Articles
Supply Chain
Have Companies Made Progress Toward Supply Chain Resilience Since the Pandemic?
Most readers agree supply chains have become more resilient since the pandemic. But some note caveats and potential pitfalls.
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NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
↑ South Carolina Ports awarded $253,000 to 116 South Carolina nonprofits and community organizations as part of its Community Giving program for fiscal year 2024, marking the highest number of grants awarded since the program began in 2013. Awards were given in amounts of $7,500, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000.
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2024 Supply Chain Predictions
Pencil in these tips, insider insights, and fearless forecasts from supply chain leaders.
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What’s the Word? The Language of Logistics
What’s an antifragile supply chain? Should we expect humanoid warehouse workers in 2024? We explore some new logistics terms as well as revisit familiar definitions.
Read MoreBackward Integration: Definition, Implementation Process, and Competitive Advantages
In a competitive business world where efficiency and dominance are paramount, backward integration emerges as a strategic linchpin for companies aiming to fortify their market position. This method involves businesses taking command of their supply chain, particularly by securing the production of raw materials. This strategic move elevates profit margins and solidifies a competitive edge […]
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The Secrets Behind Today’s Leading Supply Chain Companies
In today’s globalized world, supply chains are the unseen arteries pumping lifeblood into every industry. But behind the seamless delivery of everything from your afternoon candy bar to the latest iPhone lies complex supply chain strategies that incorporate innovation, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at four of the best supply chains operating today.
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Not So Sweet: Expensive Cocoa’s Lesson on Supply Chain Resilience
Chocolate’s largest manufacturers face spiraling costs for key ingredients like cocoa beans and cocoa butter. The trickle-down effect will hit many consumers in the wallet in the latest example of what can happen if a supply chain isn’t resilient enough.
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IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Origify from Bosch lets manufacturers give sneakers and other high-value products a digital fingerprint as early as the production or packaging phase. The authentication solution photographs each product and converts the image into a binary and non-manipulable data record of a few kilobytes, which is stored in a cloud.
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The Future of Freight: What to Expect
The next few years will bring further disruptions to a freight model that the industry spent decades optimizing. In 2024 and beyond, new consumer demands, technological advancements, and broader changes like nearshoring will present new opportunities for logistics leaders from first to final mile.
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6 Types of Supply Chain: Their Roles Defined
Understanding the different types of supply chains and their unique functionalities is crucial for businesses to optimize operations, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.
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5 Top Contract Management Strategies
The pandemic brought a surge in suppliers invoking force majeure clauses in their contracts. Force majeure removes liability for unforeseeable and unavoidable catastrophes that interrupt the expected course of events and prevent participants from fulfilling obligations. Buyers, as well as suppliers, understood that the extreme circumstances surrounding the pandemic warranted it.
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You Should Be Asking What You Left on the Table!
You can’t assume medium and large companies have “best practices” because they are large, and they must have grown to that size because they are efficient and make great decisions.
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Forward Integration: Strategies, Advantages, And Risks
Forward integration is a key strategy for businesses to strengthen their market position and control over their supply chain. This approach involves companies taking charge of distribution or supply activities further down the value chain. This article examines the various strategies, benefits, and risks of forward integration, offering insights for businesses to effectively implement this […]
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Future Focus: 2024’s Top 3 Supply Chain Trends
Three key supply chain trends to watch in 2024.
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Bill of Materials (BOM): Definition, Impact, and Components
The Bill of Materials (BOM) is a cornerstone document critical to creating any tangible product in the intricate web of modern process manufacturing and product development. It is a comprehensive list that catalogs all the components, raw materials, and assemblies needed to construct a finished product. Its accuracy and detail reflect directly on the production […]
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Hybrid Supply Chain: Definition, Strategies, and Advantages
In an era where the pace of change is relentless, the concept of a hybrid supply chain has emerged as a beacon of adaptability and resilience in the business world. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in traditional supply chains, leading to an increased interest in hybrid models. According to a survey conducted by McKinsey & […]
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Supply Chain Monitoring: What It Is, Why It Matters
Supply chain oversight is an indispensable element in the corporate environment for successful functioning. This blog post explores the supply chain monitoring concept to provide valuable insights and help you understand its importance. We will explore supply chain monitoring and how it can benefit businesses. Additionally, we will discuss some common challenges organizations face when […]
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Leadership Playbook for Supply Chain Managers
Industry leaders and mainstays share leadership tactics—from venturing out of comfort zones to embracing missteps—that allow supply chain managers to inspire others, build cohesive teams, and tackle logistics challenges.
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Supply Chain Management: Definition and Process
Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a critical backbone of any thriving economy, acting as the arterial network that ensures products move efficiently from production to the hands of the consumer. Within this domain, SCM is a dynamic and evolving field, essential for seasoned industry professionals and ambitious newcomers shaping their careers. A study by PwC […]
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Lean Supply Chain: Definition, Advantages, and Disadvantages
In today’s highly competitive business environment, a lean supply chain is more than just a strategy; it’s necessary for companies looking to enhance efficiency and customer value. By employing lean principles that originated from the Toyota Production System, businesses across various sectors are streamlining their supply chains to reduce waste, improve customer satisfaction, and gain […]
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