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How to Deploy a Successful Improvement Program
Successful continuous improvement initiatives require focusing on achievable goals.
Lean, Labor Management, Logistics I.T.
Leveraging Lean and Labor Management
Using lean components as a foundation for labor management is a powerful way to increase productivity and reduce costs in a warehouse or distribution center, according to Ryder Supply Chain Solutions’ Jeff Boudreau.
The Future of Work in Logistics
To meet growing e-commerce demand, alleviate labor shortages, and build more supply chain resilience, businesses will need to deploy strategies to engage workers in a digital era.
Is Labor Status Quo Crippling Your Operation?
Discover the ways your normalcy undermines business success and how to fix it.
Careers, Education, Labor Management
Syfan Logistics 'Goes to College' to Solve Labor Challenge
Syfan worked with colleges and universities around its headquarters to develop a program to meet current hiring needs as well as build a foundation for the future.
Labor Management, Trucking, Warehousing
Combating the Logistics Labor Shortage By Addressing Driving Factors
Understanding the underlying causes behind the logistics labor shortage is key to addressing it. Here are the strategies implemented by Taylored Services to combat the shortage.
Lean Logistics, Robotics, Lean
Demand Accuracy In Your Supply Chain
Visibility, collaboration and communication are the keys to improve demand timing and accuracy to minimize the impacts of the pandemic and other local and global events.
Labor Management, Risk Management
Flexing Labor Practices to Respond to Supply Chain Disruptions
Responding to e-commerce surges without compromising service levels, MD Logistics flexed labor across its business by emphasizing four core elements.
Lean Logistics, Lean, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management
Does Lean Have a Limit?
Automation and intelligence will be key tools in developing supply chain resilience. Companies can start by implementing these three key enablers.
Labor Management, Safety, Warehousing
Supply Chain Recovery Starts with Hygiene Compliance
Hygiene plays a critical role in manufacturing employees’ safety. Industry leaders must consistently prioritize employee health and provide the tools, resources, and appropriate working conditions to achieve hygiene compliance and ensure successful recovery.
Demand Planning, Labor Management, Technology
Focus on the Future
Leadership profile of Robert Johnson, CFO and COO of Future Tech Enterprise.
Labor Management, Risk Management, Technology
Thriving Amidst a Competitive Supply Chain Labor Market
Faced with a labor shortage exacerbated by the pandemic, MD Logistics developed a recruitment strategy to attract talent for present-day conditions as well as allow for continued growth.
Finance, Labor Management, Risk Management
Five Keys for Turning Challenge into Opportunity
To capitalize on what they’ve learned, transform, and thrive in a post-COVID world, supply chain leaders should focus on these five pillars: people, finances, decision-making, infrastructure, and customers.
Labor Management, Supply Chain Management
10 Tips for Leading Your Team
These 10 tips for clear and effective supply chain leadership can help set your company's culture and motivate employees to work together toward a common goal.
The View From the Control Tower
Control towers can be a critical component in managing a lean and agile supply chain.
Why Talent Management Is Business-Critical
While different industries often have varying talent and skillset needs, investing in creative, intuitive and dedicated people translates to investing in your company’s future success.
Lean Logistics, Lean, Sourcing/Negotiations, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management
Going Straight to the Sourcing
This article defines strategic sourcing and how to implement it.
Lean Logistics, Lean, Risk Management, Supply Chain
Global Supply Chain Risk: Don’t Wait, Mitigate
Having a global supply chain risk management strategy in place can not only increase value to your customers but also reduce your costs and increase performance.
Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Transportation
Stay Competitive with a Flexible TMS
Volatile demand, shrinking lead times, and new consumption patterns have impacted transportation systems in many ways. That makes it ever more important to maintain an agile, flexible supply chain to gain a competitive advantage.
What's Your Sourcing Strategy?
Despite Lean traditionally being thought of as a “pen and pencil” technique, it is in fact a key enabler of a lean supply chain linking lean thinking with available and affordable systems and technologies to get the most out of improved processes.
