Articles
Global Logistics
Global Logistics—July 2011
JAL and AA Cargo Go Hawaiian A recent agreement between Japan Airlines and American Airlines to work more closely and collaboratively together in the interest of strengthening their respective international cargo operations could have an intriguing side effect for Hawaiian air cargo prospects. The objective of the partnership is to provide cargo customers with more […]
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Global Logistics—June 2011
High-speed Rail Has German Upside While the United States continues debating the pros and cons of investing billions of dollars in high-speed rail infrastructure, developing countries with nebulous transportation capabilities are fast-tracking light-rail projects. As a result, German manufacturing and transportation stand to gain the most. Deutsche Bahn has negotiated with Siemens AG to procure […]
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Global Logistics—May 2011
China Comes Clean China may be the most polluting country in the world, but it’s putting some of that smoke and carbon output to good use by manufacturing renewable energy equipment. The country is producing wind turbines and solar panels at a world-record pace, according to Who’s Winning the Clean Energy Race 2010, a new […]
Read MoreTrends—April 2011
Japan Crisis Creates SC Aftershocks The devastation and tragedy unleashed on Japan by a trio of domino-like forces—an earthquake, then a tsunami, and finally a nuclear meltdown—is now beginning to topple global supply chains. The immediate effect on U.S. companies with operations in Japan was muted, according to sources Inbound Logistics spoke with soon after […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics—April 2011
The Swoosh Swoops in on China As a sign of China’s booming consumerism, Nike recently debuted its largest Asian logistics center in Jiangsu province. The U.S. sportswear and equipment maker is preparing for rapid growth in its second-biggest global market. The 2.2-million-square-foot logistics center in the city of Taicang is the company’s first mega facility […]
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Global Logistics—March 2011
A New Suez Crisis? The 2011 revolution in Egypt and eventual overthrow of President Hosni Mubarek’s regime reminded global shippers how quickly political undercurrents can gnarl supply chains. Rumors persist about a closure at the Suez Canal, extended delays at nearby ports, and a shortage of ocean capacity between Asia and Europe as a consequence. […]
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Asia: Manufacturing Dynamo or Consumer Powerhouse?
Asia today is not just about manufacturing; it’s also emerging as a consumer powerhouse. To seize the opportunity, manufacturers and retailers alike are rewiring their global supply chain strategies.
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Global Logistics—February 2011
Largest Airlines Target Asia, Latin America The world’s five largest airlines now hail from Asia and Latin America, reflecting industry’s shift away from U.S. and European markets to higher-growth countries, according to a recent report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The data suggests that airline expansion for both freighter and passenger activity will […]
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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Global Logistics—January 2011
Russia and China: Eurasia’s Odd Couple For two countries that geographically touch and have historically close trade ties, Russia and China are worlds apart in terms of economic vitality. While Russia idly pumps oil for export, leaving its economy vulnerable to global commodity price fluctuations, China is fastidious to a fault, protecting its own economic […]
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Navigating Global Supply Chain Risks
Risk management is an essential ingredient in global logistics planning. Unexpected events such as natural disasters, political unrest, regulatory constraints, and product recalls can disrupt the supply chain and, in turn, negatively impact sales, profit, and a company’s reputation in the market. Many companies, however, are still in reactive mode when it comes to adapting […]
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 […]
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 […]
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Global Logistics—August 2010
CEVA’s Triumph Iconic British manufacturer Triumph Motorcycle —famous for giving Steve McQueen the wheels to leap reality in an equally iconic scene from The Great Escape —signed a three-year contract with CEVA Logistics to streamline, integrate, and optimize the global logistics flow of components, accessories, and finished goods. Triumph, which produces 50,000 motorcycles a year, […]
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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Freight Forwarders: The Vital Link in Logistics Communication
Building a logistics system for today’s sourcing needs requires a quantum leap from past shipping practices, in which companies too often neglected transportation in their strategic planning. A poorly constructed or outdated supply system with inadequate communication can create unnecessary delays and expense caused by information snags, missing or ill-prepared shipping documents, and inappropriate cargo […]
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