Articles
Risks and Rewards: Risk Management Strategies
Preparation: Your Best Asset in Managing Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply disruptions occur daily, caused by delayed deliveries; weather impacts on inbound supply; and prolonged standstills associated with natural disasters, port labor strikes, or critical supplier failures. Whatever the reason for the disruption, supply chain managers prove their value by delivering—no matter the circumstances. An active risk management process helps identify a range of possible […]
Read MoreAvoid Big Losses When Shipping Big Machinery
In their journey from manufacturer to customer, large pieces of sophisticated machinery often sustain costly damage due to lack of care and attention in packaging and handling. The losses, however, often go beyond the machinery’s value. Businesses can also suffer significant production shortfalls if their facilities grind to a halt as they wait for replacement […]
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Do You Know Who You’re Doing Business With?
Q: My company’s cargo volumes are increasing now that the economic slowdown is beginning to turn. We are receiving orders from new customers we developed through international marketing efforts. What should we look for when screening new clients? A: As you enter into new business relationships, it is important that you know your customer. Five […]
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New Year, New Insurance Review
The start of the new year is the time to make resolutions, and risk managers should resolve to review their operations to ensure that risk and insurance programs are in order. Your risk review should address several key questions: Are you planning to offer new services? If so, consider your insurance obligations before the transaction […]
Read MoreEmbargo Violations: Ignorance is No Excuse
Q:I recently read that DHL paid a $9.4-million fine to settle a claim by the United States for violations of sanctions against shipments to Iran. Can you discuss what happened and how I can avoid a case like this? A:The case you refer to was an action taken by the U.S. Treasury Department regarding 309 […]
Read MoreFoul Play: When Merchandise is Stolen, Who Pays?
Q:A Philadelphia newspaper recently reported an armed heist of Sports Authority merchandise worth $500,000 from a local 3PL warehouse. According to the account, a former employee of a trucking company that delivered Sports Authority merchandise along the East Coast stole one of the company’s trucks. He and two accomplices held a warehouse guard at gunpoint […]
Read MoreC.H. Robinson Case: Brokers Learn Liability Lesson
Q: I read about a recent case in which a jury awarded $23.7 million against a transportation broker who hired a motor carrier that was involved in a fatal automobile accident. As I understand it, the transportation broker did not own or operate the truck that caused the accident. How is it possible that the […]
Read MoreHelp Wanted: Seeking Qualified Logistics Professionals
Q: As a logistics provider, I find that hiring qualified staff has grown increasingly complicated with the rise of demands such as regulatory compliance, security initiatives, and constantly changing industry standards. Why is this? What can the supply chain and logistics sector do to attract a younger generation of professionals to this field? A: One […]
Read MoreFacing the Challenges Ahead
During the past year, global events created new concerns for logistics operators. For some, finding insurance coverage has become increasingly difficult, as insurance companies need to balance the likelihood of a significant loss against the prospect of recovering their payout—a trying task in times of financial uncertainty. Purchasing insurance may well become costlier in the […]
Read MoreSigned, Sealed, Delivered…But to Whom?
Q: I am a warehouse operator. An insurance company recently refused to provide me with coverage for the wrongful delivery of goods stored in my warehouse, citing the Uniform Commercial Code as the reason. Can you explain the problem? A: The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a body of law that has been accepted, with […]
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