Labor Management, Logistics, Trucking, Supply Chain Management, Transportation
Truck Driver Health Should Drive Business Decisions
Truck drivers are the lifeblood of the supply chain. Here's how to protect this invaluable asset and address the driver shortage.
Lean, Retail, Logistics, Supply Chain
Predictive Analytics Takes Forecasting to a New Level
Predictive analytics utilizes various statistical techniques and models that analyze current and historical facts to make predictions about future.
Health Care Logistics, Inventory Management, Lean, Logistics, Risk Management, Supply Chain, Specialized Logistics, Supply Chain Management
Caldwell Hospital Gets a Lean Bill of Health
A North Carolina hospital improves patient care by prescribing a lean and healthy supply chain.
Fulfillment, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain, Technology
Using Network Optimization Technology To Enable Your Lean Supply Chain
From a Lean and agile supply chain perspective,an optimally designed supply chain can significantly improve margins,support expansion into new markets,enhance the customer experience,and reduce operating costs.
Education & Careers, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain
Winning, With Integrity
Profile of Kirsten Hall, CEO of Logistics Planning Services in Woodbury, Minn.
E-commerce, Lean, Retail, Logistics, Supply Chain
How Supply Chain Strategies Impact
E-commerce Success
The emergence of e-commerce as part of a company’s omni-channel marketing program requires not only an agile, lean supply chain but also a strategy to get there.
Distribution, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain, Technology
How to Optimize Demand Chain Management
The demand chain model drastically reduces a distribution center’s footprint and associated costs by replacing safety stock with information.
Lean: It’s Not About Pens and Pencils Anymore
Despite Lean traditionally being thought of as a “pen and pencil” technique, it is in fact a key enabler of a lean supply chain linking lean thinking with available and affordable systems and technologies to get the most out of improved processes.
Retail Logistics, Distribution, Labor Management, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Warehousing
Is Your Warehouse Ready for Black Friday? Start Preparing This Summer
Rising consumer expectations are driving change throughout the supply chain. And there’s no tougher test for meeting increased expectations than Black Friday. The time is now for warehouse managers to examine the three critical success factors in warehouse labor management.
Lean Logistics, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain
Does Your Supply Chain Need an Alignment?
If your company’s supply chain isn’t aligned with your overall business competitive strategy, then performance may fall short of expectations, with higher costs, poor execution, and reduced revenue and profits.
Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain, Trucking, Technology , Transportation
Adapters Win in the Multi-Modal, Omni-Channel Fast Lane
Competitive agility and adaptability help shippers win the multi- and omni-channel race to the customer.
Air Cargo, Lean, Logistics, Packaging, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Transportation
Summer Reading Guide: 16 Must-Reads This Summer
A handy reading guide summarizing supply chain books and their key takeaways.
Green Logistics, Lean Logistics, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain, Sustainability
Supply Chain Sustainability Takes Root
Whether to help the environment or just to cut costs, companies are making lean and green changes with a major impact.
Air Cargo, Distribution, Lean, Logistics, Packaging, Rail, Pallets, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Trucking, Transportation, Warehousing
Creating a Lean and Green Culture
Launching a cost cutting, productivity-enhancing, or sustainability initiative creates efficiencies with environmental benefits and cost reductions.
Labor Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation Infrastructure, Technology , Transportation, Warehousing
Trends—April 2016
Smart, connected cities are closer than you think; Inevitable minimum wage hike has supply chain implications
Reverse Logistics, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain
Saving Green While Going Green
Supply chain sustainability, while good for the environment, can also be good for the bottom line if incorporated into a company’s supply chain strategy.
Education & Careers, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain
Michael Fries: No Small Potatoes
Profile of Michael Fries, senior business intelligence logistics analyst at U.S. Foods, drills into data to find opportunities to make or save money in the company’s logistics operations.
