Sofa So Good: Software Upgrade Bolsters Furniture Company’s Growth
A furniture retailer upgrades its warehouse management system to polish productivity.
Green E-tailer Fertilizes the Bottom Line
Thanks to a data analytics platform, Grove Collaborative’s shipping costs wither while fulfillment efficiencies blossom.
Readers’ Choice: Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards 2017
MORE TO THE STORY: TOP 10 TO WATCH About the Survey Respondents In Their Own Words: A Sampling of Reader Comments What Is More Important? Find 3PL Partners What makes a third-party logistics (3PL) provider a blockbuster partner? We asked readers to vote for the 3PL partners they deem most award-worthy, and they revealed the […]
Secrets to Today’s Digital Age Supply Chain
The rate of evolution of the supply chain today is staggering. Both retailers and restaurants have had to shift their strategy more quickly to remain relevant and competitive amidst rising digital trends. Increasingly, consumers are altering their habits and how they buy products and services. Supply chain leadership should embrace the opportunity to adapt and […]
Supply Chain Security: Defending Against a Data Breach
What a wonderful world this would be if protection from cybersecurity threats were contained within the four walls of your business. But the hard truth is every entity on your company’s supply chain list – from the most active vendor account to the least – must be fully vetted to ensure they are protecting theirs […]
Five Ways to Simplify Your Supply Chain Design with Analytics
Ask a supply chain pro to name the biggest problem their organization faces and chances are “effectively using data” will be at the top of the list. While no one understates the importance of data, supply chain professionals now have access to more data from more sources than ever before, making the effective application of […]
Supply Chain Commentary: Get Ready for a Shortened Path to Purchase
Google quietly introduced the beta version of Purchases on Google in the middle of May 2017 to users in the United States. The feature allows users to click a ‘Buy on Google’ call-to-action on product ads within the search engine results page and directs them to a purchasing page created and hosted by Google. Right […]
Clean Diesel Truck Engines Yield Significant Emission Reductions
Introduction of new technology clean diesel truck engines equipped with advanced emissions control systems into the nation’s trucking fleet over the last five years is now at a 30 percent level and has yielded significant emission reductions and substantial fuel savings, according to new research commissioned by the Diesel Technology Forum. “Almost 3 million heavy-duty diesel […]
June Caps Off Hot Stretch for Spot TL Freight
Spot truckload freight activity in June rallied to record highs for the number of available loads while rates rose to their highest points in nearly two years, according to the DAT North American Freight Index. The June Freight Index increased 24 percent compared to May and was up 57 percent year over year, capping a robust […]
6 Information Management Trends Redefining Transportation and Logistics
While we usually think of challenges in the transportation and logistics industry as being the physical mechanics of transporting an item from point A to point B, the new reality is that information management – and how quickly data can be put into action – offers the biggest challenges. Fortunately, the digital transformation movement offers […]
Route Planning: How Good Logistics Makes E-commerce Companies Great
The e-commerce industry is growing at an incredible rate, according to Route4Me. Consumer expectations are growing as well. A decade or two ago, people were happy as long as their orders got to their house within a day or two of the scheduled arrival date. Now, people expect retailers to offer next-day or even same-day shipping. Also, […]
Consumers: No Patience For Supply Chain Fails
Seventy-eight percent of consumers want to receive updates on the status of their orders when purchasing goods, and they won’t hesitate to switch brands if supply chain performance fails to meet their expectations, according to a global survey conducted by YouGov and sponsored by Infor, a provider of industry-specific cloud applications. The survey polled 6,285 […]
Supply Chain Management Insight: Study Reveals Top Supply Chain Priorities
From Now to Next in Supply Chain Management
How to Find Your Next Supplier in Europe
Small businesses seeking a competitive advantage in the global marketplace would be remiss if they ignored the power of working with a supplier in the European Union (EU). Not only is the EU the largest manufacturer of exported goods and services, its 28 member countries account for 16% of the world’s imports and exports. The […]
Supply Chain Commentary:
The Battle of Retail Titans
