Articles | February 2018

Feature Stories

Core Competencies Every Supply Chain Manager Needs

In today’s complex marketplace, supply chain professionals need a varied set of skills and competencies to help their employers succeed — everything from a strategic orientation to a comfort with data and an awareness of social and environmental obligations.

Customized Supply Chains: Fit to a T

This article examines the special issues that companies encounter when they sell customized products to consumers and describes how some companies handle those challenges.

6 Supply Chain Terms Creating the Buzz

What does 2018 have in store? Inbound Logistics asked industry watchers what tops their list of terms that will dominate conversations this year. The consensus is that the supply chain community will see these six terms continue to emerge and gain traction in the market.

Case Studies

Casebook

Sourcing Packaging Globally Boxes Up Savings

Church’s chicken was in the market to lower packaging material costs so they partnered with a food packaging specialist for a more cost effective solution.

LeaderSHIP

Average Is for Other People

Profile of Derek Leathers, president and CEO of Werner Enterprises, Omaha, Nebraska

Reader Profile

Howie Mann: Helping to Train a New Generation

Profile of Howie Mann, a founder and a board member with the Urban Assembly School for Global Commerce in New York City

Commentary

Checking InKeith Biondo

The Human Experience

In the rush to satisfy ever-increasing demands for speed and efficiency, and the clarion calls to deliver your best customer experience, supply chain managers need to consider that impact on the worker experience.

EcoDevMatt Markham

How Georgia Designed an Innovative Logistics Landscape

As the shipping and transportation landscape adapts to changing business needs and technology capabilities, it’s essential for industry groups to come together and support a sustainable logistics ecosystem.

Good QuestionKatrina Arabe

If you were given authority to purchase one product or service for your supply chain/logistics operations, with no budget restrictions, what would you buy?

Readers tell us what they would buy for their supply chain if budget were not a consideration.

Trade Compliance StrategistGabrielle Griffith

Yes, NAFTA Affects Your Industry Too

The symbiotic relationship between trade compliance and supply chain is the cornerstone of a shipper’s competitive advantage. You know this well, but you may be unfamiliar with how NAFTA affects your entire supply chain.