The Lean, Green Supply Chain: Where 1+1=3
The topic of sustainability is starting a trend toward supply chains that are both lean and green.
9 Types of Manufacturing Processes Every Business Should Know
Businesses rely on different types of manufacturing processes to create products, and each method serves a specific purpose. From turning raw materials into finished goods to producing at scale, manufacturing plays a critical role in meeting consumer demand across various industries. These manufacturing techniques vary based on the nature of the product, required output, and […]
Decoupling Inventory: Definition and How It Protects the Supply Chain
In today’s complex logistics and inventory management world, maintaining a resilient and efficient supply chain is more crucial than ever. One key strategy businesses employ to safeguard against disruptions is decoupling inventory. This approach helps prevent inventory shortages and ensures customer demand is consistently met. Decoupling inventory is essential for anyone involved in manufacturing processes, […]
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Lufthansa Cargo welcomed its 18th B777 freighter at Frankfurt Airport in August 2024. The long-haul freighter was transferred directly from the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington, to the cargo airline’s largest hub.
’Tis the Season to Dodge Folly
Retailers, don’t get hung up on these potential peak season pitfalls and perils.
MRO Inventory: Definition, Strategies, and Types
By comprehending the definition, types, and significance of MRO inventory, as well as implementing best practices in inventory management, businesses can optimize their supply chains and ensure smooth operations.
Marcus Chung: Guiding a Sustainable Career
RESPONSIBILITIES: Ecommerce and retail operations, supply chain, sourcing, production, sustainability, and IT. EXPERIENCE: Vice president, manufacturing and supply chain, ThirdLove; director, sourcing, Stitch Fix; vice president, responsible sourcing, The Children’s Place; director, responsible sourcing, Talbots; director, sustainability, McKesson; senior manager, social responsibility strategy, Gap Inc.; consultant, CEB (now Gartner). EDUCATION: MBA, University of California, Berkeley; […]
Strengthening the Port-Rail Connection
U.S. ports embrace rail connections through capital and technology investments designed to move cargo more efficiently and quickly.
Distributed Inventory: Definition, Management Strategies, and Benefits
Distributed inventory is a strategy for storing goods across multiple locations rather than in a single central warehouse. This approach is important in commercial shipping and logistics because it helps companies align inventory with market demand and significantly cuts delivery times. By distributing inventory, businesses can achieve greater flexibility and responsiveness, enhancing overall supply chain […]
Finished Goods Inventory: What It Is, Formula, and Examples
Finished goods inventory is a critical part of managing any manufacturing business. It refers to the final products ready for sale after the manufacturing process is complete. Efficiently managing this inventory helps companies meet customer demand, optimize stock levels, and avoid lost sales opportunities. Businesses that actively manage their finished goods inventory can reduce excess […]
Bridging the Divide: How Connector Countries Can Shape the Future of Global Trade
In a world of geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation, connector countries are essential bridges, ensuring the seamless flow of goods and fostering economic stability.
Horizontal vs. Vertical Integration: Their Key Differences
Understanding the differences between horizontal and vertical integration is key to selecting the right strategy for your business. Each approach offers unique benefits and challenges, and the choice depends on your specific business goals, industry context, and resources.
Temperature-Sensitive Mail Order Pharmaceuticals: How AI Offers a Solution to the Risk of Spoilage and Degradation
Any wrinkle in the supply chain can jeopardize the efficacy of certain pharmaceutical products. Maintaining the integrity of perishable pharmaceuticals, particularly those delivered via mail order, is a challenge that can be tackled with artificial intelligence.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
Intralogistics group Mecalux has equipped pet supplies provider Moderna Products’ plant in Belgium with an automated warehouse connected to production.
Generix SOLOCHAIN WMS Offers Smooth Implementation Process and Efficiency Gains
Packaging company Emballages Carrousel implemented the Generix SOLOCHAIN Warehouse Management System (WMS) simultaneously in five distribution centers and gained immediate efficiencies.
Inventory Management Techniques And Their Benefits
Each effective inventory management technique is crucial for helping a business maintain smooth operations and meet changing customer demands. By implementing inventory management strategies, companies can optimize their inventory management process, avoiding stockouts or overstocking.
