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Going in Reverse in the Circular Economy

Going in Reverse in the Circular Economy

While 70% of supply chain leaders plan to invest in the circular economy in 2020-2021, only 12% have aligned their digital and circular economy strategies so far, according to a recent survey by Gartner. About 27% of respondents currently use digital technologies to improve reverse logistics, and 39% plan to do so in the next […]

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Useful COVID-19 Information & Guidance

The following links provide practical information and official guidance related to COVID-19, including new workplace guidelines, frequently asked questions, and updates from the government. CDC’s official guide for business OSHA’s guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 EPA’s list of disinfectants suitable for use against COVID-19 John Hopkin’s Coronavirus Dashboard showing real-time data on COVID-19 spread […]

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Map Mishaps Throw Last-Mile Drivers Off Course

Map Mishaps Throw Last-Mile Drivers Off Course

Nearly all last-mile delivery drivers say they would be more effective if they had better maps, according to a new report from Mapillary, a street-level imagery platform that uses computer vision to automate mapping. The delivery industry is racking up $2.5 billion in wasted salary and $611 million in extra miles due to bad maps, […]

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Shippers Have Hope for 2020

Shippers Have Hope for 2020

What supply chain challenges did shippers experience in 2019, and what supply chain services held their interest compared to previous years? The Averitt Express 2019 State of the North American Supply Chain survey of more than 1,800 shippers from a variety of industries throughout North America finds: 66.2% of shippers anticipate increased shipping volumes in […]

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Swinging for the Fences

Before a single major leaguer steps up to the plate on opening day March 26, 2020, industry players are already scoring with supply chain team-ups and spring training send-offs.

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Warehouse Sustainability Doesn’t Measure Up

Only a small number of warehouse operators—18% of those surveyed—currently use sustainability metrics to analyze their environmental impact, finds a new Transport Intelligence warehouse benchmarking survey. Of those who do use sustainability metrics, not one was able to say how much energy they used per square meter or how much carbon dioxide they produced at […]

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Gearing Up for a Bright Supply Chain Future

Gearing Up for a Bright Supply Chain Future

Logistics providers, retailers, and other large global movers are applying a mix of enabling technologies and innovative business models to drive the efficiency and supply chain orchestration needed to meet tomorrow’s package volume demand and capture market share, finds Deloitte’s recent Future of the Movement of Goods study. With growing e-commerce, shifting trade patterns, and […]

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Building a Case for Blockchain

Building a Case for Blockchain

Asset-tracking and traceability are the top uses for distributed ledger technology (see chart), highlighting the need for improved management as supply chains evolve from linear models to multitiered networks, says a PwC report. About 52% of business leaders say asset-tracking and traceability are the best applications for blockchain technology. Among those respondents, 52% identify trade […]

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Atlanta Hits the Spot

Atlanta, Georgia, takes the top spot as the easiest market to find spot truckload van freight in 2019, according to a DAT Solutions report. Because spot freight is unscheduled, it can be a useful indicator of economic activity. Take a look at the top 10 markets in 2019 for outbound truckload freight by equipment type. […]

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How Does Coronavirus Impact the Supply Chain, and How Can Retailers Minimize Disruption?

With the new coronavirus impacting supply chains globally and shifting consumer spending habits, retailers must assess their response on a daily—or even hourly—basis. COVID-19 has impacted the supply chain by limiting access to employees due to quarantines, closing factories or slowing down manufacturers, and limiting access to logistics to move goods, according to Gartner. Retailers can minimize these disruptions in three ways:

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Autonomous Ship: Maiden China?

Autonomous Ship: Maiden China?

China’s first unmanned cargo ship completed its test voyage in December 2019, marking a significant milestone in autonomous shipping. The ship, Jin Dou Yun 0 Hao, successfully delivered cargo from Dong Ao Island in Zhuhuai to the No. 1 pier of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Measuring about 42.2 feet long and 12.5 feet wide and […]

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Coronavirus Precautions

Coronavirus Precautions

The Chinese government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak has impacted 280 supplier sites near Wuhan, China, according to Bindiya Vakil, chief executive officer of Resilinc, a provider of cognitive supply chain monitoring and mitigation solutions. Businesses could experience supply chain disruptions for three to six months, which is comparable to disruptions caused by the swine […]

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Crossing the Final-Mile Finish Line

Crossing the Final-Mile Finish Line

Total e-commerce revenue in 2020 will reach $3.52 trillion, growing year-over-year at nearly 19%, according to global tech market advisory firm ABI Research. This explosion is forcing retailers to find faster and more convenient modes to reach the final mile. Retailers will likely trade profits to continue investments in the e-commerce explosion. This growth depends […]

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I Like Big-Box and I Cannot Lie

I Like Big-Box and I Cannot Lie

Nearly half of small to mid-sized business (SMB) decision-makers involved in distribution, logistics, and/or procurement estimate an increase in shipping spend in 2020 compared to 2019, and big-box retailers are influencing their strategy, finds logistics technology platform uShip’s 2020 SMB Shipping Strategies report. About 25% of decision-makers say the logistics strategies of Amazon and Walmart […]

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VERTICAL FOCUS | Fast-Moving Consumer Goods

VERTICAL FOCUS | Fast-Moving Consumer Goods

4 Things FMCG Retailers Need to Know FMCG retailers need to be aware of four key areas as they build their future omnichannel supply chains, finds RSR Research’s Supply Chain Management 2018 report. 1. Change signals. Retailers are increasingly aware that new digitally enabled consumer behaviors are challenging a key operational assumption—that consumers will start […]

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Logistics Leaders Into Outsourcing

Logistics Leaders Into Outsourcing

Outsourcing logistics services has become common—85% of logistics leaders expect their outsourcing budget to increase by more than 5% in 2020; 85% reported a similar budget increase in 2019, finds Gartner’s 2019 Logistics Outsourcing Strategy survey. One reason leaders expect budgets to increase is that logistics outsourcing supports their business objectives. About 70% of respondents […]

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7 Notable Women in Supply Chain & Logistics

Meet the women who are succeeding at high levels in their companies, driven by a passion for supply chain and logistics, self-confidence, authenticity, and the ability to untangle the spaghetti of information that drives business decisions.

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Which ERP Trends Will Catch On in 2020?

Supply chain management involves planning, execution, control, and monitoring, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions handle the physical aspects of supply. Next-generation ERP technologies have come to the forefront, and their powerful capabilities are having a great influence. Here are three ERP supply chain trends to watch in 2020. 1. Warehouse operations managers are more […]

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