Manufacturing Logistics, Lean, Manufacturing, Logistics, Partnership
Lean Management: Ready, Set, Grow
Contract manufacturer Apex International had seen its growth halt as it struggled to deliver products on time and provide sufficient quality control. With the help of Simpler Consulting, Apex adopted Lean management principles to transform its culture and return the company to a path of growth.
The Perfect Order Has Evolved—Has Your Workforce Management Strategy?
By focusing on the frontline workforce—the biggest component to delivering the perfect order—companies can uncover hidden costs, maximize performance, and manage compliance risk.
Retail Logistics, Distribution, Lean, Retail, Logistics, Supply Chain, Technology
RFID: More Than Just a Better Barcode
Radio Frequency Identification Technology has a multitude of benefits that can have a significant impact on reducing and eliminating waste in the extended supply chain.
Lean, Logistics, Technology , Supply Chain Management
Measuring to Manage or Barely Managing to Measure
It is critical to set meaningful, relevant, and attainable targets to ensure that everyone is focused on a Lean supply chain.
Lean Logistics, Lean, Supply Chain, Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Technology
Intelligent Technology Provides Visibility into Supply Chain
Intelligent transportation technology provides new sources of competitive advantage through complete supply chain visibility.
Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain Management
Procurement and Purchasing:
Buying into Lean
When applying Lean principles to procurement and purchasing processes, non-traditional sources of waste can be identified, which benefits the entire supply chain.
Green Logistics, Lean, Logistics, Specialized Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain Management
How to Cut Seven Non-Traditional Wastes
These seven non-traditional forms of waste can have a direct impact on your bottom line.
Green Logistics, 3PL, Lean, Third-Party Logistics, Specialized Logistics, Supply Chain Management
Growing a Culture of Sustainability
Finding a common ground between cost and corporate social responsibility remains a challenging proposition – unless organizations nurture a culture of sustainability.
Green Logistics, 3PL, Lean, Logistics, Third-Party Logistics, Specialized Logistics, Supply Chain Management
G75: Inbound Logistics' 75 Green Supply Chain Partners
These supply chain, logistics, and transportation companies lead the way in supporting sustainability.
Labor Management, Logistics, Technology
Gamification: A New Way of Tracking and Improving KPIs
A little healthy competition between employees can help to improve performance and metrics.
Labor Management, Supply Chain Management
7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Incentive Program
Employee incentives are a simple and valuable way to increase productivity in your facility.
Lean, Logistics, Site Selection, Supply Chain Management
How Location Decisions Impact a Lean Strategy
When trying to avoid waste in your supply chain, it’s all about location, location, location.
Big Data, Lean, Logistics I.T., Supply Chain Management
The Next Frontier of Supply Chain Innovation: Analytics, LEAN and the Power of Big Data
The confluence of faster data access, better analytical tools, and data-driven business decisions, make it more likely that future supply chain optimization will be continuous.
Education & Careers, Labor Management
Supporting a Multilingual Workforce
It is important for employers to find the most effective way to communicate with their multilingual workforce.
Education & Careers, Labor Management
Accommodating Disabled Colleagues in Your Workforce
Employers must ensure that employees with disabilities are treated with respect.
3PL, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain Management
Leverage Data to Navigate Uncertain Times
Companies are seeking data to help them understand their supply chain networks, and strategic enterprise partners are providing the needed information to them through logistics.
Distribution, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transportation
Supply Chain Excellence: A Manufacturing Firestarter
Whirlpool is taking a page out of its Lean production manual and following Penske’s lead to create a more flexible and responsive North American supply chain.
Education & Careers, Labor Management, Manufacturing, Logistics I.T.
Filling the Manufacturing Skills Gap With Technology
How manufacturers can use technology to stretch the capabilities of their existing workforce.
Air Cargo, 3PL, Lean, Ocean, Rail, Trucking
Reducing Freight Costs
As transportation prices rise, shippers are engaging in smart planning to reduce logistics costs.
