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FedEx Abandons Cuba Airfreight Service
Improved relations between the United States and Cuba have hit an impasse, leading FedEx Corp. to drop a plan to begin cargo flights to the communist country. FedEx “will not be filing for an extension of the startup date for U.S.-Cuba cargo air service between Miami and Varadero,” according to a recent statement. The company […]
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Manufacturers Laser-Focused on Technology
Digital transformation is truly underway in manufacturing. While digital technologies such as cloud, mobile, big data and analytics, and Internet of Things have been industry drivers for years, manufacturers now have high expectations for the business value of technologies—edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI), collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR)—that are […]
Read MoreA New Argument for Pool Distribution as More Specialty E-Retailers Set Up Shop
As consumer demand intensifies and changing shopping behaviors put pressure on the industry to adapt, retailers have continued to redesign their networks to keep up. When distributing high-volume retail goods, determining the right model is key. So what’s the quickest and most cost-effective way to keep fast-turning retail products moving from DC to store shelf? […]
Read MoreMaking a Dry Run
Shipping in containers is an economical and safe way of shipping most types of cargo. But putting cargo into an enclosed steel box also entails a constant risk of moisture damage for almost every kind of cargo on every voyage, according to Absortech. When damage occurs, it may result in substantial losses and costs. In […]
Read MoreCollapsing High Container Costs
The global shipping sector has a container problem. To be precise, it has a $30-billion container problem, and that price tag is increasing every year. In addition to their financial costs, empty containers congest deck spaces and crowd ports. And forcing ships to transport millions of empty containers around the world every year creates unnecessary […]
Read MoreTariffs Sting U.S. Supply Chains
The tariffs President Donald Trump imposed on Chinese goods have caused sharp increases in expenses for some companies, and even businesses that have yet to feel the sting of the duties on imported Chinese goods are taking a closer look at their supply chains to see how they can minimize the damage. As businesses scramble […]
Read MoreThe Secret to Combatting the Hidden Costs of Detention Time
Lengthy loading dock wait times have plagued the trucking industry for years, with serious consequences for drivers and shippers alike. Detention time—typically defined as greater than a two-hour wait—affects driver efficiency, shipping capacity and safety, with a negative financial impact for all stakeholders. And the problem is widespread. According to a survey by data analyst […]
Read MoreNOTED | The Supply Chain in Brief-2019
Green Seeds DHL rolled out a new fleet of electric delivery vans to serve U.S. markets, moving closer to its target of operating 70 percent of first- and last-mile delivery services with clean transport modes by 2025 and eventually reducing logistics-related emissions to zero by 2050. Equipment manufacturer Workhorse Group produced the fleet of 63 […]
Read MoreTrends on the Horizon in 2019
The four trends that will have the greatest impact on operations in North America in the coming year, according to DHL Supply Chain: 1. Warehouse robotics come of age. Robotics are already proving their value in select warehouse applications, but the technology is expected to reach a tipping point in 2019. Expect the technology to […]
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Drivers Need Some TLC
With the American Trucking Associations projecting a shortfall of 174,00 truck drivers by 2026, it is important for organizations to understand and address driver concerns in order to retain a strong workforce and attract new talent. Third-party logistics provider Kenco and CarrierLists conducted a recent driver survey that reveals their frustrations, concerns, and priorities, thus […]
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News & Trends Impacting the Travel & Hospitality Supply Chain
Secrets to Good Hospitality These steps can springboard your organization to new heights of cost efficiency. 1. Stay up to date on pricing changes and market dynamics. Tracking price fluctuations, understanding supply and demand, as well as seasonality, is essential for every product in your pipeline. 2. Consider alternate brands and suppliers in your food […]
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Technology Powers U.S. Manufacturing Renaissance
The impact of powerful forces such as digital transformation, Industry 4.0, the current regulatory climate, and automation on U.S. manufacturers is the focus of a new research report from ECi Software Solutions. The findings indicate the role technology is playing in the U.S. manufacturing resurgence, with 89 percent of respondents confirming they had increased technology […]
Read MoreHow Data Collection and Artificial Intelligence Are Building and Digitizing the Next-Generation Warehouse
Supply chain operations are largely planned around how events are expected to happen in an ideal world, with little or no ability to respond in real time to the millions of micro disruptions that may occur. These daily disturbances, even as simple as delayed arrival of a shipment due to traffic, create billions of dollars […]
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Amazon Primed for New Regional Hub
In the first airport project of its kind in the Amazon Air network, the etailer has announced plans to open a regional air hub at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas. Construction has already begun on the new air hub, which will create hundreds of new jobs. Unlike other gateways and facilities within Amazon […]
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Ford Predicts the Trends Driving 2019
It is helpful to understand consumer behavior when crafting efficient supply chains. Ford’s 7th annual Trends Report, which analyzes consumer behavior based on interviews with more than 13,000 people across 14 countries, provides some insight. Ford says these surveys don’t look just at behavior toward automobiles, but rather the factors that drive behavioral changes. For […]
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Hot Tips to Stay Safe This Winter
"Slow the hell down and drive defensively." This is a crucial step in remaining safe on the road, especially during the winter months when driving conditions worsen, say executives at Lynden Transport. As harsh weather and poor driving conditions are universal concerns for drivers and fleet managers across the country, Jim Maltby, corporate director of […]
Read MoreAnswering Global Volatility with IT Solutions to Support Supply Chain Agility
Today’s global economic volatility is putting increased pressure on supply chain managers. While worldwide turmoil is not new, the ability to manage it has now become an expectation — one companies must master to remain competitive. This requires purchasing agents to be alert, well-informed, and able to pivot to new suppliers and delivery routes with […]
Read MoreEvolving Warehouse Processes as the Supply of AS/400 Talent Tightens
I recently had a conversation with a supply chain executive about how he was trying to enhance his company’s inventory management and overall warehouse processes. His organization has been lightly discussing this business need for several years. His company has grown at double-digit percentages over the last few years and they’re confident about their future […]
Read MoreWhen Logistics Worlds Collide: Fashion History Predicts Future of Pharma Fulfillment
Before you say anything, I’ve already heard all the jokes. You see, my experience in the pharmaceutical logistics sector began during the 1980s in the high-end fashion business. I know. There are drugs in both. Even planets millions of miles from each other may intersect their orbits at two points. And such is the relationship […]
Read MoreHow the E-commerce Warehouse Is Adapting to Life in the Big City
The goalposts in e-commerce fulfillment continue to move. Where once five-day delivery times were considered standard, now consumers routinely expect two-day or even next-day delivery. Same-day delivery is on the horizon. These shifting expectations have forced e-commerce and omni-channel retailers to expand their distribution networks. It can be difficult—and expensive—to meet even the two-day requirement […]
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