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
Do More With Less: How High-Density Storage Is Reshaping Warehouse Efficiency
High-density storage systems like Vertical Lift Modules are helping operations reclaim space, boost accuracy, and reduce labor strain; all without expanding their footprint.
Vendors vs Suppliers: The Differences and Why It Matters
Vendors and suppliers are both business entities that play different roles in the supply chain. Suppliers provide raw materials, while vendors sell finished products to other businesses or the final customer, operating in distinct capacities depending on the products’ use and sales channels. The key difference lies in what each business entity provides to the […]
Operational Risk Management: Core Principles and Practices
Modern business operations face rising complexity from cyber threats, supply chain issues, and failed internal processes. Each mistake or delay increases risk exposure and disrupts performance. Without a structured system, risks multiply fast and often without warning.
Global Supply Chain: What It Is, Importance, and Challenges
Studying the global supply chain reveals how products move from raw materials to finished goods across multiple countries. It connects manufacturing operations, distribution, and customer demand in a vast worldwide system. Many global supply chains involve complex steps and working relationships with foreign suppliers to meet the needs of international customers. Breaking down how global […]
What is Linehaul: Definition, How it Works, and Importance
What is a line haul? It refers to the transport of goods between two points, such as cities, ports, or even warehouses. Line haul transportation covers the long-distance part of the shipping process. It moves freight between hubs like sorting facilities or distribution centers, with the final destination being the endpoint of the shipping process, […]
UPC Meaning: What It Is, Types, and How to Get
Running a business today means staying organized, especially when selling products globally or across online marketplaces. Mismanaging items leads to errors, confusion, and lost sales. That’s where understanding UPC meaning becomes essential. A UPC—short for Universal Product Code—is a unique number and a type of bar code used for product identification. The barcode symbol, which […]
What is Supply Chain Forecasting? Best Methods, Benefits, and Challenges
Uncertainty hurts business. When companies don’t know what’s coming next, they overstock, underdeliver, and miss sales targets. Poor planning can wreck supply chain operations, increase costs, and frustrate customers. Supply chain forecasting refers to the process of predicting demand, supply, or pricing for products within an industry, using data from suppliers to anticipate stock availability […]
What is LIFO? Definition, Benefits, and Real World Use of Last In, First Out
Inventory valuation shapes how businesses report profits and manage taxes. The LIFO method—Last In, First Out—assigns the cost of the most recent purchases to the cost of goods sold, often reducing taxable income when prices rise. LIFO is one of several cost flow assumptions used in inventory accounting to determine how inventory costs are allocated […]
10 Tips to Help 3PLs Stay Ahead with the Right WMS
The right warehouse management system (WMS) can transform how 3PLs operate.
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!