Global Logistics—October 2013
Sub-Saharan Africa Targets U.S. for Growth With constantly changing regulations, poor transportation infrastructure, and unstable governments, one might think cross-border trade with Sub-Saharan Africa is just too difficult to pursue. DHL Express doesn’t see it that way. The express courier company, which has been operating in Sub-Saharan Africa for 35 years, recently invited Inbound Logistics […]
All Aboard a Modal Conversion
Intermodal is crossing over. In August 2013, U.S. domestic traffic averaged 257,795 units per week, the highest weekly average ever recorded, according to the Association of American Railroads. All indications suggest intermodal growth will continue to roll. As over-the-road shippers embrace the efficiency, economy, and sustainability of shifting truck shipments to rail, a conversion is […]
Leveraging Packaging-On-Demand Solutions
Packaging-on-demand solutions enable businesses to create cardboard boxes from bulk corrugated material in a variety of sizes—saving inventory space, and packaging and labor costs. Lance Wallin, executive director of global packaging systems for packaging solutions provider Sealed Air’s Protective Packaging Division, offers these tips for using packaging-on-demand solutions efficiently. 1. Select systems that can accommodate […]
Chris Carlson: All Charged Up
Chris Carlson is vice president of Batteries Plus Bulbs, a retailer of batteries and light bulbs based in Hartland, Wis., with more than 570 corporate and franchise locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. He has held this position since 2011. Responsibilities: Transportation, warehousing, vendor management, demand planning, part of the China supply chain, […]
Automating B2B Payments: The Next Frontier
When it comes to automation in B2B payments, we have a long way to go. Too often, payments are disconnected from the underlying commercial transaction, creating problems from proper initiation to reconciliation. Automating B2B payments is challenging for many reasons. Selling a product or service and getting paid are often two different processes. Anyone who […]
Creating More Intelligent Supply Chains with BI Technology
For suppliers in today’s business world, having a firm grasp on supply chain and logistics issues is a top concern. As internal operations and external supply-chain activities become more complex, these companies depend on current information to optimize productivity, improve customer service, and minimize expenses. Business intelligence (BI) technology improves supply chain operations by helping […]
Technology Supports 3PL-Carrier Partnerships
Q: How has technology enhanced the relationship between third-party logistics (3PL) providers and carriers? A: The term "shuttle diplomacy" typically describes foreign negotiations between governments and political entities across great divides. Technology has served the same role in the transportation industry, particularly in strengthening partnerships between 3PLs and carriers. In the past, carriers and brokers […]
The Benefits of an Integrated Transportation Solution
Q: What market trends are compelling shippers to reconsider their transportation management strategy? A: For one, a capacity shortage is happening. Shippers are also pressed by equipment investment and maintenance, transportation regulations, and the costs incurred trying to recruit and retain qualified drivers. As a result, some private-fleet owners are questioning that model. Should transportation […]
Gold Mining: Unearthing the Value in Freight Audit and Payment Services
No longer a simple accounting function, freight audit and payment services give shippers access to financial data they can dig into for money-saving insights.
Nebraska: A Crossroads and a Gateway
An established leader in the U.S. logistics sector, Nebraska is extending its reach across the globe thanks to its outstanding transportation access.
Trucking Perspectives 2013
Shippers and carriers face myriad uncertainties as the economy slowly begins to recover. Will compliance with new regulations raise rates? Is a capacity crunch on the horizon? Do green mandates raise red flags? And what about a driver shortage? Inbound Logistics’ exclusive trucking market research survey provides some in-depth answers.
Using In-Truck Technology to Cut Costs
Q: What cost factor should shippers prioritize during carrier selection? A: Invoice price is often the driving factor in carrier selection— which is logical, because everyone operates with very thin margins. But that may be flawed thinking. Instead, consider the total cost of utilizing a carrier. For example, administrative costs are a large part of […]
The Nuts and Bolts of the Automotive Aftermarket Supply Chain
Whether it’s time for a tune-up, a vehicle won’t start, or a teenager just wants to pimp his ride, auto aftermarket supply chains are geared up to deliver the parts and accessories that keep drivers on the road.
