Articles
Supply Chain
Keeping Order Changes in Check
Today, retailers face not just competitive pressures, but also heightened consumer expectations for convenience and a wide product selection. As a result, the retail grocery industry is working to increase flexibility in the supply chain and clean up disjointed practices that add unnecessary cost and, ultimately, negatively impact the consumer experience. Recently, a retail grocery […]
Read MoreManufacturing Reaches Pre-Recession Levels
The U.S. manufacturing sector will regain all of the output lost since June 2009 by April 2019, indicates a recent report from the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI). A global economic rebound, the passage of U.S. tax reform legislation, and the depreciation of the U.S. dollar are the chief components MAPI identifies as […]
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Simplifying Supply Chain Complexities
Manufacturing has never been more global, productive, profitable, or vulnerable. Despite tremendous advances in breaking down global barriers and adding efficiency to the supply chain, there are still challenges to move products quickly, safely, and seamlessly. To appreciate the complexity of today’s global supply chain, consider Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner passenger jet. Each jet is comprised […]
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Engaging the Informed Consumer
Retailers and branded manufacturers can differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace by showcasing their most unique assets, according to Kibo’s annual 2018 Consumer Trends report. Based on responses from 3,000 U.S. consumers, the report suggests that while price is still the primary factor in purchasing decisions, consumers are increasingly seeking out a differentiated shopping experience—one […]
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Global Trade Networks Bring Certainty to Uncertain Times
There is no magic bullet to overcome the capacity crunch. The supply chain has proven to be the competitive battleground of the future, and organizations that act proactively by implementing a flexible, adaptable supply chain solution will be the ones in the best position. Weather-related events and other inevitable tragedies have taken a tight market […]
Read MoreELDs: Ready or Not, Here They Come
While most owner-operators are ready for the ELD mandate, many are unhappy with the electronic logs, and blame them for a loss of productivity and a resulting decline in income, finds a recent DAT survey of 645 carriers and owner-operators. In addition, it’s harder to find parking for trucks, driver detention remains a problem, and […]
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Casting a Light on Procurement
As closer supply chain ties are forged with vendors, logistics managers must increasingly collaborate with procurement. To provide insight, a new study illuminates today’s procurement process, and the many challenges
purchasing managers face.
Track and Trace Is Old News – Crane Worldwide Logistics
When an industrial manufacturer needed to optimize staffing levels for incoming shipments, they turned to Crane Worldwide Logistics for a solution.
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2018 Business Trends: For Better, For Worse
Investing in new and improved information technology and robotic process automation (RPA), talent shortages, and trade protectionism are predicted to be the top trends in service delivery for 2018 and the next several years, according to the latest quarterly KPMG Global Insights Pulse survey. Respondents predict these trends will have the largest positive impact: intelligent […]
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Vertical Focus: News & Trends Impacting the Aerospace Supply Chain
Steeling For Tariff Impacts What impact will the proposed tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum have on sourcing activity for domestic suppliers in the U.S. aerospace industry, which relies heavily on foreign aluminum? Some interesting activity has already occurred. For example, sourcing activity for aluminum coils on industrial purchasing site Thomasnet.com is up 53 percent […]
Read MoreCompeting With E-Commerce Giants
Despite the highly competitive environment, it is possible for small and mid-sized companies to compete with the e-commerce giants. It just takes creativity, a strong, optimized supply chain and, of course, exemplary customer service. Paul D’Arrigo, vice president of information technology for Spend Management Experts, offers this advice. 1. Provide excellent customer service. Ensure the […]
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What’s the most fun or interesting part about working in the supply chain?
Knowing I work in an industry that touches every aspect of everyone’s life. I like knowing that if we do our job well and someone goes to the shelf for something they need—the shelf is full.
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Fueling Transportation Breakthroughs
Doug Mueller was enjoying a long, happy career at Schneider National when Craig Dickman, a former colleague, proposed Mueller join him in a new kind of business. MORE TO THE STORY: On Becoming Breakthrough Fuel would help shippers save money on fuel surcharges, allowing them to base those charges not on a nationwide index, but […]
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FedEx Reserves 20 Tesla Semi Electric Trucks
FedEx Corp. has placed a reservation for 20 Tesla Semi trucks. Less-than-truckload unit FedEx Freight will operate the fully electric trucks, which are scheduled to begin production in 2019. This new big rig will deliver a far better experience for truck drivers, while increasing safety and significantly reducing the cost of cargo transport, according to […]
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2018 Top 100 Logistics IT Providers
Need logistics IT solutions? These leading providers, presented alphabetically, offer the services that match your supply chain needs. Search the Logistics IT Decision Support Tool for an even deeper dive.
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Checking In: The Last Grimy Mile
At the end of March, in between nor’easters in New York City, I went out for a lunchtime stroll. I wanted to check out the 14 new gleaming skyscrapers of the Hudson Yards development—a “self contained, e-commerce friendly city within a city”—where thousands of young urban professionals won’t ever have to leave their apartments to […]
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Noted – The Supply Chain in Brief
Sealed Deals Gifts, toys, apparel, and accessories e-tailer Hollar deployed inVia Robotics’ Picker robots and cloud-based Robotics-as-a-Service management system to streamline e-commerce fulfillment in its Los Angeles warehouse. Hollar uses the collaborative mobile robotics platform to automate goods-to-person fulfillment, boosting warehouse productivity. The e-tailer deployed 100 inVia Picker robots and will scale as needed to […]
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2018 Top 100 Logistics IT Market Research Survey
Inbound Logistics surveys the supply chain technology market to evaluate the latest trends and uncover the most innovative providers in their respective fields.
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Software-as-a-Service or Outsourced Managed Services: Which is Right for Your Organization? – Transplace
When it comes to managing transportation operations, shippers are often at a crossroads. They may find themselves asking the questions: Should I implement a transportation management system (TMS) in-house or via software-as-a-service (SaaS)? Should I outsource everything to a Managed Transportation Services (MTS) provider? Or take a hybrid approach? Not all companies’ core competencies are […]
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Michele van Krieken: Formulating Supply Chain Clarity
Michele van Krieken is global supply chain manager with The Chemours Company, a $1.5-billion global chemistry company with leading market positions in titanium technologies, fluoroproducts, and chemical solutions. Responsibilities Manage global supply chain for the fluoroproducts business, driving both day-to-day execution and improvements, and developing career paths for supply chain employees. Work closely with business […]
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