Articles
Takeaways
Carriers Cough Up Hiring Fee
As part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse rule, trucking companies soon will be required to pay the agency a fee prior to hiring each driver—in addition to an annual fee for currently employed drivers. Starting Jan. 6, 2020, carriers will be mandated to query an FMCSA database […]
Read MoreMaersk, Blackbuck Create Containerized Trucking Platform
To help India’s government reach its goal of reducing logistics costs from 14% of the GDP to less than 9% by 2022, integrated container logistics company Maersk is partnering with BlackBuck, India’s largest online trucking marketplace. BlackBuck will own and operate a new containerized trucking platform, which Maersk will support by developing industry-specific solutions. The […]
Read More
Warehouse Automation Growing, But For How Long?
During the past few years, the warehouse automation market has seen double-digit growth rates driven in part by the rise of e-commerce and omni-channel retail, finds new research from market intelligence firm Interact Analysis. Consumer demand for faster and cheaper online delivery options has many retailers investing in warehouse automation to cut order processing times […]
Read More
Seeking Autonomy
What factors go into creating a successful supply chain? According to the EY Americas Supply Chain Reinvention Survey 2019, which surveyed senior-level supply chain executives on topics ranging from adopting technology, retaining leadership and talent, and prioritizing investment to supporting sustainability, here are the notable trends: A long road to 2025: More than 50% of […]
Read More
The State of Logistics
CSCMP’s annual State of Logistics Report presents an overview of the economy during the past year, key logistics trends, and the total U.S. logistics costs for 2018 (see chart). Here are some top takeaways. Macroeconomics: Economic slowdown expected and trade uncertainty volatile. The U.S. economy is flashing warning signs, as economic growth is forecast to […]
Read MoreAvoiding the Trade War Squeeze
As trade volatility between the United States and China escalates, shippers find few options for avoiding a painful squeeze. While some are shifting production to other nations in the region, others find those countries are less than ready to handle the spike. In the thick of peak season preparations, here are some ways to ensure […]
Read MoreTriple E Supply Chain
The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), a nonprofit supply chain association, released new standards for instituting a “triple E” supply chain—one that is ethical, ecological, and economical. Companies that meet the standards are eligible to apply for the ASCM Enterprise Certification, an industry benchmark demonstrating a commitment to clean supply chains. “More than ever, […]
Read More
Stop, Thief!
TT Club and BSI have issued the second edition of their report on global cargo theft, the first to cover a full year. The report analyzes cargo theft by modality, theft type (modus operandi), commodities targeted, and the value of losses across the major regions of the world (see chart above). Among the notable findings: […]
Read More12 Tips to Identify Quality Suppliers
When most buyers plan to select a new supplier, they are usually tempted to focus on the best price. But shaving a few cents off the product price is no help if the quality is below standard or the component does not arrive when you need it. Focus on quality by incorporating these 12 tips […]
Read More
The Politics of Expanding Into New Markets
A majority of U.S. companies (82%) would like to expand into new markets and 36% are considering expansion opportunities in the BRICS and MINT countries, according to a new survey of U.S. business decision makers by connected planning company Vuealta. However, 55% of respondents say political uncertainty and its impact on their supply chains is […]
Read More