Transportation When Life is on the Line
Have you ever been in a hospital waiting room and wondered where all the equipment and supplies come from and how they got there? Making sure that everything is in its place requires precise supply chain planning, especially when lives are on the line.
10 Tips: Avoiding Compliance Pitfalls
Shipping dangerous goods (DG) safely and compliantly is complex and challenging, and can have a significant effect on your supply chain. Here are 10 ways to avoid compliance issues.
How to Counter a Hazy Warehouse Employment Outlook
You don’t have to give warehouse managers the latest jobs report—they can tell you the state of the economy by looking out over the aisles. Customer demand continues to climb, the supply of potential workers remains stagnant, and the war to attract talent is fierce.
GOOD QUESTION: What’s Your Controversial Take on a Supply Chain Issue?
Industry insiders share their controversial opinions on supply chain topics.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
From philanthropic initiatives to major acquisitions, here’s what’s new and notable in the supply chain.
Made in America? Earning the Label
With U.S. consumers paying attention to “Made in USA” labels, here’s how companies can earn that stamp with supply chain savvy.
4 Ways to Leverage the Cloud
The past few years have highlighted the value of agile and resilient supply chains to meet customer expectations, build trust and loyalty, and grow revenues in the face of market turmoil.
Packaging Innovations 2023: Making Ecommerce & Sustainability a Package Deal
With a focus on ecommerce and sustainability demand, visibility, and improved efficiency, packaging systems are rapidly changing with the times.
10 Tips for Preparing for Supply Chain Ransomware Attacks
Cyberattacks in the manufacturing industry and supply chain have increased — here’s how leaders can reduce risk and prepare for responding to an attack today.
VERTICAL FOCUS: Sports & Recreation
The sports and leisure equipment market is projected to register a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% over the next five years.
TAKEAWAYS: Shaping the Future of the Global Supply Chain
What does the current landscape of corporate sustainability efforts look like? Here’s a glimpse at top challenges for emissions reduction initiatives and other supply chain trending topics.
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
From recently introduced materials handling systems to a new intermodal service between Canada and Mexico, here are the latest supply chain offerings.
Virtual Warehousing: Definition, Uses, and Benefits
In today’s competitive business landscape, organizations continually seek innovative ways to optimize their supply chain and inventory management. This need serves customers’ expectations, enabling technologies to take over most business operations. Virtual warehouse has not been left behind in this transformation. For instance, in e-commerce businesses, a virtual warehouse is a concept that can make […]
Post Panamax Ships: Design, Evolution, and Future
Container shipping plays a pivotal role in the ever-evolving global trade landscape, with ships of various sizes and capacities serving distinct purposes in the supply chain. One class of vessels that has significantly transformed maritime transportation is the Post-Panamax ships. These ships, surpassing the size constraints of the Panama Canal, are instrumental in cargo transportation […]
Feeder Ship: History, Design, and Sizes
In the ever-evolving world of global trade, the efficient transportation of goods is paramount. Key players in this logistics dance are feeder ships – versatile vessels designed to bridge the gap between large containerships and smaller regional ports. As we delve into these maritime workhorses, we will uncover their history, design, purpose, and critical role […]
Operations Management vs. Production Management: Differences, Tools, and Uses
As the gears of industry turn, two types of management keep the machine well-oiled: operations management and production management. Operations management refers to the administration of business activities that lead to the production of goods and services. In contrast, production management is a subset of operations management that focuses on the production process of goods. […]
Gross Weight vs. Dry Weight: Definitions, Acronyms, and Factors that Affect Towing Capacity
Understanding the difference between gross and dry weight can be confusing, especially when it involves vehicle towing capacity. Did you know that these weights differ greatly and affect how much load your vehicle can legally carry? This article clarifies the differences by defining key terms, explaining common industry acronyms, and discussing factors influencing towing capabilities. […]
Public Warehouse: Definition, Benefits, and Features
A public warehouse, often recognized as a third-party company location, serves diverse businesses with flexible storage and distribution needs. Its vast enclosed space is rented out to small and medium-sized enterprises for storing and managing their inventory efficiently. With no need to lock capital investment into property or bear associated taxes, a public warehouse emerges […]
Delivering Last-Inch Logistics
Nailing down the final inches of a delivery can be complex. Fortunately, a variety of solutions show promise to help shippers navigate that crucial leg.
