Feature Stories
159 Expert Tips to AMP Your Supply Chain
Get moving with these actionable tips to jolt your warehousing, transportation, and logistics operations.
Today's Warehouse: Armed For Speed
More warehouses are moving “eaches” as well as traditional pallet orders, and facing ever-increasing demands for speed. To manage the diverse product flows in a timely manner, shippers are bringing different technologies to their warehouses, including robotics and robust warehouse management systems. They’re also supplementing mammoth warehouses with smaller “micro-centers” that they can locate closer to population centers.
U.S.-Mexico Trade: Strong But Shifting
Each year, billions of dollars of goods flow between Mexico and the U.S. While trade between the countries shows no signs of stopping, recent events may alter the flow. These include the USMCA, which still awaits ratification; decisions by the Mexican administration regarding construction of its ports and airports; trade disputes between the U.S. and China; and the Unified Cargo Processing program.
Pay Your Own Way
This story examines factoring, supply chain financing, and variations on those strategies that trading partners use to optimize their cash flows.
Deconstructing Global Supply Chains
Despite a shift toward regionalization, the era of complex supply chain ecosystems is far from over.
Project Logistics: Taming the Details
Whether they involve moving endangered animals or perishable delicacies, special projects demand teams that know how to plan thoroughly, collaborate with multiple partners and prepare for every eventuality.
International Intermodal: Containers on the Move
This story examines some of the challenges that are slowing the flow of intermodal containers, and also looks at some technology solutions that help to improve the situation.
The Hassle Quotient: A New Formula for Industry Domination
This article first introduces Jim Bramlett’s Hassle Quotient score and how the internet has changed how companies compete, then focuses on how the Hassle Quotient applies to transportation and logistics.
Setting Up Shop
This story examines some of the new models for e-commerce fulfillment that retailers are using today, particularly ones that involve the use of physical stores.
Putting the Brakes on Transportation Costs
As transportation becomes a larger portion of overall logistics costs, supply chain professionals are taking steps to control the issue. These include partnering with carriers, evaluating all modes, leveraging information systems, and minimizing delays when loading and unloading.
CPG Success: Top-Shelf Solutions
Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are among those most impacted by the proliferation of delivery channels over the past several years. To succeed in this changing marketplace, successful CGP businesses are refining factory operations and developing new distribution and transportation models.
Shedding Light on New Tariff Impacts
As the impacts of tariffs increase, companies must find new ways to consider and classify their products and supply chains to minimize costs and other risks
Disrupting the Future of Grocery Retailing
What’s needed is a new retail model for grocery shopping.
Improving Ocean Shipping: Blockchain Reaction
Examining the effects of blockchain technology on ocean carriers and shippers.
The 10 Most Read Articles 2018
Inbound Logistics reveals the 10 articles that drew the largest audience and reader response during 2018.
Get IT Together
Integrated WMS and TMS solutions increase visibility and communication and optimize the movement of goods.
A New Day for U.S. Ports
A robust economy and capital investments help buoy record cargo volumes.
Supply Chain Automation Surges
Supply chain automation is gaining ground, particularly in warehousing and middle- and last-mile logistics.
The Search for a Connected Supply Chain
The Search for a Connected Supply Chain
Transport Decision Makers: Prepare for the Future
What is happening and what will happen to trucking capacity and costs? Here's the data you need to help plan for the coming months.
Case Studies
Casebook
Tracking Resins Avoids a Sticky Situation
Aurora Plastics automates resin off-loading process and avoids costly inventory and quality management errors with RFID reader hardware from Janam Technologies and customized software applications from Quest Integrated Solutions.
I.T. Toolkit
Automated EDI Brings Benefits as Far as Eyebobs Can See
A direct, automated EDI connection between its ERP system and retail partners gives eyebobs 20/20 visibility to its omnichannel orders.
LeaderSHIP
A No-Fail Mentality and Sheer Force of Will
Profile of Jeff Cohen, chief operating officer, G&D Integrated
Reader Profile
Mark Bakker: Change Agent
A profile of Mark Bakker, head of supply chain operations, Americas, with HP Inc.
Commentary
How-To
Ten Tips
Choosing a Third-Party Logistics Provider
10 tips to help navigate through the third-party logistics provider selection process to get the most value out of a 3PL partner.
Trends
Amazon Primed for New Regional Hub
Manufacturers Laser-Focused on Technology
Pursuing Eco-Efficient Logistics
Ryder Redefines the Smart Warehouse
Hot Tips to Stay Safe This Winter
Ford Predicts the Trends Driving 2019
Global
Collapsing High Container Costs
FedEx Abandons Cuba Airfreight Service
Tariffs Sting U.S. Supply Chains
Sponsored
How Shippers and 3PLs Can Better Manage the Global Cargo Chain's First Mile to Last Mile - WiseTech Global
Three experts from the WiseTech Global family of companies discuss how shippers and 3PLs can improve their cargo chains spanning first-mile pickup, cross-border consolidation, and deconsolidating into last-mile parcel carrier networks.
Knowledge Base
Customs Broker vs. Freight Forwarder: Use a Customs Broker for Added Compliance - A.N. Deringer
Using one qualified company for Customs brokerage and freight forwarding reduces the logistical work on the customer’s end, while also making it easier to deliver Customs compliance and an optimal experience from pick-up to delivery.