5 Trucking Trends on the Table
Our Annual Trucking Issue offers a buffet of valuable information for you to chew on and digest. Here are five key takeaways that will whet your appetite for more: 1. Sharing of information, shipments, assets, and space is on the upswing. For example, OEMs and auto parts suppliers who were previously reluctant to divvy up […]
Optimizing Your DC Network
Establishing an efficient distribution center network requires careful planning and frequent updates. Nathan Beene, director of logistics engineering for Chattanooga, Tenn.-based logistics provider Kenco, offers these tips for building and maintaining an optimized DC network. 1. Do your homework. Start with a thorough optimization study. Use network optimization software to plot the pattern of inbound […]
Alana Miedrich: Making Wishes Come True
Alana Miedrich is the inventory and logistics assistant at Kids Wish Network, a children’s charity in Holiday, Fla., that assists children and families experiencing life-altering situations. Alana joined Kids Wish Network in early 2013. Responsibilities: Inbound and outbound transportation of all items donated to Kids Wish Network. Experience: Bookkeeper and marketing, Children of the Nations […]
Trends—September 2013
Hours-of-Service: A Question of Time Trying to wrap your head around the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations that went into effect July 1, 2013, is a numbers game. Put simply: "You almost have to be a math major to understand the new Hours-of-Service rules," says Don Jerrell, associate vice president, risk […]
Global Logistics—September 2013
Brown Sees Red UPS‘s recent announcement that it will expand its presence in China with the addition of two new contract logistics facilities in Chengdu and Shanghai is indicative of the country’s growing consumer base. The two centers will provide distribution and warehousing solutions to shippers who want to reach customers within China. The expansions […]
Study Up on Supply Chain Graduate Degrees With Added Value
As supply chain networks become increasingly complex, with tighter deadlines and greater financial risks from disruptions, many supply chain professionals seek graduate-level education and credentials to assist them in their current positions or to advance their careers. Many universities offer master of science degrees in supply chain management (SCM), but a new trend is emerging: […]
U.S./Canada Border Clearance: It’s Not as Easy as You Think
Many U.S. companies underestimate the complexity of shipping to Canada, thinking of it almost as an extension of their own country. Geographic proximity, shared language, and common culture leave the impression that sending goods across the border should be a breeze. Yet increasingly stringent security mandates, bureaucratic customs requirements, and a battery of taxes, tariffs, […]
Discovering the Value of Reverse Logistics
Some people think of reverse logistics—the process of removing assets from their primary use channel to a secondary channel to maximize the assets’ value—as only handling customer returns or defective goods. But defective items account for only about 25 percent of the total value of all assets processed in reverse logistics operations. Recalled product, overstocks, […]
Building Capacity Through Specialized Truckers
Forming partnerships with specialized and diversified truckers can help secure capacity when there’s none to be found.
Route Planning Software: Mapping a Path to Savings
Poultry supplier George’s scheduling solution delivers meaty efficiency gains.
The Five New Rules of E-commerce and the Path to Successful B2B Online Sales
Does business-to-business e-commerce figure prominently in your organization’s strategic plans? If not, you are missing a key inflection point emerging in the market today. Industry analyst firm Forrester estimates the B2B e-commerce market is expected to reach $559 billion by the end of 2013. This significant opportunity has been recognized by Internet heavyweights Amazon and […]
Moving Logistics Technology to the Cloud Dispels the Fog of Uncertainty
Cloud computing offers democracy to logistics and transportation providers, putting small and mid-sized providers on the same playing field as large global companies. With a strong technology platform, cloud computing can serve as a logistics company’s differentiator for its intellectual capital and other critical information and data. The advantages for logistics companies of moving to […]
Expecting the Unexpected: The True Test of Leadership
Regardless of whether you run a global organization or are just starting your logistics career, you already know that no two days in this business are ever alike. Every day is unique depending on what customers are being served, and where their goods are being shipped. Some days require more fortitude than others, however. Issues […]
Three Top Myths About Foreign Trade Zones Dispelled
When supply chain and logistics managers think Foreign Trade Zone—the program that allows companies to defer paying customs duties, fees, and taxes on merchandise imported into the United States until consumed, used in construction, or leaving the zone—several adjectives come to mind. Usually those descriptors are not: smooth, cost-effective, and easy to manage. Instead they […]
Retailers Try I.T. On for Size
As retailers shop for ways to adapt to e-commerce and changing consumer behaviors, logistics technology provides the perfect fit.