Technology is ever-changing and recently, has been advancing at an extraordinary rate and providing accessible capital with highly valued stock prices. These prices are enabling acquisitions that have the ability to change the competitive landscape overnight. Exhibit A: Amazon’s deal with Whole Foods Market. Many recent acquisitions can be attributed to companies with aggressive growth […]
Study: Traditional Industrial Distributors Face Mounting Risk
Asset-light e-marketplaces and other non-traditional shopping channels, combined with shifting demographics, are upending industrial distributors’ inventory-heavy model more rapidly than previously thought. As a result, distributors must quickly adapt and address threats with everything from sharper mobile offerings to upgraded customer service, a UPS white paper shows. According to the UPS Industrial Buying Dynamics […]
Amazon’s Prime Day: Primetime for Online Retailers to Get Logistics Lessons
Did Hallmark invent Valentine’s Day? Not quite, but it certainly helped. Did Amazon create a new shopping event with Prime Day? You bet! We’re all used to Black Friday, then we got Cyber Monday and now it looks like Prime Day is set to be another date in the shopping frenzy calendar. In 2016, it […]
3 Ways to Reduce Food Waste in the Supply Chain
The UN Food and Agriculture organization estimates 30-40% of food production is lost before it reaches the market. While a great deal of this is lost in agriculture, there is a significant amount of food waste in the supply chain. In 2012, food waste costs in the EU alone were estimated at 143 billion euros. […]
Choosing a TMS Today: Measure Five Times, Cut Once?
We’ve all heard the adage “Measure twice, cut once.” Of course, the intent of this proverb suggests it is best to be sure you are cutting the wood in the right place before using your saw. Since the creation of supply chain software, this advice has largely been followed when it comes to software selection. […]
7 Tips to Driving a Strong Safety Culture
A USA Today article reported that Tesla’s worker injury rate was 31% higher than the industry average in 2015. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has pledged to change this, and in an email to his employees, he stated that he will personally carry out the job of an injured employee to assess the dangers first-hand. He […]
Is Your Supply Chain Cyber Secure?
5 Tips for Keeping Viruses Away
On May 12, 2017, the WannaCry Ransomware attack affected hundreds of thousands of computers in 150 countries. By far the hardest hit in the attack was UK’s National Health Service. Businesses are starting to reevaluate their cyber security measures, and for organizations in the supply chain sector, there’s too much at stake to simply delete […]
High Value, High Risk: How to Make Sure Your Cargo is Protected
If your company is shipping a load valued at $100,000 or more, you should take every step possible to make sure your cargo is protected. Here are five ways you can greatly lower the risk of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a failed shipment. 1. Check your insurance coverage. First, you need to […]
Report: Retailers are Hemorrhaging Costs from Premium Delivery Services
2017 brings unprecedented competition for retailers. Not only has Amazon set the standard for how to do retail well, it’s set the new consumer standard on shipping. Prime-like shopping is the new benchmark with Americans demanding ultimate convenience and immediacy at a low cost. Temando’s, a shipping and fulfillment software platform for commerce, 2017 State of […]
No-show Fine Could Cause Nightmares for Freight Forwarders
The recent implementation of no-shows fine by shipping liners could potentially cause ‘nightmares’ for freight forwarders, says online freight forwarding company iContainers. In recent months, shipping liners including Maersk, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd have begun implementing no-shows fines on shipments that fail to show up on vessels. iContainers warns that such a fee, while the […]
Safety and Shipping Report: Cyber Security, Regulation, and Cost Cutting Impacts Global Shipping
Large shipping losses have declined by 50% over the past decade, mostly driven by the development of a more robust safety environment by ship owners, according to Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE’s (AGCS) fifth annual Safety & Shipping Review 2017. There were 85 total shipping losses reported in 2016, down 16% compared with a […]
Report: New York Maintains, Improves Most Grades in Manufacturing, Logistics Sectors
New York retained or improved its grades in a report on manufacturing and logistics from Ball State University. The grades that remained the same were manufacturing (D), logistics (C), human capital (C-), benefits costs (D), global position (C), tax climate (F), and diversification (B). The state improved grades in productivity and innovation (C+ to B) […]
How Will Amazon Buying Whole Foods Affect The Delivery Industry?
