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Cycling at Full Speed

September 18, 2020 Katrina Arabe

Bicycle manufacturers and retailers race to catch up to surging demand as consumer behaviors shift gears. Read More

Reading the Room

September 14, 2020 Karen Kroll

With great adversity comes great creativity—that’s how Annette Danek-Akey, EVP of supply chain at Penguin Random House, helped convert a new facility into a picking and shipping point to meet demand for books. Read More

Let's Not Forget

September 14, 2020 Keith Biondo

Supply chain has the capacity to quickly adopt new technologies, adapt to new working conditions, and remain highly productive. The "new" technologies for collaborative work are not really new, however. Read More

Improving Visibility: And Sew It Goes

September 11, 2020

Learn how family-owned manufacturer Tacony cut costs, streamlined transportation operations, and boosted service levels by collaborating with Sunset Transportation. Read More

Reshaping Retail

September 9, 2020 Merrill Douglas

New retail strategies in the era of COVID-19, such as BOPIS, BOPAC, microfulfillment, and drive-throughs, could transform the industry forever. Read More

16 Transportation Metrics that Matter

September 8, 2020 Sandra Beckwith

Transportation ranks at the top of operational expenses, so measuring carrier performance is crucial. These metrics elp get the right freight to the right place at the right time—as cost-effectively as possible. Read More

Shaking Up Subscription Services

September 4, 2020 Karen Kroll

During the pandemic, some subscription services met high demand while others didn't fair as well. Here's how successful services deliver the goods. Read More

We Scream for Ice Cream

September 3, 2020 Katrina Arabe

As consumers scream for ice cream, retailers are refining their e-commerce tactics. Take a look at some ice cream supply chain trends. Read More

Florida Sets the Future

September 2, 2020

The Sunshine State is a strategic and economic powerhouse, driving companies' logistics success and setting the stage to play an even more substantial role in the coming years. Read More

Traffic Control

September 2, 2020 Karen Kroll

To prepare for the return of crowded streets in urban areas, cities and shippers explore alternative solutions to address last-mile gridlock. Read More

Retail Responds

September 1, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

To improve their supply chain resilience for future disruption, retailers must invest in flexibility, visibility, and automation. Read More

Asia's Economic Rebound

September 1, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Asia was the first region to endure COVID-19 and reopen its economies—what does that mean for global supply chains? Read More

Noted: The Supply Chain in Brief

August 31, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Read the latest good works, sustainability efforts, mergers and acquisitions, new hires, and sealed deals happening in the supply chain. Read More

Addressing Shippers' Top Concerns

August 28, 2020 Nick Shroeger

Shippers are experiencing unique challenges, and understanding the shifts in consumer behavior and how they impact their supply chain is critical. Read More

Great Expectations

August 28, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Even amid economic uncertainty, shoppers expect global businesses to maintain fast and transparent delivery, improve environmental sustainability, and keep personal data secure. Read More

TMS Put to the Test

August 28, 2020 Karen Kroll

When business disruptions occur, transportation management systems earn their stripes by enhancing visibility, optimizing transportation networks, and streamlining processes Read More

Postal Operators Deliver on E-Commerce

August 27, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Parcels and cross-border e-commerce are taking precedence over traditional services for postal operators, who continuously manage growing postal e-commerce traffic. Read More

Becoming the Next Leading Logistics Hub

August 27, 2020 Chris Gutierrez

More consumers turned to e-commerce during the pandemic, making the location of distribution and fulfillment centers even more important. Follow these five steps to make your region a logistics hotspot. Read More

DHL Debuts Retail Store

August 27, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

DHL Express opened a new 1,500-square-foot ServicePoint retail store in Southern Florida—the first exclusive DHL-branded retail store in the United States. Read More

Vertical Files

August 26, 2020 Merrill Douglas

The pandemic has consumers stocking up on hand sanitizer and trading businesswear for sweatpants, transforming nearly every vertical market from apparel to agriculture. Read More

Flexibility for the Win

August 26, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Most retailers say artificial intelligence can add significant value to their demand forecasting processes, and more than half say it will improve other critical supply chain capabilities. Read More

Master Class in ROI

August 25, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Large companies invested $153.4 million to transform their supply chain in the past three years, but only 10% became masters in achieving a profitable customer experience. Read More

Project Logistics: Doing the Heavy Lifting

August 24, 2020 Tamara Chapman

When the pandemic disrupted everything from factory floors to global transportation networks, these special logistics projects powered through to carry operations forward. Read More

Cold Storage Heats Up

August 24, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Booming e-commerce and online grocery sales during the pandemic increased the demand for cold storage warehousing space in North America, but developers are not building fast enough to meet demand. Read More

Focus on the Future

August 21, 2020

Robert Johnson CFO and COO with Future Tech Enterprise, advises: Don’t assume someone else is steering the ship, and treat the company as though you own it. Read More

Home for the Holidays

August 21, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Consumers are planning to do their holiday shopping mostly from home and earlier this year, presenting big challenges for distribution centers. Read More

Online Grocery Shifts into Hyperspeed

August 21, 2020 Ryan Richard

As consumers rushed to stock up on groceries during quarantine, retailers and their partners collaborated in new ways to respond to skyrocketing demand. Read More

Meat Supply Chain: Where's the Beef?

August 20, 2020 Sandra Beckwith

Responding to consumer demand for healthy options (and beef shortages), brands cook up plant-based meat alternatives while trying to avoid getting burned by supply chain challenges. Read More

Taking Up Space

August 19, 2020 Karen Kroll

Mark Wiese and his team at NASA are building a commercial supply chain in deep space. Eventually, their work will launch a new way to transport cargo around the globe: via rocket. Read More

What Can 3PLs Do?

August 17, 2020 Keith Biondo

For starters, they can help wrangle the current COVID-caused confusion in your logistics process. Read More

Vertical Focus: Home Goods

August 14, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Take a look at how consumer shopping behaviors changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other trends impacting the home goods industry. Read More

3PLs Coming to the Rescue

August 14, 2020 Karen Kroll

When supply chain troubles are afoot, shippers turn to 3PLs for their expertise, technology, and dedication to customer service. Read More

Setting Up a Successful RFP

August 13, 2020 Matt Tiedens

Matt Tiedens, director of logistics solutions with Ruan Transportation Management Systems, discusses how to best manage the often daunting RFP process. Read More

Supporting Shippers' COVID-19 Adjustments

August 12, 2020 George Kontoravdis, PhD

George Kontoravdis, president at Fortigo, discusses how the transportation management solutions provider adjusted its feature set in response to changing customer needs. Read More

3PL Perspectives 2020

August 11, 2020 Merrill Douglas

Inbound Logistics' newest exclusive 3PL market research report sheds light on how the world appears to shippers and their logistics service providers. Read More

2020 Top 100 3PLs

August 11, 2020

When shippers need reliable and innovative supply chain and logistics solutions, these top 100 3PLs are there to answer the call. Read More

How Small to Mid-Sized Businesses Can Recover Faster

August 11, 2020 Andrew Chan, Co-founder, AfterShip

On top of surging e-commerce demand, small and mid-sized businesses are facing increased shipping costs, logistical challenges, and extended shipping times. Here are a few things you can do to recover. Read More

Building a Supply Chain in One Week

August 11, 2020

When their client pivoted to make a low-cost bed to quickly serve those on the front lines, SEKO Logistics rapidly set up distribution operations to meet the urgent demand. Read More

Reopening Fulfillment and Distribution Centers in the Wake of COVID-19

August 3, 2020 Ron Grove, EY Americas Digital Fulfillment Solution Leader

As businesses slowly recover following COVID-19 fulfillment and distribution centers can't simply flip a switch and return to normal operations. Reopening will require a rigorous methodology backed by data and analytics, and creative thinking about how to leverage existing technology in the workplace. Read More

How Will the Future Unfold?

July 31, 2020 Felecia Stratton

These three scenarios can help chief supply chain officers prepare for recovery and make preemptive decisions to set up their organizations for success. Read More

USMCA: A Bright Light for Shippers

July 30, 2020 Eugene Laney

Many businesses around the country are suffering due to the economic impacts of COVID-19, but the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement could be a bright light for those doing business with Canada and Mexico. Read More

75 Green Supply Chain Partners

July 23, 2020

These 75 green companies are dedicated to implementing best practices that make global supply chains more sustainable and their operations more socially and environmentally friendly. Read More

Logistics Gets Schooled

July 21, 2020 Karen Kroll

As logistics challenges become more complex and technology advances, ongoing education, innovation, and research has become an imperative. Read More

Vertical Focus: Renewable Energy

July 17, 2020 Felecia Stratton

The COVID-19 lockdown has led to a significant drop in energy consumption across gas, oil, and electricity—here's how the renewable energy supply chain segment has responded. Read More

Manufacturers Remain Optimistic

July 16, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Despite continued impacts across industries, almost all manufacturers believe that North American manufacturing can recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

Strategize. Inspire. Listen.

July 14, 2020 Merrill Douglas

To steer his company through a global pandemic, Andrew Kirkwood continues to connect with customers and internal staff, keeps learning, and doesn't mind some teasing from his team. Read More

Make a New Plan, Stan

July 13, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Organizations that have incorporated scenario planning into their process may be better prepared to cope with today’s scope of disruption and growing uncertainty.  Read More

Noted: The Supply Chain in Brief

July 10, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Read the latest good works, sustainability efforts, mergers and acquisitions, new hires, and sealed deals happening in the supply chain. Read More

Reset, Rewind

July 7, 2020 Katrina Arabe

As the COVID-19 pandemic redefines consumer behavior, some nostalgic supply chain practices are making a comeback. Read More

What's Lurking in Your Supply Chain?

July 6, 2020 Julio Casal

Up to 80% of all security breaches start in the supply chain—are you fully informed of the level of security across your vendors, partners, and contractors? Read More

In Defense of You

July 1, 2020 Keith Biondo

You've failed at logistics. So says David Segal in his recent article entitled "What Happened to the Great American Logistics Machine?" in The New York Times. Read More

NACD Program Ensures Seamless Partnerships

June 30, 2020 Eric R. Byer

Chemical distribution poses unique challenges for warehouses and carriers due to strict regulatory requirements. Finding a 3PL partner who can meet these expectations is critical and often requires extensive research. Read More

Big Wheels Keep on Turnin'

June 24, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Trucks continue to move—often faster than usual—to respond to the demands placed on the industry by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data. Read More

Global Trade Goes Digital

June 22, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Freight forwarders and shippers can now book cargo shipments to and from anywhere in the world with the rollout of DP World's online logistics tools. Read More

Goodbye NAFTA, Hello USMCA

June 18, 2020 Felecia Stratton

It's all systems go for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to take effect now that all three participating countries have taken the final steps to comply with the commitments. Read More

Noted: The Supply Chain in Brief

June 12, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Read the latest good works, sustainability efforts, mergers and acquisitions, new hires, and sealed deals happening in the supply chain. Read More

Smart Warehouses Boost Their IQ

June 10, 2020 Merrill Douglas

Take a look at some of the best and brightest digital developments in warehouse management and why IoT, AI, drones, and other intelligent digital solutions are a smart move. Read More

Pallets Take the Spotlight

June 9, 2020

Before warehouse club stores, pallets were usually found behind the scenes. Today they're front and center in retail spaces and sustainability strategies. Read More

Act Fast, Act Smart

June 8, 2020 Alan Miller

Now is the time to take action. Start establishing multiple contingencies as, more than ever before, maintaining flexibility in logistics is essential. Read More

Vertical Focus: Pet Industry

June 5, 2020

Animal shelters report that fostering applications are up as much as 10 times what they were on a typical day before COVID-19—how does this impact the pet industry's supply chain? Read More

10 Tips for Leading Your Team

June 3, 2020 Mark Wiese, Manager, NASA Deep Space Logistics Gateway Program, Kennedy Space Center

These 10 tips for clear and effective leadership can help set your company's culture and motivate employees to work together toward a common goal. Read More

Staying Productive in Unproductive Times

June 2, 2020 Keith Biondo

Rather than waiting for the next disruption, smart business managers are extracting knowledge from a forensic investigation of their operations and kicking bad practices to the curb. Read More

Intermodal Leans In

June 1, 2020

Because of its robust infrastructure and capacity, intermodal appears poised to resume its growth when the supply chain regains its footing. Read More

2020 TMS Buyer's Guide

May 29, 2020

Our 2020 guide of top TMS providers and solutions can put you on the right road toward improved transportation management and performance, regardless of the business conditions. Read More

China's Road to Restoration

May 29, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

After reporting no new cases of COVID-19 in March 2020, people are going back to work in China—but companies still face a slow return to production.  Read More

The Road Map Out of This Mess

May 29, 2020 Paul A. Myerson

COVID-19 has shown the shortcomings of a supply chain that is perhaps too lean. However, to be lean doesn’t mean keeping extremely low inventory levels with no coordination or backup plan. Read More

6 Keys to Pandemic Preparedness

May 27, 2020 Todd J. Ohlms, Esq., Partner, Litigation Practice Group, Freeborn & Peters LLP

Looking at what you could have done differently to be better prepared for the supply chain disruption caused by COVID-19? Companies that have fared the best to date did the following 6 things well in advance of the pandemic. Read More

Agility On Demand

May 26, 2020 Randy Tucker

When your product captures the attention of an online shopper, your brand reputation is on the clock. Read More

Get RIP-Roaring Results with IoT

May 25, 2020 Ana Maria Giménez

Companies are increasingly investing in returnable industrial packaging (RIP) to ship products to customers as sustainably as possible. Read More

Supply Chain Cleanliness Matters—During and Beyond COVID-19

May 21, 2020 Jeff Pepperworth, President and CEO, iGPS Logistics

Fulfillment centers have adapted throughout COVID-19, supplying workers with masks, suspending in-person meetings, and enhancing their cleaning protocols. Suppliers will need to remember the lessons learned, even beyond the pandemic. Read More

Blockchain, Meet Supply Chain

May 21, 2020 Merrill Douglas

When blockchain links up with supply chain management, companies can build on their efficiencies, product history, and more. Read More

2020 Logistics IT Market Research Survey

May 20, 2020 Merrill Douglas

What are the must-have logistics technology solutions? What challenges do software vendors and users face? Find the answers in our annual logistics it market research report. Read More

Peak of Perfection

May 18, 2020 Merrill Douglas

An authentic leader with an open-door policy, Juliann Larimer, CEO of Peak-Ryzex, chooses justice over peace when operating her company. Read More

Noted: The Supply Chain in Brief

May 13, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Take a look at the latest supply chain green initiatives, expanded services, mergers and acquisitions, good works, and more in April 2020. Read More

10 Tips | Managing Inbound Freight

May 11, 2020 Marty Shea, Sales Manager, ODW Logistics

Inbound freight can be challenging to analyze or control, but it significantly impacts operational results and costs. Use these strategies to traverse this "final frontier" of supply chain management. Read More

This Is Not a Drill

May 8, 2020 Alan Miller

Having an effective communication strategy, one that includes internal users, vendors, and carrier partners, can have a critical impact on your success.  Read More

Do You Have Bad Strategies or Bad Data?

May 6, 2020 Shannon Vaillancourt

Many companies make decisions with no data, partial data, or worse—misleading data. Decisions made with incorrect data lead to no cost savings and compounding incorrect data throughout the supply chain. Read More

Labeling Is Key in Keeping Up with Today’s Supply Chain

May 5, 2020 Jason Mancuso, Director, Professional Services SCM Practice

COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for supply chain and logistics management, and the pressure is on to deliver essential supplies, such as toilet paper and food, to consumers on time. Successfully delivering a product on time involves many factors, and labeling is one of them. Read More

3PLs Flex Their Tech Muscle

May 4, 2020

By increasing visibility, flexibility, and accuracy, the latest technology pumps up 3PLs' ability to move, store, and fulfill shippers' orders—even amidst supply chain disruptions. Read More

How to Manage LTL Spend with a TMS

May 4, 2020

If you don't know how much your company spends on LTL shipments, you're not alone. Because of the complex nature of LTL moves and pricing, you may be overpaying and leaving margin dollars on the table. Read More

How IoT Can Optimize Overwhelmed Supply Chains

April 29, 2020 Ajay Rane, VP of Business Development, Sigfox

With more brick-and-mortar shops closing, there’s immense pressure on retailers to deliver much-needed supplies to individuals at home. The Internet of Things can help mitigate this risk and ensure supply chains operate as swiftly as possible.  Read More

COVID-19 Is Supply Chain’s Wake-Up Call

April 28, 2020 Brian Laung Aoaeh, CFA & Lisa Morales-Hellebo, Co-Founders of The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation and REFASHIOND Ventures

The power of centralized organizations must harness and unleash the strengths of decentralized communities to help beat COVID-19. Read More

Robots Arrive in Cars

April 22, 2020

The largest driver of growth in North American robot unit orders was a 50.5% increase in orders from automotive original equipment manufacturers. Read More

When Bad Things Happen to Good Supply Chains

April 20, 2020 Merrill Douglas

Importers can use these strategies to monitor potential risks to their supply chains, respond effectively when disruptions occur, and work proactively to avoid future disruptions. Read More

Replenishing the Fuel Supply Chain During COVID-19

April 17, 2020 Sid Gaitonde, SVP and GM, Global Logistics Solutions, PDI Software

How can organizations manage their fuel supply chain in the wake of a crisis, political upheaval, or natural disaster? It can be a complicated, costly endeavor if you don’t have the right technology partner and the proper resources. Read More

Now They Know

April 15, 2020 Keith Biondo

A fluid operational economy has many moving parts, but one thing is certain: Name any product from Amazon to Zappos, and none of it would flow without you. Read More

Flexing Muscle on China Trade Compliance

April 14, 2020 Keith Biondo

Inbound Logistics publisher Keith Biondo discusses whether e-commerce shipment enforcement will ensure that China complies with Phase 1 of the U.S.-China trade deal signed in January 2020. Read More

Accounting for Lean

April 14, 2020 Paul A. Myerson

Lean accounting coupled with a lean supply chain can ensure everyone is rowing in the same direction to reach the maximum, long-range goals and benefits of Lean thinking. Read More

Cultivating Raw Talent

April 9, 2020 Karen Kroll

This is how Stephanie Benedetto, co-founder and CEO of Queen of Raw, created a blockchain-enabled marketplace for unused materials that fosters profit and protects the planet. Read More

2020 Global Logistics Guide

April 8, 2020 Mike Ogle

Inbound Logistics' 2020 Global Logistics Guide provides an around-the-world look at the issues, opportunities, and concerns likely to affect global supply chain networks. Read More

7 Smart Steps to Minimize Risk

April 7, 2020 Gordon Cessford

The rewards in expanding to new markets can far outweigh the risks—especially if companies take smart steps to minimize their exposure to certain risks. Read More

