Logistics Supports a Healthy Pharma Industry

Logistics Supports a Healthy Pharma Industry

From managing distribution channels to boosting visibility and security, the pharmaceutical and life sciences supply chain mixes complexity with risk. Here are the technologies and strategies that inject efficiency into supply chains.

Greg Price

There’s No Easy Button for AI and ML

It’s easy to get excited about using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to transform supply chain and logistics operations. Take a bunch of data, run it through a model, and uncover the hidden answers that take your business to the next level.

Incentives Brighten Site Selection Decisions

Incentives Brighten Site Selection Decisions

Tax, energy, and land incentives can turn a good location into a great one. Here’s what companies and the logistics providers who serve them need to consider as they explore locating, relocating, or expanding their businesses.

Dr. Chris Caplice

It’s Time to Rethink the Routing Guide

The routing guide is the manifestation of a shipper’s transportation strategy and a rough estimate of its budget for the upcoming year. It connects the annual bid with actual load tendering within a TMS, and strategically allocates and assigns each shipment to the appropriate carrier.

Pini Mandel

3 Ways Dynamic Pricing Helps Retailers

Dynamic pricing is everywhere. Just about anything purchased through Amazon has been impacted by some element of dynamic pricing. Surge pricing on Uber, toll road prices that rise as traffic builds up, and even concert tickets are using the technology.

How to Import Duty-Free with Section 321

How to Import Duty-Free with Section 321

Running an e-commerce business can be a great source of income, but it can also be complicated. Ordering products from the other side of the world, navigating global logistics and even setting up successful sales channels are all a huge problem for retailers to overcome. Then throw into the mix of this a huge trade […]

EVs Get a Charge Out of Aluminum-Ion Batteries

EVs Get a Charge Out of Aluminum-Ion Batteries

Aluminum-ion rechargeable batteries charge 10 times faster than lithium-ion batteries, recent test results show in a study by Australia-based Graphene Manufacturing Group. Although their energy density is about 60% of the energy per weight of the best lithium-ion batteries, they provide other benefits: Speedy charge. A smartphone running an aluminum-ion battery could charge fully in […]

Light Through the Cloud

Light Through the Cloud

Regina Andrew did more than survive the pandemic—it thrived. “If you didn’t do well in the home furnishing industry during the pandemic, then you were doing something wrong,” says Jim Bonomo, the company’s chief operating officer.

Nishith Rastogi

Navigating Unexpected Hiccups

Uncertainties and unexpected hiccups can hit businesses at any time. Without resilience and enough preparedness, a business can struggle to cope with these unforeseen events.

From Cornflakes and Cars to Logistics

In the transparent, open, and honest work environment Val Hoge created for DP DHL Supply Chain, teams are empowered, feedback is considered a gift, and even the coaches get coached.

NOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief-Aug 2021

Good Works Global logistics services provider DHL Express delivered the U.S. government’s donation of 1 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in collaboration with the COVAX global vaccine-sharing program. DHL arranged pickup of the vaccines from U.S. facilities before they were airlifted from its Cincinnati hub to the DHL Express Subang Gateway in Malaysia, where […]

IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-August 2021

Products Confidex released its new Ferrowave Micro on-metal label for use on retail items such as golf clubs, cosmetics, and metallic beverage containers that were once too small for RFID tagging. With an acrylic adhesive that securely attaches to painted or non-painted metal surfaces, the label also serves as brand authentication for high-value goods. The DuraLabel […]

Omer Abdullah

7 Critical Questions You Need to Ask

With a huge number of constantly shifting variables, suppliers, and other factors to consider, it’s easy to feel that managing supply chain risk is an unending battle that you’ll never win.

Streamlining Retail Logistics

Here are 10 ways for retailers to streamline logistics operations and implement best practices so you will have the right inventory at the right location.

