Articles
Issues
What to Consider Before You Shift
One trend driving the growth in manufacturing jobs has been reshoring–the practice of bringing manufacturing back to the United States. Reshoring activities were estimated to create more than 225,000 jobs in 2022, according to a Reshoring Initiative report.
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Could Ocean Be the Best Solution?
Since COVID, businesses worldwide have had to contend with increased demand, limited storage capacities, and the need for fast, reliable transportation of goods. Many businesses have focused on ocean transport as a potential solution to their shipping issues.
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Strategies to Overcome Cross-Border Obstacles
Brands selling internationally know that their cross-border strategies must accommodate changes in import taxes, localized prices, or governmental sanctions. What many may not initially consider is the complexities of country restrictions, and the possibility that certain products can be deemed a threat and held up in the customs process.
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What You Don’t Know About Your Suppliers Can Hurt You
Most companies run credit checks to make sure their suppliers are stable. But how can executives keep up with the news and other crucial reports to see if those suppliers will keep their commitments?
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The Future of Work is Already Here
Some supply chain employees may feel wary about job security with advancements in automation and technology. The truth is technology isn’t the enemy; it’s a necessity.
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Asset Management is Everyone’s Job
When it comes to keeping the supply chain as efficient as possible, asset management is a vital priority that mustn’t be overlooked. Keeping careful track not only of goods, but of the shipping containers and platforms needed to transport these goods, should be everyone’s responsibility.
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Greening the Last Mile
Last-mile delivery—the end stage of delivery from a pickup point or sortation center to a package’s final destination—is the most expensive aspect of the supply chain, from high fuel costs and address location to labor and first delivery failure. It also has the highest environmental impact of any other part of the supply chain.
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3 Ways Predictive Analytics Improves Fulfillment
Organizations need the technical tools to provide operational insights that lead to smarter decisions about automating inventory management, warehousing, and distribution processes. With improved operational visibility, businesses can strengthen their order fulfillment and supply chain processes while keeping pace with customer expectations.
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Thinking Inside the Box Truck
While most people are at least somewhat familiar with box trucks, these little workhorses don’t get enough credit. Also known as straight trucks or bobtails, they are usually 26 feet long and can carry up to 10,000 pounds of freight. They can also come in small (12 ft.) and medium size (14-18 ft.) configurations.
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Auto Industry Shifts Logistics Strategies
While companies across industries and sizes are making changes to mitigate supply chain risk, the automotive industry seems to be leading the way on some of the top trends.
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Market Swing: Prepare Now or Lose Later
Market indicators are pointing to a stronger second half of the year—in carriers’ favor—signaling to prudent shippers that the time is now to reevaluate both short- and long-term plans.
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Green Supply Chains Come Full Circle
A growing number of organizations are incorporating circular supply chain approaches within their operations. Here’s a look at how they are closing the loop.
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Hawaii Logistics: Moving on Island Time
As an island state importing most goods it uses and with limited storage, Hawaii challenges companies to keep shipments moving just in time. Here’s how logistics providers shore up supply chains and keep disruptions at bay.
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GOOD QUESTION: What one supply chain adjustment would make the biggest impact on ESG?
Mature your data so you can use it like Google Maps. Sustained ESG marries continuous improvement with reporting and analysis—predicated on trustworthy data. Every company has a different origin, destination, and journey. Equip your organization with dependable navigation skills by building data intelligence and embedding a culture of data-driven action.
–Michael Ochi
Sr. Manager, Sustainability and Digital Manufacturing
QAD
Green Technology Partners
These solutions providers offer technology that empowers sustainable supply chains.
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Shippers Gain Confidence
What can shippers expect next quarter? BlueGrace Logistics’ Q3 Logistics Confidence Index finds these key highlights: Anticipated revenue maintained a positive trend, decreasing by only 4% across all shippers surveyed. Inventory levels measured highest at neutral and therefore are not expected to expand or contract for Q3. Order volume (sentiment) increased by 5%. That suggests order volumes […]
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State of Digitization in Forwarding
The pace of digitalization in freight forwarding has accelerated since 2020, as companies increasingly invest in technology solutions to streamline operations, finds a Magaya report. However, the industry still has a long way to go to capitalize on evolving technological advancements. Many organizations still rely heavily on inefficient manual processes. The survey’s key findings include: […]
Read MoreIndustrial Sector Cools, Manufacturing Heats Up
Following record high demand and rent prices notched during the pandemic, the industrial sector’s dynamics are shifting and demand is cooling, finds a new U.S. industrial market update from Savills. Some predictions about where things are headed from here: Vacancy rates are on the rise. While the market is still historically tight, vacancy rates are […]
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Reshoring Moves Beyond the Drawing Table
Reshoring and nearshoring have finally matured into commercial realities, finds Kearney’s 10th annual Reshoring Index Report. Reshoring initiatives have become so successful that companies that took a wait-and-see approach to locating manufacturing operations in the past are now scrambling to find facilities in Mexico and the United States. But the road to reshoring is harder […]
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