Scantastic Bar-Code Tracking Tools
New product traceability requirements are making bar codes an essential part of many supply chains.
Utilities & Site Selection: Powering U.S. Manufacturing Growth
Ensuring adequate and affordable energy for new manufacturing and distribution facilities can challenge site selection teams. Many energy providers now offer resources to plug them into locations that will help their operations shine.
Healthcare Logistics Gets a Shot in the Arm
Transporting temperature-sensitive flu vaccines to developing countries can be a headache. A logistics partner that stays cool under pressure provides a cure.
Ports-to-Plains Corridor: A Pipeline for Progress
Stretching from Texas’ U.S.-Mexico border to Alberta, Canada, the Ports-to-Plains Corridor represents a vital trade conduit for North America’s energy and agriculture heartland.
We’re All in This Together: Teamwork in a Lean Workplace
While some Lean practitioners focus on manufacturing pioneer Taiichi Ohno’s Seven Wastes (transportation, inventory, motion, waiting, overproduction, overprocessing, and defects), many add an eighth waste: behavioral waste, or under-utilized employees. It takes a real change management effort to successfully implement a Lean program—especially when it involves changing workers’ habits. Someone who has been doing a […]
When Government Oversight of Motor Carriers Fails, Shippers Pay
While overall truck accident rates have been trending lower over the past several years, avoidable carrier accidents are still common. Comprehensive safety compliance reviews (CRs) by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) protect lives and property. In the year after a CR is conducted, crashes decrease 16.3 percent, according to […]
Consumer Electronics and Reverse Logistics: Play It Again
Shoppers return between 11 and 20 percent of consumer electronics devices, according to industry experts. While returns are the beginning to device recovery, all the steps in the reverse logistics process, including repair/refurbishment and remarketing, can be improved. Recognizing the importance of reverse logistics in maintaining and growing profit margins, many consumer electronics manufacturers and […]
Keeping Track of Time
If your average day is anything like mine, you face an endless barrage of internal emails, corporate memos, newsletters, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to refinance a home loan. Spam filters, email notifications, and custom preferences help organize this self-perpetuating info soup, making it easier to manage communications—then act according to priority. Complicating matters is the reality […]
Selecting the Right Drayage Provider
Drayage—moving shipments short distances, such as from a port to a nearby warehouse—plays a critical role in intermodal moves, and selecting the right motor carrier partner goes well beyond the lowest rate. Once you move past monetary considerations, examine the total service offering to ensure your drayage provider is the perfect fit. James Miller, account […]
Hu Huang: Bright Light in Global Trade
Hu Huang is director of international logistics and customs compliance at Kichler Lighting in Cleveland, which is among the top one percent of importers in the United States. She has worked for Kichler since 1988, and served in her current position since 2002. Responsibilities: Worldwide imports and exports, including direct imports to Fortune 100 companies; […]
Trends—August 2013
The Government is ‘Helping’ Again… Transportation and logistics companies have a hard enough time navigating the twists and turns in today’s economic landscape without facing inertia from the executive branch. But states are strapped for cash, and lawmakers are trapped by special interests. Many are acting on impulse, then ducking for cover. The Minnesota State […]
Global Logistics—August 2013
America’s Global Image: Taking a Closer View Yahoo! News paints a pretty grim picture of how outsiders perceive the United States: "Who loves ya, baby? If you’re the United States of America, the answer is fewer and fewer people around the world," according to a recent blog by the online news aggregator. Yahoo! might consider […]
Feeding the Line
When you make materials or components for other companies, their production rhythms become just as important as your own.