It’s hard to imagine now, but Amazon used to be nothing more than an online bookstore. That was back in 1994. Since then, Amazon has started selling DVDs, clothes, furniture, and just about everything else you can imagine. They do more than just sell stuff online now, too. Amazon has become a big player in […]
Manufacturing is Returning to the United States
In 2016, leading technology brands collectively announced billions of dollars in investments in US manufacturing, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and supporting reshoring. But manufacturing today is not the same as when it left: Gone are many of the large steel mills, auto plants and computer factories and in their place a greater volume […]
Supply Chain and Logistics Services Delivery: Study Reveals Future Trends
KPMG and HfS Research recently released their annual market study on the State of the Outsourcing, Shared Services, and Operations Industry. This study examines topics such as changes to organizational operating and service delivery models and adoption levels, challenges, and opportunities related to process and cognitive automation. The report also provides some interesting insights into […]
Repositioning Inventory to Better Respond to Natural Disasters
Immediately following a natural disaster that outpaces a community’s ability to respond, various outside organizations rush to provide life-saving commodities to meet health, water, food, shelter, or other needs. That response is expedited by inventory prepositioned independently by governmental and non-governmental organizations. Research co-authored by Jason Acimovic, assistant professor of supply chain and information systems […]
An Inside Look at Freight-Based Development in Kansas City
CVS Pharmacy, Amazon, and others have invested more than $456 million in warehousing and distribution centers in the KC region, adding 4,700 jobs since 2015.
President Trump’s Trade Policy To-Do List: Top 10 Priorities
President Donald Trump’s early days in office have been busy ones for trade policy. It is too early, however, to assess the impact of these changes, according to global trade data company Panjiva. Here’s how Panjiva prioritizes the President’s trade policy task list. 1. Light up Lighthizer. Senate approval for Robert Lighthizer’s appointment as U.S. […]
Top 5 Things to Know About IoT
The Internet of Things is still in its infancy, and can be confusing to supply chain and logistics managers. Greg Braun, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Montreal-based logistics IT company C3 Solutions, shares some advice. 1. IoT technologies promise vastly improved visibility into supply chain operations. The ready availability of connected devices […]
Supply Chain Visibility: Closer Than You Think
Running a sustainable company isn’t as simple as it looks. "Compliance and recycle/reuse is about knowing what’s in your product—materials, chemicals, substances," says Christoph Wilfert, CEO of London-based everycs, developer of a technology solution—currently in beta testing—that screens global supply chains for risks and impacts. "But suppliers, like chemical companies, hate formula or percentage composition […]
Transportation Industry Leads the Way in Preventive Maintenance
Trucks need to keep rolling. Conveyor belts aren’t much good if they don’t convey anything. Cargo planes don’t move freight if they can’t fly. Ships don’t deliver from under the water. Business logistics managers can’t ignore the importance of preventive maintenance because the costs of reactive maintenance can have a heavy impact on the bottom […]
Growing Your Small Business: How to Find Your Next Supplier in Mexico
Is Mexico the New China?