There's No Business Like Shoe Business

April 7, 2020 Jennifer Baljko

Shoe retailer Shoe Station relies on Retail Pro 9 and other technology solutions to help employees provide top-of-the-line service and ensure customer satisfaction. Read More

Blockchain Pilots Aren't Landing

April 3, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Most supply chain blockchain initiatives will remain at the pilot stage through 2022, requiring a different approach before taking off. Read More

True Next Day—Why It Matters

April 2, 2020 Brian Bourke

As retailers compete for the perfect delivery experience and consumers continue to pay premiums for speed and reliability, last-mile delivery is key for growth and profitability.  Read More

Employee Engagement Is Your New Success Metric

April 2, 2020 John Leo Post, Co-Founder and Vice President of Product, Worklete

Globally, 85% of employees report that they’re not engaged at the workplace. Manufacturing, retail, and distribution teams can take these three steps to ensure that their employees thrive in their roles. Read More

COVID-19 Supply Chain Resource Hub

April 1, 2020 Inbound Logistics

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve created a resource hub to arm supply chain stakeholders with mission-critical data and ongoing guidance to overcome disruption and supply chain challenges. Read More

State of Retail Tech

March 31, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Equity funding to retail tech companies slowed globally in 2019, largely due to a slide in funding to e-commerce platforms. This is what retailers should watch for in 2020. Read More

Warehouse 2020

March 31, 2020 Sandra Beckwith

From materials handling workhorses to voice-activated picking systems and distribution center reconfigurations, let's take a look at the warehouse solutions powering e-commerce success. Read More

5 Steps to a Contract High

March 30, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Relationship contracts can benefit distribution in many different industry sectors—these five steps can help you put one into action. Read More

Automated Materials Handling Gets a Lift

March 30, 2020 Felecia Stratton

A labor market in which it is increasingly difficult to recruit, train, and retain workers is driving the growth of the automated materials handling equipment market in North America. Read More

Preparing for the New World of Work

March 27, 2020 Tony Sinton

The supply chain workplace of today faces significant disruption and begs the question: What should businesses be doing to embrace these changes? Read More

Finding a Strategic Supply Chain Partner

March 26, 2020 Andrés Lopera

Andrés Lopera, chief executive officer of LFS, discusses how reliable supply chain partners can help manufacturers tackle challenges and provide innovative solutions. Read More

The Global Economic Impact of COVID-19

March 25, 2020 Ken Hung, PhD, Chair and Professor of ISOM Department, Director of MS Business Analytics Program, Sawyer School of Business, Suffolk University

If you are better prepared than your competitors, you can open up new business opportunities when the next disruption comes. Read More

AI Powers Sustainable Manufacturing

March 23, 2020 Morgan Zimmermann

Artificial intelligence can help manufacturers meet sustainability targets, including a workforce of the future, global operations optimization, and value network orchestration. Read More

Robot Return Ratios

March 20, 2020 Keith Biondo

Inbound Logistics publisher Keith Biondo discusses how using robots to clearly monitor and better match demand to supply will pay huge dividends for retailers. Read More

Transporting Cars: RoRo or Containers

March 20, 2020 Christoph Seitz

Using containerization in place of the traditional roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) transport style can offer many advantages to drivers, automotive suppliers, and consumers. Read More

2020 Reading Guide

March 18, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Give yourself an excuse to stay inside and open up a book you've been meaning to read. These titles will help you catch up on the latest deep dives into the world of logistics. Read More

Atlanta Hits the Spot

March 17, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Atlanta, Georgia, is the easiest market to find spot truckload van freight in 2019, according to a DAT Solutions report. Take a look at the top 10 markets for outbound truckload freight by equipment type. Read More

Spotlight: Technology Innovations

March 17, 2020 Katrina Arabe

Take a look at the latest innovations enabling supply chain stakeholders to achieve instant booking, seamless collaboration, and increased visibility. Read More

Saving Green While Going Green

March 16, 2020 Graham Deane

Climate change is influencing how consumers decide to purchase products and choose partnerships. How can supply chain leaders incorporate green practices while maintaining profit margins? Read More

Surge Protector

March 16, 2020 Merrill Douglas

About 35 years ago, Mark Hogan left a successful career as an accountant to pursue a job in freight transportation. He hasn't looked back. Read More

Autonomous Ship: Maiden China?

March 16, 2020 Felecia Stratton

China's first unmanned cargo ship completed its test voyage in December 2019, marking a significant milestone in autonomous shipping.  Read More

Coronavirus Precautions

March 13, 2020 Jaclyn Ix

Manufacturers with primary and sub-tier suppliers near Wuhan, China, can use these five guidelines to plan ahead for any COVID-19 impact.  Read More

Crossing the Final-Mile Finish Line

March 12, 2020

E-commerce revenue in 2020 will reach $3.52 trillion—this explosion is forcing retailers to find faster and more convenient modes to reach the final mile. Read More

3PLs Do It All

March 12, 2020 Karen Kroll

Third-party logistics providers are future-proofing supply chains, using a toolbox filled with business insights, predictive capabilities, and other new solution sets. Read More

Incoterms 2020: Embracing the Rules

March 12, 2020 Jeff Simpson

If your company plans to use Incoterms, make sure your employees understand the requirements for both the buyer and the seller in each rule. When used correctly, these rules can help your business excel in international trade. Read More

I Like Big-Box and I Cannot Lie

March 11, 2020

Almost half of all small to mid-sized businesses decision-makers estimate an increase in shipping spend, and big-box retailers are influencing their strategy. Read More

Small Ports, Big Benefits

March 10, 2020 Sandra Beckwith

Smaller ports can often save time, lower costs, and provide superior customer service than larger coastal ports. Here are seven hidden advantages offered by ports off the beaten water path.  Read More

6 Supply Chain Risks Worth Taking

March 9, 2020 Karen Kroll

Supply chain professionals working in small and mid-sized businesses often operate with little margin for error. Taking calculated, thoughtful risks can pay off. Read More

Navigating Amazon's Move into Freight

March 9, 2020 Oren Zaslansky

Amazon's launching of a full-service freight brokerage has a number of implications for supply chain professionals—some obvious and some not so clear. Read More

7 Notable Women in Supply Chain & Logistics

March 6, 2020 Karen Kroll

Meet the women who are succeeding at high levels in their companies, driven by a passion for supply chain and logistics and the ability to untangle the spaghetti of information that drives business decisions. Read More

5 Ways to Manage Warehousing Requirements During Peak Periods

March 6, 2020 Thomas Eldridge Campbell

Managing peak period shipment volume is a structural challenge in the U.S. economy. Thomas Eldridge Campbell, chief strategy officer of Capacity, shares five techniques that can help warehouses maintain service level agreements during peak demand periods. Read More

Which ERP Trends Will Catch On in 2020?

March 5, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Next-generation enterprise resource planning (ERP) technologies have come to the forefront of supply chain management—here are three ERP trends to watch in 2020. Read More

Charging the Electronics Supply Chain

March 5, 2020 Karen Kroll

Electronics suppliers, distributors, and retailers address high-voltage challenges–from shorter product life cycles to price erosion and unpredictable tariffs—with technology and changing business processes.  Read More

How Is Coronavirus Impacting E-Commerce?

March 5, 2020 Joe Farrell, Vice President of International Operations, PFS

As the coronavirus continues to spread globally, new ramifications are revealed daily. How is the virus impacting e-commerce operations, and how can retailers respond? Read More

Taking a Dip Into Supply Chain Management

March 4, 2020 Karen Kroll

Frank Armetta, global vice president of supply chain with Sabra Dipping Company, discusses the hummus company's warehouse transformation, how he leads his team, and insight into his career journey. Read More

Technology Can Cure the Parcel Crisis at the Border

March 2, 2020 Bob Malley

The growth of e-commerce has driven global parcel shipping volume to an all-time high. Bob Malley, managing director at Pierbridge, explains why shippers have to streamline customs compliance to support their omnichannel strategy. Read More

Ten Minutes From Now—Do You Have a Plan?

February 28, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Inbound Logistics editor Felecia Stratton checks in with readers and reviews the practical information in the January 2020 issue that shippers can put to use right away. Read More

Stop, Thief! Five Ways to Protect Your Supply Chain

February 27, 2020 Michael Meeks

Your company can be exposed to unpredictable theft at any time, which can negatively impact your revenue and your reputation. Here are some simple tips to help protect your shipments, customers, and industry stature. Read More

Winning Moves for the Last Mile

February 27, 2020 Merrill Douglas

Take a look at the strategies that retailers and their service partners use to improve last-mile delivery for direct-to-consumer sales. Read More

You Have a Data Problem. Here’s What to Do About It.

February 26, 2020 Shannon Vaillancourt

From time to time, logistics managers may disagree on the path to take to get from Point A to Point B. But the fact of the matter is that there is just one best choice. And the key to determining that best choice is data. Read More

Keeping Your Eye on the Prize: What Formula One Can Teach Us About the RFP Process

February 24, 2020 Jonathan Evans

In both Formula One racing and bid management, a successful outcome takes more than a skilled driver or purchasing manager. It takes a reliable network, powerful technology, and rapid data exchange. Jonathan Evans, director of client solutions at Logistical Labs, discusses what Formula One racing can teach us about carrier procurement. Read More

Scale to Meet Your Needs

February 24, 2020 Jake McLeod

If you’re in logistics, you’re probably familiar with the highs and lows of supply and demand. Jake McLeod, chief commercial officer of RPM, shares how shippers and carriers can protect themselves during market volatility with scalability. Read More

Come Together: Logistics and the Sharing Economy

February 19, 2020 Jennifer Baljko

Need a warehouse or a truck? With the sharing economy, you have it. Today’s on-demand world is creating a new version of supply chain collaboration that helps startups gain access to an enterprise-grade fulfillment network without a long-term lease or massive investments. Read More

Conviction, Clarity, Compassion

February 14, 2020 Merrill Douglas

Bob Sappio starts his workday at 4:30 a.m. and sends LinkedIn messages to his team on Saturday night. He’s committed, passionate, and a straight shooter–and gives his all to SeaCube’s technological and cultural transformation. Read More

The Show Must Go On

February 13, 2020

Leaning on 30 years of experience shipping in Mexico, CFI delivered concert equipment for a well-known pop music group tour in North America. Read More

Formulating a Predictive Flow

February 12, 2020 Jennifer Baljko

BASF Corp.’s vision for the next six to 12 months is to continue to move from a proactive approach to predictive logistics and shipping operations. It expects operations to be about 80% predictive in 2020. But even that doesn’t go far enough these days. Read More

Let Data Lead the Way to Optimization

February 11, 2020 Chris Hoffmeister

Supply chain information is critical, and it’s far more than letting consumers know when their packages will arrive. Here's how to enable end-to-end visibility. Read More

Supply Chain AI: This Time It’s for Real

February 10, 2020 Paul A. Myerson

Artificial intelligence technology has been with us for a long time. What has changed recently is the power of computing, cloud-based service options, and the applicability of AI to supply chain and logistics. Read More

The Three Things You Can Teach Your Third-Party Logistics Provider

February 7, 2020 Robert Russo

Just because your logistics provider is the subject-matter expert doesn’t mean there isn’t anything they can learn from you. Here are three best practices that you can teach your logistics provider based on results from Port Jersey Logistics' annual client satisfaction survey. Read More

Mitigating the Flood of Post-Holiday Returns

February 6, 2020 Tray Anderson

The return process can be challenging, and often requires customized, manual, and labor-intensive handling and sorting practices. The good news? Innovative supply-side strategies can be used to develop solutions for a frictionless return process. Read More

Using Mentors and Technology to Close the Talent Gap

February 4, 2020 William Seidman, P.h.D, CEO and president of Cerebyte

New logistics technologies are arriving rapidly, but few organizations have the personnel to capitalize on the opportunities. This talent gap is a key reason so many digital transformation initiatives fail. Read More

Taking the Wheel of GM's Service Parts

January 22, 2020 Karen Kroll

Lisa Veneziano, GM's executive director of global aftersales supply chain, warehousing, and logistics, discusses her role and some of GM's best practices. Read More

IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions

January 21, 2020 Katrina Arabe

From the latest automated guided vehicle and asset-tracking device to the newest routes and software systems, here's what's new and notable in the supply chain. Read More

Artificial Intelligence Gets Real

January 17, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Read the key findings of a global research study in which 90% of respondents reported plans to implement AI in certain parts of their business. Read More

Growing a Green Supply Chain

January 16, 2020

Green is the new black in supply chains. Whether it's a conscious effort or the byproduct of streamlining your operations, going green can pay off. Read More

Drones Make the Medicine Go Down

January 15, 2020

UPS Flight Forward Inc. and CVS Pharmacy successfully completed the first revenue-generating drone delivery of a medical prescription to a consumer's home. Read More

Seeing Clearly: The Value of Visibility

January 14, 2020 Michael Burdiek

Few parts of the enterprise have transformed more radically over the years than supply chain as companies struggle to navigate global sourcing, just-in-time delivery models, and unprecedented customer expectations for product availability and delivery speed. Read More

The CX Files

January 13, 2020 Merrill Douglas

The truth is out there. Technology tools offer mindbending ways to delight retailers and their customers. And there's no conspiracy about that. Read More

Four Ways Reusables Benefit the Circular Economy

January 8, 2020 Aman Sangha

From faster, more frequent deliveries to specialty packaging, the way goods are handled and delivered has adapted and evolved. But change can come with consequences, and the amount of packaging waste due to e-commerce has skyrocketed. Read More

Supporting Women Behind the Wheel

January 6, 2020 Felecia Stratton

Two U.S. senators, working with the Women In Trucking Association, introduced legislation that would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to take a formal role in supporting women drivers. Read More

What's the Word?

January 2, 2020 Keith Biondo

We asked the experts in our audience for the hot supply chain words or phrases you and your colleagues will be talking in 2020. Here goes. Read More

VERTICAL FOCUS | Paper

December 26, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Whether paper companies are well positioned for further growth or still earning the right to grow, they can expect demand to increase for paper and board products over the next decade, according to McKinsey & Company.  Read More

2019 Airfreight Forwarders Guide

December 19, 2019

Need to move goods quickly? These airfreight partners offer speed and reliability with end-to-end solutions that ensure supply chain efficiency. Read More

5 Actions to Optimize Logistics Costs

December 18, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Logistics leaders face pressure from their stakeholders to optimize logistics costs while maintaining service and performance levels. Gartner Inc. identifies the following five actions to help you optimize costs from within your organization. Read More

China's Trade Outlook Declines as Air Drags

December 17, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Trade tensions between the United States and China have many repercussions, according to the DHL Global Trade Barometer, an early indicator of global trade developments calculated using artificial intelligence and big data analytics. Read More

TURBOCHARGED! Secrets of Expedited Shipping

December 17, 2019 Merrill Douglas

Whether next day or same day, consumers want things fast. In the broader supply chain world, though, some people call top speed—in the form of expedited shipping—a necessary evil. Here's how carriers move high-priority loads extra fast while holding down costs and keeping shippers in the loop. Read More

IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions

December 16, 2019 Katrina Arabe

From the latest automated guided vehicle and asset-tracking device to the newest routes and software systems, here's what's new and notable in the supply chain. Read More

Great Lakes Ports Stay on Course

December 16, 2019 Felecia Stratton

U.S. Great Lakes ports are on pace to beat 2018 cargo volumes following a robust September handling road salt, cement, stone, petroleum, and wind energy components, and supporting the region's construction activity and energy needs. Read More

It's Only Natural: The Challenges of Organic Food Logistics

December 13, 2019 Karen Kroll

Organic farmers face the same challenges as conventional farmers, as well as few more: the risks of contamination or commingling, as well as fraudulent competition. They’re addressing these challenges with technology and shifts in their supply chains.  Read More

Ensuring Supply Chain Visibility

December 12, 2019

In today's increasingly omnichannel marketplace, good visibility is vital throughout the supply chain. Here's how to maintain optimal visibility at 10 key touchpoints. Read More

Hidaka Forges Automated Inventory Solution

December 11, 2019 Karen Kroll

An unusually large customer order drives sheet metal fabrication company Hidaka to implement the Mobility Physical Inventory App from AIM Computer Solutions. Along with automating the inventory process, the solution provides accurate and timely information. Read More

Parts & Parcel

December 9, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Driven by an increase in e-commerce, global parcel volume grew from 74.4 billion shipments in 2017 to 87 billion last year. On average, 23 parcels per person were shipped globally, and 2,760 parcels were shipped every second, according to the Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index. Read More

The Death of Your Profession?