Knowledge Base
Solving the Three Toughest Challenges in
E-commerce Fulfillment - DHL Supply Chain North America
E-commerce is continuing to create opportunity for a range of businesses, but supply chain challenges can limit growth and compromise customer relationships.
Knowledge Base
Leveraging Logistics Communities to Find Capacity in a Tight Market - Kuebix
Finding truckload capacity is on everyone’s minds as the capacity crunch and driver shortage worsens.
Knowledge Base
Mobile Warehousing & Storage: The Warehouse Manager's Secret Weapon - Milestone
To improve warehouse utilization and efficiency, dry van trailers can be a cost-effective solution, allowing manufacturers, retailers and distributors to rapidly (in 24 to 48 hours) flex up their warehouse space on a month-to-month basis and at costs savings of 50% over traditional warehouse space.
Knowledge Base
Driving Disruption: Planning for the Future of Logistics - RPM
How businesses plan for market shifts, future tech developments and the use of technology available today, is the key to developing the proper strategy for your supply chain.
Knowledge Base
The Unusual Suspect: Supply Chain's Role in Recent FDA Recalls - SwanLeap
How the TMS should evolve to increase end-to-end transparency and centralize your supply chain’s data.
Knowledge Base
Using Collaborative Technology To Tackle the Carrier Capacity Crisis - Transporeon Group Americas
Collaborative transportation solutions can strengthen logistics operations by helping both shippers and carriers automate manual processes and gain crucial visibility.
Knowledge Base
The Game Has Changed—Time for a New Playbook - Transportation Insight, LLC
Shippers need a playbook that charts a strategy for obtaining better operational understanding while improving processes that most directly affect customer satisfaction.
Solved!
Finding Capacity and Savings In a Dynamic Market - Hub Group
Hub Group generated savings and efficiency for a leading national retailer.
Solved!
Consumer Electronics FTZ - MD Logistics
MD Logistics navigated the application process to become a general-purpose zone operator, providing customers with significant cost savings and allowing their goods to flow to market with greater ease.
Solved!
Helping Del Monte Optimize its Transportation Network - Transplace
By improving its business intelligence and more quickly addressing supply chain issues with the help of Transplace, Del Monte has been able to optimize its network and reduce overall transportation spend.
Solved!
Getting Crafty with Supply Chain Solutions - Verst Logistics
Verst Logistics helped an arts and crafts supplies company address peak season challenges and growing sales by expanding its supply chain capabilities.
Thought Leaders
The Digital Revolution Is Here - Zero Down Supply Chain Solutions
A digital transformation is quickly and quietly sweeping the industry, and shippers could be left behind if they’re not among the early adopters.
Past Issues
Digital Editions
©2019 Thomas Publishing Company
3PL Line: Third-Party Logistics PerspectivesAndrew Berke and Charles Boesch
Using Technology to Cut Freight Costs
Here are ways to reduce freight expense while improving service outside of securing reduced freight rates from LTL, truckload, parcel and expedited services carriers.
Checking InKeith Biondo
When Worlds Collide
Online retailers are winning in the market with all types of consumers, even in manufacturing industrial products.
Checking InFelecia Stratton
When Worlds Combine
Inbound Logistics continues to provide actionable content to help drive supply chain change.
E_CommerceChris Mehlfelder
Maximizing Global E-Commerce Profits
The trends affecting supply chains require an agile approach
Global LogisticsPeter Belden
Using FTZs to Treat Pharma Challenges
In the U.S., foreign trade zones (FTZs) may be part of the solution pharmaceutical companies are looking for, but only if manufacturers understand what they are, their potential benefits, and how to best use them.
Good QuestionKatrina Arabe
Good Question: What's your best supply chain tip?
Industry professionals share their best supply chain tips.
IT Matters: Logistics & Supply Chain TechnologyMohammed (Mo) Hajibashi
Today's Technology, Tomorrow's Demand
The trends affecting supply chains require an agile approach
Logistics ManagementJeff Lau
Is Your Supply Chain Ready for 2019?
Here are a few of the key trends and topics that logistics buyers can expect to hear and see more of in 2019.
Reverse LogisticsAndrea McFarling
Minimize Returns While Improving Sales
Minimizing costs and even making a profit in reverse logistics is critical to an e-commerce company’s health. Here are some ways to do that.
Smart Moves: Supply Chain Careers & Education AdviceChad Storlie
Six Ways to Develop Character in Leaders
Character is one of the central attributes of a great leader and one of the hardest leadership characteristics to develop.
Supply Chain SecurityMaryAnn Holder
Fighting Counterfeit Products
As pharmaceutical and food supply chains become more global, these two industries are at particular risk for fraud, substitution, and counterfeiting. Consumers are demanding more transparency and safety adherence as these issues arise.
The Lean Supply ChainPaul A. Myerson
Riding Out the Rapids
A lean, agile supply chain helps companies anticipate and minimize the impact of disruptions.
Trade Compliance StrategistJack Tarkoff
The Cure for Meeting Pharma Requirements
Complying with global regulations regarding pharmaceuticals without collaboration and system interoperability represents a significant challenge for trading partners.
Viewpoint: Logistics & Supply Chain AnalysisJohn McDonald
Driver Shortage or Lack of Innovation?
Here are a few ways to think differently about the truck driver shortage to make the industry more efficient and technology friendly.