Intermodal Bounces Back in Q1
Intermodal freight volumes returned to growth in the first quarter of 2017 following declines during 2016, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) Intermodal Market Trends and Statistics report. International and domestic containers rose 2.9 percent and 1.3 percent respectively, and intermodal trailers posted minimal gains of 0.3 percent. "All intermodal market segments […]
U.S./Canada Trade Remains Strong, With Plenty of Opportunity for Growth – Purolator
Q: What trends are you seeing in U.S./Canada cross-border trade? A: I see tremendous opportunity on both sides of the border. For one thing, imports from Canada are growing, largely due to the stable U.S. dollar. We seem to have turned the tide on the currency volatility of the past couple years, allowing Canadian manufacturers […]
E-commerce Fulfillment Survey Finds Evidence of Retailer Growing Pains
Business is booming for e-commerce retailers according to a new global market study by Peoplevox, an e-commerce Warehouse Management System (WMS) provider. Peoplevox’s “The 2017 E-Commerce Fulfillment Report” found sales of 82% of the e-commerce and multichannel businesses taking part had increased in 2016, with only 6% reporting a decrease in orders. While many voiced […]
Commentary: What Uber Freight Will Mean for Shippers
Uber recently announced the launch of their newest service, Uber Freight, which allows trucking companies to automatically match with loads in need of transportation. While reviews of the new service are mixed, Uber executives claim that their shift toward infiltrating the trucking industry is in full force and that they already have a network of […]
Putting an End to Black Box Shipping
Sometimes, for even the most critical shipments, the only two data points that the shipper receives is when the shipment left their hands and confirmation from the destination that the shipment has arrived. This can be likened to a black box in computer science, where a function is considered a black box when the developer […]
PortMiami Welcomes Largest Container Ship to Call Florida
MAERSK SHANGHAI, a 10,081 TEU container ship, the largest to ever call a Florida deep-water port was at PortMiami last week. The MAERSK SHANGHAI is part of the TP11 Service (Maersk Line), AMERICA Service (MSC), USEC-1 Service (2M Alliance, Maersk & MSC). The vessel is 1,063 feet (324 meters) long and 159 feet wide, which is equal to about […]
Report: New Data Shows Extent of E-Commerce’s Differing Impact on Retail Categories
E-Commerce has generated significant volumes of sales in the U.S. electronics and clothing industries but has yet to gain traction in other retail sectors, according to a CBRE Group, Inc. analysis of recently released government data. U.S. Commerce Department figures show extensive e-commerce penetration in certain retail categories such as electronics and appliances, with a […]
Commentary: The Shift from Fleet Management to Mobility Management
Today’s digital economy impacts how people, goods, and services move throughout the marketplace. From app-based, ride-share companies to connected data and analytics, transportation is entering a new era and changing the role of traditional fleet managers. We’re seeing a shift from fleet management to mobility management. How can businesses adapt and employ new tools to […]
Reconstructing Supply Chains
I see it every day on my way to work, and if you’re in logistics, you see it too. The demand chain structure that you manage is breaking down and rebuilding itself, just below the surface, and changing into what best serves consumers’ needs. On a major New York artery, I pass a long-vacant big […]
Do you think self-driving trucks will affect the supply chain in the next two years? How so?
No. I do not believe this is a viable option in the United States. Current research is specific for the European theater on confined and controlled highway systems. The United States will require significant highway infrastructure investment to facilitate self-driving trucks. Bill Carter Vice President of Logistics, CFI Yes. There’s an enormous driver shortage plaguing […]
Getting the Most From Your 3PL Provider
As the debate between globalization and regionalization continues, getting the most from your third-party logistics (3PL) provider is more important than ever. Businesses need to be agile and able to not only proactively respond to customers, but also adjust in response to any unanticipated business change. While many 3PLs offer similar services and capabilities, companies […]
Paul Nugent: Feed the Flow
Paul Nugent is director of logistics for Kitchen and Bath Americas with Kohler Co. While Kohler is best known for plumbing products, the company also manufactures furniture, cabinetry, tile, engines, and generators. Responsibilities: Create and execute distribution and fulfillment operational strategies for manufacturing plant warehouses, logistics centers, and customers. Also responsible for operations, network design, […]
REO Logistics CEO Rebecca Polan: In Line to Succeed
Rebecca Polan was working toward a career in the not-for-profit world when she realized she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life. Her father, Lake Polan, the third-generation leader of a family logistics and real estate firm, urged her to work for him for one year. “He said, ‘No harm if you […]
Handle With Care: How to Be the Best At Fulfilling Your Clients’ Chemical Handling Needs – WSI
Chemical handling is an important function of a third-party logistics provider. If your firm is looking to source a chemical handling partner or currently handles chemicals and wants to perform better, our guide below illuminates some key factors to finding the best fit. 1. Explain your chemical business thoroughly, so potential providers know their duties. […]
Thinking Inside the Unbox
Consumers today judge businesses on many things beyond product performance. Unboxing, for example, is now part of a consumer’s everyday experience. That means daily opportunities for your brand to make a positive impression. Today, 68 percent of shoppers say they are more aware of packaging than they were five years ago, according to a Kantar […]
5 Ways Your TMS Can Help You Go Green
Some of the most common reasons to implement a Transportation Management System (TMS) include automation, visibility, and optimization, all of which can lead to reduced costs and greater efficiency. However, a TMS also has the ability to help you be more environmentally responsible. Sustainability matters to businesses and individuals—both in terms of what they buy […]
19 Steps to Creating a Lean and Green Supply Chain
Nurturing a green, sustainable supply chain benefits the environment and your bottom line. Here are some tactics—from analyzing your transportation network and warehouse design to looking for recycling opportunities—to help you go green and get lean.
