Articles | January 2017

Feature Stories

Demand-Driven Logistics: Staying Right Side Up When Your Supply Chain Turns Upside Down

Even when the economy isn’t booming, the supply chain offers numerous opportunities for shippers to increase efficiency, save money and enhance revenues. This story looks at some of the bright spots in transportation, technology, global trade and outsourcing.

Automotive Aftermarket: Firing on all Cylinders

As Americans’ fondness for trucks and automobiles has grown, the specialized parts market represents the fastest growing subset of the automotive aftermarket. The emerging specialized parts sector of the automotive supply chain is vast and complex and requires skilled management.

What a Ride!

How powersports manufacturer Monster Moto worked with UPS to redesign its supply chain as it moved its product assembly from China to the U.S.

3PL Partnerships: You're In Good Company

As product demand continues to rise, companies in all industries are partnering with third-party logistics (3PL) providers to ensure their products are delivered to customers on time and cost effectively.

3PLs Up The Ante

Thirty years ago, third-party logistics providers offered mainly rudimentary logistics and warehousing services. Today, however, many 3PLs offer complex solutions that help companies achieve strategic goals.

Alternative Port Strategies: Getting In With The In Crowd

Inland ports provide shippers with new global trade strategies and relief from capacity issues facing North America’s deepwater container ports.

Making a Run for the Border

The logistics of trade between the United States and Mexico has changed significantly in the 20-plus years since NAFTA was enacted. There are still issues, most notably border delays and an imbalance of goods flowing north and south, but there are bright spots supported by an influx of foreign direct investment in Mexico, too.

Latin American Logistics: Learning the Tricks of the Trades

Working with a specialist can smooth the sometimes troubled logistical waters between the United States and Central and South America.

Construction Logistics: Raise the Roof!

This story looks at some of the major challenges and practices found in construction logistics, illustrated with stories from experts who work in this field.

Cruise Control

Cruise ship provisions must support a small town at sea for a week or more. Supplies are loaded on a docked vessel in four hours or less; there’s no second chance for deliveries that arrive after the ship has sailed.

Baseball Logistics: Hitting a Home Run Every Trip

Each year, 30 Major League Baseball teams travel for spring training and dozens of road games in a complex logistics web that's all the more incredible for its anonymity. When you're carrying all the bats, the game can't start until the truck arrives.

The Logistics of Franchising: Delivering the Basics

Franchisees sometimes don’t appreciate how important an efficiently functioning supply chain is until it isn’t there.

Global Trade Changes Course

While the regulations that govern the movement of goods across borders can (and do) fill volumes, some are of particular importance right now. These include changes to the Harmonized System, revisions to the regulations regarding the export and import of hazardous waste, guidance on voluntary self-disclosures, mandates regarding electronic logging devices, and modifications to Cuba sanctions. This article provides an overview.

Expect the Best, Plan for the Worst & Prepare to Be Surprised

How prepared are companies for supply chain disruptions such as fire, a data breach, natural disaster or terrorism? Not as prepared as you’d think, considering what’s at stake.

Supply Chain Management Students: School of Thought

Today’s logistics and supply chain management students are practical idealists, people who want successful careers that draw on their knowledge, skills and talents while allowing them to make the world — and the workplace — a better place.

The Back & Forth of Reverse Logistics

Companies that have reverse logistics processes and systems in place to capture all the value possible can beat competitors coming and going.

The Who, What, When, and Why of Warehouse Wearables

As wearable technologies, such as smart glasses and augmented reality, grow less expensive and more accessible, an increasing number of companies are exploring whether wearables could benefit their warehouse operation.

Winter Reading Guide 2017

Winter provides a great advantage–time. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and colder weather prevails. There’s no better time to hit the books and amp up your knowledge of important logistics and supply chain management issues.

What's Eating The Health Food Supply Chain?

Healthful food — organic, vegan, non-GMO, local, sustainably or humanely raised, and allergen free, or any other variety — has captured attention and seen growing demand. Satisfying that demand, however, poses unique supply chain challenges.

Omni-Channel Retail: Roadmap To Profit

Omni-channel retail supply chains are forging new paths to profitability. Here's what they look like.

Case Studies

Casebook

How Ariens Weathers Seasonal Demand

Ariens' tailored transportation planning solution from Redwood Logistics has led to efficiency gains, delivery improvements, increased visibility and cost reductions.

DC Solutions

Hardware Upgrade Unwraps DC Improvements

Kelli’s Gift Shop Suppliers deployed Janam’s mobile computers and transformed its distribution center operations. From improving efficiency and productivity, find out how the handheld devices boosted inventory control and customer satisfaction for the wholesale distributor.