A Lean and Agile Supply Chain: Not an Option, But a Necessity
Companies can benefit from have a hybrid supply chain that is not only Lean, but also agile.
Military Logistics, Chemical Logistics, Labor Management, Legislation, Public Policy, and Regulations, Logistics I.T., Ports, Safety, Trucking, Supply Chain Management
Trends—September 2014
OSHA issues updates to its Hazard Communication Standard; HP’s Dave Thomas addresses the importance of data quality; Ohio Trucking Association debuts military exhibition class at truck driving competition; Companies fail to use procurement in a strategic way; Shippers planning ahead for labor disruptions.
Boost Your Workforce’s Value Through Training and Mentoring
Establish training and mentoring programs to ensure employees have the knowledge they need.
Selecting the Right Technology to Support Your Lean Operations
Before choosing enterprise solutions, companies should conduct intensive requirements research.
3PL, Lean, Partnership, Supply Chain Management
The Evolution of Enterprise Logistics
Enterprise logistics providers are developing solutions that fuse data elements for insights that enable decisionmaking.
Forklifts, Labor Management, Materials Handling, Safety
How to Create a Forklift Safety Culture
New forklift-based technologies can positively impact safety goals in your facility.
Lean Retail: It’s About Time – and Money
Retailers can identify and eliminate waste from their retail strategy, merchandise management, and store operations.
Lean: Winning Strategies for Cutting Waste
With Lean tools and processes, companies can reduce waste in their supply chain operations.
Inventory Management, Lean, Supply Chain Management
Streamlining Inventory Through SKU Rationalization
The number of stockkeeping units has increased considerably. Doing an ABC analysis helps eliminate unneeded inventory.
Education & Careers, Labor Management, Risk Management
Ax Torres: Plowing Ahead
Ax Torres supervises outbound shipping at agricultural machinery company AGCO Corporation.
Education & Careers, Labor Management
5 Steps for Improving Your Logistics Training
Effective employee training programs benefit workers and align with corporate business objectives to drive results.
Economic Development, Asia, Cross-border Trade, China, Canada, Reverse Logistics, Global Logistics, Labor Management, Manufacturing, Retail, Ports, Transportation Infrastructure, Latin America
Global—February 2014
China and Taiwan depend on one another; Emirates targets multimodal transportation infrastructure investment; Chile port strike ends, concerns remain; Free online returns stoke Canadian consumption but place onus on U.S. retailers; Europe looks to United States for re-shoring inspiration; Mondelez debuts new GS1 standard
Inventory Management, Lean, Partnership, Supply Chain Management
Collaborative Programs: Not a Chore But an Opportunity
Programs such as vendor managed inventory (VMI) and efficient consumer response (ECR) fuel supply chain growth.
3PL, Distribution, Labor Management, Materials Handling, Logistics I.T., Safety, Warehousing
Materials Handling Meets Big Data
Big data gathered by materials handling equipment helps warehouse managers improve productivity and safety.
Automotive Logistics, Global Logistics, Lean, Manufacturing, Risk Management, Supply Chain Management
Automotive Logistics: The Upside of Resiliency
Collaborative risk management helps automakers and their supply chain partners protect against disruptions.
Education & Careers, Labor Management
Creating Meaningful Logistics Training Programs on a Budget
Job training is vital to maintaining a skilled and properly credentialed workforce, and must be built into every budget.
Education & Careers, Labor Management
Logistics Grads Suit Up for the Future
Universities and corporations are collaborating to improve supply chain education offerings and better equip students.
Lean, Logistics I.T., Warehousing
Tapping Technology To Improve Lean Warehouses
Tools such as electronic data interchange (EDI) and advanced picking solutions support lean supply chain operations.
Labor Management, Legislation, Public Policy, and Regulations, Trucking
How to Manage Hours-of-Service Regulations Compliance
Shippers must adapt to accommodate federal Hours-of-Service rules affecting the time truck drivers can be on the road.