75 Green Supply Chain Partners
Inbound Logistics features its annual G75— a carefully curated list of 75 companies that go above and beyond to ensure their global supply chains are sustainable, and that their operations are socially and environmentally friendly. These companies have spent years developing and implementing best practices to ensure the footprint they leave on the world is a positive one.
India and Southeast Asia: Land of Opportunity and Challenges
The region offers a promising but complex supply chain climate for companies interested in expanding globally.
Chemical Logistics: Primed for Growth
Growing demand for U.S.-made chemicals sparks new opportunities, while aggravating capacity concerns.
Online Education: Become a Supply Chain Leader…in Your Pajamas
A wide range of quality online education options lets you build your skill set and advance your career without leaving home – or thinking about the dress code.
Supply Chain Challenge: Getting Employees on Board
The first step in Agilent’s supply chain restructuring strategy was encouraging employee buy-in and feedback through a training and educational platform.
Commentary: IoT and Analytics to Usher in New Era in Logistics
With millions of shipments being moved, tracked, and stowed by a variety of vehicles and people each day, it is no surprise that logistics and the Internet of Things (IoT) form a promising partnership. Trucks need smarter management systems that will help in increasing their utilization, reduce downtime, lower costs, and increase revenues. The movement […]
Report: Traditional Industrial Distributors at Risk
Asset-light e-marketplaces and other nontraditional shopping channels, combined with shifting demographics, are upending industrial distributors’ inventory-heavy model more rapidly than previously thought. As a result, distributors must quickly adapt and address threats with everything from sharper mobile offerings to upgraded customer service, a new white paper from UPS (NYSE: UPS) shows. According to the […]
Celebrating the Family’s Chief Logistics Officer: Dad
Companies need a Chief Logistics Officer, but so do families. This Father’s Day, remember all that Dad does – fixing, building, hauling, managing, protecting, teaching, providing – to make our homes and our lives safe and happy.
