Articles
Commentary
Cut Carbon Emissions With Multi-Modal
The transportation industry is responsible for almost 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor in the country. It’s also one of the largest opportunities for improvement. While many worry that going green might be expensive, sustainability and cost savings go hand in hand for shippers. Moving freight with a mix […]
Read More10 Ways KPIs Combat Disruptions
It’s essential to measure performance to create a competitive advantage and prepare for unpredictable events. Therefore, I have put together my “10 commandments” of key performance indicators (KPIs) to mitigate supply chain disruptions. 1. Make Sure KPIs Align with Overall Business Goals. What are your specific goals? Are those goals limited by staff hours or […]
Read MoreUsing AI for Critical Returns Management
In 2021, U.S. returns rose to $761 billion annually, up 10.6% from the year before. And with that, retailers must consider AI-based automated returns solutions to manage the influx. Artificial intelligence (AI) can tackle every aspect of returns processing, from shipping to disposition decisions to recommerce. It can also handle parts of the customer journey […]
Read MoreBuilding The Smart Supply Chain
With more objects embedded with sensors, and better communication, decision-making and automation capabilities, traditional supply chains are becoming more intelligent. The new “smart” supply chain presents huge opportunities for reducing costs and improving efficiency. Some refer to this concept as Supply Chain 4.0: the application of the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced robotics, and big […]
Read MoreGetting Value from Class C Suppliers
Smart purchasing departments focus on their Class A suppliers— the ones they use the most. However, many businesses spend a disproportionate amount of time and money on their larger group of Class C suppliers. Digitizing your supplier relationship management can flip this trend so that purchasing departments instead focus attention where it should be: on […]
Read MoreIt’s Time to Embrace Supply Chain Chaos
As someone who has worked in supply chain and logistics management for more than one decade, I find a duality in watching all the attention cast on our corner of the economy over the past year. On one hand, it’s nice to see society at large recognize the giant global operation behind making and delivering […]
Read MoreCompeting in the Age of Instant Delivery
Much of the instant delivery attention is on startups spending heavily to acquire new customers, while grocery chains and big box retailers also compete for visibility in the space. The one thing they all have in common? Knowing that consumers desire convenience and want their online orders delivered within hours, if not minutes. Serious challenges, […]
Read MoreGOOD QUESTION: Has the pandemic accelerated logistics outsourcing? Why or why not?
The use of third-party logistics has accelerated since the pandemic, with new opportunities in last-mile e-commerce and carrier collaboration. We have seen tracked orders between network shippers and logistics service providers (LSPs) grow 340% year-over-year. As markets continue to rebalance, shippers still seek flexibility, resilience, and sustainability from LSP collaboration and innovation. –Tony Harris SVP […]
Read More3PLs Show Off-the-Chart Growth
What accounts for the explosive growth of the 3PL sector this past year? The results of our 2022 3PL market surveys—through the Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards voting and Top 100 3PL Providers questionnaires—are striking: 84% of 3PL respondents showed significant growth in gross sales year over year, with 90% reporting profits are up. Nearly […]
Read MoreThe Road to the Circular Economy
As the world realizes that the linear economy is unsustainable, companies are under pressure by regulations, investors, consumers, and employees to lower their carbon footprint and transition to a circular economy.
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