Reader Interview: Integrated Supply Network’s Theron Neese
Theron Neese is chief operating officer with Integrated Supply Network (ISN), a Lakeland, Florida-based distributor of automotive tools and equipment.
DC Diversification: Direct-to-Consumer Reigns
Despite research to the contrary, direct-to-consumer sales will continue to grow.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Wearable and Hands-Free Solutions
From a pick-by-vision system that uses smart glasses to exoskeletons that provide support during each lifting movement, these wearables and hands-free innovations boost worker safety and productivity in the warehouse.
The Benefits of Procurement Technology Platforms: A Closer Look at Return on Investment
Businesses can achieve transformational efficiencies and returns on investment with procurement technology platforms. Here’s how one company pulled off its digital transformation.
Port Development Accelerates
Across the United States and much of the world, ports are preparing for a changing future. These leading U.S. ports are upgrading their infrastructure and expanding their cargo handling capabilities.
Balancing Exception Management and Customer Satisfaction
For ecommerce fulfillment, exceptional customer service is not just about getting orders right but how you handle exceptions when things go awry. It’s critical to have systems to navigate shipment exception challenges and create customer experiences that foster loyalty.
Florida: Channeling Global Success
Long a premier logistics location, Florida has set its sights on growing its already enviable place in the global economy. The state’s logistics assets, including deep-water seaports like Port Everglades, lead the way.
Perishable Cargo: Meaning, Examples, and Regulations
Navigating the complexities of transporting perishable cargo can be daunting. Did you know that these goods encompass a vast range of products, from dairy, frozen food and other meat products to live plants and seafood? This article unravels the meaning, examples, and regulations surrounding perishable cargo transportation. What is Perishable Cargo? Perishable items refer to […]
Cold Storage Warehouse: Definition, How It Works, and Key Features
As supply chains evolve to accommodate growing consumer demand and more diverse temperature sensitive products, the importance of specialized storage solutions has become increasingly apparent. One such solution, critical for numerous industries, is the cold storage warehouse. This article delves into the world of cold storage warehousing, outlining what it entails, its significance, its unique […]
Enterprise Resource Planning: Definition, Benefits, and Challenges
Struggling with managing your business operations efficiently? You’re not alone – about 25% of organizations implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to increase their efficiency. This article will guide you through the myriad facets of ERP, its benefits, vulnerabilities, applications, ERP meaning, and much more. It will also show you how to define ERP and highlight […]
Backorder: Meaning, Causes, and How to Limit Them
Understanding what backorders mean, their causes, and how to limit them is essential for businesses and logistics professionals. As supply chain disruptions become more common in today’s global economy, managing backorders effectively can make or break a company’s success. In this article, we explore the ins and outs of back-ordered items to equip businesses with […]
10 Best Paying Trucking Companies
Are you a truck driver looking to work for one of the country’s great trucking companies? Below is a list of the top paying trucking companies, as ranked by TruckDriversSalary.com. GP Transco and Riverside Transport stand out not just for their competitive pay but also for their reputation as being a best trucking company to […]
Top 20 AI Applications in the Supply Chain
Artificial intelligence can help with everyday supply chain tasks—say filling out customs paperwork—as well as guide supply chain planning and decision-making, enabling demand-driven responsiveness.
Back-to-School Report Card
With increased demand for electronics boosting consumer spending, retailers are gearing up for a packed back-to-school shopping season. So far the 2023 cycle is earning high marks:
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
MSC now calls at Port Everglades, instead of Miami, on its Santana service, which connects Southeast Asia to the United States. The service now includes the following on its rotation: Haiphong, Shanghai, Ningbo, Busan, Rodman, Caucedo, Port Everglades, Charleston, Baltimore, New York, Boston, and Singapore.