Commentary: What You Need to Know About Trump’s $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan
On May 23, 2017, President Trump released the first glimpse of his highly anticipated plan for a $1 trillion infrastructure package. According to the budget, the rebuilding plan would inject $200 billion into transportation projects over the next 10 years with the goal the administration would meet its $1 trillion target through a mix of […]
Online Shoppers Turning To International Retailers
Nearly half of avid U.S. online shoppers bought items from international retailers, demonstrating the need for retailers to offer more personalized services as a way to compete against lower prices, according to the sixth annual UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper study. The UPS study found that almost all avid U.S. online shoppers (97%), made […]
Penske Truck Leasing Agrees to Acquire Old Dominion Truck Leasing
Penske Truck Leasing announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Richmond, Virginia-based Old Dominion Truck Leasing. Financial terms were not disclosed. "Old Dominion Truck Leasing and Penske Truck Leasing customers will benefit from synergies in our products, technology, and services available across our combined network of facilities," said Brian Hard, president and CEO, […]
APICS Expands Supply Chain Stem Program
APICS, a professional association for supply chain management, launched a new, expanded Supply Chain STEM Educational Outreach Program. The program aims to introduce K-12 students to the concept of supply chain, demonstrate the importance of supply chain management, and highlight promising career paths within the industry. This latest investment will extend the reach of the […]
Study: U.S. Manufacturing, Logistics Industries Grew Dramatically Over Last Generation
Contrary to public perception, U.S. manufacturing and logistics industries experienced dramatic growth over the past generation, says a new report from Ball State University. U.S. manufacturing production grew 11 percent since the dot-com bust (2000-03) and the ensuing economic turbulence of the 2001 and 2007-09 recessions, according to Manufacturing and Logistics: A Generation of Volatility […]
LG Honored For Supply Chain Sustainability
LG Electronics (LG) was honored for innovation in supply chain sustainability by the Green Electronics Council. Presented at CES Asia 2017, the GEC Catalyst Awards seek to inspire innovation in the design, manufacture, and use of electronics to advance global sustainability. LG’s special distinction as 2017 GEC "Catalyzing Impact at Scale" Honoree recognizes LG OLED […]
Commentary: Supply Chain System Security Starts in the Cloud
The May 2017 ‘WannaCry’ ransomware cyberattack swept 150 countries, crippling hospitals, paralyzing government entities, and completely halting businesses by exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated operating systems. By infiltrating systems, locking down digital assets, and making all files and folders inaccessible, the attackers effectively shut down entire organizations. No fulfillment. No new client acquisition. No checking inventory. […]
DHL Becomes the Logistics Partner of the Council of Fashion Designers of America
Logistics provider DHL has inked a partnership agreement with the Council of Fashion Designers of America Inc. (CFDA) to be the American fashion trade organization’s official logistics partner. The New York City-based CFDA is a not-for-profit organization with a membership of more than 500 foremost womenswear, menswear, accessory, and jewelry designers. “We are thrilled to […]
Port Everglades to Purchase Three Super Post-Panamax Container Gantry Cranes
Port Everglades is purchasing three low-profile Super Post Panamax container-handling gantry cranes at $13.8 million each to meet demands from current customers and new services anticipated from the port’s multi-million-dollar expansion program. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved the $41.4 million crane purchase, with an option for the seaport to purchase an additional three […]
Supply Chain Commentary: The Advantages of First Sale
Today’s supply chains are complex, and companies are constantly on the lookout for ways to lower the cost of doing business. The border represents an area for potential cost savings, with various duty-reduction methods available, such as free trade agreements (FTAs) and preference programs. However, the rules for FTAs can be complicated, and most imports […]
Commentary: IoT for Shippers
Powered by the Internet of Things, the next generation control tower will extend supply chain visibility and control tower services down to the level of things – however large, small, or geographically dispersed they may be. Rather than connecting just the traditional supply chain entities, these control towers will reach into a single piece of […]
New Warehouse Lease Pre-Commitments Reach New High
Almost half of the 167 million sq. ft. of U.S warehouse space currently under construction — 72 million sq. ft. — is already pre-committed to tenants, primarily e-commerce, third-party logistics, and retail users, according to a new report from CBRE Group, Inc. The current tally of pre-committed warehouse space is the highest since 2000. In […]
Supply Chain Report: Why Suppliers Hold Back
Supplier collaboration and sustainability can drive innovation and growth in top supply chains, but only 43 percent of suppliers feel fully empowered to collaborate with their partners, says new research from 3M. Surveying 237 suppliers in the United States, the report uncovers insight on the most urgent trends, opportunities, and challenges facing suppliers today. Collaboration […]
3 Tips for Building a Successful Restaurant Supply Chain