I.T. Toolkit

Routing Software Separates Losers from Weiners

Kowalski Sausage implements a new in-house routing and dispatching system to improve how the piggies get to market.

LeaderSHIP

Russ Smyth: Geared Up for Growth

Profile of Russ Smyth, CEO of HAVI. Also: CEOs in the supply chain sector reveal what it takes to be a great leader.

Reader Profile

Aaron Leach: A Bird’s Eye View of the Supply Chain

Aaron Leach is senior director of supply chain with Wayne Farms, LLC, in Oakwood, Ga. He has held this position since 2013. Wayne Farms is the sixth largest vertically integrated producer and processor of poultry in the United States.

Commentary

3PL Line: Third-Party Logistics PerspectivesBob Daymon

Going for Brokers

To meet the changing needs of today’s manufacturers, third-party logistics (3PL) providers need to distinguish themselves through collaboration and technology investments.

Carriers Corner: Air, Ocean, Rail, Road TopicsAnthony Berritto

The Slow, Steady Decline Of the Owner-Operator Model

Today, we face the slow extinction of independent owner-operators. These self-reliant business owners are now dealing with a myriad of regulations that will soon make the owner-operator model impractical, and its survival improbable.

Checking InKeith Biondo

Wild Ride?

Will the coming political change reverse slow economic growth many had anticipated for the next 4 years? Many think so.

Checking InFelecia Stratton

Hold On Tight!

As the economic rollercoaster trends up quickly, best logistics practices will give your enterprise vitality to scale up quickly without disrupting.

Online ExclusiveEcoDevTarek Sultan

Why Global Trade Needs a Rebrand

Visibility into the supply chain is clearer than ever, dramatically cutting the time from order to production and shipment. To bring the same transparency and efficiency to global trade, we need common sense changes. Find out how shippers can benefit.

E_CommerceTodd Miller

Solving the E-Commerce Puzzle

To overcome the challenges that e-commerce presents to the supply chain, shippers need to succeed at omni-channel fulfillment. From leveraging brick-and-mortar stores to deploying an order management system, here’s how they can compete in an e-commerce world.

Fine Print: Supply Chain Legal IssuesChris Cotter

When to File Loss and Damage Claims: Know Your Rights

Shippers need to understand the claims process and law since the legal principles are unique to the shipping industry.

Good Question

GOOD QUESTION | What’s your supply chain resolution for 2017?

Readers reveal the issues that could disrupt the supply chain…as well as their sleep.

IT Matters: Logistics & Supply Chain TechnologyGlenn Jones

How to Find Value in Big Data

Use this advice to get the most out of your big data.

Reverse LogisticsHoward Rosenberg

Rethinking Reverse Logistics for Online Apparel Returns

As physical shopping bags are being replaced by virtual ones, it’s important for retailers to update their policies and logistics strategies to align with consumer behavior and expectations.

Smart Moves: Supply Chain Careers & Education AdviceJessica Dankert

Tackling Retail Logistics: Build Your Team First

The flexible supply chain of the future is full of opportunities and challenges. With the right team and talent on your side, you’ll be well positioned for success. Here’s how to get the right people.

Online ExclusiveSupply Chain PerspectivesShruti Agrawal

Reduce Supply Chain Costs with Consolidated Procurement Strategies

Consolidated procurement offers cost benefits as well as improved efficiency throughout the supply chain. Find out how you can implement this approach and realize its advantages.

The Lean Supply ChainPaul A. Myerson

Using Network Optimization Technology To Enable Your Lean Supply Chain

From a Lean and agile supply chain perspective,an optimally designed supply chain can significantly improve margins,support expansion into new markets,enhance the customer experience,and reduce operating costs.

Online ExclusiveViewpoint: Logistics & Supply Chain AnalysisAmar Shah, Danielle Moushon, and Sunil Agarwal

Optimizing the Product Portfolio

The overall complexity of running the supply chain will drop as the product portfolio becomes more streamlined. Here's how to do just that.

Viewpoint: Logistics & Supply Chain AnalysisSven Thiesen

Evaluate Partners Before You Sign the Contract

Suppliers have to be lean, fast, and innovative to meet their clients’ needs. To ensure they’re capable of being exactly that, OEMs need to bring in expertise across the whole business to ensure they get a strategic supply chain partner.

How-To

Ten Tips

Leveraging Your Routing Guide

A routing guide plays an important role in setting the strategy for carrier selection across a variety of shipments within an organization. Use these tips to get the most out of your routing guide.