December 9, 2019 Keith Biondo

That's right, if you work in the supply chain management field, and have a decade or so until you retire, it's time to dust off your resume and consider other career paths. That's according to a Harvard Business Review article. Let's do an autopsy. Read More

Using Real-Time Tech to Mitigate Risk

December 5, 2019 Michael Affronti

Real-time technology can help shippers keep abreast of high-impact incidents around the world and provide extra time and context to activate their supply chain risk mitigation strategies. Read More

3PLs Add Value

December 4, 2019

Increasing consumer expectations, market uncertainty, and other recent trends, have only enhanced the value 3PLs bring to shippers. From technology innovations to process insights, here are the ways 3PLs unlock and increase supply chain efficiencies.  Read More

How Smarter, Stronger Supply Chains Improve the Customer Experience

December 2, 2019 Tom Maher

Companies today are increasingly leveraging digital technologies like artificial intelligence, deep learning, and machine learning to build smarter supply chain operations. Here's how they can turn data into real insights that improve efficiency and boost customer service. Read More

Reader Profile: Ashley Tyrner's Vision Bears Fruit

November 29, 2019 Karen Kroll

Farmbox Direct Founder and CEO Ashley Tyrner sources fresh organic and natural produce, forms partnerships with farmers, works with shipping companies, and designs produce boxes that customers receive.  Read More

Five Tips to Achieve Career Success

November 27, 2019 Debbie Lentz

The beauty of working within the supply chain is that it touches nearly every aspect of a business, which opens up huge career opportunities. Here are five tips for achieving supply chain career success: Read More

How to Use Expedited Service for Painless Shipping to Mexico

November 25, 2019

For U.S. companies, cross-border regulations, varying border operating hours, and differing procedures for both import and export may complicate shipping and cause significant supply chain delays. One way to manage the complexity is by using an expedited carrier. Read More

Maritime Logistics in Ship Shape

November 25, 2019 Karen Kroll

While the prospect of higher tariffs and the cost of low-sulfur fuel requirements pose concerns for the maritime industry, it's forging ahead with bigger, more automated seaports, as well as technology that improves visibility, reduces its environmental impact, and streamlines operations. Read More

Why Freight Rail Needs Reform

November 22, 2019 Eric R. Byer and Mark M. Fisher

Questionable demurrage policies and charges and the move toward precision scheduled railroading are making freight rail a less desirable option. Read More

The Logistics of Liquidation

November 21, 2019 Merrill Douglas

When a customer returns a product, or a company clears unsold merchandise off the shelves, that's the start of an uphill climb in search of maximum value recovery. Read More

E-Commerce Fulfillment: No Pain, No Gain

November 20, 2019 Jennifer Baljko

Sporting goods maker Escalade Sports transforms its supply chain to capture e-commerce growth, improve customer service levels, and better manage inventory and demand planning. Read More

IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions

November 15, 2019 Katrina Arabe

From recently introduced materials handling products to notable facilities and service upgrades, here's a quick rundown of supply chain news.  Read More

Halloween: A Scary Supply Chain

November 13, 2019 Katrina Arabe

Trick-or-treating may be done for the year, but this infographic resurrects the consumer haunts and hauls of Halloween 2019. Read More

A Greener Supply Chain

November 12, 2019 Maureen Malia, Global Sustainability Manager, BDP International

Reducing your supply chain carbon footprint makes sense — ethically and financially. Read More

10 Tips: Tackling E-Commerce Shipping

November 6, 2019 Melissa Runge, Vice President of Analytical Solutions, Spend Management Experts

E-commerce is quickly becoming a part of our everyday lives – putting pressure on retailers. Here are tips to help e-commerce shippers keep costs down and customers happy. Read More

Inside Supply Chain Innovation

November 4, 2019 Felecia Stratton

What are the top supply chain differentiators and innovation drivers? According to the findings of BluJay Solutions' Focus on Customer Experience: Research on Supply Chain Priorities and Investments report, they include these four areas: Read More

Barriers to Scalable IIoT Execution

November 1, 2019 Felecia Stratton

By providing visibility into the assets and processes that historically had no data feedback loop, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has allowed manufacturing organizations to leverage their incoming data to implement crucial initiatives such as condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. Read More

Calm Before the Storm

October 30, 2019

Even if you're not located in a hurricane impact area, your company can still experience business disruptions if a customer, supplier, or transportation route is affected. In the downtime between storms, take these crucial steps to help prevent supply chain disruption. Read More

3PLs: Responsive, Cost-Effective, and Green

October 28, 2019 Felecia Stratton

The modern supply chain is complex, and in order for the world's leading companies to deliver their goods and services in an expedient, cost-conscious, and environmentally friendly fashion, they are increasingly turning to 3PLs. Learn about these themes and other insights from a 2020 Third-Party Logistics Study. Read More

10 Tips: Optimizing the Last Mile

October 22, 2019 Brian Chan, Product Manager, UNEX Manufacturing

Doing last-mile logistics correctly leads to repeat business and loyal customers, but final-mile processes involve more than just a truck and driver. Read More

5 Tips for Choosing a Logistics Provider

October 21, 2019 Vincent Touya, Managing Director, Dachser USA

Selecting a logistics provider is a critical business decision, especially during times of global volatility and evolving marketplaces.  Read More

Kicking the Tires on an IoT Solution

October 18, 2019 Tom Gresham

Tire manufacturer Michelin is a shipper with a massive global footprint and complex demands. With headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin operates 121 production facilities in 17 countries; those facilities produced approximately 190 million tires in 2017. With a presence in 170 countries, distributing products across the globe is a challenging and sophisticated operation. Read More

Sensing a Supply Chain Career

October 17, 2019 Merrill Douglas

Rising through the leadership ranks at Ryder System, Steve Sensing stays resilient and collaborative, while always maintaining a sense of humor. Read More

Automated Bidding Tools Benefit Shippers, 3PLs, and Carriers

October 17, 2019 Brian Thompson

At the start of a new year, it’s common for shippers striving for an optimized supply chain to review their carrier options to make sure they use the ideal mix of freight transportation providers. In 2019, this bidding business has lasted the entire year, as shippers and 3PLs look to take advantage of a softer freight market to secure better pricing and service. Read More

2019 – The Year of Brazilian Trade

October 15, 2019 Sergio Segovia, President, Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil)

With the it’s natural resources, innovative businesses, and creative mindset, Brazil has catapulted to the front of the international trade frontier Read More

The View From the Control Tower

October 15, 2019 Paul A. Myerson

The leading-edge way to manage your short- to mid-term global supply chain in real time (or close to it), is through a control tower that utilizes technology, organization, and processes that capture product movement visibility from the supplier all the way to the customer. Read More

An Enterprising Change

October 11, 2019 Keith Biondo

A small change in Inbound Logistics' tag line – from logistics to enterprises – recognizes the massive business shift in the way shippers drive excellence. Read More

JetBlue Ups Its Cargo Game

October 11, 2019

As part of its plan to gradually expand cargo operations, JetBlue will partner with Miami-based consultancy Aeronex Cargo. Read More

2019 Trucking Perspectives

October 10, 2019 Merrill Douglas

Inbound Logistics' exclusive survey of shippers and truckers reveals where the wind is blowing in the trucking industry today. Read More

Carriers Cough Up Hiring Fee

October 10, 2019

As part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse rule, trucking companies soon will be required to pay the agency a fee prior to hiring each driver—in addition to an annual fee for currently employed drivers. Read More

CPG Brands Find Their Place Online

October 9, 2019 Sandra Beckwith

How CPG brands large and small meet the needs of evolving customers who crave product information, access, and near-instant gratification. Read More

(Not So) Forever 21

October 8, 2019

Major fashion retailer Forever 21 has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to shut down hundreds of stores. Read More

How to Detox the Pharma Supply Chain

October 8, 2019 Karen Kroll

Advances in technology, new regulations, and more personalized medicine can make managing pharmaceutical supply chains a tough pill to swallow. Successful supply chains leverage new IT, share information, and embrace change. Read More

Maersk, Blackbuck Create Containerized Trucking Platform

October 8, 2019

To help India’s government reach its goal of reducing logistics costs from 14% of the GDP to less than 9% by 2022, integrated container logistics company Maersk is partnering with BlackBuck, India’s largest online trucking marketplace. Read More

Warehouse Automation Growing, But For How Long?

October 7, 2019

New research from market intelligence firm Interact Analysis finds that, during the past few years, the warehouse automation market has seen double-digit growth rates driven in part by the rise of e-commerce and omni-channel retail. Here's what you need to know. Read More

SMBs and E-Commerce

October 7, 2019 Merrill Douglas

Here's a look at the strategies that small- and medium-sized retailers use to help them thrive despite competiton from much larger companies. Read More

The IoT Supply Chain of the Future

October 4, 2019 Lee Stacey, Product Evangelist at Thingstream

There's no denying it: the supply chain will be changing in the coming years. Here's what you need to know to stay ahead of the transformation. Read More

2019 Top 100 Truckers

October 4, 2019

Inbound Logistics’ annual Top 100 Truckers directory offers an in-depth review of carriers that match shippers’ diverse and demanding needs. Read More

Managing Logistics Chaos With the Next Wave of Artificial Intelligence

October 2, 2019 Amit Shah, Vice President, Enterprise Analytics and IoT at Nokia

Most of us have heard of the “Butterfly Effect" — the phenomenon where the flapping of butterfly wings in one location can affect how weather plays out in a distant location. This is an example of nonlinear system behavior, or how a small change in conditions in one location can result in large changes in another. Logistics transportation systems behave the same when they are running near capacity. Read More

FSVP Inspections Are Underway—Is Your Foreign Food Supplier Ready?

September 30, 2019 David Isaacson, Sr. Director, Product Marketing, ETQ

To combat foreign foodborne illnesses, the U.S. government recently introduced regulations to hold importers accountable for what is brought into the United States and sold to American consumers: The Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). Here, we examine the FSVP and what U.S.-based importers need to know to consistently and effectively ensure compliance. Read More

How to Maintain Composure When Trucking Capacity Changes

September 27, 2019 Ryan Martin, Sr. Dir., Ryder Dedicated Transportation Solutions

Loosening capacity means spot market rates are down 20% on average, which can be a tempting proposition for shippers, despite inherent volatility. On the other hand, a tougher pricing environment means trucking company failures are rising at an alarming rate. Read More

Carrier Relationships: Core Carrier, Long Term, or Bid?

September 24, 2019 Tim Studebaker

With today's volatile markets and ever-increasing consumer demands, a reliable, cost-effective carrier network is more important than ever. Developing collaborative relationships with at least a handful of highly aligned carriers will often result in better service and rates; however the right mix of carrier relationships will look different for every shipper. Read More

M&A: What You Need To Know

September 23, 2019 Eric Mautner

If youu want to sell your business, understanding the most common hurdles and key considerations in completing this transaction is crucial. This guide will help you prepare for the transitions ahead.  Read More

Selecting a TMS

September 23, 2019

For those involved in the management of freight movement, selecting the best Transportation Management System or TMS is a crucial decision. Here are 10 tips on evaluating a TMS for your firm. Read More

The Transformer

September 23, 2019 Merrill Douglas

Michelle Dilley energizes her company by challenging the status quo, standing her ground, and allowing her team to make mistakes. Read More

Debbie Lentz Goes For It

September 23, 2019 Karen Kroll

Debbie Lentz, president of global supply chain for Electrocomponents plc., reveals why you should leave your ego at the door, be transparent with your team members, and go with the flow. Read More

I Was a Shipment at Disney

September 19, 2019 Keith Biondo

On a recent trip to Disney World with my family, I felt like one of the shipments you manage. I experienced firsthand the recent technological magic Disney has invested in. Here's what I came away with.  Read More

Nestlé's Tasty Tactics for a Greener Supply Chain

September 19, 2019 Isabel Blake

In a revitalized committment to ecofriendly practices, Nestlé has created a goal of reaching zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To be sustainable, though, the company is going to need to make some major changes within its supply chain. Read More

Culture Builder

September 19, 2019 Merrill Douglas

Dante Fornari, CEO of Magnate Worldwide, discusses the importance of culture and collaboration when building a successful team. Read More

Seeking Autonomy

September 18, 2019

What factors go into creating a successful supply chain? According to the EY Americas Supply Chain Reinvention Survey 2019, which surveyed senior-level supply chain executives on topics ranging from adopting technology, retaining leadership and talent, and prioritizing investment to supporting sustainability, here are the notable trends. Read More

The State of Logistics

September 17, 2019

CSCMP's annual State of Logistics Report presents an overview of the economy during the past year, key logistics trends, and the total U.S. logistics costs for 2018 (see chart). Here are sometop takeaways. Read More

Training: The Hidden Value-Add

September 17, 2019 Gabrielle Griffith

As a transportation and logistics professional, not only are you accountable for your company's internal compliance with these laws and regulations, but you are also accountable for supporting your customers' compliance initiatives. Offering trade compliance knowledge to your customers, whether conversationally or via tools, is a tremendous value-add to helping them achieve their reasonable care goals. Read More

Building Brand Love

September 16, 2019 Mike Ogle

Much like a good theater tech crew, your supply chain operates out of view but can have a tremendous impact on what happens onstage. Maximizing supply chain efficiency can ripple all the way up to your customers' unboxing process and create a lasting brand impression. Read More

Collaboration Grows Freight Economy

September 16, 2019 Mary C. Lamie

At the heart of St. Louis' strategy to advance as a global trade hub is a focus on collaboration to strengthen and promote the region's already robust freight network. Read More

4 Steps to Streamline Global Shipping

September 13, 2019 Anne Sexton

For global manufacturers, managing logistics and carriers across locations, countries, and regions is no easy task, particularly given the current unpredictable business environment. But while shippers can't control fickle global relations, they need not be at their mercy. Read More

How to Choose a TMS

September 12, 2019 George Kontoravdis, PhD

 If you're seeking a comprehensive, effective TMS solution, these are the steps you need to complete.  Read More

Destination: The Corner Office

September 12, 2019 Tamara Chapman

Supply chain pros with sights set on a corner office would do well to expand their skill sets and seek job experiences that prepare them for complexity. Read More

Supply Chains in Peril: What We Learned from Hurricane Dorian

September 11, 2019 Vice President of Customer Supply Chain, GlobalTranz

There’s no perfect playbook for weathering a disaster like Hurricane Dorian. But a resilient and flexible supply chain that can handle pivots is what makes the difference between operations that can pick back up and those that are left in disarray. Read More

2019 Top 100 3PLs

September 11, 2019

Providing innovative and reliable supply chain solutions, these 3PL providers drive home the goods. These are the 100 companies Inbound Logistics editors selected as the best of the best. Read More

E-Commerce Raises the Snack Bar

September 11, 2019 Karen Kroll

To succeed in today's competitive marketplace, brands need to deliver a strong, direct-to-consumer experience across all their e-commerce and physical platforms, including social media, online marketplaces, website, and brick-and-mortar stores. Read More

3PL Power

September 10, 2019 Merrill Douglas

Whether brand new, solidly up and running, or decades old, shipper-3PL partnerships thrive on open communications, flexibility and trust. Read More

The Nexus Way

September 9, 2019

Nexus is a third-party logistics provider offering customized warehousing solutions and multi-modal transportation services. Read More

Robots and WMS: Living in a Materials World

September 9, 2019 Jennifer Baljko

Material Bank connects interior designers and architects with material manufacturers by streamlining the complex sampling process with the made4net’s warehouse management solution. Read More

Reinventing Logistics in the Age of Amazon

September 6, 2019 Ryan Webber

Today’s logistics environments must consider a vast, widely dispersed, wildly complex maze of workflows. As legacy systems are rarely up to the task, today’s e-tailers should seek to improve their entire supply chain – from the warehouse to the hands of the consumer. Read More

Triple E Supply Chain

September 4, 2019

If you want to apply for the ASCM Enterprise Certification, you need to institute a "triple E" supply chain. But what, exactly, does that entail? Read More

Consolidation Is an Easy Way to Make a Big Difference

September 3, 2019 Kyle Hugo

Consolidation isn't just for larger companies anymore; it's becoming an increasingly more accessible and viable option for any supply chain. While consolidation has seen rapid advancement in an effort to remedy service-sensitive relationships or tough network segments, the advantages are universal and can be applied to inbound, vendor, and pool distribution networks—each sharing five big advantages listed here. Read More

Stop, Thief!

August 30, 2019

TT Club and BSI have issued the second edition of their report on global cargo theft, the first to cover a full year. Check out this news item to review their findings. Read More

12 Tips to Identify Quality Suppliers

August 27, 2019

When most buyers plan to select a new supplier, they are usually tempted to focus on the best price. But shaving a few cents off the product price is no help if the quality is below standard or the component does not arrive when you need it. Read More

2019 Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards

August 23, 2019

The Inbound Logistics audience has stamped it license-plate official: These top-tier third-party logistics providers deserve accolades and the distinction of being a Top 10 3PL. Read More

3PL Growth Spurt. Why?

August 22, 2019 Keith Biondo

The managed logistics sector thrives both in times of positive change and in times of uncertainty. We've recently had plenty of both. In today's bipolar economy, it's no wonder that U.S. 3PLs had their best-ever year in 2018. Read More

3PL Perspectives 2019

August 20, 2019 Merrill Douglas

What does the road ahead look like for shippers and logistics service providers? In our 14th annual 3PL market research report, Inbound Logistics explores potential speed bumps and market movers. Read More

Don’t Forget to QC Your Logistics

August 13, 2019 Al Brenner, Co-owner, Altraco

While manufacturing quality goods is often the first thought when it comes to quality control, breaks in quality at other points in the supply chain cause issues as well. Read More

Data Management—Vital Today!

August 9, 2019 Robert Walters

There are value points in managing information gathered from a strong TMS system that can also provide a solid pre-audit program to double check accuracy of bills before payment. Read More

U.S. - Canada: Going the Distance

August 8, 2019

For all the political rhetoric on the international stage as governments and economies change, the relationship between the United States and Canada remains extraordinarily civil and cooperative Read More

How Tech Keeps Talent

August 6, 2019 Jack Kennedy, CEO, Platform Science

Technology is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to transportation and logistics, but smart implementation is key. Read More

Operating a Purpose-Driven Supply Chain

August 6, 2019 Pervinder Johar

For global brands that source raw materials, move products through global supply chains across borders and ultimately deliver a product or experience to a customer, understanding the impact of a supply chain is incredibly valuable. Read More

Filling the Manufacturing Skills Gap

August 5, 2019 Pete Butler

The manufacturing skills gap may leave a projected 2.4 million positions open in the coming decade, with a potential economic impact of $2.5 trillion. How can manufacturers prepare and fill positions with qualified individuals? What training and ongoing education strategies will enable the necessary skills? Read More

Port of Savannah: Meet Me in St. Louis

August 2, 2019

The St. Louis Regional Freightway and the Port of Savannah are forging a partnership to create a new connection between the St. Louis region and the largest single-terminal container facility in the western hemisphere. Read More

The Road to Route Planning

August 1, 2019

Customers in the digital era expect deliveries to be reliable, fast, and transparent; they want to be able to track a delivery, even when it takes only a few hours to reach them. Route planning can help meet this demand. Read More

Communicating in Real Time, All the Time

July 31, 2019 Merrill Douglas

Scott Pruneau relishes the pace of change in logistics and embraces the daily opportunities to meet new challenges with resilience, empathy, and constant communication. Read More

How SMB Warehouses Can Ramp Up Agility

July 23, 2019 Mike Lowey, retail industry specialist, Brother Mobile Solutions

Making the most of advanced mobile printers and strategically located stationary printers can help small and medium-size businesses strengthen their competitive edge. Read More

Conflicted

July 22, 2019 Keith Biondo

As a culture, are we really committed to sustainability? Yes and no. Read More

Subcoms Focused on the Future

July 19, 2019

In a retail environment focused on customer experience and convenience, subscription commerce (subcom) companies are maintaining a foothold. Read More

Technology Trends You Can't Ignore

July 18, 2019

Strategic technology trends have the potential to drive significant disruption and deliver significant opportunity. Enterprise architecture and technology innovation leaders must evaluate these trends to identify opportunities, counter threats, and create competitive advantage. Read More

5 Supply Chain Myths—Busted

July 17, 2019 Tamara Chapman

Like any industry segment, the supply chain offers fertile ground for myths to propagate. Here are five of the most persistent supply chain myths, along with the thorough debunking they deserve. Read More

75 Green Supply Chain Partners

July 16, 2019

Inbound Logistics’ annual G75 features a carefully curated list of 75 logistics companies that go above and beyond to maintain sustainable, eco-friendly supply chains and operations. Read More

Getting the Yard in Ship Shape

July 12, 2019 Jennifer Baljko

When Newell Brands Inc. experienced truckload loading issues, costly shipping and driver detention rates, transportation inefficiencies, and a lack of electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, it turned to a third-party logistics provider. Read More

Can Your Supply Chain Turn on a Dime?

July 11, 2019

According to the EY Americas Supply Chain Reinvention Survey 2019, 53% of respondents say fast-changing customer preferences require supply chains that can turn on a dime. Read More

Losing Waste, Finding Value

July 10, 2019 Karen Kroll

Michael Wasson, chief operations officer with Tosca, conquers the complexities of the reusable packaging supply chain. Read More

Who’s Paying for Free Shipping?