When it comes to the foodservice supply chain, there is little room for trial and error. A simple mistake could cause serious problems in the supply chain that can result in lost revenue or wasted product, can more broadly hurt a brand or lose otherwise loyal customers, and at its worst, put consumers at risk […]
Use Your Supply Chain to Earn
Customer Loyalty
Loyalty is a big word. One could argue that most business decisions can be linked back to the idea of establishing, building, or improving customer loyalty, since it translates to revenues and repeat purchases, as well as better customer satisfaction, advocacy, and brand love. In fact, up to 15% of a business’s most loyal customers […]
Georgia Ports Authority Breaks Container Volume Record
Larger vessels and additional container services calling Georgia’s ports coupled with a positive economic forecast ushered in an all-time record month for container volume. The Georgia Ports Authority handled 350,104 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May, 11.68 % more TEUs compared to the same month a year ago, or 35,619 additional TEUs. "It’s evident […]
Commentary: Mitigating Supply Chain Risk
Think of shipping cargo like a financial portfolio: It’s important to diversify. That’s because there are inherent risks when shipping via air and ocean: delays, damaged cargo, weather events, etc. Cargo insurance, though critical, isn’t always enough to protect you and your business. You need a plan that covers all the predictable and unpredictable risks, […]
Commentary: Create a Positive Work Culture for Increased Performance
Culture is driving everything in the warehousing industry, and management drives the culture whether they know it or not. The benefits of work place inspiration have been proven time and again. Research indicates that happy employees – those with positive personal well-being – compared to unhappy employees: · Deliver 31% higher productivity · Demonstrate 3 […]
UPS Opens New Healthcare Facility in Colombia
UPS’s new 76,000-square-foot center is the company’s latest investment in healthcare logistics aimed at helping pharmaceutical, biopharma, and medical device companies create seamless, global supply chains as they expand into, transport within, and export from Latin America. The multi-client facility is equipped with technology for storing temperature-sensitive healthcare products. The building offers best-in-class distribution services, […]
The Benefits of Domestic Sourcing
Even though businesses have historically looked to imported inputs as a means of lowering production costs, the benefits of sourcing domestically should not be discounted. With uncertainty surrounding the future of multilateral trade deals like NAFTA and the long-term implications of Brexit and other nationalist movements, now is an excellent time for businesses to reevaluate […]
Top 3 CEOs in the Transportation and Warehousing Industry
Now is a good time for pros in the transportation and warehousing industry to consider finding a job at KLM or NFI Industries. Employees at these companies have the most likeable CEOs, according to a new report from Owler, a crowdsourced information platform that’s building a database of company and executive information. Owler’s analysis, which […]
CED Unveils Plan for Improving America’s Roads and Bridges
The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) issued a report with recommendations for improving America’s roads and bridges. The study comes in the wake of discussions by Congress and the President to increase investment in repairing, expanding, and modernizing the country’s infrastructure. As Fixing America’s Roads & Bridges: The Path Forward details, […]
Construction Time-Lapse Video of New Landstar Logistics Center
Landstar System recently celebrated the opening of its new U.S./Mexico Logistics Service Center in Laredo, Texas. Design-Build firm, Haskell, relied on Work Zone Cam’s time-lapse construction webcam to document the entire process from start to finish. The video shows progress from May 2016 to February 2017. The 31,000-square-foot facility features a 30-bay cross-dock and custom […]
Port of Baltimore Planning for Bigger Ships and More Containers
Supersized container ships traveling through the newly enhanced Panama Canal have been arriving at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore since last year and the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) continues to make plans to handle the increased amounts of containerized cargo. Recently, the MDOT MPA purchased property at the […]
Redwood Logistics Named One of Chicago’s Best Companies to Work For
3PL provider Redwood Logistics was named one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for the fourth consecutive year. The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For is a program of the National Association for Business Resources that provides the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices, and […]
Commentary: 4 Reasons Why Asia Pacific Drives the Life Sciences & Healthcare Supply Chain
The seeds were sown some 15 years ago, when a few pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies began investing in Asia Pacific. Over several years of favorable growth conditions, the life sciences and healthcare (LSH) industry gradually matured across the region, becoming a hosting platform for the majority of LSH key players today. So what makes Asia […]
Asia Accelerates Contract Logistics Growth
The overall contract logistics market grew by approximately 3.9 percent in real terms in 2016, according to TI’s Global Contract Logistics 2017 report. Despite stronger global growth in 2016, many developed markets struggled to match even the modest growth rates seen in their contract logistics markets in 2015. This reflects trends in the global economy, […]
Will Stagnant World Trade Hurt Air Cargo?
