Amy Roach, Senior Editor
Amy is a veteran business journalist and editor with a deep background in B2B publishing, who has written extensively on the trends and strategies shaping global supply chains. In her current role, she oversees strategy for Inbound Logistics content including social media, email newsletters, webinars, video podcasts, whitepapers, and other strategic initiatives. Throughout her career, she has contributed to a wide array of publications and businesses in logistics, technology, retail, real estate, financial services, and higher education.
Articles by Amy Roach
Everything You Need to Know About Demand Forecasting: Types, Methods, Benefits and Examples
Businesses need to stay ahead in a fast-moving market. Strong demand forecasting helps companies make better decisions, reduce risk, and stay ready for sudden changes.
Inventory Planning: What It Is, Importance, and Challenges
Running out of stock or holding too much inventory can ruin profit margins, cause customer dissatisfaction, and throw operations off balance. Businesses that ignore planning often face lost sales, cash issues, and wasted storage space. Whether managing a retail store, manufacturing line, or online shop, one thing is clear: inventory planning is not optional. Smart […]
Top 20 Essential Fleet Management Strategies for Maximum Efficiency and Safety
Managing a fleet without a clear plan often leads to chaos—higher fuel costs, increased vehicle downtime, and frustrated fleet managers. Strong fleet management strategies act as the foundation for smarter, safer, and more cost-effective fleet operations. These strategies cover everything from vehicle maintenance and driver behavior to fuel efficiency and operational efficiency. With the […]
Inventory Forecasting: Formulas, Methods, Benefits and How to Implement
Running out of stock during peak demand or wasting money on unsold goods can hurt both profits and customer trust. Many businesses face this challenge because they don’t forecast their inventory needs correctly. That’s where inventory forecasting steps in. Companies use different methods like EOQ and ROP to enhance their inventory management, incorporating both quantitative […]
Logistics Risk Management: What It Is, Types, and Implementation
Unexpected events can derail even the most efficient logistics network, making risk management in logistics essential. From natural disasters to supplier delays, risks pop up without warning. That’s why logistics risk management is no longer optional—it’s essential. Companies today face supply chain disruptions that can impact everything from raw materials to customer satisfaction. Identifying potential […]
Procurement Process and SCM: Processes, Types, How They Differ, and How to Integrate Them
Every business relies on suppliers to keep things moving. Without the right products or services at the right time, operations slow down, and customer satisfaction drops. That’s where procurement in the supply chain steps in—it’s not just about buying stuff; it’s about making smart, strategic decisions that drive performance. Procurement in the supply chain refers […]
Urban Warehousing: What It Is, Characteristics, and Benefits
Last-mile delivery has become a serious challenge for many businesses. Online shopping is growing fast, but getting products from warehouses to customers in urban areas is harder than ever. Roads are packed, customer expectations are high, and delays lead to lost sales. As cities grow and e-commerce booms, the demand for effective urban warehousing solutions […]
What is a Vendor in the Supply Chain: Types, Key Responsibilities, and Financial Considerations
Running a successful supply chain starts with one question: What is a vendor? Vendors are essential to supply chain success. They are business entities that supply goods or services to other businesses or individual consumers. To describe their role more clearly, a vendor is specifically the party that is paid for goods and services, distinguishing […]
What Is a Consignee in Shipping?
In every international shipping process, someone must take ownership of the goods once they arrive. That person or business is known as the consignee, who must be present to accept the shipment. The consignee’s address must be accurately mentioned on shipping documents to ensure smooth transactions and deliveries. So, what is a consignee? A consignee […]
What Is a Bonded Warehouse? Why It Matters More Than Ever in Global Logistics
Whether you’re expanding to new markets, trying to manage costs, or simply looking to strengthen your logistics strategy, bonded warehousing deserves a closer look.
Supply Chain Disruptions: How They Happen, Industries Affected, and How to Manage
Empty shelves. Factory delays. Missed delivery windows. Supply chain disruptions have become more than just industry talk—they’re now everyday realities with direct consequences for businesses, customers, and the global economy. When supply chains break down, the ripple effect reaches every part of operations, from raw materials stuck at borders to finished goods delayed at ports. […]
Consignee vs. Consignor: Their Key Shipping Differences
In every freight shipment, two key roles drive the process: consignor and consignee. Without them, no shipment would reach its final destination, and no freight carrier could move cargo efficiently. A consignor is the party sending the goods. Ownership of the goods remains with the consignor until payment is made. The consignee does not own […]
Navigating Tariff Shifts: How U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Help Supply Chains Stay Resilient
As global trade faces uncertainty amid shifting tariffs, economic nationalism, and ongoing geopolitical friction, U.S. businesses are increasingly turning to Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) as a powerful tool to remain competitive. The U.S. is home to more than 230 approved FTZ projects and nearly 400 subzones, collectively supporting 600+ warehouses across the country. These special zones […]
Transloading: Key Benefits and Best Practices for Your Logistics Needs
Discover how transloading can improve your supply chain efficiency. Learn the key benefits, cost savings, and best practices to optimize your logistics operations.
