Articles
Global Economy
Five Market Concerns Driving Shipper Cost Increases
It has never been more expensive or frustrating to be a shipper. Rates are up, capacity is down, and, while Wall Street analysts are bullish on the transportation sector, many businesses are still struggling. It’s a disparity that contributes to billions of dollars of shipper overspending each year. The following market concerns will have the […]
Read MoreFreight Equals Politics
As the population shifts and Republicans gain control of Congress, it is time to strengthen the connection between our economic engine and political tide.
Read MoreSupply Chain Gain: Global Growth
Contingency suppliers, sourcing differentiation, special incentives, and a host of other strategies generate improvements in supply chains that reach around the world.
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Ask the (M)experts 2011
For an update on what’s new in security, infrastructure, and manufacturing in Mexico since last year’s edition of Ask the (M)experts, Inbound Logistics checked in with a new crop of supply chain leaders and economic development experts— and some of last year’s MVPs.
Read MoreGlobal Logistics – December 2010
China Full of Beans China’s consuming population continues to expand without pause, as demand for American Joe is now competing with a long-standing cultural mainstay —green tea. Starbucks has inked a deal with the Chinese provincial government of Yunnan to set up its first coffee bean farm. The Seattle chain is partnering with local growers […]
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Global Logistics – November 2010
Heineken Tests Beer Float Heineken’s business is all about flow—from the brewery to the beer tap, and all logistics touches in between. Thanks to the new Alpherium inland container terminal in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands, the beverage manufacturer’s supply chain flows a whole lot smoother. Heineken now ships export containers from its Zoeterwoude brewery […]
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Currency Events
Recent actions by the U.S. House of Representatives and calls from the Obama administration may impact global trading patterns next year. One such resolution — H.R. 2378, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act passed in early October 2010 — allows the United States to peg import tariffs directly to what is determined to be […]
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Global Logistics – October 2010
Northern Wind Blows Off Course Efforts to build offshore wind farms in Northern Europe are meeting gale force resistance because of supply chain limitations, according to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal. The United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium are among the countries seeking to expand capacity to meet European Union mandates […]
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Capitalizing on Mexico’s Economic Growth
Continuing economic development across Mexico is opening the doors to exciting growth opportunities for U.S. businesses. Mexico is already the United States’ third-largest trading partner, while the United States ranks first among Mexico’s trading partners. Mexico’s established manufacturing base has created many jobs and an increasingly prosperous working class. As a result, Mexico is attracting […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics – September 2010
Audi Stops For Green Light Audi is pushing the accelerator in its pursuit of greener cars and a more sustainable supply chain. For example, in December 2009, Green Car Journal honored the German automotive manufacturer’s 2010 Audi A3 TDI as its Green Car of the Year. But the carmaker doesn’t stop there. Audi transports its […]
Read MoreConflict in the Supply Chain
Everyone wants a smooth-flowing supply chain, free of conflict, says Perry A. Trunick, associate editor, Inbound Logistics. But the U.S. government has added a new wrinkle to the issue of supply chain management in the context of global politics and human rights.
Read MoreLocating a Global Distribution Hub
Before adding a global distribution hub, hone your skills in compliance and cross-border import and export, advises John Miller, senior vice president global business development, Flash Global Logistics, Inc. He offers these tips on what companies should consider when locating and choosing a global distribution hub. Map your market. Determine your customer install base, which […]
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Trends—September 2010
U.S. Ports Dig Panama Gold For a wee slip of waterway, 48 miles in length and 33 feet wide at its narrowest, the Panama Canal has publicity buoyancy the likes of the two great oceans it connects—and the buzz is only building. Despite technology and globalization, the Canal has remained a vital gateway in the […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics–July 2010
Prince Rupert’s Princely Returns As the rest of the world deals with the aftershock of a global economic recession, British Columbia’s Port of Prince Rupert keeps steaming along with record traffic. Because the port is two days closer to Asia than any other West Coast gateway, isn’t bottlenecked with congestion, and has made considerable investments […]
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Digitizing the Global Supply Chain
At one point, we all had a rabbit-eared TV or a clunky cell phone that took muscle to carry. Numerous electronics innovations have made life not only easier, but also more productive. So why are so many international supply chain professionals still living in the dark ages when it comes to supply chain efficiency and […]
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Trends—May 2010
Despite Interruptions European Integrators Express Themselves When an ash cloud from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano forced the closure of most European airports and airspace in April 2010, express carriers TNT and DHL activated contingency plans and ramped up ground operations to cope with the service disruption. "The ground network allowed TNT to keep delivering customers’ goods […]
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