New ERP Smooths the Way for Skin Care Company
After an exhaustive review of its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, E.T. Browne Drug Company, the maker of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, understood it needed to upgrade. By recommitting to SYSPRO, its long-time ERP provider, E.T. Browne was able to leverage a scalable solution that has enabled the venerable skin care company to reduce inventory and grow profits.
10 Tips for Strengthening Supplier Relationships
The supply chain is a business built on relationships. The stronger your relationships, the stronger your business. Here’s how to create ties that bind.
AI Power Drives Supply Chain Gymnastics
If you’re reading Inbound Logistics, you already drank the supply chain Kool-Aid. But many others in our audience are tasting the inbound logistics brew for the first time. “Inbound logistics makes sense,” they say as they sip. “But it’s a lot more complicated than just letting my vendors and logistics partners control my inbound flow. I just don’t think I can handle that.” It tastes great, […]
How Procurement Can Prepare for the Inevitable, Sustainable Future
To meet sustainability initiatives, chief procurement officers must untangle a complex web of global supply chains, dizzying individual country standards, and more. Here are the four major challenges and how they can tackle them:
9 Types of Containerized Cargo Compared and Explained
In commercial shipping and logistics, containerized cargo plays a pivotal role in facilitating the efficient transportation of goods across international borders. This method of shipping has revolutionized the industry by providing a standardized way to handle various types of cargo, making it easier to load, transport, and unload goods quickly and safely. As global trade […]
Pipeline Inventory: How To Manage It and Why It’s Important
Pipeline inventory plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of businesses across various industries. Simply put, it refers to the goods that are in transit between the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer and are not yet available for sale. Properly managing this type of inventory is essential for maintaining efficient supply chains, reducing costs, and […]
Solving the Southeast Asia Logistics Puzzle
Southeast Asia is growing as a driving force in global trade. Its logistics sector has faced several stress tests in recent years. Here’s one factor that can make a difference.
Horizontal Integration: Definition, Examples and Strategy
Understanding the nuances, potential drawbacks, and potential benefits of horizontal integration versus other growth strategies, like vertical integration, will enable you to make decisions that align with your company’s needs and aspirations.
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
One Air expanded its fleet with a third Boeing 747-400F entering service at the end of August 2024. The British cargo airline provides regular weekly full charter capacity linking Asia and Europe as well as ad hoc global charter services. It aims to double its freighter fleet by the end of 2025.
Ecommerce and Logistics Partner Up
As the ecommerce industry expands, it has brought with it a fundamental shift in how logistics companies operate. We see increasing collaboration between ecommerce companies and logistics providers like FedEx, UPS, and even Uber.
Smart Sailing: Maritime Success Strategies
Faced with a complex wave of interconnected challenges, ocean carriers keep shipments on course by refining schedules, enhancing fleets, adding new technology tools, and introducing greener fuels.
Protecting Supply Chain Trade Secrets
Very few businesses operating today do not use some kind of AI in most aspects of their operations. Therefore, the question of how to use AI to protect intellectual property, especially in global supply chains, requires some definition.
Vendor Managed Inventory: Definition, Benefits, and Challenges
Reflecting on the strategic benefits of VMI and staying informed about future trends can help companies achieve greater efficiency and success in their supply chain operations.
Supply Chain Planning: What It Is, Importance, and Examples
Effective supply chain planning is essential for running a successful business and staying ahead in today’s fast-moving market.
What’s the First Thing You Would Do to Combat Cargo Theft?
Cargo theft is surging as thieves get more strategic and steal cargo from warehouses, parking lots, truck stops, roads, and yards. Readers share the impactful actions that could deter thieves and protect shipments.