Get Airborne with Asset Tracking
In today’s complex global supply chain, transportation delays, security issues, and spoiled or lost cargo too often disrupt the distribution process. In air transportation, cargo often travels via multiple airports, airlines, ground handlers, and across geographies, creating ample opportunity for problems to occur. While other transport modes have had the benefits of GPS technology to […]
New Transatlantic Trade Pact Could Be Favorable “TTIP-ing” Point for Logistics Sector
In announcing the start of negotiations to forge a new trade agreement between the United States and the 27-nation European Union (EU), British Prime Minister David Cameron said at the G-8 summit meeting held in Northern Ireland in June 2013 that there is "no better way to drive growth and prosperity around the world" than […]
Have You Seen That 584-Page ‘Map’ Yet?
If you are reading this magazine, you are likely either directly or indirectly involved in the $700 billion domestic freight industry. So you know that to be successful, every logistics organization must overcome hurdles that challenge profitability, on-time service and, most importantly, safety. One of these hurdles should not be a marketplace that tolerates carriers, […]
Cintron Quenches Thirst For Order Management System
A Web-based OMS provides a shot of energy to Cintron’s inventory and order management processes.
Lift Trucks on the Rise
Ready to invest in new and upgraded lift trucks to boost warehouse efficiency? Consider these three trends before making your move.
Inbound Logistics’ Summer Reading Guide 2013
Hitting the beach this summer? Don’t forget to bring something to read. Whether you need just a little brushing up, or are looking for the latest best practices to streamline your supply chain, sharpen your logistics skills with these books covering everything from Lean practices to information technology.
Cross-border Trade Secrets
When moving shipments into and out of Canada, what you don’t know can hurt you. Specialized logistics providers can help you capitalize on opportunities, ensure compliance, and keep you safe from harm.
Using Big Data to Build Tomorrow’s Supply Chain Today
Q: How can transportation and logistics companies use big data to differentiate themselves? A: Supply chain professionals in all industries and government sectors must transform their supply chain process to meet organizational strategies and goals. Information fusion breaks down the barriers spanning all demand-supply enterprises. A critical requirement is real-time, high-quality, reliable data and information […]
The Case for Transportation Management Software
Q: What innovative technology initiatives help increase supply chain efficiencies? A: The number one return on investment (ROI) that will provide continuous process improvement, and at the same time keep freight costs under control, is integrating a transportation management system (TMS) with a shipper’s existing systems, such as an ERP solution, warehouse or order management […]
Meeting the Challenges of the Ever-Evolving Compliance Environment
Q: Even though developing markets are growing rapidly, many companies are reluctant to expand operations overseas because they do not have relationships there, are unsure of the infrastructure, or are not familiar with local demands and requirements. What options are open to them? A: Looking for the right place to expand overseas is more important […]
Making a Business Case for GTM
Q: What is the role of global trade management (GTM) in organizations today? A: In today’s world, GTM is more than compliance. GTM practitioners should think of GTM as standing on three equal pillars: compliance, supply chain finance, and global logistics. A holistic approach is necessary given the growing complexity—both in regulations and geography—of international […]
Collaborative Freight Strategies Offer Lower-Cost Alternative to LTL
Q: Why is it important for small and mid-sized consumer packaged goods (CPG) shippers to collaborate on freight strategies to remain competitive? A: If they don’t, they will continue to pay more than their larger competitors, who have the volume to ship more economical full truckloads. For years, smaller shippers have accepted the higher cost […]
Trading Partner Collaboration Yields Supply Chain Value
Q: How can value chain partners collaborate to create and share efficiencies? A: Retailers and manufacturers have made progress in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their individual supply chains. They have found savings and efficiencies, and implemented new processes. Now, trading partners must collaborate to find new avenues for improvement. The competitive retail landscape […]
Intermodal Transportation’s Strategic Advantage
Q: Why are shippers making intermodal more integral to their logistics strategies? A: Shippers are using intermodal for a variety of reasons. In many rail corridors, intermodal provides a much better value proposition than highway. Rail transportation is often more energy efficient, so “going green” in intermodal means moving freight costs less. With the driver […]
TMS or 3PL: Which Suits Your Business Best?