2023 Inbound Logistics Perspectives: 3PL Market Research Report
What’s trending in logistics partnerships in 2023? Our 18th annual 3PL market research report asked both providers and shippers.
How Artificial Intelligence Is Improving Supply Chain Operations
AI may better describe augmented intelligence rather than artificial intelligence. While AI systems can help alleviate labor shortages, they often perform best while working alongside people and augmenting human intelligence.
Top 10 3PLs: Readers’ Choice Excellence Awards
We got your messages and votes. All 12,500 of them. Readers say these third-party logistics providers are tops when it comes to customer service and responsiveness.
Full Steam Ahead, Don’t Let Ocean Costs Detain You
With rising ocean and detention costs, controls and analysis are more important than ever to protect profitability.
Putting 3PLs to the Text
There’s no such thing as TMI when third-party logistics providers work diligently with shippers to help them navigate macro changes and to provide accountability, transparency, efficiency, and streamlined supply chain operations. It’s 3PLs FTW.
Top 100 3PLs
When you need logistics, supply chain, and transportation solutions fast, these top 3PL companies and lead logistics providers deliver.
Securing Unmatched Private Equity Solutions
A private equity firm engaged Hub Group to evaluate its supply chain network and improve operational efficiencies for one of its prominent CPG companies. Hub Group delivered an end-to-end solution.
9 Quick Tips to Maximize Expedited Shipping
‘Expedite’ does not have to be a bad word in your supply chain. Here’s how to make expedited shipping a strategic strength.
Canada & the United States: Mapping Out Cross-Border Connections
The strength of the trade relationship between the neighboring countries is illustrated daily in border crossings, where freight handled by experienced logistics providers moves seamlessly both ways.
VERTICAL FOCUS: Baby Supplies
Changing the Diaper Market Despite supply chain disruptions, raw material shortages, and inflation, innovation is thriving in the baby diaper market and new brands continue to be born. Although the United States is a mature market for diapers, a Euromonitor report still predicts modest growth for baby diapers over the next five years, driven by […]
Global Logistics Essentials: What to Know Before You Source, Import, or Export
Global logistics brings both challenges and opportunities for today’s shippers. Here, we break down the nitty-gritty details every importer and exporter needs to know.
2023 Summer Reading Guide
Throw these books into your beach bag and catch up on the latest supply chain trends and strategies.
Project Logistics: Achieving the Impossible
Shippers and specialized transportation providers accomplish the seemingly impossible when they plan and partner to transport oversized, heavyweight, or odd-sized shipments.
A New Mission: Military Vets Enlist in Logistics
Military veterans are reporting for duty in today’s supply chain workforce. Companies are tapping into this well-trained and disciplined group of employees to help ease driver shortages and translate their hard-earned skills into fulfilling positions in transportation and logistics.
How to Attract and Retain the Best Supply Chain Workforce
As they steer through increasingly complex supply chain challenges, companies stay laser-focused on navigating the talent war and attracting the right people for the job.
U.S. Ports: Pivot and Improve
U.S. ports have weathered storms that forced slow steaming of supply chains across the globe. Through it all, the ports stand as studies of American resilience and innovation, serving as powerful lighthouses to the world.
Supply Chains Are Social Networks
Technology dominates today’s economy. But, while many of today’s new business skills require technical knowhow, it is social skills, ironically, that may be key for future human employment.
Automating Warehouse Operations: Where to Start and How to Maximize Gains
Deploying automation and robotics in the logistics industry has gained in urgency in recent years. No longer just the prerogative of global corporations, automation is also key for small to mid-size companies grappling with ecommerce acceleration and seeking efficiencies in their supply chain operations.
How Shippers Are Taking Control of Supply Chain Management
Analytics solutions offer visibility into past, present, and future spot and contract market rates, enabling strategic sourcing, planning, and cost management.
