Feature Stories
Great Partnerships: 3PLs and Shippers
Many companies, including Kimberly-Clark, Ebro, and USG Corporation, are moving beyond the traditional, transactional shipper-3PL relationship to form collaborative partnerships focused on mutual gain.
Failure is Not an Option: Questions and Answers with Brian Hancock
Brian Hancock, president, North America for Martin-Brower, discusses the unique supply chain and distribution operations supporting the McDonald’s restaurant chain.
Southeast Ports: What’s on the Horizon?
Looking out to 2015, anticipation is swirling about the Panama Canal's expansion and impact on U.S. trade. Among southeastern ports and shippers, that wave of anticipation has already made landfall.
3PL Perspectives 2012: Shippers and 3PLs—Perfect Together
Inbound Logistics’ eighth-annual 3PL market research report demonstrates how 3PLs and shippers are connecting to confront existing challenges and capitalize on new opportunities.
Readers’ Choice: Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards 2012
Inbound Logistics' readers voted on the third-party logistics providers (3PLs) that give them the best service and deliver outstanding results. Here is the list of top-rated 3PLs.
Loading Dock Safety: No More Risky Business
Fast-paced loading docks can present a dangerous work environment. Using proper vehicle restraints with visual communications systems keeps drivers, forklifts operators, and other workers safe.
Urban Delivery: Getting Into the Grid
Traffic congestion and infrastructure limitations can complicate shipment deliveries in major cities. Carriers such as DHL and UPS use network engineering, communication tools, and contingency planning to ensure they meet customer needs.
Thinking Small: The Business Case for LCL
Less-than-containerload (LCL) services are expanding to meet shippers’ need for a cost-effective approach to smaller ocean freight volumes.
Lift Truck Strategies Raise the Bar
Advancements in lift truck technology give distribution center and warehouse managers flexibility in using their forklift fleets.
Inbound Transportation Management and Control: Why It's Important and How to Grab It
Routing guides are a vital part of successfully managing inbound shipments. A clear, concise routing guide helps vendors meet your specifications for inbound transportation.
Inbound Logistics’ Summer Reading Guide 2012
New publications on supply chain and logistics topics such as warehousing, sustainability, and procurement help logistics professionals stay sharp. Here are some recent books on supply chain topics of interest.
Case Studies
DC Solutions
Stacker Cranes Cure Pallet Pain
Pharmaceutical manufacturer Catalent upgraded its Philadelphia packaging center’s high-bay warehouse with an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) served by three aisle-changing stacker cranes developed by LTW Intralogistics.
I.T. Toolkit
Opening the Door To Real-Time Visibility
Door manufacturer The WHITING Group replaced siloed systems with integrated ERP, ushering in transparency and real-time decision-making across its multiple divisions.
Reader Profile
Dennis Omanoff: Hard-Driving Man
Dennis Omanoff, senior vice president, supply chain and procurement, at hard drive and storage solution manufacturer Seagate, backs up his company’s supply chain to prevent service disruptions.
Commentary
How-To
Ten Tips
Determining If AS/RS Fits Your Facility
Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) can be an efficient materials handling option for warehouses and distribution centers, but they are not right for every facility. Norm Saenz, senior vice president and principal, TranSystems Corporation, offers advice on deciding if AS/RS is right for your facility.
Trends
Global
Sponsored
Economic Development
Canada Trade: Driving Growth Northward
Increasing demand for U.S. goods in Canada represents a positive sign for the economies of both countries. But keeping cross-border shipments moving requires building smart and savvy logistics partnerships.
Knowledge Base
Think Outside the Border
For large North American companies operating in multi-national markets, moving products around the globe is a complicated endeavor, writes Roy Coburn of Livingston International.
Thought Leaders
Co-locating Reverse and Forward Logistics Unlocks Value of Returns
Co-locating reverse and forward logistics functions for consumer electronics instead of using a centralized returns model reduces transportation miles, touches, and facility overhead while increasing turn times.
Thought Leaders
Developing a Comprehensive Transportation Strategy
A rich and robust transportation management system (TMS) plays an important role in a company’s inbound transportation strategy.
Thought Leaders
SaaS-Based TMS Empowers Global Freight Management
The collaborative environment of a Software-as-a-Servivce (SaaS) transportation management system (TMS) enables connectivity and supports seamless collaboration with global supply chain partners, says Jon Kuerschner of LeanLogistics.
