Chain Risks Worth Taking

6 Supply Chain Risks Worth Taking

From technology investments that stretch budgets to supply chain partnerships that share proprietary information, these moves may give small businesses pause. Here’s why they should dive right in.

7 Notable Women in Supply Chain & Logistics

Meet the women who are succeeding at high levels in their companies, driven by a passion for supply chain and logistics, self-confidence, authenticity, and the ability to untangle the spaghetti of information that drives business decisions.

5 Ways to Manage Warehousing Requirements During Peak Periods

5 Ways to Manage Warehousing Requirements During Peak Periods

Managing peak period shipment volume is a structural challenge in the U.S. economy. Those preoccupied with executing order fulfillment services spend much of the year thinking about and planning for it. The surge is a three- to four-month peak in first inbound, and then outbound shipments, with overlap. Shipments to retailers come first, followed by […]

Which ERP Trends Will Catch On in 2020?

Supply chain management involves planning, execution, control, and monitoring, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions handle the physical aspects of supply. Next-generation ERP technologies have come to the forefront, and their powerful capabilities are having a great influence. Here are three ERP supply chain trends to watch in 2020. 1. Warehouse operations managers are more […]

Charging the Electronics Supply Chain

Charging the Electronics Supply Chain

Electronics suppliers, distributors, and retailers address high-voltage challenges—from shorter product life cycles to price erosion and unpredictable tariffs—with technology and changing business processes.

How Is Coronavirus Impacting E-Commerce?

How Is Coronavirus Impacting E-Commerce?

The number of people infected by the new coronavirus globally surpassed those infected in China as of February 2020. As the virus continues to spread, new ramifications are revealed daily. How is the coronavirus impacting e-commerce operations, and what can retailers do in response to those challenges?

Taking a Dip Into Supply Chain Management

Frank Armetta is global vice president of supply chain with Sabra Dipping Company, a division of PepsiCo. Responsibilities: Leads procurement, strategic sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution reports, global engineering, and global quality. Also oversees the Australian and Western Europe businesses. Experience: Vice president, global manufacturing with Sabra; global manufacturing vice president for PepsiCo Worldwide Flavors in […]

3 Big Barriers to IIoT Integration

3 Big Barriers to IIoT Integration

From monitoring air quality in "smart cities" like Chicago and New York City to tracking health data in real time on smart watches, the Internet of Things (IoT) is everywhere. IoT applications look promising for the manufacturing industry as well: European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is developing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies to provide valuable […]