Feature Stories
3PL Change Agents
Trying to plot a different course? Figuring out how to spread your wings? A third-party partner might offer…just the kind of help you need.
Canada: Ties That Bind
The U.S.-Canada cross-border trade relationship remains robust in an evolving regulatory environment.
Direct Hit
E-commerce has forever changed the way people shop. Now businesses of all sizes must reassess their supply chains to go direct to the consumer with faster-than-fast delivery and free shipping.
Distributors Step Up Their Game
Distributors continue to play a valuable role within many supply chains. At the same time, changing business models, and especially the rise of e-commerce, are prompting many to enhance the services they offer.
Here Comes the Bridal Wear Supply Chain
The bridal wear supply chain is unlike any other in the apparel industry in that most bridal gowns are made to order, wedding dates create hard and fast dress deadlines, and emotional brides can turn a minor supply chain snafu into a major meltdown. Long lead times for dress manufacturers help make sure that deadlines get met and wedding parties are happy.
Supply Chain Collaboration: It Works Both Ways
Transparency, honest communication, and a commitment to forming a true partnership with shared goals and values are keys to successful supply chain collaboration between shippers and their third-party logistics providers.
Plug-and-Play Supply Chains: A Smarter Path to Growth
Companies and their supply chains have found a powerful new strategy for driving profitable growth – the plug-and-play supply chain. Here’s how it works.
3PL Perspectives 2017
Inbound Logistics’ 12th annual 2017 3PL Perspectives market research report examines the trends and challenges shaping logistics outsourcing strategy and the third-party logistics industry.
Spilling the Beans on the Coffee Supply Chain
Coffee has been a popular drink for centuries, yet its supply chain faces ongoing and emerging challenges, including fragmented production, commodity market instability, and climate change.
Cold Storage Logistics: License to Chill
Cold chain logistics means more than simply refrigeration and freezing. Today’s providers offer numerous value-add services, including logistics management, repackaging, and more.
Managing Project Logistics: Special Delivery
Whether they are supporting ventures in embargoed countries or first-ever projects in remote locations, logistics teams must be prepared to think quickly and clearly when unanticipated challenges arise
Summer Reading Guide 2017
Here’s a list of books that will help keep your logistics and supply chain skills sharp.
Readers' Choice: Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards 2017
Year after year, the IL 3PL survey reveals the importance of great customer service to shippers.
Case Studies
DC Solutions
Improving Food Distribution: Knife, Spoon, and Forklift
Technology from Crown Equipment helps a fine foods supplier optimize its order-picking process.
e-Tales
Green E-tailer Fertilizes the Bottom Line
Sustainable products company Grove Collaborative grows its bottom line by using a data analytics platform to cut shipping costs and optimize fulfillment.
I.T. Toolkit
Sofa So Good: Software Upgrade Bolsters Furniture Company’s Growth
Furniture retailer upgrades its warehouse management system to furnish growth.
LeaderSHIP
Empowering the Shipper
Profile of Dan Clark, founder and president of the logistics technology firm Kuebix, in Maynard, Mass.
Reader Profile
Joe Bobko: Not Boxed In
Profile on Joe Bobko, vice president of transportation with Boxed Wholesale, an online wholesale shopping club.
Commentary
How-To
Ten Tips
Making Vendor Managed Inventory Work
VMI is a way for suppliers to manage re-supply by monitoring customer stock levels and forward demand that optimizes working capital with service levels. Use these tips for best managing the VMI relationship.
Trends
Retailers Struggle to Control Fulfillment Costs
Manufacturing, Logistics Grew Dramatically Over Last Generation
Global
Global Supply Chain Suffers Disruptions Amid Diplomatic Crisis
U.S. Online Shoppers Click With International Retailers
Sponsored
Knowledge Base
Optimizing Inbound Freight Beyond the Shipment Level
In order to gain true end-to-end supply chain visibility and unlock the full potential for strategic savings opportunities, shippers must get beyond the shipment level to the PO level.
Knowledge Base
Need Flexibility? Seek Out Full-Service 3PLs
By quickly adapting to various industries and commodities and responding to client requests with urgency and an extremely high level of customer service quality, a strong 3PL will find it can outlast even the most convenient warehousing options.
Knowledge Base
Sweep the Dock for E-Commerce Insight
By tapping collective, multi-modal intellectual capital of leading industry pioneers, shippers can transform the supply chain with a sweep of the dock.
Knowledge Base
The Power of Transparency: Technology and Your Supply Chain
In a world driven by new technology, industries are finding ways to work faster and smarter.