Global airfreight demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers, grew by 3.8 percent in 2016 compared to 2015, according to data released by The International Air Transport Association (IATA). This was nearly double the industry’s average growth rate of 2 percent over the past five years. Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers, increased by […]
Delivery Robots: Coming to a Sidewalk Near You
Major package delivery stakeholders such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, and Amazon have poured considerable resources into technology that will deliver packages by airborne drone. But their efforts face constant regulatory obstacles that slow the speed at which the technology can be tested and developed. In the meantime, a start-up is testing an idea that has […]
New Innovation Center Uses Technology to Advance Supply Chain Management
When industry and academia team up, benefits abound. Consider a new collaborative effort between J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., a transportation services company based in Lowell, Ark., and the University of Arkansas to advance supply chain management efficiency through technology. J.B. Hunt is investing $2.75 million in the University of Arkansas to create the J.B. […]
New Rail Service Will Link the UK and China
Details of the trade future between the United Kingdom and the European Union may be uncertain, but the UK’s trade with China is on track—literally. The Chinese government’s "One Belt, One Road" initiative checked off another milestone in April 2017 as a freight train left London’s DP World London Gateway, bound for Yiwu in eastern […]
Will Same-day Production and Delivery of Replacement Parts Become Standard?
Manufacturing replacement parts and shipping them to the customer the same day could soon become the industry standard. Same-day production and delivery is possible if communications between production and logistics is fully automated. This was illustrated in a live demo conducted by Deutsche Post DHL in partnership with AXIT and evosoft – IT companies that […]
Blockchain Survey Shows Awareness, Key Applications, and Implementation Plans
The primary use for blockchain is improving supply chain transparency and traceability, according to a new benchmark survey focused on blockchain in supply chain management and trade finance. Other important advantages include transaction cost reductions and enhanced trust between supply chain partners, according to Chain Business Insights’ Blockchain in Supply Chain: Edging Toward Higher Visibility. […]
Spot Truckload Rates Trending Up
National average spot truckload rates for van and flatbed freight rose during the week ending May 20 while the rate for spot refrigerated freight remained at its highest mark since January, said DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards. The number of available loads on DAT load boards increased 5.4% compared to […]
Commentary: Three Ways Technology Is Transforming the Life Sciences and Healthcare Supply Chain
Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers are facing a variety of challenges, perhaps the greatest of which is compliance. Since 2013 and the European Commission’s introduction of good distribution practice (GDP) rules, companies have upped prioritization of compliance in order to meet increasingly rigorous life sciences and healthcare standards. In particular, companies must now ensure temperature-controlled […]
How Labeling Helps Meet Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Challenges

The pharmaceutical supply chain is highly complex. Many ingredients are often shipped in bulk, repackaged, and reshipped before they find their way to the manufacturer producing the branded end-products. Multiple tiers of suppliers and wholesalers are often involved. Oftentimes, borders are crossed. Labeling is essential to smooth the flow of the pharmaceutical supply chain, where […]
Port Everglades Gets Approval for Largest Expansion Project in Its History
Broward County’s Port Everglades received unanimous approval from the Broward County Board of County Commissioners to begin a $437.5 million expansion project to add new berths for larger cargo ships and install crane rail infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax cranes. Currently, Port Everglades is berth constrained and additional dock space for cargo ships is needed, […]
Electrifying Big Truck Fleets
Hyster Company is testing high capacity lift trucks with electric motors. The company suggests that, in the near future, ports and heavy industry will be able to electrify their big truck fleets, producing zero emissions while achieving comparable full shift performance. “Using a modular approach and innovative technology, applications will soon have maximum flexibility when […]