E. Coli Eats Up Plastic and Churns Out Vanilla

U.K. scientists used E. coli to transform plastic waste into vanillin, the molecule responsible for the characteristic smell and taste of vanilla. This means it’s possible to transform plastic into a highly useful material for cosmetics manufacturing. Researchers used genetic engineering to create a strain of E. coli that converts one of the chemicals used […]

Tech Support

Tech Support

The need for supply chain resilience, visibility, agility, and control drives technology across multiple sectors.

Build an Agile and Resilient Supply Chain in 4 Steps

In an era when the most unpredictable challenge imaginable, a global pandemic, turned the business world upside down, the need for a reliable supply chain that can react quickly to any and all disruptions became the top priority for organizations. This is by no means an easy feat, and many are familiar with the concept […]

Fertilizer Company Launches Autonomous, Zero-Emission Vessel

Fertilizer Company Launches Autonomous, Zero-Emission Vessel

In an effort to reduce its reliance on diesel trucks, Norway-based fertilizer company Yara International has developed the first autonomous, zero-emission cargo ship. The Yara Birkeland is fully autonomous in piloting as well as port operations, allowing the vessel to dock, tether, and begin the cargo transfer process on its own. Yara relies on diesel […]

Plastic Pallets Stack Up Sustainability

Plastic Pallets Stack Up Sustainability

What’s in store for the pallet industry, and how will it affect retailers’ sustainability goals? Jeff Pepperworth, president and chief executive officer at iGPS Logistics, a national plastic pallet pooling services provider, shares his outlook. Q: What’s the state of the plastic pallet industry at the moment? Right now, the industry is robust. We see […]

2021 Summer Reading Guide

2021 Summer Reading Guide

When it’s time to absorb your next audiobook or crack open a book this summer, take a dip into this collection of fresh research, actionable advice, and best practices to refresh your supply chain knowledge.

Keith Biondo

Catch Me When I Fall

A trust fall is a team-building exercise where the one doing the falling willingly trusts that those standing behind will catch them before they hit bottom. We chose the trust fall as an apt theme for our annual third-party logistics edition. Whether you voluntarily fall or are shoved by business realities—pandemic, labor shortages, remote workforces, […]

3PLs Have Your Back

3PLs Have Your Back

Shippers trust their third-party logistics partners will be there for them—no matter what the business conditions.

Five Solutions to Costly Time-Critical Shipping Challenges

Delays in time-critical shipping can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars lost, missed opportunities, and even loss of life. Whether shipping critical manufacturing and airplane parts, vaccines, organs for transplant, or lab work, these important shipments must be picked up and arrive on time. However, industry statistics have shown that one in three time-critical shipments […]

2021 Top 100 3PLs

2021 Top 100 3PLs

When your enterprise faces supply chain and logistics challenges, these partners won’t let you fall. In alphabetical order, here are the 100 third-party logistics providers deemed best of the best by Inbound Logistics editors.

Paul A. Myerson

Demand Accuracy In Your Supply Chain

During the pandemic, a lot of the focus on supply chain tended to be on the supply side, and rightly so, due to the highly publicized sourcing, production, distribution, and transportation issues. As a result, organizations continue to look to increase productivity, flexibility, and agility through programs such as Lean, increased automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and others.

From Robots to Running Shoes

From Robots to Running Shoes

With homebound consumers buying new shoes and gear like never before, DHL Supply Chain and Locus Robotics helped Brooks Running race to meet consumer demand and prepare for future growth.

Matthew Telesca

Technology Can Supercharge Your Supply Chain, Here’s Where to Start

Q: What are the most important technology trends in the supply chain? A: With the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting global supply chains, real-time product and shipment visibility has become paramount to disruption planning and customer expectations. According to the most recent Gartner study, "By 2023, 50% of enterprises will have invested in a real-time transportation […]

Dave Maddox

Adopt an Integrated TMS to Tackle Supply Chain Complexity

Q: Why should I consider a transportation management system (TMS) now? A: Rates and capacity in all modes will be volatile for months to come. Without the ability to manage rates and carriers, you’ll likely pay more for shipping than you should. Manual tracking or relying on forwarders, brokers, or carriers for updates means you’ll […]

Canada-U.S. Trade: Connections

Canada-U.S. Trade: Connections

The tight relationship between the United States and its northern neighbor makes cross-border trade seamless and efficient. Logistics professionals leverage these connections to keep goods flowing and supply chains humming.