Just-in-Case vs Just-in-Time: Understanding the Differences
Inventory management systems are pivotal in commercial shipping and logistics. They influence a company’s ability to meet customer demand and manage costs effectively. Businesses today often choose between just-in-case (JIC) and just-in-time (JIT) systems, two distinct strategies that cater to different operational needs. JIC focuses on maintaining higher inventory levels as a safety net against […]
Manufacturing Overhead: Definition, Cost Types, and Management
Manufacturing overhead includes all the indirect costs associated with the manufacturing process, which are not directly tied to producing a specific product. By grasping the concept of MOH, businesses can achieve more accurate cost assessments and better financial management. This article will give a detailed overview of manufacturing overhead, its parts, and how it affects […]
Lean Warehousing: Definition, Elements, and Benefits
Lean warehousing is transforming the logistics and warehousing sectors by streamlining operations and cutting down on waste. This methodology focuses on making warehouse processes more efficient, which in turn reduces costs and enhances overall performance. By applying lean principles, businesses can significantly improve their supply chain efficiency, leading to faster delivery times and better customer […]
Ready for Takeoff: World’s Largest Cargo Plane
Currently in development by U.S. aerospace company Radia, the WindRunner is set to claim some heavy-lifting records, including greatest cargo volume. Here’s what’s on the manifest:
Supply Chain VC Update; What’s Next for U.S.-Mexico Trade; Regulations Roundup; and more Logistics News
A look at the latest news stories in global supply chain and logistics.
The Port Strike Is Over (For Now): What’s Next?
On Friday, U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports reopened following a landmark wage agreement between dockworkers and port operators, effectively ending the most significant work stoppage in nearly half a century. The strike, initiated by 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on Tuesday, disrupted operations at 36 ports from Maine to Texas. […]
Trade Tech CEO Builds a Platform for Paradigm Change
From using a typewriter and fax machine to an automated accounting process, Bryn Heimbeck has done it all. These days, he continues to strive to make all processes easier so everyone sleeps better at night.
Port Strike Update: Potential Disruptions and Economic Implications
What to expect in the short-term as the ILA dockworker’s strike carries on.
How the 2024 Presidential Election Could Impact Supply Chains
The importance of efficient and resilient supply chains cannot be overstated, and with the 2024 presidential election rapidly approaching, supply chain organizations are starting to feel the weight of political uncertainty.
The Impact of the Port Strike: Insights from Industry Experts
The ongoing port strike is a stark reminder of the fragility of supply chains and the cascading effects disruptions can have across industries. Industry experts share predictions about the impact of the strike.
Sustainable Warehousing: Definition, Best Practices, and Benefits
Understanding sustainable warehousing allows businesses to make informed decisions that align with modern environmental expectations and regulatory requirements.
Direct Materials in Manufacturing: Definition, Types, and Management
Mastering direct materials management is essential for any manufacturing business aiming to streamline operations and optimize costs. Effective handling of these materials ensures a smooth production process, from procurement to the final product.
10 Best Supply Chain Companies of 2021
Supply Chain Management of Any Company: 10 Best Examples in 2021 Gartner’s annual global Supply Chain Top 25 identifies today’s supply chain leaders and highlights their best practices. MORE TO THE STORY: Supply Chain Masters Lead the Way Who Else Made the List? Amid severe and ongoing disruption, organizations that can juggle conflicting priorities to […]
Freight Bill Audit and Payment Providers Solve the Case
Clued in by big data and AI, providers detect anomalies and dig up crucial information that shippers can use to optimize transportation costs and improve operational efficiency.
Ice Machine Subscription Company Navigates Rapid Growth with Support from Echo Global Logistics
Echo’s specialized solutions and dedicated support team help Easy Ice scale transportation solutions throughout fast expansion and logistics hurdles.
Looming East Coast Port Strike to Impact Supply Chains
Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have stalled, leading many to believe an ILA strike may begin on October 1. Here’s how it would impact U.S. supply chains.
Returned Inventory: What It Is, Common Causes, and Processes
By leveraging technology, refining return policies, and effectively training staff, businesses can streamline their returns process, ultimately reducing costs and improving the overall customer experience.
Cross-Border Logistics for Mexico Is Complex—We Can Make It Simple
For the first half of 2024, the Census Bureau reported a record-breaking $415.4 billion in goods flowing between the United States and Mexico, but many American companies still allow transportation challenges to stop them from crossing over.