Q: How does implementing a transportation management system (TMS) compare to engaging a third-party logistics (3PL) service provider? A: A TMS provider’s core business is offering software solutions that solve customer transportation requirements. Companies that implement TMS solutions are looking for certain capabilities: maintaining relationships with carriers; improving supply chain management and effectiveness; streamlining operations; […]
Aerodynamic Trailer Add-ons Make Fuel Savings a Breeze
High transportation costs were a drag for Anderson Hay & Grain, until it installed aerodynamic trailer side skirts to increase fuel efficiency.
Bringing Supply Chain Visibility to the Last Frontier
A Web-based shipping tool helps Classic Alaska Trading Company tame the wilds of its inventory and fulfillment operations.
Business Process Improvement? Flexibility.
In his futile search for the Fountain of Youth, Ponce de León walked right past untold riches. If you are not evaluating your third-party logistics providers for their ability to drive strategic improvements in your enterprise, you may be doing the same thing. Thirty-three percent of respondents to our annual 3PL Perspectives market research survey […]
Finding Supply Chain Feng Shui
Business process improvement is especially important in today’s economic climate. Businesses are sensitive to fixed costs when the economy is swinging like a pendulum. There’s shared recognition that they have to stick to their principal business to grow out of the recession; and logistics execution and supply chain excellence is too important to ignore. That’s […]
Choosing the Right Airfreight Forwarder
In a global supply chain, timing and visibility are critical. So is selecting the best freight forwarder. Vito Losurdo, vice president of global airfreight services at UPS, offers the following advice for picking the best airfreight forwarder for your business. 1. Look for a broad portfolio. Partner with an established forwarder that provides a comprehensive […]
Matthew Wood: Finding a Cure for High Freight Costs
Matthew Wood is manager of the freight program, supply chain management, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He has held this position since 2012. Responsibilities: Managing freight expenditures for all items purchased by organizations within Mayo Clinic; helping departments find ways to reduce their freight costs; marketing those services to other healthcare organizations. Experience: More […]
Extended LEAN™ Increases Speed to Competitive Advantage. Continuous Improvement Method Takes Companies from Surviving to Thriving
Most operations and logistics leaders have spent at least part of their careers implementing LEAN principles within companies to improve quality, cost and delivery performance. The majority likely learned basic LEAN methods in week-long doses of kaizen ("good change" in Japanese) events trying to reduce wastes. Today many of those early adopters—and new LEAN thinkers […]
Trends—July 2013
The 24th Annual State of Logistics Report: ‘Business Unusual’ Defines New Normal A long and winding path toward recovery has arrived at a seminal question: "Is this the new normal?" That was the topic and title of the annual State of Logistics presentation at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., in June 2013. That […]
Global Logistics—July 2013
Brazilian Shippers Safer by Sea Poor road infrastructure and rampant larceny are forcing some Brazilian shippers to consider unconventional transport options. Case in point: Paranapanema, the country’s largest refined copper producer, has shifted domestic shipments from trucks to slow-moving ocean freighters, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Although the mode shift nearly triples transport times, it cuts […]
Mobility Solutions That Improve Field Productivity
The freight and logistics industry is truly a mobile world. People, products, and packages are constantly on the move from one location to another, and employees are increasingly using smartphones in their daily lives—with all the benefits of continuous, high-bandwidth connectivity, stronger device capabilities, and more targeted applications. So how can the industry take advantage […]
3PLs Can Provide Soft Cost Savings for Small Businesses
Shipping is the second-largest cost many small businesses incur, after labor. Despite the challenges they face—including high gas prices, advancing technologies, and competitive markets—small companies must continue to move products from Point A to Point B. To keep productivity high and customers happy, some small businesses seek ways to cut shipping costs, including engaging third-party […]