Currin McCarty

Deploy a Robotics-Driven Fulfillment Solution to Reach Peak Productivity

Q: 3PLs and retailers are planning for volume surges ahead of peak season. What is driving this? A: This peak season, as consumers regain financial confidence, e-commerce is expected to exceed a level of volume that exacerbated the supply chain the previous year. Warehouses are already experiencing painful labor challenges including high turnover and shortages […]

Bob Tuchek

Rail Transportation: What Shippers Need to Focus On

Q: How have the recent rail mergers changed the rail landscape for shippers? A: Shippers have been averse to rail mergers due to concerns of a reduction in competition, imposed routing limitations, and an increase in service disruptions. The two most recent mergers between the CSXT-Pan Am Railway and Canadian National-Kansas City Southern are still […]

Nick Fisher

Reducing Inbound Freight Costs and Improving Accounting

Q: How can our company account for inbound freight costs on our month-end accrual reports? We prefer to route our own freight and use our own third-party carriers for these collect orders. A: Unfortunately, you are experiencing an industry-wide issue. Pre-rating based on purchase order information can pose a real risk. Your purchase order may […]

NOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief-July 2021

Green Seeds Leonard’s Express adopted a new source of alternative energy for its national fleet of long-haul diesel trucks by using the SPI Energy Reaction System. The system alters the chemistry of combustion by reusing the exhaust gases that are being wasted. To reduce pollution and noise disturbance, GEODIS invested in a green fleet for […]

IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-July 2021

Technology BookYourCargo launched the Digital Drayage Platform to provide shippers with instant quotes and shipment visibility. Featuring machine learning engines, the platform integrates API/EDIs with existing third-party software platforms. Customers and vendors can search and compare rates by location, move type, and driver availability through access to a mobile device app. Shippers gain end-to-end digitization with […]

People Aren’t Going Anywhere

People Aren’t Going Anywhere

Although automation helps shippers meet unprecedented demand for faster and cheaper delivery, people are essential for a well-functioning network, says a Coyote Logistics report. As supply chains grow increasingly complex, technology is more efficient at sifting through large data sets in real time and running scenario analyses. However, people aren’t going anywhere (see chart). No […]

Vertical Focus | Energy, Oil & Gas

Vertical Focus | Energy, Oil & Gas

Offshore Wind Project Isn’t a Breeze President Biden recently approved the Vineyard Wind project—the first major U.S. offshore wind farm—off the coast of Massachusetts. The project, which would generate up to 800 megawatts of electricity from 62 giant wind turbines, is expected to produce enough electricity to power 400,000 businesses and homes in New England […]

How has the pandemic affected supply chain partnerships?

How has the pandemic affected supply chain partnerships?

The pandemic magnified the need for collaborative partnerships between service providers and customers. We have seen things happening in the market you almost couldn’t make up in Hollywood, and those that have remained transparent and collaborative in navigating these challenges have succeeded. —Matt Friedman Vice President, Sales, Warehousing Mainfreight Fluctuating production and consumer demand, coupled […]

Smart Clothes Hit the Rack

Smart Clothes Hit the Rack

Will warehouse workers suit up in electronic clothing? Possibly. MIT researchers released a line of smart clothes that can track physical movement, and Fudan University researchers in China unveiled state-of-the-art electronic textiles that can produce visual displays. This is all happening as wearable devices continue to streamline supply chain operations and provide critical feedback in […]

Nikolaus Sievers

Solving the Global Data Dilemma

For as much time and effort spent trying to perfect the systems and technologies we rely on for global logistics, it seems the industry has lost sight of how people actually get work done.

