Articles
Supply Chain Management
Maximize Nearshoring Value to Minimize Supply Chain Complexity
Latin America—particularly Mexico—continues to gain favor as a sourcing hotspot. Its close proximity to the U.S. border has always been a draw, but recent developments have shifted the global trade landscape in favor of the Western hemisphere. Nearsourcing may never entirely replace production in Asia, but trading partners in the Americas should be an essential […]
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Minimizing the Financial Impact of Peak Season Returns
As the supply chain world settles in for a long winter’s nap, the reverse logistics world is shifting into overdrive to handle peak returns season. Both retailers and manufacturers report that the percent of returns for 2014 is roughly the same as it was by this point in 2013. The rate of returns for holiday […]
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163 Ways to Supercharge Your Supply Chain
Supply chain gone stale? Inbound Logistics compiled these actionable tips to help revitalize your warehousing, 3PL, trucking, and global logistics operations.
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Year of Uncertainty?
2014 is shaping up as a year of uncertainty. Retail sales are off, the stock market is skittish. Healthcare, energy, and regulatory policies are in flux, and unemployment levels and consumer confidence are scary. Uncertainty reigns for many. In the face of all this, growth is assured for some of us. The others are tasked […]
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Well, There’s One Thing That’s Certain…
If there’s one certainty, it’s that some things never change—sometimes for the worse, but often for the better. Consider this issue you are now thumbing or clicking through. The 2014 Logistics Planner marks Inbound Logistics‘ 20th anniversary of publishing what has become an industry standard. Such longevity is validation that our mission-based focus remains as […]
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Customer Service: Delivering the Royal Treatment
As evolving retail models push consumer expectations to the extreme, companies explore new ways to show customers they rule.
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Plugging Multiple Brands Into Multiple Channels
Geodis Wilson helps integrated design technology company Dana Innovations expand its international supply chain.
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Panama Canal Expansion: Changing the Channel
A wider and deeper passage may encourage shippers to consider alternate sourcing and routing options.
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Food Shippers Go Green
From PepsiCo to Land O’Lakes, these food manufacturers and producers have sustainability best practices down pat.
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Packaging Postponement: A Game Changer for F&B Companies
Q: Why is packaging postponement an important consideration for food and beverage (F&B) companies? A: Market demands are constantly in flux as holiday seasonality dictates inventory needs. Also, consumers enjoy an unprecedented variety of food formats. Consider the different product quantities and sizes that one might find in a vending machine, a convenience store, a […]
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Visions of Customer Service
Tighter links are being forged between customer service and logistics in the retail supply chain. As competition between traditional and online shopping choices heats up, expedited transportation offerings and blended supply chain networks play a pivotal role. Simply put, delivery speed and logistics agility provide the customer service levels needed to win. The main advantage […]
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Time-Critical Transport: Devising a Master Plan
Time-critical shipping doesn’t have to be expensive, inefficient, or wasteful—as long as it’s all part of the plan.
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Vendor Compliance: Setting Them Straight
Drive out inefficiencies and boost customer service by aligning with vendors to meet your supply chain goals.
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How to Transform Your Supply Chain Through a 4PL Approach
When companies have a huge hill to climb in strategic business process change, radical growth they don’t know how to handle, market volatility, acquisitions, or significant supply chain performance issues, a fourth-party logistics (4PL) provider strategy can help align and direct projects with an eye toward future goals. The 4PL engagement begins with formulating a […]
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Trends—November 2013
Healthcare Execs Target Logistics Pain Points Regulatory compliance is the chief supply chain challenge facing global healthcare logistics executives, closely followed by product security and cost management, according to UPS’s annual survey of the top supply chain and business challenges and investment plans of global healthcare logistics executives in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device […]
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Plan Early for Peak Returns Season
By late fall, supply chain executives worldwide are well prepared for the high-volume year-end holiday season. But following close behind it is peak returns season. Now is the time to plan for managing the returns, overstocks, and recalls businesses will process between mid-December and early March. During peak returns season, companies handle up to 45 […]
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Creating More Intelligent Supply Chains with BI Technology
For suppliers in today’s business world, having a firm grasp on supply chain and logistics issues is a top concern. As internal operations and external supply-chain activities become more complex, these companies depend on current information to optimize productivity, improve customer service, and minimize expenses. Business intelligence (BI) technology improves supply chain operations by helping […]
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The Nuts and Bolts of the Automotive Aftermarket Supply Chain
Whether it’s time for a tune-up, a vehicle won’t start, or a teenager just wants to pimp his ride, auto aftermarket supply chains are geared up to deliver the parts and accessories that keep drivers on the road.
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Keeping Track of Time
If your average day is anything like mine, you face an endless barrage of internal emails, corporate memos, newsletters, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to refinance a home loan. Spam filters, email notifications, and custom preferences help organize this self-perpetuating info soup, making it easier to manage communications—then act according to priority. Complicating matters is the reality […]
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Feeding the Line
When you make materials or components for other companies, their production rhythms become just as important as your own.
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