Articles
Commentary
What’s the most fun or interesting part about working in the supply chain?
Knowing I work in an industry that touches every aspect of everyone’s life. I like knowing that if we do our job well and someone goes to the shelf for something they need—the shelf is full.
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Checking In: The Last Grimy Mile
At the end of March, in between nor’easters in New York City, I went out for a lunchtime stroll. I wanted to check out the 14 new gleaming skyscrapers of the Hudson Yards development—a “self contained, e-commerce friendly city within a city”—where thousands of young urban professionals won’t ever have to leave their apartments to […]
Read MoreWhat Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self About Supply Chain Management?
Sometimes improving on the establishment is right and sometimes disrupting it is. When people have pain using the leader’s solution, improve. Otherwise, disrupt. Stay on the pulse of the supply chain. There is always an opportunity to improve and innovate. Evan Garber CEO, EVS I would encourage my younger self to embrace a forward-thinking attitude, […]
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Trouble Finding Capacity? How a 3PL Can Help
Partnering with a 3PL could be the best solution to improved visibility and lower costs over the long haul.
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Internet of Things to Come
The Internet of Things (IoT) allows users to collect and make data visible at key points, improving customer satisfaction and optimizing supply chain responsiveness. It can also offer greater differentiation and innovation, leading to a competitive advantage. IoT is widely discussed, but what does it refer to and how does it relate to the lean […]
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Sky. Falling or Not?
Trade uncertainty. Tariffs. Protectionism. Retaliation. Supply chain disruption. What is happening? For the past year, we have been hearing shouted warnings that global trade as we know it will end in 2017…no, in 2018….no, in 2019. “The future of the global trade system faces more risk and uncertainty than at any time since it was […]
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5 Reasons to Make Demand Modeling Part of Your Supply Chain Design Process
Predicting customer demand is incredibly difficult. Economic indicators, weather, seasonal influences, and industry trends constantly change and need to be continually factored in to your analysis. This insight helps improve the design of your supply chain to better account for changes in demand. In today’s marketplace, it’s crucial to understand your customers’ buying behavior, as […]
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How to Contain Rising Truckload Prices
You’ve no doubt seen your truckload shipping costs skyrocket. If you’re a niche user—flatbed or refrigerated—you’re probably reeling at the price increases. Your brokers tell you prices will moderate; they’re wrong. Let’s explore strategies to help you contain increasing prices. Let’s talk about why these prices are here to stay. First and foremost, the driver […]
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Yes, NAFTA Affects Your Industry Too
The symbiotic relationship between trade compliance and supply chain is the cornerstone of a shipper’s competitive advantage. You know this well, but you may be unfamiliar with how NAFTA affects your entire supply chain. Service providers who stay current on the global trade landscape are assets to their clients. I know, I used to be […]
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How Georgia Designed an Innovative Logistics Landscape
Industry groups need to come together and support a sustainable logistics ecosystem. State organizations play a critical role in achieving this goal, as they are often the hub that facilitates seamless interactions between businesses, government agencies, industry groups, and educational institutions. Georgia, for example, supports a robust industry that’s successful on a national and global […]
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The Human Experience
I am adding something to the acronym alphabet soup: HX or the Human Experience. In the ever-evolving supply chain process—shaped by automation, co-bots, and the global search for the lowest skilled hourly wage—are the cards irrevocably stacked against the humanity who grind the operational logistics gears that make it all happen? Recent developments in supply […]
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Inventory Strategies That Satisfy and Retain Customers
The Amazon Effect continues to weigh heavily on the supply chain. Consumers expect to receive packages within a few days—or within one day—of placing an order. The demand for lightning-quick fulfillment, coupled with myriad small-order additions, has led to a complex operating environment. Shipping is the second-most widely reported reason for consumer dissatisfaction when shopping […]
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Slowing Down the Driver Shortage
The driver shortage has been an issue in the transportation industry for well over a decade. Carriers need to develop successful tactics and strategies for recruiting and retaining drivers in order to remain competitive. Carriers must first focus on findingdrivers who are not only qualified and driven, but also a fit for the company’sculture. To […]
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Blockchain Technology: Good in a Supply Chain Crisis
Blockchain, the technology that underpins digital currencies such as bitcoin, offers substantive benefits to supply chains disrupted by natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods. Blockchain is a digital ledger that creates a chronological and unchangeable record of transactions. It uses an autonomous network of computers to constantly verify the legitimacy of updates to the […]
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Seamless Returns Start With Serial Numbers
Although serial numbers were initially created to track production, they are invaluable tools for reverse logistics. Here’s how they can streamline supply chains. Serialized products are easier to manage during the returns process. If retailers capture a serial number at the point of sale (PoS), they know an item was purchased from them, because they […]
Read MoreWhat’s the Supply Chain Buzzword for 2018?
Expect mistakes in the early stages, but by the end of the year I bet we have blockchain results with some serious, long-term impact. Leif Olson Sales Account Manager, Navegate The wider adoption of blockchain technology across other industries indicates that it is time for us to take the leap and start reshaping our industry […]
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Status Grow? Yes.
I often disagree with IL’s publisher, but I can’t argue with his perspective in this edition. There is a great opportunity for growth in many business sectors, and supply chain excellence is fundamentally important in that economic environment. It wasn’t always that way, however. This publication’s mission since its inception in 1981 has been to […]
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Four Ways to Optimize Your Supply Chain
Supply chain optimization techniques, if leveraged properly, can help companies achieve their strategic business objectives, drive significant reductions in operating costs, and make informed cross functional decisions in complex scenarios. This comprehensive approach helps find the right balance between minimizing costs and meeting business constraints and strategic goals. The following four primary techniques can help […]
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Welcome to the Neo-Panamax Era: Big Ships, Big Opportunities
The arrival of the cargo vessel T. Roosevelt at Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, in September 2017, marked the beginning of a new era for international commerce and trade. At 14,414 TEUs, four times longer than a football field, T. Roosevelt was the largest vessel to dock at an East Coast port after traversing the widened […]
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