10 Best Trucking Companies to Work For: High Paying Options
Are you a truck driver, whether experienced or a new driver, looking to work for one of the country’s great trucking companies? Are you searching for the best trucking companies to drive for? Below is a list of the top paying trucking companies, as ranked by TruckDriversSalary.com. This article will also highlight companies that provide […]
The Trade Policy Tightrope: Balancing Supply Chain Realities
As the U.S. tightens trade policies, businesses face a stark reality — reshoring isn’t instant, and supply chains built over decades can’t be undone overnight. What’s a CEO to do?
FCA Meaning: The Ultimate Guide to Free Carrier Shipping, Obligations, and Responsibilities
Dealing with international shipping requires clarity on responsibilities, costs, and legal duties for buyers and sellers, which is why understanding the trade term FCA meaning—Free Carrier Shipping—can significantly improve your logistics planning and avoid costly mistakes. In this arrangement, the seller handles delivery to a specified location, transferring responsibility and risk once the goods reach […]
Takt Time: Origins, What It Is, and Formula
Takt time is a crucial concept in manufacturing. It defines the pace at which products must be completed in the manufacturing process to meet customer demand efficiently. The word takt, which comes from the German word “takt,” means “rhythm. “ Takt time represents the harmony between production and demand, ensuring that each product aligns perfectly […]
Turnaround Time in Logistics: Definition, Importance, and How to Calculate
Turnaround Time (TAT) measures how long it takes to complete a process from start to finish. Logistics includes the time from arrival to departure and crucial steps in supply chain operations, such as warehouse intake or truck unloading. Understanding “what is Turnaround Time” will help improve operational efficiency and maintain a competitive edge. Efficient turnaround […]
What is MRP? History, Definition, and How it Works
Running a manufacturing process without an organized system often leads to chaos—too many raw materials or not enough to meet customer demand. That’s where material requirements planning (MRP) comes in. So, what is MRP? It’s a planning system that helps production managers calculate the materials needed, schedule production efficiently, and balance inventory levels with actual […]
15 Types of Pallet Racking
Discover the different types of pallet racking systems to optimize your storage solutions. Improve efficiency in your warehouse—read the full guide now!
Essential Guide to Quality Control in Manufacturing Best Practices
Discover essential best practices for quality control in manufacturing to enhance efficiency and reduce errors. Read the article for practical insights.
Understanding Slow Moving Inventory Definition: Identify and Manage Your Stock Efficiently
Understanding and managing slow-moving inventory is crucial for maintaining a healthy and efficient inventory system. By identifying the causes, using key metrics for identification, and implementing effective management and preventive strategies, businesses can turn their slow-moving stock into a streamlined asset.
Vertical Warehousing: What It Is, Analyzing, and Benefits
Logistics operations face increasing demands for smarter and space-saving storage strategies due to rapid growth in e-commerce and shifting consumer expectations. Businesses with limited floor space often struggle to scale efficiently without expanding their facility’s footprint. Adopting vertical warehousing helps companies build upward rather than outward, maximizing storage capacity and enhancing operational flow. This innovative […]
Just-In-Time Inventory: Definition, Advantages, Disadvantages
Just-In-Time inventory, or JIT, is a strategy that streamlines a business’s inventory and improves efficiency by receiving goods only as they are needed and minimizing inventory costs. This method helps maintain a lean inventory, significantly enhances cash flow, and reduces waste. In this guide, we will extensively review the JIT inventory system, exploring its core […]
Last Mile Delivery: Trends, Cost and How to Optimize
Efficient last mile delivery plays a crucial role in ensuring timely shipments, meeting customer expectations, and enhancing brand reputation. By addressing last mile delivery challenges such as route optimization and failed deliveries, businesses can strengthen their supply chain and reduce costs.
Pop-Up Warehousing: Definition, Risks, and Benefits
Pop-up warehousing offers a flexible solution for businesses facing supply chain uncertainties. It helps them adapt to fluctuating demand, manage seasonal products, and expand without committing to permanent infrastructure.
End-to-End Supply Chain: Meaning, Benefits, and How to Implement
Fast delivery and exceptional service aren’t luxuries—they’re expectations in today’s competitive landscape. Meeting customer demands requires more than efficient shipping—it calls for complete coordination of the entire supply chain process where an end-to-end supply chain shines. An end-to-end supply chain covers everything from sourcing raw materials to final delivery and after-sales support. This integrated […]
MOQ Meaning: Its Formula, and How To Optimize It
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Meaning, Formula, and How To Optimize It Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) represents the smallest amount of a product a supplier is willing to sell at one time. Businesses commonly use minimum order quantities to streamline production processes, manage costs, and meet operational demands. Understanding MOQs ensures better planning and efficient inventory […]
Drayage vs Intermodal: Explaining Two Connected Transportation Modes
Efficient logistics rely on different modes of transportation to move freight smoothly from one point to another. Two crucial methods are drayage and intermodal transportation, each serving distinct roles in the supply chain. Both methods handle goods efficiently but differ in scope and purpose. Drayage focuses on short-distance transport, often between transportation hubs like rail […]