Putting a Lean Spin on Reverse Logistics
Managing reverse logistics with a Lean outlook can not only improve profitability, but also add value for customers.
3PL, Labor Management, Legislation, Public Policy, and Regulations
How Will the Affordable Care Act Impact Shippers?
A large seasonal workforce complicates 3PL compliance with healthcare laws and could mean rate increases for shippers.
Reducing Defects and Errors: Don't Make the Same Mistake Twice
Apply Lean concepts to eliminate product defects and operator errors in supply chain and logistics operations.
The Lean Supply Chain: Watch Your Waste Line
Shippers and 3PLs have applied lean principles to remove waste from their operations and improve performance.
Getting Green, Going Lean
Demand-driven logistics practices are a perfect focal point to integrate green strategies with Lean methodologies.
Are Your Processes Adding Value or Waste?
Value-added warehouse processes such as kitting and assembling may be introducing overprocessing waste into your supply chain.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Overproduction
Producing or purchasing too much inventory leads to waste and carrying costs. Companies can apply the Lean principle of Takt time to ensure the right level of product is on hand to meet customer needs.
Workforce Management: The Human Factor
Solid workforce training, appropriate metrics, and well-designed incentive programs give companies an advantage in building their supply chain labor pool.
The Lean Supply Chain: A Field of Opportunity
The Lean Supply Chain is a system of interconnected and interdependent forces that operate in unison to accomplish overarching supply chain objectives, writes Robert Martichenko of LeanCor Supply Chain Group.
Playing the Waiting Game
Identify the sources of delay to reduce the time workers spend waiting for instructions and supplies. Lean tools such as Kanban and Total Productive Maintenance can help, writes Paul A. Myerson.
Labor Management, Logistics I.T.
Are You in the Dark About Labor Visibility?
Workforce management gives companies the tools they need to improve overall performance – whether they’re looking to cut labor costs, improve productivity, or create better revenue growth and bottom-line profitability, writes Malysa O’Connor of Kronos.
Eliminating Wasted Motion
Lean concepts such as 5S, Visual Workplace, and Kanban help reduce motion waste to create safer, more efficient workplaces.
Labor Management, Logistics I.T.
Putting Labor Management Systems to Work
Labor management systems help distribution centers and warehouse facilities monitor and measure worker performance to identify problems and improvement opportunities.
Minimizing Wasted Movement
Eliminating unnecessary movements in warehousing operations goes a long way toward improving your supply chain’s Lean profile.
Inventory…What a Waste
Carrying excess inventory ties up valuable capital and warehouse space. Using lean tools to analyze and optimize inventory levels helps companies operate more efficiently.
Cross-border Trade, Labor Management, Manufacturing, Warehousing
Supporting a Glass Act
Mexico-based automotive glassmaker Vitro Automotive opened a distribution center in the United States to serve Detroit automakers just-in-time requirements. Its long-time logistics service provider Evans Distribution Systems staffed the new DC for Vitro to ensure a quality workforce.
The Bionic Warehouse
Companies such as Pep Boys and Georgia Pacific are harnessing technology to gain greater warehouse labor productivity through labor management systems; incentive programs; and warehouse management systems connected to forklift-mounted mobile computers.
Lean, Materials Handling, Warehousing
Making a Business Case for Lean MHE
Applying lean principles to materials handling equipment purchases and configurations helps companies cut costs, writes Robert Arndt, Ryder Supply Chain Solutions.
The Journey to Continuous Supply Chain Improvement
Applying lean manufacturing principles to supply chain and logistics operations can help businesses reduce costs and gain efficiencies, writes Paul A. Myerson of LPA, LLC.
Tough Economic Times Require LEAN Logistics Solutions
Forward-thinking organizations are pursuing lean assessments to evaluate their supply chain, combined with innovative lean solutions to help them design the future state of their value stream, writes Eric Lail of Transportation Insight.