How to Integrate AI Into Your Supply Chain
Artificial intelligence is making inroads across the spectrum of logistics operations, perhaps faster than many in the industry are aware. AI is being integrated behind the scenes in a wide range of applications designed to make them—and the people who use them—exponentially more efficient. You’ll find it in various logistics applications such as route optimization, […]
Companies Prepare for Fallout from East Coast Port Strike
Disruptive strike actions have begun at major U.S. ports on the East and Gulf Coasts such as New York-New Jersey, Savannah, and Houston, exposing ports across the United States to work stoppages, shipping and cargo processing delays, and worsening backlogs. Three main scenarios could unfold.
Hats Off to Core Carriers!
Want to brim with confidence when selecting a core carrier? When weighing this critical decision, consider a range of complex factors before you tip your cap to any one trucking company.
Syfan Logistics Solves Communication Problem for Wisconsin Chemical Company
Syfan Logistics, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider, has successfully resolved a major communication challenge for a chemical company based in Wisconsin.
Six Supply Chain Strategies to Implement before Potential East Coast Port Strike
By implementing these supply chain strategies, companies can help safeguard their operations and enhance resilience against challenges created by the potential strike by dockworkers at ports along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast.
Understanding the Impact of Truck Driver Detention
Addressing the issues of truck driver detention is not just beneficial for the trucking industry; it’s essential for the health of the entire supply chain.
Unlocking Ecommerce Excellence with Generix SOLOCHAIN WMS – A Success Story
Emblem Logistics saw many ecommerce brands faced with an issue: how to respond to customers’ increasing expectations. The SOLOCHAIN WMS from Generix allowed Emblem to adapt to changing needs.
WMS 2024: Solutions Unlock Warehouse Efficiencies
Looking for inventory visibility? Seeking order accuracy? A warehouse management system (WMS) can help your company gain operational insights and tackle the ecommerce boom. Here are three leading providers that can get your warehouse running at peak levels.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
MANA Nutrition broke ground on a new 320,000-square-foot warehouse in Pooler, Georgia, four miles from the Port of Savannah. The facility, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025, will enable the company to double its current production while adding new storage capacity.
Cargo Ships Get Wind of Traditional Power Source
A millennia-old concept—wind propulsion for cargo ships—is catching on with some gusty tech innovations.
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Lufthansa Cargo started operating freighters from Munich for the first time on July 6, 2024. An A321 freighter connects Munich with Istanbul Airport twice a week, complementing the existing belly network from Munich. The new freighter connection is planned every Saturday and Sunday.
VERTICAL FOCUS: High-Value Shipments
Shipping high-value items requires special care and attention to ensure their safe arrival. By following these tips, shippers can significantly reduce the risk of damage or loss when transporting high-value items.
Value Stream Mapping: Definition, Benefits, and Implementation
Value stream mapping (VSM) is a powerful tool in logistics and supply chain management. It allows you to visualize material and information flows, helping you identify waste and find opportunities for improvement. In supply chain management, value stream mapping is essential. You can understand how raw materials and information move through your processes. This includes […]
Inventory Cycle Counting: Definition, Benefits, and How-To
Cycle counting is a crucial method in inventory management that helps businesses maintain accurate records without halting their daily operations. Unlike traditional physical inventory counts, which can be disruptive and infrequent, cycle counting involves regularly auditing small portions of inventory. The main advantage of cycle counting over traditional physical counts is its ability to provide […]
2024 Elections Could Shake Up the Global Supply Chain—Here’s Your Voter’s Guide
With elections in roughly 50 countries worldwide and U.S. voting day right around the corner, supply chain executives must understand how major shifts in trade policies could impact their operations. Here are some tactics for using supply chain design to prepare for election outcomes.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Warehouse Robotics
LocusHub: Locus Robotics’ real-time, business intelligence engine optimizes real-time coordination of Locus’ AMR fleets. A component of the LocusOne platform, LocusHub uses advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning to provide insights that can maximize productivity, lower costs, and increase warehouse intelligence. LocusHub’s reporting capabilities process operational data to forecast labor requirements, identify optimization opportunities, and give recommendations to warehouse operators.
How ESG Policy Impacts Truckers
How do ESG mandates impact trucking? Let’s take a look at some examples. Leading global transportation and logistics player DSV, with headquarters in Denmark, just ordered 300 electric vehicles from Volvo Trucks. If those trucks get the job done, DSV plans to order 2,000 more, making those EVs 10% of the 20,000 total DSV fleet […]
5 GenAI Trends, Freight Forecast & Other Supply Chain News
Today’s top supply chain news stories.