Preparation: Your Best Asset in Managing Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply disruptions occur daily, caused by delayed deliveries; weather impacts on inbound supply; and prolonged standstills associated with natural disasters, port labor strikes, or critical supplier failures. Whatever the reason for the disruption, supply chain managers prove their value by delivering—no matter the circumstances. An active risk management process helps identify a range of possible […]
Improving America’s Ports: A Vital Step in U.S. Economic Recovery
In its March 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) included port infrastructure for the first time in its comprehensive infrastructure analysis. ASCE’s reports are instrumental in showing the need for infrastructure investment, and the economic impact of its neglect. Advocating for increased federal investment in seaport-related infrastructure—including both […]
Adopting Online Training To Enrich Your Workforce
The popularity of online training is skyrocketing. Many companies are discovering the benefits of using online training to help supply chain employees boost their knowledge and add cross-functional value to the organization. The advantages of online training include: Reducing the travel and tuition costs associated with training. Training more employees at less cost. Reinforcing alignment […]
10 Trends Driving Greener Supply Chains
Many businesses today are seeking smart ways to reduce supply chain waste and carbon impact. Over the next several years, the following trends could transform logistics operations, particularly in emerging markets. 1. Creative, collaborative planning. Logistics providers and shippers can find simple ways to better manage schedule requirements, such as building slow-steaming into overseas shipment […]
C-TPAT: Building Safer Supply Chains
The growing security concerns companies face in the global market make it critical to understand potential supply chain risks, and establish a managed, proactive approach to security. One significant step companies can take to protect their supply chains is becoming a member of the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. As C-TPAT members, organizations […]
Hiring Heroes: A Good Deal for U.S. Companies
The logistics sector is waging war against high unemployment among veterans with aggressive hiring programs that benefit both sides.
Middle East/North Africa: MENA at Work
As Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries pursue political transformation and economic diversification, transportation and logistics investment is the cornerstone to future growth.
Supply Chain Remodeling
When supply chains need a fresh look, 3PLs can draft a blueprint for renovation.
2013 3PL Perspectives: Drafting a Blueprint for Growth
Inbound Logistics’ ninth-annual 3PL Perspectives market research report documents how 3PLs are differentiating their value proposition beyond transactional services—creating an outsourcing blueprint for shippers to grow, in spite of economic uncertainties.
Readers’ Choice: Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards 2013
MORE TO THE STORY: About the Survey Respondents Built to Last: A Sampling of Reader Comments 3PLs to Watch Supply chain challenges can weaken a business’ foundation, clogging product flow, wearing away at customer satisfaction, and draining profits. Whether companies need a minor supply chain touch-up or a major overhaul, enlisting a knowledgeable third-party logistics […]
Transportation Infrastructure: Building Hope for the Future
As U.S. industry confronts the realities of a failing transportation system and looming capacity crunch, does MAP-21 offer the promise of improvement?
Discount Apparel Logistics: Outfitting the Outlets
As consumers embrace bargain hunting, off-price apparel retailers re-style their supply chains to meet demand.
Polishing the Furniture Supply Chain
Faced with mounting logistics challenges, U.S. furniture manufacturers let specialized carriers and white-glove delivery experts handle the heavy lifting.
Guiding an Energy Renaissance: Questions and Answers With Michael O’Neill
The emergence of domestically sourced natural gas heralds significant changes in the North American energy market—especially in the way suppliers and producers move product.
Temperature-controlled Logistics: Cool Under Pressure
As demand for perishable products grows worldwide, efficient and effective cold chain management requires strong partnerships and quick reactions.