Integration: Bucking Convention
Buck Knives’ lean integration has allowed the company to sharpen efficiencies in its manufacturing operation, increase output, and pull back production from China.
Forklifts, Labor Management, Logistics I.T.
VMS Lifts Warehouse Labor Productivity
Vehicle management systems allow lift truck operators to complete pre-operation checklists electronically, saving valuable production time, writes Joe LaFergola of The Raymond Corporation.
Labor Management, Logistics I.T.
The Perfect Time to Optimize Labor Management
A comprehensive supply chain labor management solution that automates processes such as hiring, time, and attendance, and scheduling can help control costs, minimize compliance risk, and improve productivity, says Malysa O'Connor, Kronos.
Lean: The Next Best Thing to ‘Clip-and-Save’
Charlie Jacobs of APL Logistics explains the cost savings and efficiency benefits of implementing lean practices, as demonstrated by three warehousing case studies.
3PL, Lean, Supply Chain Management
Lean Six Sigma: Leaning by Degrees
Lean Six Sigma enablers and practitioners are using continuous improvement methodologies to squeeze cost and inefficiency out of the supply chain.
Labor Management, Logistics I.T., Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Supply Chain Management, Warehousing
Managing Labor Boosts Warehouse Operations
Labor management tools can help you determine if your workforce is performing at the level necessary to deliver cost-effective service to customers.
Deere Customer
A lean manufacturing value chain sometimes carries the risk of falling behind demand, as John Deere discovered, but the alternative can be worse, writes Inbound Logistics Publisher Keith Biondo.
Crack the WIP for a Leaner Supply Chain
Zebra Technologies' David Phillips explains how eliminating excess work-in-process waste improves your supply chain.
Bridging the Supply Chain Gender Gap
Here’s how organizations within the supply chain ecosystem can take progressive actions to help bridge the gender gap and create a more equitable workplace across all roles and levels for women and working moms.
Follow the Sun
Chief executive officer Arch Thomason basks in a mentor list 33 names long, lean principles, and a team of smart people to keep Sunland Logistics Solutions shining bright and set customers up for success.
Careers, Labor Management, Supply Chain
Young Professionals Remain Positive
About 99% of professionals aged 30 and younger say that working in supply chain is a quality career choice, according to a Penske survey, with 58% pursuing a supply chain career due to its beneficial societal impact delivering essential goods during the pandemic.
Inventory Management, Labor Management, Technology
Supply-Side Accuracy and Timeliness in Volatile Times
By focusing on supply-side accuracy and timeliness in your supply chain, you can not only cut down on unnecessary excess inventory and outages, but also plan and meet demand more precisely in this volatile environment.
Labor Management, Trucking, Transportation
What's the first thing you would do to address the truck driver shortage?
Industry insiders share the initial and most impactful steps they would take to address the truck driver shortage.
Global Logistics, Labor Management, Technology
Choose Empathetic Technology:
Frontline Tech that Cares
The logistics and supply chain industry still is severely affected by the pandemic, from canceled sailings to a shortage of truck drivers. Frustration and anxieties are higher than ever. It’s time to be selective about what software you introduce and implement. How do you choose the right tech? It starts with empathy.
Temperature-Sensitive Goods, Health Care Logistics, Labor Management
Logistics Supports a Healthy Pharma Industry
From managing distribution channels to boosting visibility and security, the pharmaceutical and life sciences supply chain mixes complexity with risk. Here are the technologies and strategies that inject efficiency into supply chains.
Labor Management, Partnership, Technology
How has the pandemic affected supply chain partnerships?
Supply chain leaders share their takes on how the pandemic has affected supply chain partnerships.
E-commerce, Labor Management, Warehousing
The Future of Warehouse Workers
Warehouse employment has reached new highs as e-commerce sales are higher than any previous point in time. Businesses may need to increase salaries by as much as 3.5% to compete for talent for such high-demand roles.
