Articles
Supply Chain
Real-time Data Isn’t the Only Thing Supply Chains Are Missing
Before the polar vortex in Texas, the biggest logjams at the Port of LA, and the start of the Great Resignation, McKinsey found that major production disruptions were estimated to occur every 3.7 years. In the months since, it has become clear these incidents are far too common to be referred to as black swan […]
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Top 5 Supply Chain Disruptions
New data from Resilinc highlights the top drivers of supply chain disruptions for the first half of 2022. From January through June, Resilinc’s EventWatchAI platform alerted its customers to an astounding 7,929 potential supply chain disruptions (a 46% YoY increase) with the life sciences, healthcare, high-tech, and automotive industries being most impacted. The top five […]
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Supply Chains Out of Sync
There are some harsh words for the logistics and supply chain sector in the 33rd Annual State of Logistics Report, revealed recently at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. U.S.-based supply chains are “out of sync,” caused by struggles to adjust to short-term changes, the report claims. The good news, though: the industry is […]
Read MoreIN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Products ORBIS introduced its Automated Reusable Optimized Solutions (AROS) product line designed for integration into automated systems to facilitate the transfer, storage, and organization of merchandise. Launching as part of the AROS line is the ML6545-325 (pictured), a handheld container which offers a large cubic density and can interface with high-speed systems. Dividers can be […]
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NOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief
Sealed Deals Brewing company Carlsberg Group selected Kinaxis’ RapidResponse platform to create a harmonized planning process and improve commercial agility. By using the platform, Carlsberg can glean process insights and improve supply chain decision-making for its portfolio of beer and other beverage brands. Tubby Todd, an e-commerce company providing body care products for babies, selected […]
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Pallet Recovery Keeps the Circular Supply Chain Moving
CHEP is committed to a share and reuse model for pallets that contributes to a regenerative supply chain. The provider increased its focus on pallet recovery—a vital step to ensuring goods continue moving throughout the supply chain and ultimately meet consumer demands. At its core, CHEP, a global provider of share and reuse (or pooled) […]
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The Effects of Inflation on The Supply Chain
The past few years have brought unprecedented circumstances that are culminating in some significant supply chain challenges. You can safeguard against many of the challenges by partnering with a 3PL. Most organizations face more supply chain challenges now than they did a year ago, research shows. Increases in costs incur higher fees for supplies and […]
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Are Labor Shortages Straining Your E-Commerce Business? Strengthen Operations with an Automated Returns Management System
These days, returns have become a non-negotiable standard part of the e-commerce experience for B2C and B2B customers alike and are a key factor for vendors looking to maintain customer satisfaction and increase loyalty. While they can be costly and laborious, successful returns processes can showcase customer service, achieve long-term consumer loyalty, and provide invaluable […]
Read MoreIN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
PRODUCTS The new BG Line Sorter from BEUMER increases the handling mix of materials handling operations by utilizing active slat-belt technology and offering the handling capabilities of a high-speed, cross-belt sorter. With the ability to be reconfigured, the BEUMER system offers scalability and uses low-friction components. Panasonic Connect North America unveiled the TOUGHBOOK 40, a […]
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2022 Inbound Logistics Perspectives: 3PL Market Research Report
Our 17th annual 3PL market research report takes a deep-dish dive into the dynamics of logistics partnerships in 2022. Rampant inflation, including high transportation costs. A tight labor market. Commodities shortages. Uncertainties tied to the war in Ukraine and the pandemic. There seems to be no end to the obstacles ready to frustrate shippers as […]
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Building The Smart Supply Chain
With more objects embedded with sensors, and better communication, decision-making and automation capabilities, traditional supply chains are becoming more intelligent. The new “smart” supply chain presents huge opportunities for reducing costs and improving efficiency. Some refer to this concept as Supply Chain 4.0: the application of the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced robotics, and big […]
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The Road to the Circular Economy
As the world realizes that the linear economy is unsustainable, companies are under pressure by regulations, investors, consumers, and employees to lower their carbon footprint and transition to a circular economy.
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Leveraging the Spot Market
When your contracted carrier can’t meet your shipping needs, consider the spot market. Using one-time spot rates typically requires a commitment from the customer to ship within a specific time period. Spot pricing fluctuates depending on multiple factors, so shippers often don’t have a lot of control over the spot market rates quoted. Here are […]
Read MoreLabor Shortages and their Effect on the Supply Chain
Partnering with a forward-thinking 3PL like Taylored Services is crucial to getting your products in the hands of your customers as soon as possible. One of the most pressing issues disrupting the supply chain today are the ongoing labor challenges that have persisted since the beginning of the pandemic. The inability to find the correct […]
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Rinchem Solves Complex Supply Chain Issues
When a semiconductor manufacturer faced possible shutdown, Rinchem reorganized logistics assets and coordinated all moving pieces within a tight timeframe to ensure the on-time delivery of a critical chemical. THE CHALLENGE Semiconductor manufacturer supply chains are some of the most complicated and demanding in the world. Part of what makes things so complex is the […]
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That’s the Spirit! Partnership Brings Supply Chain Visibility Into the Mix
Non-alcoholic spirit company, Lyre’s, turned to SEKO to gain access and visibility into every part of their supply chain and root out inefficiencies. Here’s how SEKO delivered. THE CHALLENGE Operating in a rapidly expanding market, the Lyre’s team found themselves leveraging multiple shipping channels across multiple states, leading to a very inefficient supply chain. Not […]
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Freight Audit and Payment Solutions Bring Immediate and Long-Term Benefits
Q: Why do companies need visibility to compete in today’s environment? A: Companies that do not have visibility across their whole logistics operations are likely to miss out on opportunities to work more efficiently and deliver cost savings. For example, a customer told me they spent around $95 million on a single lane from the […]
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Leveraging Freight Brokerage to Solve Supply Chain Disruption
As shippers deal with capacity issues, rate volatility, and service disruptions, a freight broker can help mitigate challenges so shippers can focus on their core strengths. Aligning your organization with a reputable freight broker with robust solutions and real-time visibility can solve many transportation disruptions. There are many types of brokers in the market—the key […]
Read MoreData-Driven Supply Chain Optimization
Q: What is data-driven supply chain optimization, and why is it important? A: Data-driven supply chain optimization applies prescriptive analytics in mathematical programming and operations research (OR) to provide decision support for supply chain decision-making at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. By properly capturing the decisions to make (decision variables), the performance metric to […]
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Pop Quiz: Supply Chain Educators Answer 6 Pressing Questions
For much of the decade prior to the pandemic, the number of students in supply chain programs couldn’t match industry’s need for supply chain professionals. “The biggest challenge was convincing students it was a real career path,” says Brian Fugate, chair of the department of supply chain management at the University of Arkansas. As the […]
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