2024 Trucking Perspectives
In its annual market report, Inbound Logistics looks at the road ahead for the trucking sector, and explores the issues of greatest concern to carriers and shippers.
10 Tips for Managing Inventory Effectively
Effective inventory management starts with a proactive philosophy. Here are 10 steps to take that can help you improve accuracy, increase efficiency, and control costs.
Direct vs. Indirect Distribution Channels: Understanding the Differences
Distribution channels are essential in business, serving as the routes that products and services take to move from producers to consumers. The efficiency of a distribution channel directly impacts a company’s ability to meet customer demands, manage costs, and maintain competitiveness in the market. Selecting the right distribution channel is important for making sure that […]
Lean Six Sigma in Supply Chain: Definition, Importance, and Implementation
Lean Six Sigma blends rigorous quality controls with strategies to cut inefficiencies, making it a top choice for improving supply chain operations. It roots out waste and enhances product consistency by merging the strengths of Lean methodologies and Six Sigma principles. This approach not only sharpens competitive edges but also ensures products and services meet […]
Reader Profile: Autonomous Trucking “Oddball” Reveals What’s Ahead for Driverless Trucks
Pivoting from entertainment to the trucking industry, Kodiak Robotics Chief of Staff Lauren Harper considers herself an oddball in autonomous trucking. While her path to her current position might be unexpected, she’s clear-sighted about her goals for driverless vehicles. She believes autonomous trucks can save lives on the road and U.S. soldiers on the ground.
A Career Path Hidden in Plain Sight: 3PL Warehousing
Why should logistics professionals consider a career in 3PL warehousing? Here are the benefits and one logistics company president’s story.
Global Online Shopping Revolution: How Online Retailers Can Thrive
Now that ecommerce is a global phenomenon, what can online retailers do to captivate shoppers, ensure repeat purchases, and tap into new revenue streams? The latest Online Shopper Trends Report by DHL reveals the trends that small and medium-sized businesses cannot overlook.
What Song or Lyric Best Describes Your Supply Chain Experience or Approach?
From Beatles classics to pop hits, here are the tracks that capture supply chain professionals’ experience and work approach. Tune in:
Alternative Routing: Go Another Way
In the face of constant supply chain disruptions and unexpected events, shippers must be ready to reroute at a moment’s notice. Finding the road—or waterway— less traveled can sometimes make all the difference for transportation success.
FCL vs LCL: Understanding the Differences
Selecting between Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) is a strategic decision that impacts every aspect of international shipping.
2024 Inbound Logistics Top 100 Truckers
Inbound Logistics’ annual Top 100 Truckers list helps identify carrier partners that can best fuel your diverse and demanding needs, especially in today’s challenging and ever-changing business climate.
Beyond the Rack: Retail Supply Chain Strategies That Work
In the challenging retail sector, supply chain efficiency can be the difference between succeeding and just barely hanging on. From weaving together disparate systems into a single information flow, to ensuring products appear effortlessly on shelves, to fulfilling online orders with lightning speed, here’s how thriving retailers rack and roll.
How Does Integrated Business Planning (IBP) Drive Supply Chain Efficiency?
6 ways that Integrated Business Planning (IBP) improves supply chain efficiency.
Contract Manufacturing Explained: Benefits, Tips, and Challenges
Contract manufacturing plays a key role in modern supply chains. It can enable businesses to focus on core competencies while leveraging specialized expertise and cost efficiencies. This strategic outsourcing approach enhances operational flexibility and positions companies to scale rapidly in response to market demands.
Be Prepared, Post-Pandemic
The events of 2020 pulled back the curtain on procurement and supply chains. Despite lessons learned, are organizations and procurement teams any better equipped to handle another ‘black swan’ event?
Best Practices for Effective Cold Storage Management
Effective cold storage management requires a combination of precise temperature control, robust inventory management, and strict safety measures. By following these best practices, businesses can ensure the quality and integrity of their temperature-sensitive products.
