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Feature Stories
Optimization: Game On
Like the Mousetrap game, optimizing logistics requires precision timing, nerves of steel, and a little bit of luck to reach your goal. While you may not care about catching mice, you certainly care about speeding shipments, reducing inventory, delighting customers or just plain cutting costs. Here are the strategies of several logistics leaders who put their optimizing game face on and play to win.
Read MoreTransportation: Negotiating Contracts Without Getting Soaked
To stay competitive, companies must continue to optimize all modes of transportation. Here is a look at one particularly complex mode—ocean.
Read MoreStrategy and Process: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
As part of an ambitious optimization effort, DaimlerChrysler Corporation realigns and rebuilds its supply chain organization to kick innovation and efficiency into high gear.
Read MoreCross-Functional Teams: Petter Supply Company
An optimization project using cross-functional teams helped Petter Supply Company boost performance, reduce inventory, and cut costs.
Read MoreSpeeding the Process: The J.R. Simpot Company
To support a rapidly expanding business, J.R. Simplot used 3PLs to optimize a seamless merger and warehouse transition—while maintaining customer service expectations—all in 90 days.
Read MoreFlexibility: AM General
Cutting-edge technology helps AM General optimize supply chain operations, enhance manufacturing flexibility, and add horsepower to marketing efforts.
Read MoreScalability: Sportsman’s Warehouse
By optimizing warehouse operations and implementing an ERP system, Sportsman’s Warehouse meets aggressive growth and expansion goals.
Read MoreSupply Chain Roundup 2004: What worked. What didn’t. What’s next?
Supply chain management received a great deal of attention in 2004. What does it all mean for the logistics industry? Here, a look back at the year’s top trends, including homeland security, RFID, using data to improve results, transportation capacity constraints, the war, and more.
Read MoreMaterials Handling Strategies: A Fork-Free Future?
While forklift trucks may be the tried and true solution for many materials handling operations, forklift-free applications are attempting to shake up manufacturing with the emergence of carts and dollies. Thinking of going forklift-free? Make sure you have all the facts before jumping in.
Read MoreCareer Solutions: Hiring a Logistics Problem Solver
Executives and recruiters in the supply chain industry spend a lot of time interviewing prospective employees. And while many logistics candidates look good on paper, their resumes don’t always reveal the level of problem-solving skills they possess. Companies need to hire logistics problem-solvers—people who can walk into an operation and help make its problems disappear. […]
Read MoreSupply Chain Careers: An Inside Look
Whether you are a supply chain newbie—fresh out of school perhaps—or an industry veteran, chances are you give great thought to the future of your logistics career. Every industry—pharmaceutical, services, automotive, even the military—needs purchasing, operations, and logistics managers. The demand for supply chain managers is rising, and will continue to increase due to the […]
Read MoreSpeeding Global Shipments
The increasingly complex nature of supply chains makes velocity imperative in the global air/expedited freight sector. From port congestion to increased security measures to demand for visibility, here’s an inside look at what’s driving the need for speed.
Read MoreShipping Spree: Unlocking the Secrets to the Holiday Rush
In preparation for the peak holiday season, retailers and manufacturers reassess their supply chains to optimize planning and combat increased demand.
Read MoreRadioShack’s Supply Chain Tune-up
Thanks to a strong foundation created after a three-year, company-wide supply chain project, RadioShack has a new direction, new goals, and new customer markets.
Read MoreCLM 2004: Following The Leaders
What are the hot logistics topics for 2005? IL sat down with a number of different logistics solutions providers and practitioners at this year’s Council of Logistics Management conference to track the latest buzz in global supply chain trends.
Read MoreMaritime Security: Open to Risk?
The U.S. maritime sector offers an attractive target to terrorists. But the ocean community is taking steps to help protect maritime trade from catastrophic events.
Read MoreSmooth Sailing: Managing Ocean Transport by Lane
Are your ocean shipments moving via the most efficient and cost-effective method? The type of goods, time of year, and ultimate destination of your cargo are just some factors to consider when contracting with ocean carriers. Here, a best-practices guide for managing ocean shipments and ensuring cargo arrives on time, intact, and under budget.
Read MoreChina: The Dragon Awakens
Chinese cities are teeming with manufacturing initiatives, prompting numerous expansions of the country’s transportation and logistics infrastructure.
Read MoreGoing Global: 3PL or Solo?
As companies expand their global reach, they are increasingly leveraging the infrastructure, resources, networks and expertise of third-party logistics providers to enhance capacity while minimizing risk.
Read MoreMotor Carriers & Technology: Optimizing Like Never Before
Motor carriers were once notorious laggards when it came to IT investment. No more. A robust freight market and higher margins are driving truckers to once again invest in their IT infrastructures. And the motor freight buyer comes out the winner.
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