Solved!
Solved: Kane Thinks Outside the Box for Distribution of Insulation Products
Dow Building Solutions gained faster, more reliable distribution to customers at a reduced cost with help from KANE.
Solved!
Solved: Increasing Retail Presence
When Dippin’ Dots needed more visibility in retail locations they teamed up with SEKO to get display freezers to market quickly.
Solved!
Improving Network Efficiency And Visibility
Transplace helped Huhtamaki reduce costs while improving customer service.
Solved!
Customized Solution Helps Retailer Find Savings and Visibility
A home goods retailer partnered with Unyson to increase efficiency and enhance visibility.
Solved!
Supply Chain Visualization at a Glance
ProTrans created a tracking map or heat map where all in transit loads belonging to the customer can be viewed on the tracking map.
Solved!
Specialized Packaging & Personalized Fulfillment
MD Logistics’ customized supply chain solution helps a luxury brand manufacturer provide a personalized shopping experience while maintaining a high turnaround rate.
Thought Leaders
Learning from the Fast Fashion Groundbreakers
By transforming the global supply chain via digitization, fast fashion manufacturers can stay on pace and improve margins, agility, and risk management.
Thought Leaders
How to Choose a TMS Vendor That’s Right for Your Company
Use this advice to navigate the process of selecting and deploying a TMS solution in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional solutions.
Thought Leaders
Today’s Options in Technology To Improve Your Transportation Program
The days of EDI connectivity is quickly becoming outdated and replaced with real-time data feeds that benefit both shipper and their shipping partners.
Thought Leaders
Silicon Valley is Helping the Logistics Industry Grow Smarter, Instead of Bigger
Silicon Valley and the logistics industry can help each other, and there’s great value to be gained through partnership.
Past Issues
Digital Editions
©2018 Thomas Publishing Company
3PL Line: Third-Party Logistics PerspectivesMichael Khalil
3 Ways Your 3PL Can Help You Overcome E-commerce Challenges
By collaborating with a knowledgeable third-party logistics (3PL) provider, shippers can add both scale and visibility to their supply chain.
Checking InKeith Biondo
Bad News, Good News
What do new buying trends mean for those providing logistics solutions to you, especially if your logistics partners are not market monsters?
EcoDevDavid Welsh
How to Make Your Region a Logistics Hotspot
Fine Print: Supply Chain Legal IssuesMary Anne Mellow and Timothy R. Tevlin
Updated Uniform Bill Of Lading Changes: Are You at Risk?
The new update shifts the burden of proving negligence in transport from the carrier or party in possession to the shipper. Here’s what you should know.
Good Question
GOOD QUESTION | What’s the most important question you should ask a potential 3PL partner?
Shippers share the most probing and effective questions to ask potential 3PL partners.
Green Landscape: Supply Chain SustainabilityHenry Canitz
How to Grow a Green Supply Chain
In today’s competitive environment, sustainability must improve profitability and reduce risk.
IT Matters: Logistics & Supply Chain TechnologyMichael Meyer
How New Technology is Boosting Human Potential in the Supply Chain
A new opportunity for significantly better operational performance is emerging due to advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and prescriptive analytics.
Reverse LogisticsMichael Good
5 Steps to Preventing Brand Damage When Your Product Fails
With the proper planning and systems in place, a recall can be managed effectively to mitigate financial and legal risk, as well as prevent irreparable brand damage.
Smart Moves: Supply Chain Careers & Education AdviceKen Fong
Why Aren’t There More Veterans in Logistics?
People transitioning out of the military possess many skills that directly apply to a career in logistics. Yet a post-military career in logistics remains a largely untapped opportunity. Here’s how to change that.
The Lean Supply ChainPaul A. Myerson
Stay Competitive with a Flexible TMS
Volatile demand, shrinking lead times, and new consumption patterns have impacted transportation systems in many ways. That makes it ever more important to maintain an agile, flexible supply chain to gain a competitive advantage.
Trade Compliance StrategistGabrielle Griffith
Leverage Your Freight Forwarder to Boost Your Compliance Program
Consider the following four core elements when assessing and establishing your freight forwarder partnership in order to boost your internal compliance program.
Viewpoint: Logistics & Supply Chain AnalysisRobert Hooper
Autonomous Vehicle Revolution Is Upon Us
The advent of autonomous vehicles is nothing short of a revolution. For the logistics world, it could mean a near end to human-caused accidents and could single-handedly eliminate the driver shortage problem.