Labor Pains Persist
As rising interest rates, poor economic conditions, and a talent shortage continue, optimism among manufacturing industry leaders remains low, according to a Sikich Industry Pulse: Manufacturing and Distribution report.
Is the Supply Chain Crisis Easing?
What new and existing supply chain challenges are organizations facing today and how are supply chain leaders thinking about the future?
Aircraft Shortage: The Plane Truth
Expected aircraft engine shortages will have a substantial impact on the global supply chain’s cargo capacity and more. Fewer available aircrafts, combined with growing demand for air cargo services, could lead to a surge in freight rates, significantly affecting businesses reliant on air for time-sensitive or high-value goods.
5 Trends to Watch As We Sail Into Peak Season
As shippers approach what is historically retail peak season, understanding the evolving ocean market will be critical to maintaining a resilient supply chain for the long term. Here are five key trends to watch as the ocean market evolves.
“The Great Reset”
The State of Logistics Report, produced annually for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals by global consulting firm Kearney and presented by Penske Logistics, delivers a snapshot of the American economy through the lens of the logistics sector and its role in overall supply chains.
The Risks of SMB Nearshoring
Small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) are embracing nearshoring to help address supplier challenges such as unreliable delivery time frames and inconsistent product quality. But switching to nearby suppliers is easier said than done.
3PLs and AI – A Historical Combination
I am not much for predictions, but here’s one you can bank on: When artificial intelligence (AI) is truly applied to logistics operations, that combination will be a defining moment like few that have come before.
GOOD QUESTION: Who Would Be Your Lifeline During a Logistics Crisis? Why?
Dwight D. Eisenhower. I make use of the Eisenhower Matrix (pictured). I would want to have heard from the man himself. Planning, preparing, and executing a moment in history like the Normandy invasion puts any logistics crisis in perspective. Do everything in your power to prepare. And at a certain point you need to have confidence in that preparation—and your people—to get on with the task at hand.
–Richard Kohn
Director, Global Logistics & Optimization
SeaCube Containers
Navigating Supply Chain Uncertainty and Volatility with Proven Solutions
In 2023, The Logistix company sees its customers’ much more conscientious to their freight spend and notices contracted rates taking precedence along with more insight into forecasts.
Navigating the Insourcing vs. Outsourcing Debate in Post-Covid Logistics
Logistics companies must go beyond traditional value propositions. Shippers expect benefits to be delivered at an accelerated pace without sacrificing control and flexibility.
Solve Inbound Processing Problems to Boost Fulfillment Performance
Everything flows from the inbound. The absence of a systematic, accurate inbound process makes it nearly impossible to prevent problems in fulfillment operations.
3PL Provides a Well-Oiled, Single-Source Solution
Trinity Logistics offered olive oil maker Pompeian a fully managed transportation solution while providing expert support, extensive data, and any training needed to maximize transportation results.
Clean Shave: Brand Handily Achieves Global Expansion with 3PL Partner
Relying on SEKO’s state-of-the-art warehousing, consistent fulfillment strategy, and seamless global fulfillment platform, MANSCAPED™ met product demand and achieved their expansion goals.
Mileage Audit Spots Excess Charges and Saves Money for Shippers
RSI Logistics audited mileage equalization charges for a shipper and found it was being charged for excess empty miles. Ultimately the 3PL helped the company save more than $50,000.
The Advantages to Building an Indianapolis Warehouse Network
Indiana provided ease of access for the MD Logistics Indianapolis warehouse network comprised of four locations, three of which serve the life sciences and pharmaceuticals industry.
Providing Transformative Fulfillment Services
All Points elevated fulfillment operations for a Fortune 500 media company. Through innovative solutions and unwavering commitment, All Points Atlanta navigated the relocation of a complex program.
Powering Up a Better Supply Chain
At Aggreko, the focus is to ensure that business is always on by delivering power, cooling, and heating equipment and services anywhere they’re needed so businesses can grow and communities can thrive. The company operates in high-stakes environments to deliver emergency solutions to customers including utilities, municipalities, petrochemical companies, refineries, and manufacturing firms.