July 10, 2019 Jeff Burkett, Director, Harris Williams Transportation & Logistics Group

Amazon sees the value of investing in fast, “free” delivery. Tomorrow’s leading retailers and 3PLs do, too. Read More

Blowing in the Wind

July 9, 2019

If a transportation route, supplier, customer, or other essential supply chain partner is located in an area at high risk for hurricanes, then your business could risk a major disruption. Read More

Is Your IoT Deployment Secure?

July 8, 2019

Transportation and logistics companies recognize they must strengthen their approaches to cybersecurity but are not yet taking the practical steps to safeguard their industrial IoT deployments Read More

Automation Innovation

July 4, 2019 Karen Kroll

Innovations in material handling solutions are helping shippers cut costs and boost accuracy. Read More

Safe & Sound

July 3, 2019 Merrill Douglas

This story examines the labor management challenges associated with warehouse safety and recommends some best practices. Read More

Making Space for Intermodal

July 3, 2019

Projects that boast intermodal access provide advantages for everyone involved. The keys to effective intermodal sites can be narrowed to a combination of location and physical accommodations. CenterPoint and Duke Realty are among those who have developed intermodal facilities that have proved attractive to shippers, while the TexAmericas Center is exploring the development of an intermodal site for the Texarkana area. Read More

SAP Requests an Uber

June 28, 2019

With a goal to modernize freight transportation through intelligent process automation and better access to a network of connected and reliable drivers, SAP SE and Uber Freight have teamed up. Read More

Your Next Walmart Run: Don't Forget the AI

June 27, 2019

A Walmart Neighborhood Market in Levittown, New York, featuring artificial intelligence-enabled cameras, interactive displays, and a massive data center is the retailer's new Intelligent Retail Lab (IRL). Read More

How to Get Profitable Insights from Fleet Data

June 26, 2019 Oswaldo Flores, Marketing & Product Manager for Transportation, Safety and Compliance, Teletrac Navman

The sheer abundance of fleet data can be overwhelming, and many companies struggle to derive actionable insights from it. Here's how to bring context and derive insight from the plethora of data that comes from ELDs, dashcams, and other trucking technologies. Read More

Addressing the Most Pressing Needs of the Warehouse

June 25, 2019 John Carroll

Sectors such as food and beverage, industrial, and cold storage emphasize using data and metrics to improve efficiency, and loading dock control systems such as Serco Digital Master Control Panels can play a crucial role in that pursuit. Read More

Time to Stop Hating the 'A' Word

June 19, 2019 Kevin Beasley

The Amazons of the world are changing the way small and mid-sized business owners sell and distribute their products, which businesses can use to their advantage. Read More

Managing Change in Turbulent Times

June 18, 2019 Paul A. Myerson

The rules that keep goods moving across borders are only going to get more complex. Staying compliant, let alone keeping track and making sense of scores of countries’ customs and compliance rules, international trade agreements, and a host of new pacts that will soon be coming online is a daunting task. Read More

Four Tips for TMS Buyers

June 17, 2019 David Basic, Director of TMS Sales, WSI

Shippers and intermediaries of all sizes can benefit greatly from the increased functionality and simplified processes offered by a TMS. Read More

Help From Your Warehouse

June 17, 2019 Keith Biondo

A series of convergent events are raising national supply chain costs at every touch but investing in processes and people, and aligning with phenomenal logistics partners will offset a good measure of the costs and increase customer satisfaction. Read More

No Challenge Too Great

June 14, 2019

Milestone’s Mobile Warehousing & Storage (MW&S) solution enables a manufacturer to create an efficient distribution process with timely deliveries as drivers did not have to wait for each other and transfer loads between trailers. Read More

2019 YMS Guide

June 14, 2019

Better manage your yard operations with this comprehensive guide. We showcase the providers and systems leading the market. Read More

Cutting Transportation Costs

June 12, 2019

Transportation market volatility stems from an inevitable pendulum swing between a buyer's and a seller's market. Here are some innovative ways to reduce transport costs. Read More

Choosing a TMS: How to Make the Right Move

June 12, 2019 Tom Gresham

What features do you need? What benefits are you looking to gain? How much should you spend? Answering these questions while managing the implementation process prudently is crucial to selecting the right transportation management system for your organization. Read More

Bringing Logistics In-House

June 11, 2019 Guy Bloch, CEO of Bringg

Without an in-house delivery option, enterprises are often held back if they rely on external providers, especially if they’re only using one. Read More

2019 TMS Buyer's Guide

June 3, 2019

Take your transportation operations to the next level with this handy guide. We showcase the providers and systems leading the market. Read More

Soy to the World

May 17, 2019 Eric Woodie

The longer the trade tensions between the United States and other countries persist, the more the U.S. agricultural industry needs to rally around containerized soybean shipping to overseas markets. Read More

Can You See Me Now?

May 13, 2019 Karen Kroll

New technologies including blockchain and IoT, as well as advances in existing tools such as RFID, are helping companies gain greater supply chain visibility. Read More

On-Demand, One Package at a Time

May 10, 2019 Merrill Douglas

From launching Silver Top Taxi service in the 1980s, which morphed into Silver Top Delivery, to running American Expediting today, Victor Finnegan puts his entrepreneurial spirit and business expertise to work to move thousands of packages a day, one delivery at a time. Read More

Choose Your Own E-Venture

May 10, 2019 Gary Wollenhaupt

With e-commerce fulfillment as their endgame, retailers are making their move. From stepping up automation to strategically setting up DCs and integrating inventories, here's how retailers chart a path to e-tail success. Read More

Alaska: The Last Frontier

May 8, 2019

In this extraordinary state, the logistics challenges are substantial but so are the solutions. Up to the challenge: logistics service providers who overcome the obstacles and pave the way for thriving supply chains. Read More

Securing Truckload Capacity

May 7, 2019

2019 promises continued growth and above-average truckload demand. While there are no shortcuts to fixing the capacity gap, shippers can take steps to ensure their freight moves on time. Read More

Don't Gamble With Trade Compliance

May 6, 2019 Rick Brumett

Recent trends in tariffs, enforcement, and e-commerce shipping complicate the international trade landscape. To avoid significant fines, businesses must learn to dot every i and cross every t in the compliance process. Even existing allowances and privileges are being threatened, challenged, or taken away from shippers who violate trade regulations, creating an immediate threat to profitability. Read More

China Turns Attention to Logistics

May 1, 2019

China is thinking logistics. To prioritize market growth, improve productivity, and reduce costs, the country plans to build 30 high-tech logistics hubs by 2020. Read More

The Leader of the Pack

April 30, 2019 Jennifer Baljko

To meet e-commerce demand for quick deliveries, accessories company Randa finds a solution that enables it to pick, pack, and ship orders in less than two hours. Read More

dexFreight Offers Early Bird Special

April 29, 2019

U.S. shippers, carriers, brokers, and forwarders interested in receiving exclusive access to early release versions of the dexFreight decentralized, blockchain-based logistics platform, can participate in the company's Early Adopters Program. Read More

Planning for Unplanned Spend

April 26, 2019

2017 and 2018 saw an uptick in unplanned spending as companies struggled with new trucking regulations, brutal weather, and tariff changes Read More

ERP Drives ROI

April 22, 2019

In the past, studies have shown a lack of success in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations. But those statistics may be out of date. Read More

The 8th M for Supply Chain Success

April 22, 2019 Tom McAllister, Managing Partner, Brightlight Services, LLC

Considering adding the “M” of Mission into your corporate evaluation metrics. It may give you the winning edge. Read More

Let’s Get Digital

April 18, 2019

Transitioning to a cloud-based platform with real-time visibility and automation capabilities is crucial for retailers to maintain full control of their supply chains. Yet 85 percent of U.S. retailers haven’t digitized their supply chains, finds research from Gravity Supply Chain Solutions. Read More

AMH Equipment Gets a Lift

April 18, 2019

The Automated Material Handling (AMH) equipment market is expected to reach $53.59 billion by 2024, according to a Research and Markets report. One major motivator behind the market boost is a growing presence of start-up companies that employ robotic solutions for warehouse automation. Read More

Southeast Asia Connects

April 17, 2019

Southeast Asian nations Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam are among the most connected companies in the world, beating expectations by the widest margins. Read More

2019 Global Logistics Guide

April 17, 2019 Mike Ogle

Inbound Logistics' 15th annual Global Logistics Guide provides an around-the-world look at the issues, opportunities, and concerns likely to affect global supply chain networks. Read More

Transport Companies Mail It In

April 17, 2019

In 2018, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) spent nearly $16 billion on outside purchases, and six of its top 10 contractors provide transportation services or equipment (see chart), according to Husch Blackwell’s annual Top 150 U.S. Postal Service Suppliers list. Read More

Dan Martin: Emotional Quotient

April 15, 2019 Merrill Douglas

Dan Martin's leadership philosophy encompasses building a collaborative leadership team, staying close to the customer, and acknowledging that failure can be as important to career development as success. Read More

Omnichannel Retail: 4 Rules for Success

April 15, 2019 Paul A. Myerson

While it’s not possible to be truly omniscient when it comes to omnichannel retail and your supply chain, it is possible to try to anticipate some of the challenges ahead. Read More

Global Trade Resilience

April 12, 2019 Keith Biondo

Global trade analysts predicted the sky was falling, but that is not currently the case. How did they get the projections so wrong? Read More

The Tricks Of Trade

April 12, 2019 Beth Pride

5 regions and countries that merit serious thought by any company doing business globally. Read More

Today's Distribution Center: You Say You Want an Evolution?

April 11, 2019 Karen Kroll

Today's distribution centers provide far more than just short-term storage and cross-docking. By locating closer to urban areas, leveraging technology, and adding amenities to attract skilled workers, DCs are morphing to accommodate e-commerce demands and rapid delivery expectations. Read More

Georgia: The Logistics Advantage

April 11, 2019

Georgia, a leading point of origin for companies to move products to their customers, has an inherent geographical advantage that is enhanced by a superior infrastructure and its status as home to many of the leading logistics companies and practitioners anywhere in the world. Read More

Optimizing a 3PL Partnership

April 11, 2019 Perry Belcastro, Senior Vice President, Operations, Saddle Creek Logistics Services

Taking time to invest in a strong relationship with your third-party logistics (3PL) provider can have a remarkable return on investment for your business. Read More

Trends: Robots on the March

April 8, 2019

A growing number of warehousing and logistics companies are incorporating robots to remain competitive in a market driven in large part by consumers that demand rapid fulfillment. Read More

Trends: Intermodal's High Five

April 4, 2019

Full-year results for intermodal freight are the strongest in five years, finds the Intermodal Association of North America's (IANA) Q4 and year-end Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report. Read More

Checking In: Knowledge is Power

April 2, 2019 Keith Biondo

What supply chain professionals can do to ensure that the skill set you've cultivated over the years is transferred to the next generation of practitioners. Read More

IT Matters: Time to Get Cracking on Compliance

April 2, 2019 Doug Surrett

As the global marketplace expands and countries start to flex their economic muscle, the rules that keep goods moving across borders will only get more complex. How can your company keep up? Read More

GPA's Triple Crown

March 28, 2019 Felecia Stratton

The Georgia Ports Authority’s Big Berth/Big Ship program will allow the Port of Savannah to simultaneously handle six 14,000 TEU vessels by 2024. Read More

The Future of Trucking Rides on Employee Experience

March 28, 2019 Robert O’Dwyer, Logistics Industry Principal, Kronos Incorporated

Carriers are investing in process and technology improvements to attract more skilled workers as well as training and promoting drivers willing to adapt to fill roles augmented by the future needs of the industry. Read More

The Next Frontier in LTL Education

March 27, 2019 Brian Thompson

In the first-of- its-kind LTL certification program, SMC³ hopes to share its lifetime of LTL expertise with shippers, 3PLs, carriers, freight forwarders, and future supply chain leaders. Read More

Looking Forward to it

March 27, 2019 Johan Jemdahl, Greencarrier AB

Here are seven global logistics trends that will impact freight forwarding in the next few years. Read More

Costco Chickens Out

March 26, 2019 Fred Knapp/NET Nebraska

The big box retailer is building a farm-to-table production system to ensure a steady supply of rotisserie chickens. Read More

Sustainability's Missing Link

March 26, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Economic performance is the top-ranking corporate sustainability priority for the majority of organizations, reveals a global survey of supply chain decision makers. When directly asked whether profitability or sustainability is more important, however, 60 percent give equal priority to these objectives, with another 25 percent leaning towards sustainability. Read More

Port of Wilmington's Darling Clementines

March 26, 2019 Felecia Stratton

The Port of Wilmington, Delaware, has set a record for the largest single shipment of fresh Moroccan citrus received by the port, with more than 1.75 million boxes of cargo. Read More

Ryder Redefines the Smart Warehouse

March 25, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Supply chain solutions provider Ryder System has successfully transformed its smart warehouses in the Miami, Dallas, and Chicago markets. The facilities feature the four technologies Ryder defines as definitive benchmarks of an effective smart warehouse. Read More

Take Two Tablets

March 25, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Most retail store associates believe that if they are equipped with tablets, they could provide better customer service and improve the shopping experience, according to the results of Zebra Technologies Corporation's 11th annual Global Shopper Study, which analyzes the attitudes, opinions, and expectations of shoppers, retail associates, and retail decision makers. Read More

Pursuing Eco-Efficient Logistics

March 25, 2019 Ray Hatch, President and CEO, Quest Resource Management

2019 will bring even more pressure—and opportunity—to address eco-efficiency within logistics. Read More

Panama Canal Keeps the Faith

March 22, 2019 Felecia Stratton

The Panama Canal welcomed its 5,000th Neopanamax vessel through the waterway, reaffirming the value and impact the route has had on global maritime trade. Read More

What, Me Worry?

March 21, 2019 Ryan Duguid, Chief Evangelist, Nintex

Manufacturing professionals are among the most aware of industry change due to automation, finds The State of Intelligent Process Automation from Nintex. The survey of manufacturing workers finds that 75 percent don't harbor concern for job security amid the rise of new technologies.  Read More

 CPG Success: Top-Shelf Solutions

March 21, 2019 Karen Kroll

 To succeed in a challenging omnichannel marketplace, successful CPG businesses are reaching for efficient manufacturing operations and new supply chain and transportation models. Read More

 Is Your Supply Chain Ready for 2019?

March 20, 2019 Jeff Lau

 Some of the most relevant topics in today's headlines—technology, commerce, international relations, the legal landscape, and even immigration policy—will impact supply chains over the next 12 months and beyond. Read More

Setting Up Shop

March 19, 2019 Merrill Douglas

 New fulfillment strategies blur the lines between e-commerce and traditional retailers. Read More

NS Makes Tracks to Atlanta

March 18, 2019 Inbound Logistics Staff

Norfolk Southern Corporation plans to move its headquarters from Virginia to Fulton County, Atlanta, joining other transportation heavyweights such as Delta Air Lines and UPS in leveraging Atlanta's major transportation hub.  Read More

Fighting Counterfeit Products

March 18, 2019 MaryAnn Holder

As pharmaceutical and food supply chains become more global, these two industries are at particular risk for fraud, substitution, and counterfeiting. Read More

Solving the USPS Dilemma

March 14, 2019 Paul Steiner, Vice President of Strategic Analysis, Spend Management Experts

A semi-autonomous government agency, the USPS funds itself, but as its largest division, first class mail, declines, it is faced with a rocky future. Read More

When Worlds Combine

March 14, 2019 Felecia Stratton

 Inbound Logistics continues to provide actionable content to help drive supply chain change. Read More

FedEx Abandons Cuba Airfreight Service

March 13, 2019 Inbound Logistics Staff

Improved relations between the United States and Cuba have hit an impasse, leading FedEx Corp. to drop a plan to begin cargo flights to the communist country. Read More

159 Expert Tips to AMP Your Supply Chain

March 13, 2019

The internet, cloud-based systems, mobile devices, and the Internet of Things have already improved logistics and supply chains. Use these tips to better manage your digital transformation. Read More

When Worlds Collide

March 13, 2019 Keith Biondo

Online retailers are winning in the market with all types of consumers, even in manufacturing industrial products. Read More

Manufacturers Laser-Focused on Technology

March 12, 2019 Reid Paquin, Research Director, IT Priorities and Strategies, IDC Manufacturing Insights

Digital transformation is truly underway in manufacturing. While digital technologies such as cloud, mobile, big data and analytics, and Internet of Things have been industry drivers for years, manufacturers now have high expectations for the business value of technologies that are in earlier stages of adoption. Read More

Collapsing High Container Costs

March 11, 2019 Nicholas Press, Managing Director and CEO, CEC Systems

The global shipping sector has a container problem. To be precise, it has a $30-billion container problem, and that price tag is increasing every year. Read More

Tariffs Sting U.S. Supply Chains

March 8, 2019

The tariffs President Donald Trump imposed on Chinese goods have caused sharp increases in expenses for some companies, and even businesses that have yet to feel the sting of the duties on imported Chinese goods are taking a closer look at their supply chains to see how they can minimize the damage. Read More

Project Logistics: Taming the Details

March 7, 2019 Tamara Chapman

 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. Read More

 Using Technology to Cut Freight Costs

March 6, 2019 Andrew Berke and Charles Boesch

 Reduce freight expense while improving service outside of securing reduced freight rates from LTL, truckload, parcel and expedited services carriers. Read More

Pay Your Own Way

March 5, 2019 Merrill Douglas

New supply chain finance strategies let shippers and carriers keep cash in their wallets. Read More

Using FTZs to Treat Pharma Challenges

March 1, 2019 Peter Belden

 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. Read More

Get IT Together

February 28, 2019 Tom Gresham

Integrated WMS and TMS solutions increase visibility and communication and optimize the movement of goods. Read More

Trends on the Horizon in 2019

February 27, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Here are the four trends that will have the greatest impact on operations in North America in the coming year, according to DHL Supply Chain. Read More

U.S.-Mexico Trade: Strong But Shifting

February 27, 2019 Karen M. Kroll

Each year, billions of dollars of goods flow between Mexico and the United States. Trade between the countries shows no signs of slowing, but will recent events alter the flow? Read More

Drivers Need Some TLC

February 26, 2019 Todd Johnson, Senior Vice President of Transportation, Kenco

With the American Trucking Associations projecting a shortfall of 174,00 truck drivers by 2026, organizations should understand and address driver concerns in order to retain a strong workforce and attract new talent.  Read More

Technology Powers U.S. Manufacturing Renaissance

February 25, 2019 Felecia Stratton

A new research report from ECi Software Solutions reveals the impact of powerful forces such as digital transformation, Industry 4.0, the current regulatory climate, and automation on U.S. manufacturers. Read More

Amazon Primed for New Regional Hub

February 22, 2019 Inbound Logistics Staff

In the first airport project of its kind in the Amazon Air network, the etailer has announced plans to open a regional air hub at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas. Read More

