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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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Coping With Blank Sailings, Surcharges & Spikes
From its position as a global third-party logistics provider, SEKO has unique insight into air and ocean trends. For one, global restocking is lowering the odds of a slack season in 2021, says Brian Bourke, the company’s chief growth officer. In a media call, SEKO execs shared their perspective on the following challenges facing manufacturers […]
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4 New Rules for Retail
While the grocery and home improvement sectors benefited from changes in consumer behavior during the pandemic, apparel and department stores struggled. Consequently, the following new rules will come into play for retailers in 2021, says a Deloitte report: 1. Digital investment should go beyond differentiation. Many retailers have jumped on the digital bandwagon (see chart), […]
Read MoreCold Chain Takes a Shot
The freight industry is tasked with transporting an average of 271 million ultracold and cold COVID-19 vaccine doses per month. At least 857 temperature-controlled trucks will leave Pfizer and Moderna manufacturing facilities or distribution centers each month, says an ABI Research report, and delivery will get more complicated after large urban and suburban areas are […]
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Freight Spending Soars to Record Highs
Truck freight spending in the United States reached record highs in Q2 of 2021, jumping 10.1% over Q1 levels, says a recent U.S. Bank report. While all regions experienced double-digit growth in spend, different geographic areas and industries emerge from the pandemic at different paces, the report shows: Northeast: Freight shipments rose 1.5% in Q2 […]
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New Google Maps Feature Gets a Green Light
Google Maps can not only help truckers and passenger vehicles find the quickest route from point A to point B, but now it also gets them there greener. Google has introduced a series of new features including eco-friendly routes that provide Google Maps users with more fuel-efficient navigation. The app determines fuel consumption for every […]
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Surging Optimism Buoys SMBs
Despite the upheaval businesses experienced in 2020, optimism has now surged past pre-pandemic levels, and many leaders from small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) report being well-positioned for growth in the year ahead, says Umpqua Bank’s annual report. Key findings from the survey include: Positive Outlook Positivity has roughly doubled since 2020, with expectations for economic […]
Read MoreGlobal Trade Plateau?
Order volumes in Western economies have grown significantly, but momentum may be slowing, finds a new report.
Read MoreSupply Chain Threats Beyond COVID-19
While COVID-19 remains a primary concern, a number of additional disruptions and risks impact supply chains. These are the risks to consider.
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Going the Distance
As we move into 2021, social distancing is a top priority for C-level executives. While they manage their business with social distancing, the protocols aren’t ideal for productivity, finds a survey by consulting firm West Monroe. More than half say they primarily work remotely to avoid social distancing, and 40% say it’s the biggest hindrance […]
Read MoreDHL Shares Strategy for Peak Season and Beyond
E-commerce is up 65% year over year, and expected to surge more than 50% during the busiest peak week, according to Chet Paul, senior vice president at DHL Express; Kraig Foreman, president at DHL Supply Chain; and Craig Morris, chief information officer at DHL eCommerce Solutions. In a media call, the DHL execs shared how […]
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Intermodal Bounces Back
Strong intermodal volumes will continue as retailers replenish their inventories, says CSX Transportation and Canadian National Railway (CN). Intermodal traffic, which halted with the rest of rail volume when the pandemic began, bounced back faster than carload volumes and is surpassing 2019 levels. U.S. intermodal volume was up 10% and CN’s intermodal business was up […]
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Top 25 Healthcare Supply Chains
Johnson & Johnson maintains its No. 1 spot on the Gartner Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 list, which recognizes companies that advance healthcare by improving patient outcomes and controlling costs. Baylor Scott & White Health, Johns Hopkins Health System, Indiana University, and Biogen join the ranking for the first time. The healthcare leaders in 2020: […]
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