Global Logistics—June 2013
ASEAN Countries Attracting Attention As Europe’s economy copes with a sweeping debt crisis, and its Asian trade partners absorb the impact of declining exports and rising inflation, Southeast Asia is quickly becoming a center of attention—and transportation and logistics investment. Malaysia, for example, is looking to become a key transportation and logistics hub for the […]
Transportation Payment—Bank on a Better Way
The definition of "carrier" is pretty straightforward: an entity that transports freight. Carriers are in the transportation business, plain and simple. Actually, not so simple. Carriers are also in the credit business. Unintentionally, to be sure, but they are. When carriers set payment terms of 45 days, they are essentially extending credit to the shipper […]
Natural Gas For Long-Haul Trucking: Working Together to Get It Right
Q: The trucking industry is poised to increase its use of natural gas for heavy-duty, long-haul freight. Is this a good idea? A: Natural gas sounds like a dream proposition. It’s cheap, domestic, and, when it burns, it emits a quarter of the carbon dioxide (CO2) of diesel fuel—and few other pollutants. So it potentially […]
Reducing Defects and Errors: Don’t Make the Same Mistake Twice
One popular definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results." So why does that occur all the time in business? Whether it involves producing many items with the same defects, or continuous incorrect inventory counts, we keep shooting ourselves in the foot. Although 85 percent of quality […]
Sensor-based Logistics: Monitoring Shipment Vital Signs in Real Time
The global supply chain’s rapid growth is encouraging companies to look for new ways to improve efficiency, cut waste, and enhance supply chain dependability to deliver a superior customer experience. One tool for accomplishing these goals is sensor-based logistics (SBL). SBL provides full visibility inside shipments while they’re in motion, helping to ensure they reach […]
Logistics Staffing: Find a Way or Make One
The saying "find a way or make one" has always appealed to me because it prioritizes the need to first look for existing solutions before coming up with new ones. There is always a solution, and giving up is not an option. Why, then, do so many companies look outside for new logistics hires rather […]
The Lean Supply Chain: Watch Your Waste Line
Lean logistics can help your company shed fat and build muscle.
Getting Green, Going Lean
Creating a viable and sustainable green strategy can be a challenge for companies that want to be good corporate citizens, but also remain competitive. If customers are focused on price, how conscious is your green conscience when you need to drive out costs—at all costs? It’s a valid question in today’s economy as companies deliberate […]
Optimizing Warehouse Operations
Warehouse operations efficiency is key to the success of any company that processes, inventories, and ships orders. When efficiency lags, products may not arrive at customer destinations on time, orders can get lost, and low inventory levels can result in stockouts. Here’s some advice on optimizing warehouse operations from Chris Castaldi, manager of business development […]
Dino Lanno: Best in Glass
Dino Lanno has been senior vice president, supply chain at Safelite AutoGlass in Columbus, Ohio, since 2007. Responsibilities: Procurement, transportation, distribution, manufacturing, inventory management, and wholesale sales. Experience: Facilities engineer, WearEver Aluminum; product development engineer, Hamilton Beach Procter Silex; engineer manager, plant manager, WearEver Aluminum; regional warehouse manager, director of materials management, vice president of […]
Trends—June 2013
Is American-Made on the Mend? Rumors abound that U.S. manufacturing is making a comeback. The promise of cheaper domestic energy sources—and rising labor costs elsewhere around the world—are tipping the total landed cost balance off its Far Eastern axis. Does this portend a domestic manufacturing renaissance? A recent report by AlixPartners suggests companies are open […]
The Natural Gas Factor: New Market for Providers, New Competition for Capacity
The boom in natural gas and shale exploration in North America holds both good news and bad news for chemical companies. The natural gas being extracted from shale plays across the United States and in Canada has emerged as a low-cost alternative source for powering industrial facilities. As a result, some chemical manufacturers are reshoring […]
Logistics Education: Ready for the World
With a focus on international operations, logistics students and professionals prepare to manage complex global supply chains.
Delivery Scheduling Relieves Loading Dock Bottlenecks
An online appointment scheduling system gave beer distributor Crescent Crown control over trucks pouring into its distribution center.
Green Logistics The Walmart Way
Why sustainability best practices are part of the retailer’s supply chain DNA.
Latin American Logistics: Keeping Up With the Latin Beat
The region’s improving infrastructure and trade policies offer companies supply chain expansion opportunities
Complex Products, Complex Logistics Needs
By their very nature, chemicals make for complicated logistics. Transporting, storing, and distributing flammable, corrosive, highly reactive and carcinogenic materials is not an easy task. And when things go wrong, it’s not just a late or missing shipment at hand—there are economic, environmental, and emotional consequences. The deadly fertilizer plant explosion that occurred in April […]
No Shortage of Challenges
Lack of capacity is one of the biggest challenges chemical shippers are currently grappling with. The culprits? The ongoing truck driver shortage, and changes to the Hours of Service rules, which take effect in July 2013 and will limit drivers’ time on the roads. While capacity issues are impacting all shippers, chemical companies feel the […]