Riding Out the Rapids

February 21, 2019 Paul A. Myerson

 A lean, agile supply chain helps companies anticipate and minimize the impact of disruptions. Read More

The Digital Revolution Is Here

February 21, 2019 Brad McBride

A digital transformation is quickly and quietly sweeping the industry, and shippers could be left behind if they’re not among the early adopters. Read More

Ford Predicts the Trends Driving 2019

February 20, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Ford's 7th annual Trends Report analyzes consumer behavior based on interviews with more than 13,000 people across 14 countries, providing insight into its supply chain implications. Read More

Hot Tips to Stay Safe This Winter

February 20, 2019 Inbound Logistics Staff

As harsh weather and poor driving conditions are universal concerns for drivers and fleet managers across the country, these five tips will help you navigate the challenges of winter driving. Read More

The Cure for Meeting Pharma Requirements

February 20, 2019 Jack Tarkoff

Complying with global regulations regarding pharmaceuticals without collaboration and system interoperability represents a significant challenge for trading partners. Read More

Industrial IoT: Friend of the Environment

February 8, 2019

Adopting Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies to improve environmental sustainability ranks as a crucial priority for transportation and logistics companies, according to a new Inmarsat study. Read More

Food Distributor Plays It Cool

February 8, 2019 Jennifer Baljko

Food services distributor Golden State Foods found the cold chain performance monitoring capabilities it needed to meet customer compliance requirements from fleet management solutions provider Coretex. Read More

New App Drives Compliance

February 6, 2019

It can be challenging for rental trucks to meet the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate. One solution is to provide drivers with easier Hours of Service (HoS) functionality. To that end, Penske Truck Leasing has introduced Penske Driver, a fully integrated and ELD-compliant custom app. Read More

Asia Pacific Companies: Green Giants

February 5, 2019

Asia Pacific companies place more importance on green transportation than other regions, finds DHL's latest research report on ground transportation logistics. Read More

Freight Flow and the Economy: Asked and Answered

February 4, 2019

Arrive Logistics partnered with Transportation Analyst Donald Broughton, principal managing partner of Broughton Capital, to address the following crucial questions shippers need to answer about their freight. Read More

India Bales on Cotton Exports

February 1, 2019

India's annual cotton output could drop 12 percent to the lowest in nine years as limited rainfall in the top two producing states has slashed crop yields, potentially cutting exports from the world's top producer, according to a report in the Economic Times. Read More

Pushing Blockchain Past the Hype

January 31, 2019 Diane Fanelli

Businesses across the supply chain are finally embracing blockchain as an asset capable of unlocking tremendous value, especially as supply chains grow more globalized and susceptible to compromise. Read More

Six of One: Merger Creates UK's Largest Logistics Provider

January 30, 2019 Inbound Logistics Staff

Hong Kong private equity investor EmergeVest has consolidated ownership of six of the UK's leading logistics companies to create EV Cargo, one of the country's largest providers of transport, logistics, freight forwarding services, and logistics technology, and a global supply chain company operating in more than 120 countries. Read More

Automation Is a Game Changer for E-tailers

January 29, 2019 Sid Chatterjee, Vice President, Products, GreyOrange

E-tailers can sustain customers over the long term when their retail operations are driven by technology integration and automation, across the entire supply chain. Read More

Not So Fast: Rethinking Multi-Item Orders

January 28, 2019 Nick McLean

In the name of speed and satisfaction, many retailers think they're doing the right thing by delivering products to customers as quickly as possible, shipping partial orders, but that isn't always the case. Read More

Weather Forecast: Supply Chain Disruptions Ahead

January 25, 2019

Global supply chain disruptions continue to grow at an alarming rate and the potential for financial or revenue impacts is the highest it has been in three years, finds Resilinc's recent EventWatch Supply Chain Disruption report. Read More

Why Millennials Deserve Our Attention

January 24, 2019 Ben Tyrrell

By 2020, global millennial spending power will total $20 trillion plus. Not paying attention to the needs of this burgeoning demographic is business suicide. Read More

Economic Nationalism Challenges Global Supply Chains

January 23, 2019 Felecia Stratton

Sixty-six percent of manufacturers responding to a new survey of global senior supply chain decision makers by software company LLamasoft say they would change their supply chains in order to tackle economic nationalism.  Read More

Noted

January 21, 2019

New and noteworthy in the supply chain Read More

Keeping Truckers Safe on the Road

January 18, 2019 Pat Larkin

Keeping drivers safe is important for everyone on the road, especially with 115 million cars and trucks hitting U.S. streets every day. Not everyone who drives will get into an accident. However, the risk is much higher for truckers who drive every day for work. Read More

Trade Wars, Cyber Threats Top Maritime Concerns

January 17, 2019 Felecia Stratton

The global maritime industry is cautiously optimistic about the global business environment for world trade, but also concerned about the potential impact of trade tensions, cyber security, fuel costs, and other headwinds to industry recovery.  Read More

Selecting a Cloud-based TMS

January 15, 2019

Selecting and implementing a SaaS-based Transportation Management System (TMS) requires careful thought. Future users and decision-makers need to do the following. Read More

The Changing Logistics of Grocery Delivery: It’s In The Bag

January 14, 2019 Karen M. Kroll

Food retailers are working to satisfy consumers' growing appetite for rapid delivery of everything from tomatoes to orange juice. To feed this demand, they're educating personal shoppers, developing new technologies to handle the last-mile, rethinking distribution networks and inventory planning, and partnering with technology companies. Read More

U.S. Infrastructure Investment: A Private Matter?

January 10, 2019 Inbound Logistics Staff

Leasing America's largest existing toll roads, bridges, airports, seaports, water and wastewater facilities, and university parking systems to private partners could generate $720 billion to $885 billion for state and local governments to spend on new infrastructure projects, finds a new Reason Foundation study. Read More

How Retailers Earn 5-Star Reviews

January 8, 2019 Merrill Douglas

The human touch, product education, smooth delivery, sturdy packaging, and good cup of coffee help retailers rate high with customers. Read More

Building a Global Experience Through Connected Service

January 7, 2019 Craig Bruns, Vice President, Customer Support, Crown Equipment

The Internet of Things (IoT) is bringing a new level of connectivity that is evolving the forklift service call and changing how companies approach equipment maintenance. Read More

5 Ways a WMS Can Cut Supply Chain Costs

January 7, 2019

The right warehouse management system (WMS) can improve efficiency and cut supply chain costs. TECSYS, a supply chain management solutions provider, offers the following tried-and-true strategies. Read More

Reader Profile: Denise Kopko

January 4, 2019 Karen M. Kroll

Here's how Denise Kopko, vice president of operations—commercial, supply chain and logistics, with Veolia North America, powers its regeneration business Read More

Mail Merge: China Post, Lufthansa Enter Capacity Agreement

January 2, 2019 Inbound Logistics Staff

With the goal of jointly building a more stabilized and comprehensive channel of air mail transportation connecting China and Europe, China Post Group Corporation, the official postal service of the People's Republic of China, and cargo airline Lufthansa Cargo are partnering on a strategic capacity agreement.  Read More

A Lot to Learn

January 2, 2019 Felecia Stratton

There are a multitude of resources available to help even the busiest logistics professionals hone their skillsets. Read More

2018: A Year to Remember

December 31, 2018 Sandra Beckwith

2018 was marked by tariffs, trade deals, and technological advancements. Let's look back at the highlights. Read More

Tis the Season to be Agile

December 31, 2018 Rob Kriewaldt

If you work with a capable 3PL, you may rest assured that you already have the supply chain agility needed to meet any challenges the New Year may bring. Read More

Continuing Education: What's on the Menu?

December 28, 2018 Tamara Chapman

No matter how skilled or credentialed, today’s supply chain managers have a lot to learn–and a lot of ways to do so. With the marketplace growing more complex, continuing education professionals are introducing new programs and revising old standbys. Read More

A New Combined Approach to Labeling and Artwork Management

December 27, 2018 Josh Roffman, Loftware Vice President Product Management

Companies have struggled for many years to manage the growing complexities of their supply chains and go-to-market packaging content. Labeling has become more complicated, and Artwork Management has been challenged to meet an increasing number of demands on a global basis.  Read More

10 Tips: Minimizing Airfreight Costs

December 26, 2018 Jeff Metersky, Vice President, Solutions Strategy, LLamasoft

To combat trade wars, tariffs, and other obstacles, it’s important to optimize your supply chain. One way is to minimize the cost of air freight, which is generally a fast and reliable—but expensive—option. Read More

Holiday Cargo Theft Q&A

December 21, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

A Q&A with Scott Cornell, transportation business lead and crime and theft specialist at Travelers, on how to avoid theft during the holiday season. Read More

Wait Loss Program

December 21, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The supply-demand dynamic in the trucking market is out of balance, even as more drivers enter the field. With tight capacity, carriers can pick and choose which shippers and facilities to work with. In order to remain competitive and have access to consistent and reliable supply, it is crucial for shippers to become a shipper of choice. Read More

GPA on Track for 4.3M TEUs

December 20, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

The Georgia Ports Authority is on track to reach 4.36 million twenty-foot equivalent container units handled in 2018. Read More

Plastics Supply Chain Turns Off the Tap

December 19, 2018 Felecia Stratton

HP Inc. and IKEA are joining the NextWave Plastics global consortium—a collaborative initiative that brings together leading companies to "turn off the tap" of plastic entering the ocean. The goal is not only to scale their own ocean-bound plastics supply chain efforts, but to also extend across industries to make it commercially viable for all. Read More

What Will Retailers Find Under The Tree?

December 18, 2018 Felecia Stratton

A common theme connects several strategies retailers are using to prepare for the holiday season: Enhanced capabilities to seamlessly cater to shoppers in stores, online, and on mobile devices. CBRE's annual Holiday Retail Trends Guide outlines four trends shaping this season as it unfolds. Read More

Panama Canal in the Zone

December 18, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

The Panama Canal closed its 2018 fiscal year with a record 442.1 million Panama Canal tons (PC/UMS), which represents a 9.5-percent increase from the previous year. This surpasses cargo projections of 429.4 million PC/UMS tons for FY 2018, as well as the 403.8 million PC/UMS tons registered in FY 2017. Read More

Automated Material Handling Equipment Market Lifts Growth Projections

December 14, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The growing presence of start-up companies offering robotic solutions for warehouse automation, the increasing popularity of automated material handling (AMH) equipment among leading industries, significant recovery in global manufacturing, and rising labor cost and safety concerns are among the key factors driving the growth of the AMH market, according to a new study from industry analyst firm Research and Markets. Read More

Meet Your Match

December 14, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Supply chain management is increasingly recognized as critical to an organization's success. As a result, it's harder to come by top-tier talent through traditional methods. Read More

Self-Driving Trucks Will Transform Trucking and Logistics

December 13, 2018 Maryline Daviaud Lewett and Paul Stith, Black & Veatch

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) will have a dramatic effect that will be felt in the shipping, trucking, and logistics industries. How can supply chain stakeholders leverage this technology? Early pilot projects provide a roadmap.  Read More

Click & Collect Not Clicking Yet

December 13, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Of the 2,000+ worldwide retailers participating in Omni-2000 Research: Global, only a surprising 38.1 percent show basic inventory visibility on product pages.  Read More

New NAFTA Winners and Losers

December 12, 2018 John Costanzo, President, Purolator International

Although the recently announced trade deal between the United States, Mexico, and Canada is not likely to take effect until 2020, assuming each country grants final approval, many have been quick to seize upon the agreement in search of "winners and losers." Read More

Things are Looking Up for Multistory Warehouses

December 12, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Multistory warehouses used to distribute e-commerce orders are popping up in densely populated U.S. metro areas, but conditions for developing the structures aren't as ideal in the United States as in Asia and Europe, finds a CBRE report. Read More

Post Office Dings E-Commerce?

December 11, 2018 Keith Biondo

Two recent and important developments will impact domestic and international e-commerce shipments. The first one concerns the U.S. Postal Service's relationship with Amazon.  Read More

How Shippers Can Relieve Delivery Anxiety

December 10, 2018 John Nadvornik, Vice President of Product Management, GrandCanals

Consumers' delivery anxiety is your single largest obstacle to converting orders into sales. Here's how to overcome it. Read More

3PLs, Tech Providers Empower Ethical Supply Chains

December 7, 2018 Tom Gresham

Shippers do not always spend adequate attention and resources on the ethical issues involved in their highly complex supply chains, but a company can suffer severe brand damage when ethical issues along its supply chain become exposed. Read More

Take a Load Off Your Fleet

December 6, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Maintenance and repair (M&R) is the top factor motivating fleet executives to acquire new trucks, say 40 percent of respondents to a recent Fleet Advantage survey of more than 1,000 fleet executives. Read More

Cold Comfort: Finding the Right Winter Warehouse

December 5, 2018

The 2018-2019 winter season is projected to be colder than normal, so it's time for companies to ensure their inventory is protected. Here are three tips for choosing the right warehouse for your business this winter: Read More

How to Become a Shipper of Choice

December 4, 2018 Rachal Snider

As shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers prepare for a busy Q4 2018, here are some ideas for easing the capacity crunch, controlling costs, and becoming a "shipper of choice." Read More

Shipping Containers Get a Second Life

December 3, 2018 Katrina Arabe

They're far from washed up. Compact, watertight, and easily soundproofed, used shipping containers get a second job as building blocks in some exciting new projects. Read More

Growth in the Line of Beauty

December 3, 2018 Felecia Stratton

To serve its rapidly growing customer base in mainland China, Feelunique—Europe's leading online beauty retailer with more than 32,000 products and 500 brands across makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrances—is set to open a distribution hub in Hong Kong in partnership with SEKO Logistics. Read More

Keeping up with B2B Fulfillment Demands this Holiday Season

December 3, 2018 Michelle Fischer, Chief Customer Officer, Kibo

According to a recent report by CBRE, the average U.S. warehouse is under significant strain to keep up with demands. Inevitably, this puts retailers in the B2B space in a pickle, especially during the holiday sales season. Read More

The New Faces of Trucking

November 30, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Approximately just 6 percent of the commercial truck driver workforce is made up of females and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is up only 1.1 percent since 2008. These young high school students may help turn the tide. Read More

Companies Go for IoT

November 30, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Companies will spend $434.9 billion to design, plan, build, and run Internet of Things (IoT) solutions by 2023, up from $186.1 billion in 2017, according to research company Forrester. Read More

Committing Head and Heart to Health

November 29, 2018 Merrill Douglas

Chris Cassidy, president of global healthcare logistics strategy at UPS, tells IL about the interests and principles that drive his leadership, and about his mission at UPS. Read More

Strong Im/Ex Market Fuels South Korea Trade Growth

November 29, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Air trade in South Korea will remain steady due to strong exports of high technology, basic materials, and machinery parts, as well as imports of industrial raw materials and machinery parts, predicts the DHL Global Trade Barometer. Read More

Factory Robots: Better Safe Than Sorry

November 28, 2018 Andy Szal, Thomas

A Massachusetts company believes lidar technology could be the key to developing a safer factory robot—and to enabling those robots to take on many of the remaining tasks still completed by human workers. Read More

The State Of Logistics Outsourcing

November 26, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

In an era where technology continues to migrate consumer spending habits online and away from brick-and-mortar stores, the 2019 Third-Party Logistics Study highlights how supply chains are also going digital and using science to keep pace. Read More

Cargo Airports Do Brisk Business

November 20, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Cargo airports were bustling in 2017, according to the Airport Council International's finalized list of the world's top 20 busiest cargo airports in 2017 (see chart). Total cargo volumes handled (loaded and unloaded freight and mail) increased by 7.8 percent from the previous year, to 50.6 million metric tons. Read More

Do's and Don'ts of Hurricane Relief

November 19, 2018 Felecia Stratton

American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), an industry-wide organization that provides supply chain assistance to disaster relief organizations and other non-profits, offers a few practical do's and don'ts to help during a disaster. Read More

BattleBots: Robots vs. Workers

November 16, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The public is broadly fearful that automation will lead to significant job losses, with many populations skeptical that the technologies will boost economic efficiency, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey of 10 countries. Read More

Retailers Plug Into AI

November 14, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Nearly two-thirds of retail supply chain professionals struggle with disconnects between systems, finds Symphony RetailAI's Strengthening the Retail Supply Chain survey of North American retailers. Read More

Freight Forecast Stays Sunny

November 9, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Freight volumes are projected to increase 4.2 percent in 2018 and increase 35.6 percent by 2029, according to the latest edition of the American Trucking Associations' Freight Forecast. Read More

Intermodal Transport: Finding the Road to the Right Track

November 7, 2018 Merrill Douglas

Tight trucking capacity, the strong economy, and ongoing improvements on the rail are spurring more shippers to consider intermodal transportation. But finding a container, or a truck to haul it to or from the rail terminal, isn't always easy, either. Read More

No Industry is Amazon-Proof

November 6, 2018 Brittain Ladd

If you think Amazon can't or won't do something, banish the thought. Well-run companies with qualified and competent executives should insist that every effort be made to identify how and when Amazon can impact its business. Read More

Hone for the Holidays

November 5, 2018 Katrina Arabe

Holiday preparations are in high gear with hiring sprees and e-commerce investments reported by retailers and logistics service providers alike. Read More

Maritime Update: Staying Above Water

November 1, 2018 Karen M. Kroll

Five trends shaping the maritime industry will also impact shippers: carrier consolidation and alliances, the increasing sizes of ships, ports that have become chokepoints, advancing technology, and increasing concerns about the environmental impact of shipping. Read More

The Supply Chain World is Not Flat

October 31, 2018 Pierre Francois Thaler

Instead of making, using, and disposing of products and materials, leading companies keep components in use in the value chain and logistics process for as long as possible. Read More

Talent Gap or Training Gap?

October 30, 2018 Keith Biondo

Workforce and career development are on the national radar and many companies are stepping up with financial, time and expertise commitments to accomplish the goals of developing the U.S. workforce for tomorrow. Read More

Optimizing Ocean Transport

October 29, 2018 Patrick Pretorius, Director of Business Development, Transporeon Group Americas

These best practices will help streamline your ocean freight process. Read More

Peak Season is Coming. Can You Work it Out?