Labor Management, Risk Management, Warehousing
Warehouse Safety Best Practices: Building a Program
To build a program that has the strength and support to last, follow these practices and leverage your staff’s experience and expertise.
Temperature-Sensitive Goods, Labor Management
Cold Changes
Most cold chain businesses say that taking extra measures to protect the workforce is their No. 1 issue, according to the Global Cold Chain Alliance's survey studying the ripple effects of COVID-19. Other key findings include:
Freight Forwarders, Labor Management, Technology
5 Lessons Learned During the Crisis
Key lessons learned and implemented throughout the years that are vital in not only navigating a pandemic but also being able to do so efficiently.
Distribution, Demand Planning, Labor Management
Reading the Room
With great adversity comes great creativity—that’s how Annette Danek-Akey, EVP of supply chain at Penguin Random House, helped quickly convert a new facility into a picking and shipping point to meet the fluctuating demand for books.
Let's Not Forget
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.
Labor Management, Logistics, Technology
Logistics Workforce of the Future
As the country moves toward a new normal, what will the workforce look like?
Labor Management, Sourcing/Negotiations, Supply Chain Management
The True Value of Supply Chain Transformation
Profile of Lyndsi Lee, vice president of supply chain with hardware and home improvement wholesaler True Value, who drives end-to-end supply chain optimization, develop integrated planning and logistics strategies, and build best-in-class sourcing programs.
Careers, Labor Management, Partnership
Peak of Perfection
Leadership profile of Juliann Larimer, CEO of Peak-Ryzex
Employee Engagement Is Your New Success Metric
Globally, 85% of employees report that they’re not engaged at the workplace. Manufacturing, retail, and distribution teams can take three steps to ensure that employees stay engaged and thrive in their roles.
Labor Management, Materials Handling, Technology
Automated Materials Handling Gets a Lift
A labor market in which it is increasingly difficult to recruit, train, and retain workers is a major factor driving growth of the automated materials handling equipment market in North America, finds BCC Research.
Labor Management, Technology , Warehousing
5 Ways to Manage Warehousing Requirements During Peak Periods
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.
IBP and Lean: A Match Made in Heaven
Integrated Business Planning (IBP) uses an outside in type of thinking approach, which is more appropriate in today’s business world.
Lean Logistics, Lean, Supply Chain
Managing Change in Turbulent Times
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.
Labor Management, Supply Chain
The 8th M for Supply Chain Success
In the competitive world of business, every organization is seeking an edge—a catchy marketing phrase, an innovative product launch, improvements in efficiency and productivity—something to create a little separation to provide that illusive competitive advantage.
E-commerce, Last Mile Delivery, Lean, Retail, Supply Chain
Store Delivery Keeps Retailers in the Game
The fulfillment part of multi-channel e-commerce is tricky; store delivery is one possible last-mile option.
E-commerce, Retail Logistics, Distribution, Fulfillment, Inventory Management, Lean, Supply Chain Management
How can retailers compete with the logistics dominance of the e-commerce behemoths?
Readers share how they keep their smaller retail businesses competitive against massive-commerce companies.
Labor Management, Transportation Management, Trucking
5 Ways to Improve and Optimize Driver Retention
Here are five key factors that contribute to improving and optimizing truck driver retention rates.
Careers, Education, Labor Management
Cultivating Supply Chain Talent
2021 will be remembered for labor challenges and shifts in thinking about employee engagement. These supply chain companies are leaning into educational opportunities and the profession’s societal impact to attract workers and increase job satisfaction.
Labor Management, Technology , Warehousing
Efficiency Lives Where Technology and Human Intelligence Intersect
In last-mile logistics, a combination of quality talent, technology and the human touch quickly brings about improved efficiency, increased transparency, and limited freight damage.
Labor Management, Legislation, Public Policy, and Regulations, Risk Management
Preparing for the Next Big Disruption
COVID-19 exposed inefficiencies and points of failure in all aspects of our supply chains—from processes to people and technology. Now is the time to address these challenges to help limit the impact of inevitable future disruptions.
