Articles
How-To
Becoming a Transportation Industry Advocate
Legislators are currently considering and implementing laws and regulations many transportation experts fear will significantly erode trucking productivity and increase the delivered cost of goods. There’s no time like the present to begin advocating your company’s interests. Brian Everett, ABC, executive director for the National Shipper’s Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC), outlines how business leaders can […]
Read MoreAchieving LEED Certification
Many manufacturing and distribution facility owners consider the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification the ultimate sustainability prize. Thomas Taylor, general manager for St. Louis-based sustainability consultant firm Vertegy, offers tips for earning LEED certification. 1. In warm-climate regions, install a white roof. A white or light-colored roof may […]
Read MoreGaining More From 3PL Relationships
Whether your third-party logistics (3PL) service provider is a niche player or a global behemoth, you can take steps to draw more value from the partnership. Valerie Bonebrake, senior vice president at supply chain consulting firm Tompkins International, offers the following tips for getting your 3PL to do more for you. 1. Become an expert […]
Read MoreImproving the Order-to-Cash Cycle
When pursuing order-to-cash improvements, many companies try to speed receivables. Instead, they should focus on setting long-term goals and improving customer relationships. Scott Pezza, research analyst, the Aberdeen Group, offers the following tips for improving order-to-cash effectiveness. 1. Stay ahead of the game with pre-sales credit analysis. Identify potential problems early so you can either […]
Read MoreEnsuring a Worry-Free ERP Implementation
The complaints most often associated with implementing an enterprise resource planning system (ERP) focus on flexibility, scalability, and upgrade and maintenance costs. To avoid snafus, do your homework before making a purchase. David F. Ross, senior manager, professional department, at APICS, The Association for Operations Management, offers this advice to guide your selection. 1. Consider […]
Read MoreBoosting Supply Chain Sustainability
Sustainable business practices and supply chains reduce waste, cut costs, and improve profit margins. Alan Amling, director of global logistics and distribution marketing at UPS, offers the following tips to help businesses improve supply chain sustainability. 1. Avoid reinventing the wheel. Minimizing waste is the first step in sustainability. Before investing in your own supply […]
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Increasing Warehouse Productivity
Warehouse efficiency promotes productivity, which is essential to customer satisfaction. Jason Minghini, senior director, best practices, at Chattanooga, Tenn.-based third-party logistics provider Kenco Logistic Services offers the following tips for creating more efficient, productive warehouse operations. 1. Communicate effectively. Clearly communicating to workers your organizational goals and the processes to achieve them is one key […]
Read MoreProtecting Your Supply Chain Against Disruption
Most companies know supply chain vulnerability poses a threat to their operations, yet few perform analysis or plan strategies to minimize risk to the bottom line. Businesses can protect against disruptions by adding supply chain redundancy, says Dr. Jeff Karrenbauer, president of supply chain solutions provider INSIGHT. Here is his advice for strengthening your logistics […]
Read MoreBuilding Efficiency Into Your Supply Chain
When it comes to supply chain efficiency, information is king. The more you know, the better you can manage the process and engineer improvements. Ellen Fontaine, general manager, strategic planning and business development, at Georgetown, Ky.-based third-party logistics provider VASCOR Ltd. offers this advice for boosting supply chain efficiency. 1. Seek opportunities to optimize. Optimization […]
Read MoreSecuring Global Supply Chains
With trading partners spread across various regions, unique security risks associated with different countries, and an array of legal and regulatory regimes, global shippers must be well-prepared to ensure cargo safety. Bill Anderson, group director of security and international safety, Ryder System Inc., provides these tips for securing your international supply chain. 1. Create a […]
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