October 25, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Wage corrections, shift preferences, and more flexible human resource policies are key to attracting and retaining hourly warehouse workers, finds the 11th annual EmployBridge Warehouse Employee Opinion Survey of approximately 16,000 hourly workers. Read More

Global Air Freight in Slow Motion

October 24, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Demand for global air freight, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), rose 2.1 percent in July 2018, compared to the same period the year before, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This was the slowest pace of growth since May 2016, and well below the five-year average growth rate of 5.1 percent. Read More

Examining the Workforce of the Future

October 23, 2018 Felecia Stratton

To help prepare Los Angeles County youth for career and college pathways in global transportation, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), has joined with the County of Los Angeles to create a Transportation School. The curriculum will be developed to teach students transferrable industry skills focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Read More

Top 10 Global Supply Chains

October 22, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Vero Solutions, a UK-based provider of tracking and safety solutions, analyzed Gartner's annual list of the best supply chains over the past decade. Here's what Vero discovered.  Read More

Rooted in Data, Business Blooms

October 21, 2018 Jennifer Baljko

Metrolina Greenhouses integrates ERP and customized, industry-specific tools to improve order, shipping and billing management. Read More

Crowdsourcing: Facing the Crowd

October 20, 2018 Sandra Beckwith

Companies use crowdsourcing throughout the supply chain—from product design to final-mile delivery—to become the leader of the pack. Read More

Super-sized Logistics

October 19, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Thanks to the Amazon Effect, fast and free delivery is the new normal, forcing other online sellers to keep up.
However, there's one area of e-commerce where online sellers can still compete logistically with Amazon and big box players: delivery of oversized, larger-than-parcel items, such as furniture, sofas, armoires, mattresses, treadmills, and more.
But every opportunity comes with certain hurdles. Read More

U.S. Businesses Fight Tariff Battle

October 18, 2018 Felecia Stratton

More than half of U.S. businesses are battling the effects of the unfolding trade war with China; the majority are already feeling the squeeze of the tariffs introduced earlier in 2018, according to a new AsiaInspection report. Read More

China's Economy Stays Resilient

October 17, 2018 Felecia Stratton

China's railway freight volume, an indicator of broad economic activity, expanded at a faster pace in the first seven months of 2018, notes a Xinhua report. Read More

Hub Group Sells its Mode Transportation Subsidiary

October 16, 2018 Felecia Stratton

As part of a business plan to centralize operations and move away from independent owner-operator networks, Hub Group sold its Mode Transportation subsidiary to an affiliate of York Capital Management, a diversified investment manager, for approximately $238.5 million, with about $20 billion under management. Read More

Drones: Most Likely to Succeed

October 12, 2018 Katrina Arabe

A new class of drones can speed inventory counts, administer life-saving medicine, anticipate your caffeine needs, and keep golfers on course. Read More

6 Ways to Find Hidden Capacity

October 9, 2018 Sandra Beckwith

As shippers puzzle their way through a record truckload capacity shortage, they have to change how they do business to find the right truck at the right time for the right price. Read More

Shipping and Delivery: How to Get it Right

October 3, 2018 Sean Wilcox

Executing against the wrong e-commerce strategy – or not having a strategy at all – is a recipe for higher costs and lower customer satisfaction levels and can have a major negative impact on your business. Read More

New York City Introduces Off-Hour Deliveries Program to Combat Congestion

October 1, 2018 Diniece Peters, Director, Office of Freight Mobility, New York City Department of Transportation, 212-839-4850

New York City Department of Transportation is collaborating with shippers, transporters, and receivers to rethink their delivery schedule and shift to off-hour deliveries (OHD) with the goal of targeting 900 business establishments by the end of 2019. Read More

TMS Brings the Power

September 26, 2018 Jennifer Baljko

Electronics company Celestica plugs into a TMS solution to cut costs, increase visibility, and power continuous improvements. Read More

A Real-Time, Cost-Saving Opportunity

September 17, 2018

A client looked to PLS Logistics for a way to drive real-time visibility, performance and cost savings to allow each of its 200+ office locations to operate effectively. Read More

Moving Cross-border Shipments

September 12, 2018 Alex Fuller

As your suppliers and customers become more geographically diverse, more of your supply chain and customer experience depends on moving shipments through Customs accurately and without delay. Read More

TradeLens Caps Blockchain Initiative

September 11, 2018 Felecia Stratton

In an effort to apply blockchain to the world’s global supply chain, Maersk Line and IBM have collaborated to develop TradeLens, a blockchain-enabled shipping solution to promote more efficient and secure global trade, bring together supply chain partners to support information sharing and transparency, and encourage industry-wide innovation. Read More

Back-to-School Supply Chain

September 10, 2018 Katrina Arabe

The second-busiest shopping season (after the holidays) gets ports bustling, retailers scrambling, and consumers wallet-busting. Read More

Returning Experience

September 8, 2018 Keith Biondo

The war between the retail/e-commerce customer experience and increasing costs is heating up, thanks to the impact that rising transportation prices are having on the retail process. That trend plagues e-commerce players and retailers, both large and small. Read More

Home Depot Builds New Supply Chain

September 7, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Home Depot will spend $1.2 billion to overhaul its supply chain to offer faster delivery for consumers and businesses. Walker Sands' 2018 Future of Retail report offers the home improvement retailer some advice: Read More

Is Asia The New Bermuda Triangle?

September 6, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Large shipping losses declined by 38 percent globally over the past decade, but losses in Asia rose year-on-year, with incidents in the South China, Indochina, Indonesia, and Philippine maritime regions rising 25 percent. Read More

LeaderShip: Fail Fast, Then Move On

September 5, 2018 Merrill Douglas

Jim Barnes did not have a mentor at the start of his career. "No one taught me how to become a leader," recalls Barnes, chief executive officer of enVista, an Indianapolis-based supply chain consultancy and software firm. Read More

In Iceland, There's No Place Like Drone

September 4, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Drone technology company Flytrex, in partnership with Aha.is—Iceland's largest online marketplace—launched 13 new routes for an autonomous on-demand urban drone delivery service to serve nearly half of Reykjavik. Read More

Will Airbnb for Warehouses Take Off?

September 3, 2018 Ben Conwell

On-demand services are becoming so much a part of our daily lives that millennials can't imagine a world before Uber or Postmates. Now, on-demand service is becoming a reality in the logistics real estate sector. Read More

Reader Profile: Erik Snyder Keeps His Spirits Up

September 2, 2018 Karen M. Kroll

Erik Snyder, president of North America supply and procurement with Diageo, oversees Diageo's end-to-end supply chain and procurement operation in North America, including sourcing raw materials, distillation, manufacturing, packaging, planning, and customer service. Read More

Returns in the E-Commerce Retail Supply Chain

August 31, 2018 John Sell

In recent years, a rise in e-commerce sales has led to an increase in the amount of items returned. This increase in returns creates a challenging situation for retailers and an opportunity for their 3PL providers. Read More

Europe Stays in the Loop

August 29, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Virgin Hyperloop One will open a $500-million Advanced Technology Development and Testing Center in Spain, the company's first European development facility. Read More

How Using BI Can Transform Your Business

August 28, 2018 Timothy Leonard, CTO, Trimble Transportation

General insights and “what if” scenarios, derived from business intelligence, can have a profound impact on transportation and logistics. Read More

Protecting Your Supply Chain

August 26, 2018 Tom Gresham

Do you sometimes feel like cushioning your facilities and workers with bubble wrap to keep them safe? Here are five ways to pop that problem. Read More

What Do the New UPS Surcharges Mean?

August 24, 2018 Felecia Stratton

To help shippers understand UPS's recent surcharge increases, Spend Management Experts, a supply chain spend management consultancy, outlines the carrier's new fees and their potential impact. Read More

The Three P’s of Sales & Operations Planning Success

August 23, 2018 Henry Canitz, Director of Product Marketing & Business Development, Logility

If your company seems stuck and can’t get to the level of maturity you would like in your sales and operations planning process, follow these three keys to success. Read More

A Fresh Look at Intermodal

August 22, 2018 Tom Gresham

With driver shortage and capacity issues affecting trucking, once wary shippers are taking a different view of rail intermodal. Read More

Straighten Up and Fly Right

August 16, 2018 Karen M. Kroll

Shippers can take several steps to rein in airfreight costs. These include checking that it’s truly necessary, combining air with other modes of transportation, incorporating air into their ongoing logistics planning, and developing strong relationships with freight forwarders. Read More

Anatomy of Hospital Supply Chain Disruptions

August 15, 2018 Poornima Apte

The aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, created a severe shortage of IV bags in the continental United States. The reason: Baxter International, one of the major suppliers, manufactures the products in the U.S. territory and was crippled by the loss of electricity to the island. As a result, many hospitals in the United States suffered an acute shortage of the critical resource. Read More

U.S. Seaports Need Multimodal Funding

August 15, 2018 Felecia Stratton

U.S. port authorities identify more than $20 billion in projected multimodal port and rail access needs over the next decade, while one-third cite pressing rail project needs costing at least $50 million for each of their ports, according to a new American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) survey, The State of Freight III. Read More

Driverless Trucks: A Different Idea

August 15, 2018 Brittain Ladd

There is so much effort and capital being directed at wanting to make trucks driverless, but if you don't need the driver, why do you need the truck? Read More

Disruptive Technologies Shake Up Supply Chains

August 14, 2018 Poornima Apte

When efficiency is the primary focus in integrated supply chain management, every little bit that helps to tighten both front- and back-end processes helps. Increasingly, companies in a variety of verticals are achieving such efficiencies by leaning on disruptive technologies. Read More

Internal Audits: The Cornerstone of Compliance

August 14, 2018 Tammy Flanders Hetrick

Internal audits are the cornerstone of your compliance program. Monitoring your performance, and that of your customs broker, is the only way to determine if the policies and procedures you’ve put in place are effective. Read More

Bridging the Gap Between Women and Funding

August 13, 2018 Nicole Slaughter Graham

Thirty women have become small business owners in the trucking industry thanks to the efforts of Expediter Services (ES), in conjunction with the Women in Trucking Association. Read More

Footwear E-Tailers: Shoe Me The Money

August 13, 2018 Sandra Beckwith

As e-commerce continues to grow, footwear brands and retailers benefit from continually increasing sales. The challenge for e-tailers is to be profitable while dealing with fickle consumer tastes and product seasonality, a high return rate and large number of SKUs, and packaging that’s larger and bulkier than its parent category, apparel. Read More

Italy's Ritrama Sticks a Landing in SC

August 12, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Ritrama, an Italian multinational self-adhesive materials producer, chose Ferretto Group's technological solutions for its new automated warehouse located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Read More

Are You Ready for Omnichannel Retail?

August 12, 2018 Paul A. Myerson

While many challenges arise from an omnichannel retail strategy, supply chain professionals must rise to the occasion and stay ahead of these changes. Read More

What's Driving Truck Regulation?

August 12, 2018 Noel Perry

After nine years of regulatory changes almost every year, we are looking at no new regulation until 2021 or 2022. The sharp change in the regulatory environment will change the market direction: downward in price and upward for better capacity utilization. Read More

Fleet Operators Get No ELD Satisfaction

August 11, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Slightly fewer than half of fleet operators responding to a Coretex Electronic Logging Device (ELD) satisfaction survey say the mandate is good for the transportation industry. Coretex surveyed 303 U.S. trucking companies of various sizes. Read More

Industrial Development Returns to the Rails

August 11, 2018 Steven Pastor

Led by a new crop of innovative executives, modern Class 1 railroads, along with real estate professionals, are responding to new logistics demands and spearheading substantial rail-oriented industrial development projects across the nation. Read More

A Sweet deal: Nestlé, XPO Build Digital Warehouse

August 10, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Nestlé, the world's largest food and drink company, and XPO Logistics, a global provider of transport and logistics solutions, are co-creating a 638,000-square-foot distribution center at the new SEGRO East Midlands Gateway Logistics Park in Leicestershire, UK. Read More

The Future of Supply Chain Visibility

August 10, 2018 Martin Hubert

We are evolving to the point where we can share information between members of the supply chain, automate processes such as ordering, quotation and route optimization, and collaboratively work together to manage the exceptions. Read More

Fresh Fish Shippers Breathe Easy

August 9, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The world's only approved airfreight oxygen delivery system will revolutionize live seafood transportation throughout continental Europe and the UK through an agreement between FloatPac, the owner of FishPac live seafood oxygen transport systems, and LipFish AS, based in Troms, Norway. Read More

Securing Capacity for Freight Moving In and Out of Mexico

August 9, 2018 Eric Meyer

For shippers, importing to and exporting from Mexico can present a unique set of challenges. One of the toughest challenges that cross-border shippers in today’s market face is securing high quality capacity on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Read More

Manufacturers Take on Amazon

August 8, 2018 Felecia Stratton

In response to the "Amazon effect" and today's consumer demands, manufacturers are reprioritizing and focusing their technology investments on inventory optimization solutions (43 percent) and integrated planning and execution technologies (41 percent), according to findings from JDA Software's 2018 Intelligent Manufacturing Survey. Read More

Mitigating Cargo Theft Risk

August 7, 2018

Cargo theft continues to be a challenge to shippers, totaling an estimated $145 million in losses each year in North America. Use these tips to keep your cargo safe. Read More

How to Choose a TMS

August 6, 2018 George Kontoravdis, PhD

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. Read More

Getting Wise to Smart Ports

August 5, 2018 Gary Frantz

The nation’s ports are testing technologies and investing in infrastructure improvements to adapt to a world where the ultimate consumer increasingly embraces Amazon-like expectations. Read More

How Small Businesses Can Win at E-Commerce

August 2, 2018 Sophia Shoate, Vice President, UPS i-parcel

If you’re a small business trying to establish yourself or grow in e-commerce, you know it can be an uphill battle. That doesn’t mean you can’t compete. Read More

Thinking Beyond Home Delivery

August 2, 2018 Brian Bourke

Consumer expectations are becoming increasingly demanding, and matching supply to demand is crucial for any successful supply chain. Read More

World Cup Nets Big Numbers

August 1, 2018 Katrina Arabe

1 million fans in the stands. 2 billion TV viewers. 32 teams. 64 matches. It all adds up to scoring a logistics planning goal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Read More

Readers Choice: Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards 2018

August 1, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Each year, the Inbound Logistics Readers’ Choice Top 10 3PL Excellence survey gives shippers the chance to give a shout-out to providers that have taken on so much of their load. Here are the best of the best. Read More

Pork Processor Brings Home the Bacon

August 1, 2018 Sandra Beckwith

Consolidating three independent operating companies into one at Smithfield Foods is triggering significant changes in the three organizations’ supply chains. Reducing complexity and improving visibility are not only making supply chain processes more efficient, they’re also saving money and helping the corporation achieve its sustainability goals. Read More

Preparing for the Digitization of Logistics

July 31, 2018 Brandon Rowan, VP of Operations, Omni

By 2019 there could be 224 million digital shoppers in the United States, and according to research by McKinsey, about 70 percent of those shoppers will choose the cheapest form of home delivery. Why? Because of increased consumer preferences and the evolution of warehouse-to-home delivery systems.  Read More

Gaining Control: Why European Time Slot Management Makes Sense in the United States

July 24, 2018 Wes Tone, Business Development Manager, Transporeon Group

Inefficiencies at the dock can cause long lines of trucks outside a warehouse, congestion on access roads, delayed deliveries, and long driver wait times, all with the potential of accruing steep detention fees. European logistics managers deal with these inefficiencies—resulting from space constraints and too few docks for trucks—on a regular basis. Read More

Humans Are What's Wrong with the Global Supply Chain

July 17, 2018 Matthew Tillman, CEO & Co-founder, Haven, Inc.

The supply chain is broken because there are too many people who are doing too many things wrong. The result is human suffering. While identifying symptoms is easy, finding root causes is difficult when the problem behaviors are taken for granted. Read More

75 Green Supply Chain Partners

July 16, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Inbound Logistics features its annual G75—a carefully curated list of 75 companies that go above and beyond to ensure their global supply chains are sustainable, and their operations are socially and environmentally friendly. Read More

Tech Drives Trade Growth, Say Upbeat SMEs

July 11, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) struggling for equal footing in the global economy increasingly look to cross-border trade for growth, seeing technology as a way past obstacles in shipping and compliance, according to new research from Shipa Freight. Read More

The Key to Logistics Visibility: Connecting Things

July 10, 2018 Sanjay Sharma, CEO & co-Founder, Roambee

Tracking shipments independent of the carrier or mode of transport provides you with analytics that help you cut through the noise and make sense of the data to improve operational efficiencies. Read More

The Bionic Warehouse Worker

July 7, 2018 Katrina Arabe

Brace yourself for some mechanical marvels that could punch up DC and factory productivity. Fighting gravity, strain, and injury, these mechanized support systems give warehouse and assembly line workers near-superhero strength and Iron Man-like stamina Read More

10 Ways to Drive Supply Chain Performance With Big Data

July 6, 2018 Andy Moses, Penske Logistics senior vice president of global products

Is more always better? When it comes to a shipper's supply chain and big data, more data doesn't necessarily equate to better productivity. How you leverage and utilize the influx of data is what's key. Use these tips to utilize big data to drive performance in their supply chains. Read More

Digital Logistics: From Trend to Norm

July 3, 2018 Dan Stoll, senior technical manager, Nintex

Microsoft has entered a partnership with ocean carrier OOCL to develop artificial intelligence (AI) in shipping, with the goal of helping Microsoft better understand and predict shipping patterns and variables. Read More

The Logistics Long(er) Run

July 2, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The current expansion phase for U.S. industrial and logistics real estate appears poised to surpass the typical lifespan of an economic cycle due to demand from e-commerce companies, according to a new report from CBRE. Read More

5 Ways Warehousing is Going Green

July 1, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The future looks bright for warehousing. This is especially true when it comes to taking a green approach to procurement and manufacturing. Read More

Clarifying The Business Case For Green Supply Chain Management

June 26, 2018 Yossi Sheffi, Elisha Gray II Professor of Engineering Systems at MIT, and Director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics

For most companies, sustainability is not a simple case of "profits vs. planet" but a more subtle issue of people looking for jobs and inexpensive goods versus others who seek a pristine environment. Here's how your supply chain can satisfy these conflicting motivations to achieve both economic growth and environmental sustainability. Read More

An Awesome Supply Chain Scholarship

June 25, 2018 Felecia Stratton

To attract women who want to pursue graduate degrees in supply chain management, the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics announced a new scholarship in partnership with AWESOME (Achieving Women's Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management, and Education), an industry-wide organization for senior-level women in the supply chain field. Read More

GDPR: Privacy, Yes. Innovation, No

June 25, 2018 Keith Biondo

If you spend too much time clearing privacy protection notices from your email box, thank the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). But what exactly is this regulation and how might it impact future supply chain technological innovation? Read More

Load and Expedite

June 23, 2018 Tim Zubradt

There are a lot of moving parts in the production of a product. The key is to value stream your supply chain to make sure everyone understands the risks and rewards in the process. Read More

Teaching Logistics Excellence

June 21, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The talent gap continues to be a concern in the supply chain/logistics sector. To help combat it, many universities and educational institutions are working to attract new students to the sector, and provide appropriate training. One such school is the University of Washington, College of Engineering-Supply Chain Transportation and Logistics master's program. Read More

Combat Cargo: The Challenges of Military Logistics

June 20, 2018 Jason McDowell

Think you're a project cargo master? If you really want to be all you can be, try moving difficult cargo into an area with terrible infrastructure and hostile combatants, something military logisticians do every day. Read More

Implementing Blockchain Technology

June 19, 2018 Sean Elliott, chief technology officer, HighJump

Blockchain technology creates a global and trustworthy history of a product—from transaction to production to consumption. It has the potential to revolutionize workflows across international borders, empowering an automated, connected supply chain with simplicity and traceability. Read More

Solution Generates Cost Savings

June 18, 2018

When an industrial manufacturer needed to reduce supply chain costs they teamed up with Crane Worldwide Logistics for an innovative solution. Read More

Choosing a TMS: What’s Your Endgame?

