Articles
Takeaways
Supplier Information Still a Concern
The pandemic revealed widespread problems with supplier information on a global scale. While many procurement leaders responding to the 2021 Supplier Information Study, commissioned by Tealbook, had initially vowed to invest in supply chain resiliency, almost a year after the pandemic they still grapple with issues surrounding poor supplier information: Agility: Nearly all respondents agree […]
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Hailing Robotaxis for Delivery
Cruise, GM’s autonomous vehicle arm, was mainly focused on launching an autonomous ridesharing service, but may use its "robotaxis" for delivery services instead. It recently added Walmart as an investor in an extended fundraising round that grew to $2.75 billion, and had completed a delivery pilot with DoorDash in San Francisco even before the pandemic. […]
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Target Practices Faster Fulfillment
Instead of using carriers to ship all its online orders, Target is building its own team of dedicated delivery personnel to get packages to customers’ doors even faster, helping the retailer compete with its e-commerce rivals, says a CNBC report. The new approach involves three companies that Target acquired: Grand Junction, Deliv, and Shipt. Target […]
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Amazon Delivery Drivers, Assemble!
Amazon shoppers may soon have the option to have their orders assembled upon arrival, says a Bloomberg report. The e-commerce giant is testing the premium service as online furniture and housewares sales continue to soar and shoppers get more comfortable making big-ticket purchases online. Amazon currently offers scheduled at-home delivery to a particular room, but […]
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Digging Up Vertical Farming Solutions
Vertical farming—in which indoor spaces are used to grow food—is forecast to increase globally, but such operations can only grow a limited number of crops to make a profit. A new automated solution, created by Swisslog, can help the industry overcome these barriers to growth with better flexibility, reduced costs, and closer proximity to consumers […]
Read MoreLEGACY at the Crossroads of America
As e-commerce continues to dominate the retail landscape, many logistics services providers are evolving their solutions to meet this new demand. One example is LEGACY Supply Chain, a Franklin, Indiana-based third-party logistics provider focused on e-commerce fulfillment in the United States and Canada. LEGACY recently acquired a new facility in Indianapolis, and continues to flex […]
Read MoreAirbus Freighter Flies Ahead of Boeing
Expecting the e-commerce boom to continue beyond the pandemic, aircraft manufacturer Airbus aims to launch a freighter version of its A350 aircraft in 2025, flying into one of Boeing’s most lucrative markets. The decision to launch the freighter was based on customer demand for a wide-body aircraft to rival Boeing’s B777F and B767F. The A350 […]
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AI Strategy: Your Move
Artificial intelligence (AI) spending shows no signs of slowing, with 82% of decision-makers saying they’re very likely to increase their AI investment or capabilities in the next two years, says a report from Modzy. Decision-makers should consider the following factors in their AI strategy, the report says: Recognize the value. About 66% of decision-makers surveyed […]
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The Art of the Steal
With pandemic-induced lockdowns, e-commerce surges, and transportation restrictions in 2020, cargo theft shifted to new commodities and locations (see chart), says a BSI and TT Club report. New trends include the food and beverage sector experiencing the most theft, as well as an uptick in theft from facilities compared to 2019. In the year ahead, […]
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Trucking Transformation
Truckers have transformed the previously laborious process of delivering a package with innovations such as capacity-as-a-service and automated driver assist. Now, 64% of truck executives responding to an IBM survey say their future success depends on digitally reinventing themselves. This is what trucking will look like in 2030, the report says: $99.2 billion. The truck-as-a-service […]
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U.S. Trade Ups and Downs
Exports and imports of goods and services in the United States decreased 12.3% to $4.9 trillion in 2020, the largest nominal decrease since 2009, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Exports decreased by 15.7% while imports decreased by 9.5%. Total trade decreased as well, representing 23.6% of gross domestic product in 2020, […]
Read MoreU.S. Policies That Can Strengthen Recovery
The Biden-Harris administration will have an opportunity to strengthen supply chains and position the United States as a go-to partner for COVID-19 recovery, says a report from Baker McKenzie and Atlantic Council. This is how they can advance policies that help supply chains withstand major disruptions, the report says: Expand U.S. commercial ties in Latin […]
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50 Orders in 6 Minutes
Kroger continues to invest in its digital business. By opening America’s first automated warehouse with digital and robotic capabilities in Monroe, Ohio, the supermarket chain can assemble a 50-item order in just six minutes. Comparatively, a Kroger employee takes 30 to 45 minutes to pick items from various areas of the store. The $55-million, 335,000-square-foot […]
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USPS Steps Up Its Fleet Game
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) invested in the most significant modernization of its fleet in three decades. It recently awarded a 10-year contract to Oshkosh Defense to manufacture a new generation of U.S.-built delivery vehicles as part of a multi-billion-dollar effort to replace the entire fleet. The new vehicles will be equipped with either fuel-efficient […]
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Nonautomotive Robot Orders Rove Ahead
Supply chain disruptions and workforce challenges are causing industries to accelerate their automation strategies (see chart). For example, yearly robot orders from nonautomotive sectors surpassed automotive robot orders for the first time, with sales of robotic units in North America increasing 3.5% in 2020 from 2019, according to the Robotic Industries Association. Growth was driven […]
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Walmart Goes Local
Walmart plans to increase the number of local fulfillment centers across the United States, which it will build inside or near existing retail locations. This localized approach mirrors Amazon’s strategy, as both companies face off amid surging demand for online orders. Walmart opened its first fulfillment center in 2019 in New Hampshire when the retail […]
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Port of Long Beach Loads Up on Business
As cargo volumes surged in the second half of 2020, essential workers at the Port of Long Beach in California moved 8.1 million cargo containers—its busiest year on record. The port ended the year with a 6.3% increase from 2019. Imports rose 6.4% to more than 3.9 million TEUs, exports increased 0.2% to 475,888 TEUs, […]
Read MoreNeiman Marcus Splurges on Digitization
Luxury department store Neiman Marcus is banking on a digital future, investing $85 million to make immediate changes to its supply chain and technology operations after erasing more than $4 billion in debt with a successful bankruptcy. To help improve its digital customer service, the retailer hired Apple veteran Bob Kupbens as its new chief […]
Read MoreYou’ve Got Drone Mail
Many drone delivery services involve dropping packages on the ground outside of homes and businesses, making them vulnerable to theft and bad weather. That’s where the smart drone mailbox comes in. These new mailbox concepts, developed by startups Valqari and DRONEDEK, involve a technology-enabled container that receives and stores packages in a secure, climate-controlled box […]
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Sail Like the Wind
The Frisian Sea, a Dutch cargo ship, made its maiden voyage using two compact wind-assisted propulsion units that can be easily moved into position or stowed. The technology has the potential to improve operating efficiency and environmental performance in the shipping industry. The 388-foot vessel, owned by Boomsma Shipping, was retrofitted with eConowind’s VentiFoils wind […]
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