Thought Leaders
3PLs Control Loads to Provide Shippers Superior Service
Third-party logistics (3PL) providers can inspire shipper confidence by using technology tools to control loads and properly insuring their loads.
Thought Leaders
Harnessing the Power of Information Technology
Information technology tools provide actionable data for supply chain improvements, cost efficiencies, on-time performance, and customer satisfaction, says Gary Neeves, Regal Logistics.
Thought Leaders
Tech Tools Serve Retailers’ Diverse Needs
For both third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and retailers, investing in a technology partner that supports customization and flexibility at a moderate cost is a strategy for long-term adaptability and growth, says Chandra Allred of PSCTrac.
Thought Leaders
Supply Chain Control Towers Offer a Bird’s-Eye View
Companies are increasingly realizing that supply chain must become a core competency. Adding a supply chain control tower and taking on the fourth-party logistics (4PL) role offers them the ability to accelerate collaboration and achieve higher performance levels.
Thought Leaders
Improving Reverse Logistics Moves Shippers Forward
Maintaining a nationwide network of reverse logistics facilities and skilled team of supply chain field analysts allows shippers to reduce transportation and handling costs and support sustainability efforts, writes Jeff Pepperworth, Inmar.
Thought Leaders
Helping Shippers Do More With Less
Global freight audit and payment providers can help shippers gain valuable insight into their global supply chains while overcoming challenges such as harmonizing multiple currencies, capturing data in foreign languages, data cleansing, and meeting archival requirements.
Past Issues
Digital Editions
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3PL Line: Third-Party Logistics PerspectivesRajiv Saxena
Managing Global Complexity: The Right Tools for the Job
New international supply chain optimization tools are capable of considering all appropriate shipment flows, modes, routes, and cargo to come up with an ideal workable plan – as often as needed and anytime things change.
Carriers Corner: Air, Ocean, Rail, Road TopicsSimon Kaye
Sophisticated Innovations Enhance Supply Chain Security
The growth of global trade and sourcing creates more security vulnerabilities within the supply chain. Aggressive thieves with sophisticated techniques have spurred innovation in shipment processes, technology, and regulatory measures.
Checking InKeith Biondo
3PL Partnerships: From Tactical to Strategic
If shippers use their third-party logistics partners for more than brokerage—not just as tactical providers, but as strategic partners—a whole new world of logistics excellence and accomplishments could open up, writes Inbound Logistics Publisher Keith Biondo.
Checking InFelecia Stratton
3PL Partnerships: From Transactions to Trust
Increasingly, 3PLs and shippers are working much more collaboratively, often sharing pains and gains, writes Editor Felecia Stratton.
EcoDevKevin Keith
Blazing Trails from the Crossroads of America
Missouri’s location at the Crossroads of America has been one of the state’s greatest assets, their integrated transportation system maximizes its geographic and natural resources, creating economic advantages for the state and working as a conduit between rural and urban areas.
Green Landscape: Supply Chain SustainabilitySara Pax
Don’t Be Afraid Of Product Lifecycle Assessment
Product lifecycle assessment (LCA) can reveal opportunities to cut costs, gain efficiencies, and improve sustainability and carbon footprint, writes Sara Pax, Bluehorse Associates.
IT Matters: Logistics & Supply Chain TechnologyFabrizio Brasca
Containerization’s Benefits Can’t Be Contained
By incorporating containerization into downstream transportation and upstream supply chain workflows, companies can improve asset utilization, use fewer trucks, drive fewer miles, reduce fuel costs, and enhance distribution center operations, writes Fabrizio Brasca, JDA Software.
Supply Chain SecurityLisa Greenleaf
TAPA Standards Safeguard Cargo
The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) unites global manufacturers, carriers, insurers, and service providers to reduce the risks of criminal activity against high-value cargo in the transportation supply chain, writes Lisa Greenleaf of TUV Rheinland of North America.
Viewpoint: Logistics & Supply Chain AnalysisKevin Doherty
Ports Can Help Ensure Ship-Shape Supply Chains
Ports must take a proactive role in managing the supply chain so it runs as efficiently as possible, writes Kevin Doherty of Montreal Gateway Terminals Partnership.