June 14, 2018 Emma James

With so many choices available, shippers must truly understand what they want a Transportation Management System to accomplish in order to make the right selection. Read More

It’s Supposed to Be, But ACE Isn’t Simple

June 12, 2018 Gary M. Barraco, Director, Global Product Marketing, Amber Road

The aftermath of the overhaul of U.S. customs admissibility program – Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) – has created a heavier administrative burden on importers, not a lighter one. Find out how it misses the mark in this key area. Read More

Demanding Service

June 10, 2018 Keith Biondo

It is exactly the wrong time to abandon a demand-driven approach to the supply chain. Read More

Subscription Retailing and Order Fulfillment

June 10, 2018 George Mimikos

Time will tell if subscription retail is a viably long-term innovation for the retail industry as a whole, or merely the next iteration of online shopping. But it’s a retail trend that has certainly not yet reached its peak. Read More

What Does World-Class Supply Chain Planning Look Like?

June 8, 2018 Robert A. Giacobbe, PwC Partner, Advisory Services

Despite its criticality, most companies are very poor at supply chain planning. Here’s a recipe for dealing with complexity and deploying a set of world-class supply chain planning capabilities. Read More

The Power of Supply Chain Visibility

June 8, 2018 Dan Clark

The key to supply chain visibility is a common system that all stakeholders can use to plan their moves, be alerted to changes as they occur, and make real time adjustments to keep the supply chain moving smoothly. Read More

Reinventing Your Warehouse or DC

June 6, 2018 Karen M. Kroll

Warehouse improvements in layout and organization, docking, picking and receiving, fulfillment, and packaging can boost your bottom line and improve customer satisfaction. Read More

Don't Let Your Office Go to Waste

June 3, 2018 Paul Myerson

It can be easy to ignore the efficiency of administrative activities in the supply chain but office activities can constitute approximately 50 percent of the order to shipment lead time. Here’s how to apply lean tools to your office. Read More

Sunset's Rising Star

June 1, 2018 Merrill Douglas

When Lindsey Graves joined Sunset Transportation in 2006, the founder and CEO—who happens to be her father—asked her to learn the business by spending some time in every possible role. As the years progressed, that didn't mean dealing just with the company's freight operations. Read More

Invest in Logistics IT in a Grow Economy

May 28, 2018 Tom McAllister, Principal, Brightlight Services, LLC, 404-314-4046

Creating an ongoing logistics technology investment strategy can radically advance supply chain efficiency. In a growing economy, it’s essential. Read More

IATA Automates Dangerous Goods Compliance Checks

May 22, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched an innovative new solution that will enhance safety and improve efficiency in the transport of dangerous goods by air and support the industry's goal of a fully digitized supply chain. Read More

IoT Goes Green

May 21, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The Internet of Things (IoT) will play a pivotal role in enabling the transport and logistics sector to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize any negative impact on the environment. According to research from Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications, 95 percent of companies in the sector are actively implementing IoT technologies to improve their environmental sustainability. Read More

Switching On The Smart Grid

May 20, 2018 Felecia Stratton

A radical new charging technology that overcomes the challenge of simultaneously recharging an entire fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) without the need for an expensive upgrade to the power supply grid has been deployed in London by a UPS-led consortium. Read More

Alibaba Ties Thailand To Online Commerce

May 19, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Thailand and Alibaba have signed a letter of intent to cooperate on initiatives to develop e-commerce in the country—from providing training to small and mid-sized companies and individuals to exploring ways to enhance the country's logistics capabilities to support Thailand 4.0 and Digital Economy strategies. Read More

India Loses GDP To Poor Logistics

May 18, 2018 Felecia Stratton

India is losing 14 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) due to inefficient logistics, which impacts the competitiveness of the country's products, according to CR Chaudhry, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry. Read More

How to Manage Supply Risk in Uncertain Times

May 17, 2018 Carrie Ericson, Michael Zimmerman, Sonali Agarwal, and A.T. Kearney

For most organizations, it is not a matter of if but when a supply disruption will occur. Yet few have invested in the systems and programs needed to respond. Read More

XPO Logistics Taps Mobile Technology in Europe

May 17, 2018 Felecia Stratton

XPO Logistics, a global provider of transportation and logistics solutions, will expand its Drive XPO mobile technology to Europe in spring 2018, following a successful launch in North America. The app, designed for carriers, supports real-time visibility across transportation modes, and integrates carrier operations with daily productivity tools in one technology. Read More

Lufthansa Expands Access to Capacity, Rates

May 16, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Speed and reliability play a major role in transportation even when cargo is not in transit. For instance, during the booking request, sometimes every second counts. To address this need, Lufthansa Cargo now offers shippers two new programming apps: GetCapacity and GetRates, which provide direct access to capacity and rate data. Read More

Survey Shows Growing Workforce

May 15, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Seventy-six percent of transportation industry professionals responding to HireRight's 2018 Annual Employment Screening Benchmark survey expect to grow their workforce this year, despite the challenges of recruiting and retaining qualified candidates. The survey also reveals planned strategies to overcome these challenges. Read More

Driver Pay and Benefits Rise

May 14, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Driver pay has climbed as rising demand for freight transportation services raises competition for increasingly scarce drivers, according to data gathered from more than 100,000 drivers in the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) latest Driver Compensation study. Read More

Blockchain Solution Passes the Test

May 14, 2018 Felecia Stratton

A blockchain solution that can eliminate the need for printed shipping documents and save the transportation and logistics sectors hundreds of millions of dollars annually has been tested successfully by a consortium comprising AB InBev, Accenture, APL, Kuehne + Nagel, and a European customs organization. Read More

Rolling on the River

May 13, 2018 Felecia Stratton

To establish and grow an alliance designed to generate new business by promoting international and inland trade routes at strategic locations along the Mississippi River is the intent of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently signed by The St. Louis Regional Freightway, Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District located in the State of Louisiana, and four ports in the St. Louis region. Read More

Leave IT to Your 3PL

May 12, 2018

Still struggling to get your logistics technology up to speed? You're not alone. See why companies are increasingly outsourcing IT to their third-party logistics providers. Read More

Put the Factory to Work: Vendor Shipment Booking

May 11, 2018 Andrew Cheung

When we said 2017 was one of the most disruptive years for global supply chains in recent years, thanks to natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and regulatory upheaval, we couldn’t have foreseen the twists and turns that would take shape in 2018. Read More

U.S. Imports: It’s a Steel

May 11, 2018 Felecia Stratton

While the Trump administration introduced tariffs of 25 percent on the import of steel and 10 percent on aluminum, many of the United States' most important steel trading partners were granted exemptions, at least temporarily. Read More

Find the Data You’ve Been Looking For

May 9, 2018 Shannon Vaillancourt

It's no secret that data is the foundation for a world class logistics strategy. It's also no secret how to find the right data, yet many companies struggle to find the data they’ve been looking for. Read More

Georgia Ports: Crane and Able

May 8, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The first of Georgia Ports Authority's (GPA) four new Neo-Panamax cranes have come online, bringing its operating fleet to 27. The super-sized crane is tall enough to lift containers 152 feet above the dock. Read More

Robots in the Supply Chain: The Perfect Employee?

May 7, 2018 Merrill Douglas

Robotics systems help distribution facilities gain speed, increase accuracy, cut costs, and handle the grunt work so employees can focus on more productive tasks. And no resume or job interview required. Read More

Trucking Challenges Impact SCM

May 7, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The shortage of drivers and ripple effect from the ELD mandate have caused trucking delays and pricing increases across the country, and are now affecting global supply chains. Indianapolis-based logistics solutions provider TOC Logistics has been monitoring these industry changes closely. Here's what they find. Read More

Keeping Order Changes in Check

May 6, 2018 Angela Fernandez

Advance ship notices (ASNs) can boost the retail supply chain’s ability to deliver what the consumer wants with speed and accuracy. Read More

Manufacturing Reaches Pre-Recession Levels

May 6, 2018

The U.S. manufacturing sector will regain all of the output lost since June 2009 by April 2019, indicates a recent report from the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI). A global economic rebound, the passage of U.S. tax reform legislation, and the depreciation of the U.S. dollar are the chief components MAPI identifies as contributing to the best outlook for manufacturing growth in more than a decade. Read More

Engaging the Informed Consumer

May 5, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Retailers and branded manufacturers can differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace by showcasing their most unique assets, according to Kibo's annual 2018 Consumer Trends report. Read More

ELDs: Ready or Not, Here They Come

May 4, 2018 Felecia Stratton

While most owner-operators are ready for the ELD mandate, many are unhappy with the electronic logs, and blame them for a loss of productivity and a resulting decline in income, finds a recent DAT survey of 645 carriers and owner-operators. Read More

Unblocking the Blockchain: Beyond the Hype

May 3, 2018 Anna Shaposhnikova

The industry giants leading the blockchain charge are backing closed, permission-based blockchain initiatives, which are bound to limit their effectiveness in the long run. Here’s how to unleash the full potential of blockchain. Read More

Casting a Light on Procurement

May 3, 2018 Jason Scheer

As closer supply chain ties are forged with vendors, logistics managers must increasingly collaborate with procurement. To provide insight, a new study illuminates today's procurement process, and the many challenges Read More

Track and Trace Is Old News

May 2, 2018

A leading industrial manufacturer with multiple warehouses across the globe needed to know when shipments were being delivered so they could adequately staff warehouses to meet volume demands. Read More

2018 Business Trends: For Better, For Worse

May 2, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Investing in new and improved information technology and robotic process automation (RPA), talent shortages, and trade protectionism are predicted to be the top trends in service delivery for 2018 and the next several years, according to the latest quarterly KPMG Global Insights Pulse survey. Read More

Competing With E-Commerce Giants

April 30, 2018

Despite the highly competitive environment, it’s possible to compete with e-commerce giants. It just takes creativity, a strong, optimized supply chain and, of course, excellent customer service. Read More

FedEx Reserves 20 Tesla Semi Electric Trucks

April 29, 2018 Felecia Stratton

FedEx Corp. has placed a reservation for 20 Tesla Semi trucks. Less-than-truckload unit FedEx Freight will operate the fully electric trucks, which are scheduled to begin production in 2019. Read More

Checking In: The Last Grimy Mile

April 28, 2018 Keith Biondo

Are last-mile deliveries being left to ununiformed, lightly skilled, newly hired Uberesque drivers, despite technology upgrades and changing consumer demands. Read More

Bridging the Gap Between Craft and Technology

April 25, 2018 John Magee

Having tools such as predictive analytics technology integrated with artificial intelligence while still enthusiastically embracing the craft of logistics will be how our industry truly innovates for our clients. Read More

Alaska: North To The Future

April 23, 2018

A mix of experienced logistics service providers, resilient infrastructure, flexible transportation options, and a seasoned workforce combine to make Alaska a land of promise for companies doing business with the state. Read More

Supply Chain Commentary: 10 Ways to Enhance Visibility

April 16, 2018 Jon Slangerup

Supply chain visibility isn’t about seeing the 999 shipments that arrived on time—it’s about spotting the one that didn’t. Here’s how businesses can gain the insight and control they need as they move their goods around the globe. Read More

New Interchange 55 Logistics Park

April 8, 2018

Industrial logistics developer CT started building the 1.34-million-square-foot, $125-million Interchange 55 Logistics Park in suburban Chicago, with completion expected by the end of 2018. Read More

Olympics 2018: Supply Chain Gold

April 8, 2018

Every two years, the Olympics bring together some of the best athletes in the world. But in between the games, supply chain professionals, logistics experts, and manufacturers work to bring the event itself together. Read More

Good Start for Air Cargo? Too Early to Tell

April 7, 2018 Felecia Stratton

2018 looks to be off to a flying start for the air cargo industry, according to World ACD, but it may be too early to celebrate. Worldwide air cargo yield dropped to USD $1.89 (U.S. dollars) in January 2018, 7.8 percent below December, but 16.8 percent higher than January 2017. Read More

2018 Global Logistics Guide

April 6, 2018 Inbound Logistics

Inbound Logistics' 14th annual Global Logistics Guide presents a transportation and logistics world atlas to help you stay on top of shifting global dynamics and identify and map out continents and countries that require further exploration. Read More

Leveling the Ocean Shipping Playing Field

April 6, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Participating beneficial cargo owners can benefit from enhanced purchasing power, service monitoring, and cost transparency as a result of a new partnership between supply chain consulting company Chainalytics and global shipping consultancy Drewry. Read More

Technology Fuels Truckload Transport

April 5, 2018

Dedicated truckload fleets fill up on technology solutions that pump crucial data from power units and trailers and deliver it to shippers ready to give their supply chains the gas. Read More

German Trucks: It’s a Steal

April 4, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Growing cargo thefts across Germany, resulting in product losses valued at $1.3 billion annually, have prompted business associations in the country to launch a joint initiative to tackle the problem. Read More

Imports, E-Commerce Drive Industrial Real Estate Demand

April 4, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Seaports are a vital economic engine for the United States and a huge driver of demand for industrial real estate. Imports represented 63 percent of the total loaded cargo volume in 2017 for the top 13 ports in the United States. Read More

FTAs Top Concern of Importers/Exporters

April 2, 2018 Felecia Stratton

To gauge shipper perspectives on trade in today's world, and particularly about the shift in free trade agreement (FTA) focus, global logistics and transportation solutions company BDP polled U.S. importers and exporters attending its 29th Annual Regulatory Compliance Seminar in Houston in late February. Read More

In It for the Long Haul

April 2, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

This first of its kind Heavy Haul Freight Carrier Survey of 258 heavy haul truckers, co-sponsored by FR8Star and Comdata, yields some interesting trends. Read More

Logistics Jobs: Follow The Money

April 2, 2018

The rise of e-commerce, coupled with manufacturing and logistics facilities implementing robotics and other emerging technologies in the production process, has caused demand for digitally savvy workers with trade skills to skyrocket. Read More

Coping With Trade Compliance Challenges

April 1, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The ideal trade function for large, global companies is a pyramid-shaped hierarchy of needs: achieving compliance, scaling operations, and becoming a trusted advisor. Read More

New Jersey, Rhode Island: Highways to Hell

April 1, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The nation's top-performing, most cost-effective highways can be found in North Dakota, Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, and South Carolina, according to the latest edition of the Reason Foundation Annual Highway Report. Read More

Consumer Confidence Builds Up Industrial Real Estate

March 31, 2018 Felecia Stratton

2017 was another banner year for the industrial real estate market, in large part due to consumer confidence, which hit a 17-year high in December, according to Transwestern's year-end national industrial report. Read More

Capacity Crunch? Carriers Weigh In

March 31, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Shippers express concern about finding capacity, but how do carriers see the situation? To find out, Transporeon Group, a cloud-based supply chain execution platform provider, surveyed its base of more than 3,000 North American logistics service providers. Read More

E-Commerce Trends

March 30, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

E-commerce is an increasingly powerful engine for growth, and offers the best opportunities for small and mid-sized businesses, according to research conducted by DHL. Read More

Advantages of a Niche Third Party Logistics Provider

March 30, 2018 John Sell

Providers that specialize and target a specific industry, geographical market, or will limit their service offering are referred to as niche 3PL’s. Here are some of the advantages to using a niche 3PL over a traditional provider. Read More

E-Commerce: Cultivating a New Logistics Landscape

March 29, 2018

E-commerce continues to mow down traditional business practices. To adapt, companies serving manufacturing, industrial, and retail customers are seeding their portfolios with new services, and not letting any grass grow under their feet. Read More

Shipment Visibility Gets a Digital Facelift

March 29, 2018 Gary M. Barraco

With a digital model of the global supply chain, companies can realize collaboration, automation, analytics and flexibility. The result is a transformed global supply chain with improved margins, greater agility, and reduced risk. Read More

Long Beach Port Goes With the Flow

March 28, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

As cargo volumes and the complexity of port operations continue to increase, the Port of Long Beach and GE Transportation are collaborating on a pilot project to improve cargo flow, increase visibility, and enhance real-time decision-making. Read More

Advance Your Career

March 27, 2018 Bill Keough

Companies concerned with cost control, competitive differentiation, and innovation are more than ever seeking professionals who can drive substantive change. Read More

U.S. Manufacturers Brace for Tariff Backlash

March 26, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Shortly after the Trump administration announced the United States would impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, Harley-Davidson was among the companies expressing concern. Read More

Internet of Things to Come

March 26, 2018 Paul A. Myerson

The Internet of Things offers greater differentiation and innovation of the supply chain, which can let to a competitive advantage. Read More

Supply Chains Get Smart

March 25, 2018 Felecia Stratton

MIT and JDA Software will team up to advance research on intelligent supply chains, including machine learning, optimization, and consumer behavior modeling. The collaboration leverages both parties' business domain expertise and customer base. Read More

Georgia at the Center of Innovation

March 24, 2018 Felecia Stratton

A Georgia senate committee has named Savannah and Augusta as locations for new logistics technology innovation and information technology corridors. Read More

Sky. Falling or Not?