G75: Inbound Logistics’ 75 Green Supply Chain Partners

G75: Inbound Logistics’ 75 Green Supply Chain Partners

Inbound Logistics’ annual G75 is an editors’ choice 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 are dedicated to developing and implementing best practices that leave a positive footprint on the world.

Designers Cultivate Plant-Based Leather

Designers Cultivate Plant-Based Leather

Fashion designers branch out to plant-based textiles in response to growing demand for sustainable and cruelty-free products, and as supply chains seek to lower their carbon footprint. These leather alternatives are heating up: Cactus: Fast fashion company H&M is partnering with Mexico-based Desserto to create a new collection, including shoes made from cactus leather. Desserto […]

Keith Biondo

EV Power Play

The U.S. electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing sector is about to get a sales boost from the Biden Administration. The EV market has been rocking because of the continued growing interest in sustainability, especially now that the bleeding-edge vehicle phase is behind us. President Biden confirmed that EVs would get a stimulus in the not-yet-passed multi-trillion-dollar […]

Cisco Snags Top Supply Chain Spot

Cisco Systems earned the number-one spot in Gartner’s ranking of the 2021 top 25 supply chains. The technology company’s agility and strength in environmental, social, and governance initiatives helped prioritize critical infrastructure for hospitals and vaccine research, Gartner says. Four new companies on this year’s list include Dell Technologies, Pfizer, General Mills, and Bristol Myers […]

Chemical Logistics on a Roll

Chemical Logistics on a Roll

Overcoming capacity constraints, severe weather, and cyberattacks, chemical logistics service providers combine expertise and dedication to keep shipments moving safely and efficiently.

Supplier Information Still a Concern

Supplier Information Still a Concern

The pandemic revealed widespread problems with supplier information on a global scale. While many procurement leaders responding to the 2021 Supplier Information Study, commissioned by Tealbook, had initially vowed to invest in supply chain resiliency, almost a year after the pandemic they still grapple with issues surrounding poor supplier information: Agility: Nearly all respondents agree […]

Hailing Robotaxis for Delivery

Hailing Robotaxis for Delivery

Cruise, GM’s autonomous vehicle arm, was mainly focused on launching an autonomous ridesharing service, but may use its "robotaxis" for delivery services instead. It recently added Walmart as an investor in an extended fundraising round that grew to $2.75 billion, and had completed a delivery pilot with DoorDash in San Francisco even before the pandemic. […]

Target Practices Faster Fulfillment

Target Practices Faster Fulfillment

Instead of using carriers to ship all its online orders, Target is building its own team of dedicated delivery personnel to get packages to customers’ doors even faster, helping the retailer compete with its e-commerce rivals, says a CNBC report. The new approach involves three companies that Target acquired: Grand Junction, Deliv, and Shipt. Target […]

Analyzing Congestion at U.S. Ports

Any operational disruptions in the maritime industry have significant effects on the entire ecosystem. Congestion at the ports, especially in southern California, has steadily increased as a result of massive volume increases.

Amazon Delivery Drivers, Assemble!

Amazon Delivery Drivers, Assemble!

Amazon shoppers may soon have the option to have their orders assembled upon arrival, says a Bloomberg report. The e-commerce giant is testing the premium service as online furniture and housewares sales continue to soar and shoppers get more comfortable making big-ticket purchases online. Amazon currently offers scheduled at-home delivery to a particular room, but […]

Vertical Focus | Textiles

Vertical Focus | Textiles

Dawn of the Deadstock To address pandemic-induced material shortages, economic volatility, and environmental concerns, many retailers are working to make their supply chains circular. These initiatives help the cause by reviving deadstock material—unused fabric that fashion brands typically store or destroy. Here’s how some retailers are bringing their deadstock to life: Queen of Raw: This […]

NOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief-June 2021

Good Works Oversize air freight transportation provider Volga-Dnepr Airlines operated three charter flights to India from China, Ireland, and Germany to aid the nation during its COVID-19 crisis. Volga-Dnepr delivered more than 200 tons of medical equipment, including oxygen-storing and cryogenic containers, to various regions that experienced oxygen equipment shortages. IAG Cargo and its sister […]

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT | Cargo Security

GT 1210 Solution: ORBCOMM’s system combines asset tracking capabilities with cargo and door sensors. The trailer tracking device identifies door opens, route deviations, and loaded/unloaded status. Real-time alarms protect cargo from theft and tampering. The solution includes a customizable application with dashboards and analytics. IntelliScan Image Capture and Retrieval: Spireon’s cargo sensing technology complements its […]

IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-June 2021

Technology Trucker Tools Book It Now automated load-booking is now live within MercuryGate‘s transportation management software platform. Shippers who work within the MercuryGate application can select and populate available shipments in the Trucker Tools Mobile Driver app. The shipments are then visible to approved and available truckers as a Book It Now load on their smartphone. Manhattan […]

Why a YMS?

Why a YMS?

Companies often overlook the yard outside their warehouses or manufacturing plants. These yards, however, can be sources of efficiency…or delays.

TMS Guide 2021

TMS Guide 2021

Download our NEW TMS e-book here: 2021 TMS Guide 360data www.360data.com | 920-707-3601 Product: 360data TMS Platform: Hosted on the vendor’s website, Cloud based Description: Integrates with ERP systems or operates as a standalone. Full functionality without large capital investment. 3Gtms www.3gtms.com | 203-567-4610 Product: 3Gtms Platform: Cloud based Description: Provides end-to-end transportation management and […]

Intermodal Meets the Moment

Intermodal Meets the Moment

In a supercharged supply chain, intermodal’s value grows more evident than ever. These standout companies are contributing to its bright future.

Navigating Demand Spikes: Automating Your Way to Successful Peak Seasons

As many countries grapple with another wave of the pandemic, retailers are continually challenged to adjust to shifting consumer habits, anticipate spikes in demand for specific items and meet delivery expectations. For many retailers, 2020 emphasized that there may no longer be just one peak shopping season, but rather peaks and/or ‘micro peaks’ can strike […]

4 Ways to Unlock the True Potential of Warehouse Automation

In January, I predicted 2020 would kick off the decade of orchestration as the next logical step toward greater operational efficiency in the supply chain. Little did we know all that 2020 would bring in accelerating the push for interoperability and communication amongst warehouse resources. Now, just months later, there can be no doubt that […]

Keith Biondo

Robots and People: Co-Evolving

Robots and people are adjusting their symbiotic relationship in logistics. Our recent robotics coverage (Feb. 2021) generated a good amount of audience feedback, most related to the growing importance and essential need for humans in logistics. It’s true that the stresses created by the virus economy spawned an increase in investing in automation to take […]

Hannah Testani

Getting a Grasp on Transport Spend

Shipping has been inexorably changed in light of COVID-19. Changes that have been slowly building for a decade are being infinitely compounded as consumers shift to e-commerce versus standard brick-and-mortar shopping. With demand for direct-to-consumer business increasing, delivering shipments to consumers quickly, at the cheapest cost, is now a necessity for companies.

Lindsey Shellman

Technology Must Be a Theme in 2021

The supply chain sector has always been one of tradition. Unfortunately, that has often meant that it has been slow to adopt the technology evolving around it. With a fear of the unknown, the supply chain and logistics sector has stuck to the status quo for too long, slowing the ability to evolve and reach true potential.

Scan Global Logistics and TransGroup Transition to One Brand

Scan Global Logistics (SGL) and TransGroup have become one organization under one name: Scan Global Logistics. The brand transition is a step toward a stronger global presence and will provide customers access to an extensive logistics network. The rebrand aligns with SGL’s strategy to integrate competitive and agile companies. TransGroup’s 525 full-time employees and 43 […]