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Anatomy of Hospital Supply Chain Disruptions
The aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, created a severe shortage of IV bags in the continental United States. The reason: Baxter International, one of the major suppliers, manufactures the products in the U.S. territory and was crippled by the loss of electricity to the island. As a result, many […]
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U.S. Seaports Need Multimodal Funding
U.S. port authorities identify more than $20 billion in projected multimodal port and rail access needs over the next decade, while one-third cite pressing rail project needs costing at least $50 million for each of their ports, according to a new American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) survey, The State of Freight III. Funding and […]
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Disruptive Technologies Shake Up Supply Chains
When efficiency is the primary focus in integrated supply chain management, every little bit that helps to tighten both front- and back-end processes helps. Increasingly, companies in a variety of verticals are achieving such efficiencies by leaning on disruptive technologies. These envelope-pushing solutions could take the form of artificial intelligence used in automation software, robotics, […]
Read MoreBridging the Gap Between Women and Funding
Thirty women have become small business owners in the trucking industry thanks to the efforts of Expediter Services (ES), in conjunction with the Women in Trucking Association. To bring more women into the transportation industry, ES set a goal of supporting 150 total women-owned small businesses through the 150 Business Challenge within 12 months. Through […]
Read MoreItaly’s Ritrama Sticks a Landing in SC
Ritrama, an Italian multinational self-adhesive materials producer, chose Ferretto Group’s technological solutions for its new automated warehouse located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The structure spans an area of more than 5,000 square meters, and is equipped with six stacker cranes with different pick-up tools. Currently in use for about 70 percent of the warehouse, the […]
Read MoreThe Supply Chain in Brief
Shovel Ready Work is underway on a multipurpose cargo berth project at Florida’s Port Canaveral that will provide the infrastructure and capabilities to handle a wider range of heavy and oversized cargo, including commercial spacecraft components. Scheduled for completion in mid-2019, North Cargo Berth 8 on the port’s north side is designed and engineered as […]
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Fleet Operators Get No ELD Satisfaction
Slightly fewer than half of fleet operators responding to a Coretex Electronic Logging Device (ELD) satisfaction survey say the mandate is good for the transportation industry. Coretex surveyed 303 U.S. trucking companies of various sizes. More than two-thirds (69 percent) of responding companies say ELDs do not improve driver satisfaction, and 33 percent indicate it […]
Read MoreA Sweet deal: Nestlé, XPO Build Digital Warehouse
Nestlé, the world’s largest food and drink company, and XPO Logistics, a global provider of transport and logistics solutions, are co-creating a 638,000-square-foot distribution center at the new SEGRO East Midlands Gateway Logistics Park in Leicestershire, UK. Nestlé will predominantly occupy the facility, a digital warehouse of the future, for its consumer packaged goods. The […]
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Fresh Fish Shippers Breathe Easy
The world’s only approved airfreight oxygen delivery system will revolutionize live seafood transportation throughout continental Europe and the UK through an agreement between FloatPac, the owner of FishPac live seafood oxygen transport systems, and LipFish AS, based in Troms, Norway. Lipfish currently has its first 42 units on the water for delivery to Norway, with […]
Read MoreTest Riding to Reduce Carbon Emissions Along The Supply Chain
When it comes to sustainability, consumer demand doesn’t always align with reality. Consumers want their orders to arrive within days, but with minimal environmental impact. Finding ways to incorporate nimble, zero-carbon emission vehicles throughout the supply chain is often the first step in meeting both of these expectations. One solution is electric cargo bikes (ebikes) […]
Read MoreManufacturers Take on Amazon
In response to the “Amazon effect” and today’s consumer demands, manufacturers are reprioritizing and focusing their technology investments on inventory optimization solutions (43 percent) and integrated planning and execution technologies (41 percent), according to findings from JDA Software’s 2018 Intelligent Manufacturing Survey. The survey suggests manufacturers are embracing a new retail-like role and willing to […]
Read MoreSouthwest Goes Tex-Mex
U.S.-based low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines flies into the international freight transportation field with the launch of a new Houston-Mexico City route. The carrier plans to add Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas to its network by end of summer 2018. The airline is starting with four roundtrips per day between Mexico City International Airport […]
Read MoreTo 3PL or Not to 3PL?
Retailers may face significant challenges when expanding further into the online/e-commerce business. Some challenges may involve supply chain management issues. One of the largest obstacles is developing an effective fulfillment strategy. When it comes to making this decision, it is advisable to review the possible benefits of using a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. Self-performing fulfillment […]
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Finding Hidden Talent
Employers worldwide are facing the most acute talent shortage since 2006, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage Survey. Of the nearly 40,000 employers surveyed, 45 percent are struggling to fill roles. Skilled trade workers, sales representatives, and engineers are the most difficult to find. MORE TO THE STORY: The 4 B’s of Finding Talent […]
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An American in Paris: UPS Invests in France
UPS officially opened a new 30,000-square-meter, advanced technology package sorting and delivery hub outside Paris in Corbeil-Essonnes/Évry. The new facility, which employs nearly 1,000 people, facilitates cross-border trade and enhances package delivery service in the Île-de-France area. “This $100-million advanced technology facility spans four soccer fields,” says Nando Cesarone, president of UPS International. “And it’s […]
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J&J Uses Sustainability to Strengthen Carrier Relationships
Shipper of choice and sustainability are trending terms among supply chain managers but they’re nothing new to the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in North America. The company’s logistics operation has a long track record of attracting carriers that share a commitment to customer service, efficiency, and sustainable transportation. With for-hire trucking capacity in […]
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Setting the Standard for Perishables
The air cargo community should drive its own standard for perishables, without waiting for other groups and agencies to establish them, according to Stavros Evangelakakis, global product manager, healthcare and perishables, for Cargolux and chairman of the Cool Chain Association (CCA). A lack of accountability is contributing to the 1.3 billion metric tons of food […]
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Demand Segmentation Drives Forecast Accuracy, Customer Service Improvements
How companies are adopting demand segmentation and leveraging its benefits in tackling demand volatility and channel shifts is the subject of a new report, Demand Segmentation Users are Better Equipped to Manage Their Channel Challenges. Authored by Bryan Ball, vice president and group director, Aberdeen, and sponsored by Logility, the report examines how the ability […]
Read MoreHow Small Businesses Can Win at E-Commerce
If you’re a small business trying to establish yourself or grow in e-commerce, you know it can be an uphill battle. Sure, you have a great product, but you can sometimes be overwhelmed by large companies that seem to always find their way to the top of every search engine. Meanwhile, the big boxes offer […]
Read MoreIN BRIEF | New Services & Solutions
Transportation Logistics provider Dachser expanded its range of services, launching 26 less-than-containerload (LCL) connections in 2018. As of June 2018, Dachser added these routes: weekly LCL services from Bremen, Germany, to new destinations in the United States (Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, Houston, Atlanta, and Charlotte); from Hamburg to India (Nhava Sheva and Chennai); […]
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