March 24, 2018 Keith Biondo

Demand-driven logistics can help manage supply chain disruption caused by trade uncertainty, tariffs, protectionism, and retaliation. Read More

New Floor & Decor Facility

March 21, 2018 Katrina Arabe

Floor & Decor, a specialty retailer of hard-surface flooring and related accessories, opened a 1.4-million-square-foot distribution center in Savannah. Read More

H&M Tries on Supply Chain Improvements

March 19, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Retailer H&M will increase supply chain investments and continue cost control measures to address slow growth in 2017, and keep pace with e-commerce rivals. Read More

Intermodal Delivers in 2017

March 18, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Intermodal freight volumes posted a fourth-quarter growth rate of 5.8 percent year-over-year, according to the Intermodal Association of North America's (IANA) fourth quarter and year-end Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report Read More

A Slap on the Wrist

March 17, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Amazon receives patents for wristband systems to monitor warehouse workers. Read More

Man vs. Machine

March 16, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Business leaders are divided in their vision of the future of human-machine partnerships. Read More

Yes, NAFTA Affects Your Industry Too

March 15, 2018 Gabrielle Griffith

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. Read More

6 Supply Chain Terms Creating the Buzz

March 12, 2018 Gary Frantz

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. Read More

The Human Experience

March 11, 2018 Keith Biondo

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. Read More

Mark Your Calendars: Logistics Events to Watch

March 9, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

These can't-events dive into the latest innovations and top-of-mind challenges facing supply chain professionals. Come for the insightful perspectives and stay for the thought-provoking discussions.  Read More

Current State of the 3PL Market

March 8, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Shipper demands, customer expectations, and 3PL capabilities increase, pushing supply chain to the forefront, according to the 2018 22nd Annual Third-Party Logistics Study. Read More

Let's Get Visible

March 7, 2018 Tom Gresham

Shippers gain powerful insight from end-to-end supply chain visibility, where execution and technology converge right before your eyes.  Read More

Inventory Strategies That Satisfy and Retain Customers

March 6, 2018 Jonathan Tran

The Amazon Effect continues to weigh heavily on the supply chain. Consumers expect to receive packages within a few days—or within one day—of placing an order. The demand for lightning-quick fulfillment, coupled with myriad small-order additions, has led to a complex operating environment. Read More

Slowing Down the Driver Shortage

March 6, 2018 Randy Swart

The driver shortage has been an issue in the transportation industry for well over a decade. Carriers need to develop successful tactics and strategies for recruiting and retaining drivers in order to remain competitive. Read More

5 Supply Chain Financing Trends

March 6, 2018

Supply chain financing solutions that allow both buyers and suppliers to optimize cash flow are becoming increasingly popular as more options become available. Here are five trends that are on the money. Read More

Global Trade Disruption: Managing the New Normal

March 5, 2018 Lisa Harrington

Global trade disruptions come in all shapes and sizes, and can wreak havoc on supply chains. Find out what proactive strategies and tactics leading companies use to tackle the escalating challenge of supply chain risk management. Read More

Supply Chain Impatience: No Time To Wait

March 5, 2018 Emma James

Supply chains are adapting to serve today's "hurry up" world of impatient consumers. Meet delivery expectations or customers go elsewhere—faster than a mouse click. Read More

VMI Strategies: A Matter of Trust

March 4, 2018 Tom Gresham

Vendor-managed inventory programs rely on strong working relationships, collaboration, and mutual trust between supply chain partners to make things happen. Read More

The Benefits of Using the Cloud for Attendance

March 3, 2018 Scott Mulka

Cloud-based employee time and attendance systems enable administrators to view and manage employee timesheets in real time, monitor overtime, track when and where workers are on the job, and get a better handle on overall labor costs. Read More

U.S. Manufacturing: Resurgence Sparks Dramatic Change

March 3, 2018 Charlie Fiveash

With one in every six jobs now tied to manufacturing, American-made products are making a profound comeback. Industry 4.0 innovations—3D printing, robotics, big data, and the Industrial Internet of Things—are changing the fortunes of U.S. manufacturing and its workers, with dramatic impact on the domestic supply chain. Read More

3PLs & Shippers: In It For the Long Haul

March 2, 2018 Jason McDowell

Shippers seek 3PLs to provide transportation, distribution, fulfillment, and warehousing solutions. The right 3PL partner, however, offers continuous improvement in ways that some shippers couldn't hope to expect. Read More

U.S. Economy Going Strong and Steady

March 1, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The U.S. economy continues to experience robust growth supported by real wage increases, lower unemployment, and easy access to credit, which all support stronger private consumption, according to the Atradius December Economic Update report. Read More

Funding High-Tech Supply Chain Startups

March 1, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Singapore-based investment company, Temasek and Kuehne Nagel International AG, a global logistics group, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint venture to invest globally in early stage companies developing cutting-edge technology for logistics and supply chains. Read More

Ethiopian Airlines Is Leasing Two Converted B737-800 Freighters

February 28, 2018 Felecia Stratton

With delivery dates of June 2018 and January 2019, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services, a division of the Ethiopian Airlines Group, is leasing the first Aeronautical Engineers Inc.(AEI)-converted Boeing 737-800 freighters (737-800SF) from GE Capital Aviation Services. Read More

Middle East Gain for Crane

February 27, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Crane Worldwide Logistics has expanded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, opening a fully operational office based in Dammam. Read More

Status Grow? Yes.

February 27, 2018 Felecia Stratton

There is a great opportunity for growth in many business sectors, and the role of supply chain excellence is fundamentally important in that economic environment. Read More

Fleets Don’t Fail Me Now

February 27, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The number of active fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in Russia/CIS and Eastern Europe was 4.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2016, according to a new report. Read More

Peak Season Piques Airfreight Demand

February 26, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Global air freight is on track to achieve its strongest operational and financial performance since the post-global financial crisis rebound in 2010. Read More

Capacity Crunch

February 26, 2018 Mike Finn

The perfect storm is here: between the back-to-back hurricanes of 2017, the (ELD) mandate going into effect, and the ongoing driver shortage crisis, the transportation industry is experiencing a critical capacity crunch. These variables have forced a drastic increase in freight rates. Read More

Global Food Safety Update

February 24, 2018 Karen Kroll

Armed with certification programs and a collaboration platform, the Global Food Safety Initiative is battling to defend the global food supply chain from contamination. Read More

Acquiring Shipt Will Bring Target Shoppers Same-Day Delivery

February 24, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Target recently acquired Shipt to leverage the same-day delivery company's proprietary technology platform and community of shoppers, and quickly and efficiently bring same-day delivery to customers across the country. What does this $550-million deal mean for Target and other retailers? Read More

Three Supply Chain Trends You Need to Know

February 23, 2018 Ken Wood

The pace of supply chain and logistics transformation shows no signs of stopping in 2018, and changes in commerce, technology, demographics, and regulation will have huge implications for the sector. Here are three trends to keep top of mind. Read More

Digital Supply Chain: What's Your Reality

February 22, 2018 Merrill Douglas

What does the digital supply chain mean for your company? More integration, better visibility, a single version of the truth, a clearer view of the future—and maybe a few flying robots. Read More

Lease Me a Loan: Transport Financing on the Upswing

February 21, 2018 Anthony Sasso

Today more businesses rely on leases, loans, and equipment lines of credit to finance increased spending on new equipment. Businesses have increased their capital equipment spending for the seventh consecutive year, with overall new business volume growing by 2.5 percent. Read More

Creating The Internet of Everything

February 20, 2018 Merrill Douglas

As the Industrial Internet of Things evolves into an Internet of Everything, new solutions are creating benefits all along the supply chain. Read More

10 Ways To Play IT Safe

February 19, 2018 Christopher Skinner

Here are 10 threats and trends to look out for across business, governmental, and personal arenas. Read More

LTL Carriers: E-Commerce Powerhouse

February 18, 2018 Emma James

As more consumers choose e-commerce for a variety of goods, how are less-than-truckload carriers being impacted? Trucking companies are developing new strategies to serve retailers and manufacturers creating the goods that impatient consumers expect fast and free. Read More

The Supply Chain Strategist

February 17, 2018 Karen M. Kroll

Steve Ahern, manager of supply chain operational design with BASF, puts his team in a position to succeed. Read More

Fraud Goes Broad

February 16, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

The use of analytics to mitigate third-party supply chain fraud, waste, and abuse risk jumped to 35 percent in 2017 from 25.2 percent in 2014,according to a Deloitte poll. Read More

Multi-Stop Steps

February 15, 2018 Inbound Logistics Staff

Here are four ways shippers can reduce rates and increase acceptance of multi-stop loads, according to a whitepaper published by the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics and TMC, a division of C.H. Robinson. Read More

Status Quo? No.

February 14, 2018 Keith Biondo

Status quo will not be the norm in 2018 as major and minor changes are brewing in business operations. Read More

Valentine’s Day Logistics

February 14, 2018 Katrina Arabe

Nurturing and maintaining delicate flowers throughout the supply chain is not for the faint-hearted. Here are a few stats showing logistics savvy in full blossom. Read More

Research: Tracking Trucking

February 13, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Data scientists at fleet management solutions provider Omnitracs recently conducted some research into what the trucking industry looked like in 2016 vs. 2017. The main findings revolved around Hours of Service and Key Performance Indicator metrics. Read More

5 Things to Consider When Choosing an ELD Provider

February 8, 2018 Sebastien Ruffino and Abe Levine

Now that the ELD Mandate has taken effect, grabbing an ELD device off the shelf may seem like a quick and effective fix. It’s not. Here’s what to look for and avoid when making this critical selection. Read More

Supply Chain Collaboration: Myth or Reality?

February 6, 2018 Paris Gogos

Supply chain collaboration (SCC) is vital for companies to make critical decisions quickly and outpace the competition. But, are the key concepts of collaboration a current reality or a myth? This article breaks them down. Read More

Predictive Applications Take Supply Chains into the Future

February 2, 2018 Monte Zweben

Many companies handle supply chain anomalies with reactive planning systems, but this approach leaves them vulnerable to disruption. One new way to deal with supply chain uncertainty is to use machine learning to predict what might go wrong. Read More

Clinical Trial Supply 2018 Report: The Quest to Shrink Wastage Levels

January 31, 2018 Chanice Henry

In clinical trials, supply managers reduce the risk of stock outs by supplying a surplus of medicine. But this leads to wastage. A recent Pharma Logistics IQ report finds the key trouble areas, from sourcing, planning and forecasting, to temperature-controlled logistics, and recommends solutions. Read More

It's Now or NAFTA

January 10, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The odds are “about 50-50” that NAFTA will be terminated, according to Gerónimo Gutiérrez, Mexico’s ambassador to the United States, following a fifth round of renegotiations among the United States, Mexico, and Canada on the nearly 24-year-old free trade agreement. Read More

Building Resilience in Your Global Supply Chain

January 8, 2018 Felecia Stratton

If your company has a business continuity plan in place in the event of a supply chain disruption, you are not alone. Nearly 75 percent of organizations have made business continuity arrangements related to supply chain management. Read More

The Human-Centered Supply Chain

January 5, 2018 Felecia Stratton

The fashion supply chain is moving toward a human-centered model, which shifts from a sequenced approach of siloed operations to a flexible network of participants and partnerships that will enable agile and adaptable supply chain operations. Read More

Meet a New Breed of Procurement Professionals

January 3, 2018 Felecia Stratton

In a workforce being transformed by the rise of the gig economy and industry restructuring, what attitudes and behaviors do procurement professionals need to climb the career ladder? The first global survey from Procurious.com reveals some answers. Read More

Simplifying Trade Complexity

January 2, 2018 Felecia Stratton

Amber Road and AAEI published The Trade Trends Report, 2017 Survey on Sourcing, Trade and e-Commerce, which identifies these global trade challenges and strategies. Read More

Get Your Supply Chain Up to E-Commerce Speed

December 27, 2017 Fauad Shariff

Supply chains face a conundrum when it comes to speed: No matter how automated your processes are internally, you’re only as fast as the next guy in the chain. Here’s what it takes to be e-commerce fast. Read More

Supply Chain Commentary: What Does the Share Economy Mean for Manufacturers?

December 15, 2017 Gary Brooks

The rent-over-own consumer mentality is driving the share economy, with end users interested in only spending what’s needed, rather than investing in a depreciating product. Manufacturers – especially those with dealer networks – need to consider a shift in thinking that reflects the shift their customers are making. Read More

K Line, Agunsa Drive KAR

December 14, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

To leverage rising automotive import traffic in Latin America, particularly in Chile, multinational logistics agency Agunsa has partnered with Japanese shipping firm "K" Line to create a dedicated automotive logistics company. Read More

Do Buy, Says Dubai

December 12, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

E-commerce is booming and everyone wants a piece of the pie, including Dubai . Read More

Addressing Expedited Delivery Expectations

December 11, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Amazon and other large retailers set customer expectations by offering expedited delivery at low or no cost. Retailers of all sizes must compete on the same turf, yet lack the negotiating power that could net meaningful discounts with commercial carriers. Read More

Assessing U.S. Shipments and Spend

December 7, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

A tighter truck market, increase in national shipments, and accelerated factory output are among the highlights of the Q3 2017 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index, which measures quantitative changes in shipment and spend activity (see chart) based on data from transactions the company processes. Read More

Industrial Companies Map Data Gap

December 6, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Eighty-four percent of industrial companies face a disconnect between data from connected devices and strategic decision making and operations, limiting the Internet of Thing's (IoT) digital transformation potential, according to a research study conducted by IFS, a global enterprise applications company. Read More

6 Strategies for Finding the Right 3PL Partner

November 30, 2017 Bob Farrell

RFP season is upon us. It’s the time of year when shippers request bids and plan their optimal logistics strategy for 2018. Here are 6 tips to help you through your next round of RFPs. Read More

Primed for Amazon

November 29, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

In September 2017, Amazon announced plans to open another headquarters in North America. Called "HQ2," the facility will cost at least $5 billion to construct. Locations are going the extra mile to win the bid for HQ2. Read More

Supply Chain Commentary: How to Reduce Supplier Inventory Costs

November 28, 2017 John Kelser

Many shippers rely on the Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN) in which the supplier alerts you of pending deliveries. You may see a product name, a PO#, and select dates, but the ASN does not contain the details that receiving or warehouse management needs. Here's a better way. Read More

China Ups Delivery Service to the U.S.

November 27, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Two leading express companies are joining forces to leverage their complementary networks, service portfolios, technologies, and logistics expertise. Read More

Debt: A Rising Risk in Your Supply Chain

November 20, 2017 William B. Danner

Supply chain managers face many types of risk on a daily basis—cargo theft, natural disasters, long lead times, and unpredictable demand. But none is currently at an inflection point quite like debt. Read More

Is Supply Chain Planning Right for the Cloud?

November 13, 2017 Henry Canitz

Cloud-based deployments can remove IT obstacles and accelerate the launch of supply chain initiatives. However, are the advantages of cloud deployments for supply chain solutions real and worthwhile? Read More

Facts About Friction

November 9, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Clunky payment processes cause supply chain friction. Find out how to achieve a frictionless process. Read More

Supply Chain Commentary: Out Darn Spot! Out, I Say!

November 8, 2017 David Landau

Should companies use the spot market less? Capacity is getting tighter across the board. Some carriers may not be willing to commit capacity in lanes they were previously happy to do so. What's a shipper to do? Read More

Urban Logistics: You Can't Fight City Haul

November 7, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

The impact of urbanization on business growth and sustainability concerns nearly all companies surveyed in a new report. However, only 47 percent feel prepared to address the associated business challenges. Read More

The Red Wings Beneath My Feet

November 2, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

The Red Wing Shoe Company gets customers to share how their boots are serving them—and the supply chain—well. Read More

Supply Chain Commentary: Why Manufacturers Should Adopt an Ecosystem Strategy

October 23, 2017 Russ Rasmus

As the needs of buyers become more unpredictable and complex, and as they begin to demand more frequent product launches and extreme personalization, manufacturers are struggling to keep up, let alone profitably. It’s time for manufacturers to begin creating the ecosystem they’ll need to dominate their markets. Read More

E-commerce Retailers Target Germany

October 18, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Approximately one-third of leading U.S. e-commerce retailers are planning to enter the German market in the next four years, according to a recent study. Read More

Missing Ingredients to FSMA Compliance

October 17, 2017 John W. Sammon III

While the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011 set the guidelines and rulemaking for the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food (STHAF) in process, there are still gaps in compliance. Here's how to address them. Read More

Fashion Supply Chain: What to Where

October 16, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Executives from leading fashion and apparel brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers reveal the supply chain challenges topping their list. Read More

IBM: Working on the Blockchain Gang

October 5, 2017 Jason McDowell

IBM aims to make blockchain tangible for the global supply chain, and has begun building a proof-of-concept blockchain-based supply chain network after signing a memorandum of understanding with shipping line Pacific International Lines (PIL) and the Port Authority of Singapore (PSA). Read More

Supply Chain Recovery: The Calm After the Storms

October 4, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Among the lasting effects of catastrophic natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma is a positive one: Knowledge. It's an understanding of what companies need to do in the wake of a disaster, which efforts worked and which failed, and how to be better prepared. Read More

3 Signs of a Siloed Supply Chain—and How to Fix Them

September 20, 2017 Nick Foy

Supply chains must be faster and more agile than ever. Siloed systems can slow down the process, causing frustrated customers to take their business elsewhere, resulting in lost revenue, resources, and time. Here are three signs of siloed supply chains and what to do about them. Read More

Supply Chain Commentary: Prepare for Mobile Commerce

September 18, 2017 Louis DeJianne

Mobile commerce is expected to become a $250-billion market by 2020, with an increasing number of sales being done via smartphone apps, says the 2017 UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper. Here are key takeaways for retailers. Read More

Supply Chain Shout Out: In Appreciation of Truck Drivers

September 15, 2017 Matthew K. Vesey

The supply chain that is supported by professional drivers often includes three or more cogs to eventually get the product safely, and on time, to the end user. When an interruption occurs within the supply chain, the professional drivers are the individuals who step up and make sacrifices to get the gears back in line. Read More

Digital Change: Realizing the Potential

September 14, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Digital Transformation (DT) is coming of age. Eighty percent of respondents to a recent IFS Digital Change Survey see themselves as “enabled”, “enhanced” or “optimized” to leverage DT. Read More

U.S. Manufacturers Respond to Regulatory Plans

September 13, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Manufacturers and wholesale distributors are optimistic about the perceived impact of the Trump administration’s plans for trade deregulation on their businesses, according to new research commissioned by business software provider Exact. Read More

Does Multimodal Logistics Have a Future in Europe?

September 7, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

When it comes to multimodal logistics moving freight by combining two or more transport modes Europe still lags the more advanced U.S. market, but has made steady progress, according to Colliers International's latest industrial research for the EMEA. Read More

Digitally Transform Your Supply Chain Today

August 24, 2017 Earl van As

Supply chain executives need not consider digital transformation as a large-scale undertaking with an expensive and complex integration process. Applying simple-to-implement steps like document automation can greatly improve productivity and elevate the customer experience. Read More

Global Supply Chain Suffers Disruptions Amid Diplomatic Crisis

August 17, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

Disagreements in the Middle East left the supply chain reeling as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Libya, and Yemen cut political and business ties with Qatar and accused the small Middle Eastern nation of supporting radical Islamic terrorism in the region. Read More

Retailers Struggle to Control Fulfillment Costs

August 11, 2017 Inbound Logistics Staff

More than 55 percent of consumers use multiple channels—such as online and mobile—to shop, yet more than 40 percent of retailers describe fulfillment costs as a major challenge impacting their business Read More

Amazon Files Patent To Parachute Packages

August 10, 2017 Jason McDowell

Now that it has filed a series of patents for drone delivery systems, Amazon seems to be following through on promises that Prime Air will eventually become a reality. Read More

Choosing a Freight Auditing and Payment Vendor

August 4, 2017 Garry Oswald

These seven selection criteria present a straightforward process to penetrate beyond a company’s sales brochure and determine how well a service company can actually do the best job for your company. Read More

How Walmart’s OTIF Policy Creates New Baselines for Suppliers

August 3, 2017 Matt Elenjickal

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. caught many shipping companies off guard when it released its new “On-Time In-Full” policy. This program mandates that if any shipment arrives early, late, or on-time but not packaged properly, the shipper will be charged 3 percent of the total items’ value. Read More