Articles
Supply Chain Management

Bridging Performance Gaps with GTM
Q: What is driving investment in global trade management systems? A: From 2003 to 2013, the value of world merchandise trade nearly tripled, with companies from large to small aggressively pursuing emerging markets as a way to grow top-line revenues and reduce costs through low-cost country sourcing. According to a July 2013 SCM World survey, […]
Read More
How to Get More From Your TMS
Q: Capacity is top-of-mind today. How can supply chain partners collaborate around Transportation Management Systems (TMS) to create capacity? A: There are many ways to collaborate to generate capacity. For example, shippers are increasingly participating in general load boards, tapping into capacity that sometimes flies under the radar. To be successful, they need a TMS […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
From the Outside In: Supply Chain as Strategic Advantage
Even non-supply chain executives appreciate the value of flexible and agile operations.
Read More
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.
Read More
Memphis: America’s Multimodal City
Connecting global supply chains through river, highway, rail, and air transport, Memphis gives businesses the ultimate logistics advantage.
Read More
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.
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More