Careers, Labor Management, Warehousing
World-Class Service From the Warehouse to the Kitchen
Marcia Brey, vice president of distribution at GE Appliances, used constant communication with the executive team and front-line workers to implement new safety protocols and keep all facilities running when the pandemic hit.
Labor Management, Risk Management, Supply Chain Management
Acing Your Stress Test
A supply chain resilience stress test is a key first step in assessing risk. A comprehensive stress test assesses resilience across these five factors.
Labor Management, Technology , Warehousing
Combating Labor Shortages: New Warehouse Tech Offers a Competitive Edge
Innovative technology increases productivity, combats unpredictability, and streamlines processes. An augmented, connected worker is more efficient and more valuable than ever before.
Careers, Labor Management, Manufacturing
Marc Hansult: Here Today, Ghana Tomorrow
Profile of Marc Hansult, co-founder and co-chief executive officer with DRTR (Do The Right Thing) Apparel.
Big Data, Labor Management, Technology
3 Tips for Using Data-Driven Technology to Augment Worker Safety
Shippers utilizing IoT technology now have more data at their fingertips than ever before. When it comes to optimizing this information to keep workers safe from illnesses such as COVID-19 and injury, here are three tips to keep in mind.
Labor Management, Manufacturing, Risk Management
COVID-19's Impact on North American Manufacturers
The latest COVID-19 Manufacturing Survey from Thomas Insights illuminates emerging trends in reshoring, labor, and technology, and reveals a positive outlook for the future of manufacturing.
Labor Management, Technology , Warehousing
The Next Generation of Warehouse Labor
How technology innovation is changing the nature of many warehouse jobs.
Labor Management, Logistics I.T., Technology
Uncorking Automation Bottlenecks
Although 57% of organizations say they're piloting automation processes and 93% of employees are optimistic automation will make their jobs easier, digital transformation efforts often fall apart. Many companies rely on IT to drive transformation without engaging other departments, creating bottlenecks.
Labor Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, Trucking, Transportation
Preparing for the Rough Road Ahead: Taking a Long-Term Look at How the Driver Shortage Is Affecting LTL
According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the industry expected a driver shortage of more than 50,000 at the end of 2017. Unfortunately, it’s projected to only get worse. By the ATA’s projections, the shortage could extend to more than 174,000 drivers by 2026.
Lean Logistics, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain
Don't Let Your Office Go to Waste
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.
Peak Season Planning: A Year-Round Venture
This year, you may want to start your holiday planning earlier with a more structured methodology. Here’s why.
Green Logistics, Lean Logistics, Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain, Sustainability
19 Steps to Creating a Lean and Green Supply Chain
Developing greener and more sustainable supply chains reduces the legal, financial, and reputational risks to which most companies are exposed, and has a positive impact on the bottom line.
Labor Management, Logistics I.T., Technology , Supply Chain Management
4 Ways to Include Deskless Logistics Workers in Your Digital Strategy
Supply chains are undergoing unprecedented restructuring driven by competition, demand shifts, and trade wars—circumstances further accelerated by COVID-19. Here are five ways to support the digital transformation of logistics by connecting deskless workers:
Labor Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management
Meet Your Match
3PLs and tech providers can empower ethical supply chains, winter warehouse tips, what is most important to carriers when working with shippers, Fleet Advantage 2018 benchmarking survey reveals fleet operators pulse about rising fuel and maintenance and electric trucks, female high school students, findings from 2019 Third-Party Logistics Study, Forrester forecasts that companies will spend $434.9 billion to run IoT solutions by 2023, startup aims to make robots safe around factory workers, conditions ripe for multistory warehouses, automated material handling equipment market to exhibit significant growth during 2018–2024
Lean, Logistics, Supply Chain, Technology
Internet of Things to Come
The Internet of Things offers greater differentiation and innovation of the supply chain, which can lead to a competitive advantage.
©2022 Thomas Publishing Company