10 Tips for Ensuring Transportation Sustainability
Eight of 10 supply chain executives are investigating sustainable transportation practices, according to EY. This is an excellent focus area because transportation represents 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Here’s how to ensure sustainability.
Warehouses Need Ecosystem Integration to Ensure Supply Chain Survival
As the dust settles after the pandemic ecommerce boom, the warehouse industry is returning to a new normal. Consumer activity over the past few years catapulted warehouse construction into overdrive to accommodate increased consumer spending. Now, the warehouse industry is adjusting to a new pace of slower demand.
Port Profiles
These leading U.S. gateways make gains in operational efficiency and offer robust infrastructure to support increased cargo demands.
Better Service, Lower Cost – The LTL Electronic Bill of Lading
You can future-proof your shipment lifecycle with electronic bills of lading.
4 Strategies to Reduce Rail Demurrage Costs
3PLs can take a proactive approach to significantly reduce demurrage fees charged by rail carriers. Here are four ways to minimize these costs.
How a Global Pandemic Led to Supply Chain Finance Adoption in Healthcare – And Why It is Here to Stay
Supply chain finance programs – long utilized in consumer sectors like retail to help suppliers get paid more quickly and allow buyers to extend payment terms – are now a working capital tool for more healthcare supply chains. The continued rapid evolution of supply chain finance solutions offers a new way forward for CFOs in many industries to take direct charge of improving supplier-buyer arrangements.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
Walmart Canada unveiled a new hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric semi-truck—a first of its kind for a retail fleet on North American roads. Operating with zero tailpipe emissions, the tractor can avoid 97 metric tons of CO2 tailpipe emissions on average.
Last Mile Puts Talent, Technology First
Serious changes are happening in the supply chain as the ecommerce market continues to grow. The uptick in more online sales means an increase in the back-end logistics that go into getting a package from an online sale to the customer’s doorstep.
Back(haul) to the Future
Backhauling is a logistics strategy in which commercial truck drivers transport a load on their trip back to their origin point. It is the opposite of deadheading, which is when drivers make the return trip with an empty truck.
IntraLogisteX USA Is Set To Welcome An Industry-Leading Selection Of Exhibitors Next Month
IntraLogisteX USA, a tradeshow dedicated to showcasing the latest innovations in logistics, supply chains, and warehousing, will open its doors October 22 & 23, 2024 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The exhibition boasts an unrivalled selection of exhibitors which includes some of the sector’s leading organizations. Furthermore, the event will host more than 30 […]
Leveraging Warehouse Robotics
Maximizing storage density, improving picking dexterity, and gaining prowess through artificial intelligence, these robotic innovations and recent deployments are enabling new levels of warehouse efficiency.
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Ocean Network Express’ ONE Modern, the first ship on the ocean carrier’s West India North America (WIN) service, called on the Port of Savannah in June 2024, establishing the latest connection between India and Georgia Ports. The new WIN service offers a weekly route from Bin Qasim, Hazira, Nhava Sheva, and Mundra to New York and Savannah. The service is provided by a fleet of nine vessels, all of which are operated by ONE.
A Sense of Fulfillment
Reflecting on ways to sharpen fulfillment operations and keep up with growth? Ease your mind by partnering with experienced providers.
2024 Summer Reading Guide
Cool down with some hot insights into logistics and supply chain management this summer. Whether you’re lounging on the beach or killing time while traveling, our handpicked book list will keep you informed and entertained.
Precision Shipping: The Rise of Item-Level Visibility Solutions
Whether shipping fruit, pharmaceuticals, high-value commodities, or any other goods, solutions that precisely track individual items throughout their supply chain journey are becoming increasingly accessible and valuable.
Sizing Up Project Logistics
Navigating extraordinary challenges, from coordinating national concert tours to delivering aid in war-torn regions, is all in a day’s work for project logistics providers. How do they get the job done? Strategic planning, innovative problem-solving, and meticulous execution.
Ranking the Top U.S. Ports; Warehouse Taxes on the Rise; Global Trade as Election Issue; and Other News
Find out which U.S. container ports rank top for imports; see how global trade policies will impact the presidential election; and catch up on other supply chain news.