Masterful Moves: Overcoming Deadlines, Pressures, and Distance with Extraordinary Service
Holman Logistics provided its client with seamless execution for a warehouse move done in record time.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
M & A • Hellmann Worldwide Logistics acquired PKZ Group, its long-standing air and sea freight partner in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, establishing its own Slovakian national company. • Advantive, a software provider for specialty manufacturing and distribution businesses, made two recent acquisitions: VeraCore, an SaaS order and warehouse management software provider for fulfillment companies and […]
Cream of the Crops
With several hundred locations in more than 70 countries, management at Bayer Crop Science needed greater visibility and access to the information that could help it make fact-based logistics decisions, boost asset utilization, and enhance on-time delivery.
Managing the Return Trip
Glance around any airport and it immediately becomes apparent that travel is back in full swing. Chalk it up to pent-up demand but people are either hauling out long-stored luggage or buying new bags and setting off on much delayed journeys. The time was ripe for Samsonite—the world’s best-known and largest travel luggage company—to innovate and enhance their customer experience.
Satisfying a Craving for Productivity
To boost productivity and streamline operations, Morton Food Service, an independent distributor of food and beverage products based in Windsor, Ontario, began working with VAI, an independent mid-market enterprise resource planning (ERP) software developer.
Embracing the System
Ramesh Murthy is executive vice president and chief supply chain officer with Bob’s Discount Furniture, a rapidly growing omnichannel furniture retailer, with 164 stores across 24 states.
Boosting Supply Chain Visibility
Supply chain visibility enables companies to respond quickly to changes in customer demands, optimize production and distribution, deliver a superior customer experience, and gain a competitive edge. Here’s how to achieve it.
Ecommerce Plug and Play
Allan Marshall figured his days as a CEO were complete. He’d founded several successful logistics firms, including Segmentz, which eventually became XPO Logistics. Satisfied with all he had accomplished, Marshall then spent about 15 years providing seed capital for promising startups.
Autonomous at Last?
One of the most difficult and expensive areas of the supply chain is last-mile and home delivery. It can also be the most memorable and important aspect of the customer’s buying experience. So, it’s no surprise that last-mile delivery of goods is a key application for driverless technologies.
Reducing the Impact of Global Events
The global supply chain became even more connected in 2022. The U.S. Commerce Department reported record exports to 73 countries last year, and record imports from 90 nations. But the supply chain remained highly fragile and became a bigger responsibility to manage.
What to Consider Before You Shift
One trend driving the growth in manufacturing jobs has been reshoring–the practice of bringing manufacturing back to the United States. Reshoring activities were estimated to create more than 225,000 jobs in 2022, according to a Reshoring Initiative report.
Could Ocean Be the Best Solution?
Since COVID, businesses worldwide have had to contend with increased demand, limited storage capacities, and the need for fast, reliable transportation of goods. Many businesses have focused on ocean transport as a potential solution to their shipping issues.
Strategies to Overcome Cross-Border Obstacles
Brands selling internationally know that their cross-border strategies must accommodate changes in import taxes, localized prices, or governmental sanctions. What many may not initially consider is the complexities of country restrictions, and the possibility that certain products can be deemed a threat and held up in the customs process.
What You Don’t Know About Your Suppliers Can Hurt You
Most companies run credit checks to make sure their suppliers are stable. But how can executives keep up with the news and other crucial reports to see if those suppliers will keep their commitments?
The Future of Work is Already Here
Some supply chain employees may feel wary about job security with advancements in automation and technology. The truth is technology isn’t the enemy; it’s a necessity.
Asset Management is Everyone’s Job
When it comes to keeping the supply chain as efficient as possible, asset management is a vital priority that mustn’t be overlooked. Keeping careful track not only of goods, but of the shipping containers and platforms needed to transport these goods, should be everyone’s responsibility.
