Articles
Supply Chain Management

Uncovering Value Through Performance Metrics
Q: How do performance metrics aid a shipper in getting the most supply chain benefit from their containerized transportation providers? A: Performance metrics help uncover value throughout global supply chains. When these metrics are used properly, value can be found in all areas and go much deeper than the typical price and vessel reliability data […]
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From the Outside In: Supply Chain as Strategic Advantage
Even non-supply chain executives appreciate the value of flexible and agile operations.
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Star Search: Discovering the Best Site for Your Business
Finding the right site for your new manufacturing plant or distribution facility isn’t an overnight sensation. You have to pay your dues by investigating infrastructure, quality of life issues, utilities and taxes, and more. These locations deliver the goods.
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Memphis: America’s Multimodal City
Connecting global supply chains through river, highway, rail, and air transport, Memphis gives businesses the ultimate logistics advantage.
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Automation That’s Worth the Weight
When dietary supplement company Nature’s Way wanted to trim down excess distribution space, it embarked on a design and technology regime. Get the skinny here.
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Challenges for Today’s Global Supply Chain: Cost, Profitability and Personalization
When market research firm PWC put out its Global Supply Study in 2013, the concerns of the 500 surveyed executives were mostly what one would expect: profitability, cost management, and customer satisfaction. A fourth concern, however, indicates a shift in global supply chain realities. PWC’s study participants are worried about flexibility – and they should […]
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How to Determine Whether Your Freight Broker Is Legitimate
Wouldn’t it be great if you did your business trusting all of the parties involved without a shadow of a doubt? Sometimes this is indeed possible – when you’ve worked with the same partners for years, and you’ve managed to build a work environment of mutual trust and cooperation. Most of the time, however, it’s […]
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Six Key Areas Every Purchasing Expert Should Address
There was a time when purchasing was a relatively straightforward task. You found the best price at the best terms and negotiated a contract. Signed. Sealed. Done. Sorry to say those days are long gone. When considering the company’s needs, you need to look very closely at the current economic conditions and trends, and base […]
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Tamsen Fricke: Finding the Sweet Spot
Tamsen Fricke has served as operations manager at Divine Chocolate USA in Washington, D.C., since 2013. Responsibilities: Imports, inventory management, national distribution, 3PL management, quality control, customer service, operations strategy, and regulatory compliance. Experience: Account executive, Latinflor/Flortec; account executive, Panatlantic Logistics S.A.; senior inside sales coordinator, U.S. government client liaison, government service program manager, Panalpina. […]
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Trends—September 2014
HCS Updates: Asked and Answered The Occupational Safety and Health Administration‘s (OSHA) 2012 Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is sure to elicit a supply chain reaction from chemical manufacturers, distributors, and end users. The updates to HCS 1994, OSHA’s previous convention, feature some cosmetic changes—"material safety data sheets" are now referred to as "safety data sheets"— […]
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Global Logistics—September 2014
Eruption Disruption: What’s Your Plan? It’s déjà vu all over again. The bubbling Bardarbunga volcano compelled Iceland authorities to raise their aviation warning to orange—the second-highest level—as the possibility for another widespread ash cloud grows more likely. It was a little more than four years ago when an ash cloud from the island’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano […]
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Nearshoring: Mexico – Is It Time?
Mexico presents an attractive option for U.S.-based companies moving all or a portion of their supply chains closer to home.
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Product Returns: 5 Myths Busted
Retailers and manufacturers often avoid dealing with product returns until returned inventory clogs up the warehouse or write-offs hit their P&L. When the returns problem gets big enough to force action, they attempt to deal with it as quickly and cheaply as possible. Executives often avoid returns issues because they believe in one or more […]
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Steering Transportation Management Strategies
In a market where carriers can call the shots, smart transportation management is more important than ever. Here are some strategies driving success.
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3PL Partnership Provides The Total Package
Intertape Polymer Group’s transportation strategy was getting a bum wrap, until an outsourcing partnership enabled greater inventory control and profit margins that stick.
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Chet Mullen: Material Guy
Chet Mullen is director of materials planning and logistics at Raymond Corporation, a manufacturer of materials handling equipment and systems, in Greene, N.Y. Raymond is a division of Toyota Industries. Mullen has held his position there since 2010. Responsibilities: Sales operations planning (materials planning, master scheduling, configuration management and order entry); material control (internal warehousing, […]
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Managing SKU Proliferation in the Beverage Industry
Q: What is SKU proliferation, and what drives it? A: Competition is driving beverage makers to expand their portfolios to provide a wider array of product, flavor, package, and beverage choices. All these choices generate new stockkeeping units (SKUs). SKU proliferation, in turn, drives the need for smarter use of labor, distribution networks, warehousing space, […]
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New Retail Strategies: It’s a Store! It’s a Site! It’s a Warehouse!
E-commerce vendors and traditional merchants stake their claims in an evolving landscape.
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First Aid for the Hospital Supply Chain
Hospitals are aching to cut costs and increase efficiencies. Some supply chain management therapy might be just what the doctor ordered.
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Incoterms® 2010: Speaking the Same Language
Incoterms 2010 rules are 11 terms of shipment and delivery used in business-to-business purchase contracts and tangible portable goods sales. The rules were developed by the International Chamber of Commerce, a Paris-based organization providing trade-related rules and services through its worldwide network of affiliates. Since their inception in 1936, Incoterms have received worldwide acceptance. They […]
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