Greening the Last Mile
Last-mile delivery—the end stage of delivery from a pickup point or sortation center to a package’s final destination—is the most expensive aspect of the supply chain, from high fuel costs and address location to labor and first delivery failure. It also has the highest environmental impact of any other part of the supply chain.
3 Ways Predictive Analytics Improves Fulfillment
Organizations need the technical tools to provide operational insights that lead to smarter decisions about automating inventory management, warehousing, and distribution processes. With improved operational visibility, businesses can strengthen their order fulfillment and supply chain processes while keeping pace with customer expectations.
Thinking Inside the Box Truck
While most people are at least somewhat familiar with box trucks, these little workhorses don’t get enough credit. Also known as straight trucks or bobtails, they are usually 26 feet long and can carry up to 10,000 pounds of freight. They can also come in small (12 ft.) and medium size (14-18 ft.) configurations.
Auto Industry Shifts Logistics Strategies
While companies across industries and sizes are making changes to mitigate supply chain risk, the automotive industry seems to be leading the way on some of the top trends.
Market Swing: Prepare Now or Lose Later
Market indicators are pointing to a stronger second half of the year—in carriers’ favor—signaling to prudent shippers that the time is now to reevaluate both short- and long-term plans.
Process Manufacturing vs Discrete Manufacturing: Definitions and Differences
Manufacturing is the large-scale process of converting raw materials into finished products, utilizing factors of production, including human labor and machinery. Depending on the product requirements, you can use various manufacturing processes to get the desired output. Discrete manufacturing and process manufacturing are the most common production methods. In this article, we explore the two […]
Vertical Integration: Definition, Examples, and Advantages
Companies can choose many business strategies to meet their supply chain and logistics needs. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages. The best method depends on a company’s specific needs, goals, and circumstances. Vertically integrated corporations, like those in the booming field of vertical aerospace, are giants with a grip on multiple stages of their production […]
Supply Chain Visibility: What It Is, Importance, and Types
Supply chain visibility is a process that provides customers with information regarding a product or service they ordered. By informing customers of the timeframe and details about a specific product they ordered from a business, the corporation can monitor orders, increase its daily operation efficiency, and avoid customer dissatisfaction. Without supply chain visibility, individuals would […]
What is a Courier Service: Meaning, Benefits, and Functions
When you need customizable and speedy pickup and delivery services to keep your supply chain flowing, you might consider the post office. Unfortunately, the post office charges high rates for anything faster than the norm, and its services are limited. The solution exists with couriers. In the past, courier services were limited to local pickup […]
Container Freight Station: Definition, Purpose, and Benefits
In the past, items from the smaller shipments would be loaded and sorted during onboarding. But today, Container Freight Station (CFS) has changed the transportation system for smaller and larger shipments. In this article, we’ll highlight the meaning of a CFS, its purpose, and its benefits. What Is a Container Freight Station? A CFS is […]
Delivered Duty Paid: Meaning, Importance, and Process
The international shipping process is made up of multiple methods, including order placement and fulfillment, shipment, export, import, order notification, and delivery or return. Incoterms are rules that govern the shipment of goods between countries. This allows people to ship and receive items worldwide while still meeting local and federal shipment requirements. Buyers and sellers […]
Bullwhip Effect: Example, Causes, and Impact on Supply Chain
The supply chain ensures that raw materials, parts, and finished products are delivered to customers promptly and efficiently. However, the supply chain is a complex system that various major factors, such as changes in demand, production delays, or supply chain disruptions, can easily disrupt. The bullwhip effect is one of supply chain management’s most significant […]
Expedited Shipping: Meaning, Pros, and Options
In today’s fast-paced e-commerce landscape, expedited shipping is increasingly important. Customers’ desire for quick, reliable delivery of their purchases has led businesses to seek out faster, more efficient shipping options. This article delves into the meaning, benefits, and options for expedited shipping, helping businesses to comprehend its potential impact on their operations. What Does Expedited […]