Elemica, the virtual supply chain management network for chemicals, reports $50 billion worth of transactions for the fiscal year just ended and will hold its first Supply Chain Collaboration Conference at Ashland Inc. facilities in Dublin, Ohio.

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While guaranteed capacity to haul freight was once a sure thing, times have changed. How are shippers and carriers dealing with today's tight transportation environment? It's all about collaboration -- to mitigate capacity constraints, the driver shortage, and tough new federal regulations.

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Trucking Perspectives 2006: IL's Motor Freight Market Insight Survey

September 2006

In-depth coverage of the trucking industry via two tracks: polling carriers to see how they are investing in and evolving their services and coverage area, and soliciting input from transport buyers to gauge the challenges they face, as well as how they select and manage carriers.

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Private Fleets: Your Own Private Ride

September 2006

Targeting service, capacity and cost issues, companies turn to private fleets.

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It's 4 U: Tracking Cell Phones From Manufacturer To Market

September 2006

Mobile handset and device manufacturers are evolving their product lines and adapting their global supply chains to meet the ever-shifting needs of consumers.

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The Consumer Products Supply Chain: Shopping for Solutions
August, 2006

Consumer products companies battled through 2005  --  a year fraught with soaring fuel costs, new food labeling requirements, and hurricanes that damaged stores and drove consumers away. Now, they are looking to fill their own shopping carts with more effective tools to combat supply chain hiccups and ensure consumers get the goods they need.

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Temperature-Controlled Logistics: Cold Comfort

August, 2006

Perishable-food shippers are warming up to the idea that public refrigerated warehouses and 3PLs are well equipped to handle their diverse temperature-controlled storage and transportation needs. Outsourcing refrigerated logistics lets food companies chill a little  --  and focus on core competencies to better serve consumers.

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Logistics by the Book

August, 2006

Lying on the beach, you can get away with reading pretty much any book. But as the hot summer sun starts to fade and fall kicks in, it's time to toss something a bit more serious into your laptop bag. Put down the John Grisham and pick up one of these books to kickstart a new season of logistics learning.

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3PLs: Business Unusual

July, 2006

For a growing number of 3PLs, business unusual -- whether moving unexpected freight to remote locations, or serving industries new to strategic supply chain management -- is fast becoming business usual. Find out how 3PLs go above and beyond to meet these new challenges.

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3PL Hybrids: Becoming a 3PL for Fun and Profit

July, 2006

For shippers with solid logistics expertise who want to enter a fast-growth industry, becoming a 3PL may make sense. Hybrids such as Cat Logistics and Mitsui lead the way. 

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IL Exclusive Research: 3PL Perspectives   

July, 2006

The Inbound Logistics 3PL Market Insight Survey provides a new perspective on the 3PL market, as seen through the eyes of leading 3PL executives. Where and how is the 3PL market going and growing? What challenges do 3PLs and their customers face? Our in-depth report answers these questions and others.

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Supply Chain Data: Keeping It Clean
July, 2006

Too much data littering your supply chain can kill logistics efficiency. Data synchronization projects help companies clean up their act. 

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Green Thumbs Up
July, 2006

Want to grow profits? Plant the seeds of environmental concerns, rake in supply chain best practices, and watch what sprouts.

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The Ocean Carrier Connection

Global shippers are pushing ocean freight carriers into uncharted waters. And carriers are up to the task. Here is the lowdown on some leading ocean freight carriers.

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Launching an RFID Pilot that Flies

Stumped by transportation challenges such as rising costs, capacity congestion, and infrastructure meltdowns? Here's a clue: try mixing up modes to see if intermodal is a fit.

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Programs that properly motivate and compensate workers can send warehouse productivity soaring.

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Haven't heard of machine-to-machine technology yet? You will soon enough. Here's a quick primer.

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India: Asia's New Frontier

Symptoms: hemorrhaging costs, swollen inventory, impaired visibility & tracking, technological paralysis. Diagnosis: unhealthy supply chain management and related complications. Recommended Treatment: take control of costs, exercise better visibility, optimize infrastructure... And call me in the morning.

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Increasing globalization and demand for diverse product offerings puts supply chain complexity at an all-time high for many manufacturers and retailers. Some degree of complexity is inevitable, but too much causes a logistics double-whammy: increased costs and decreased efficiency. Companies are taking a hard look at product mix and processes to find ways to keep it simple.

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Innovation: A Fresh Eye on the Supply Chain

Like gravity, the lure of Asia's rock-bottom costs and abundant labor force has a powerful pull. But companies need to closely examine potential pitfalls of sourcing halfway around the globe. Taking that first step into the Pacific Rim means walking a tightrope between the benefits and risks.

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Inbound Logistics editor Joseph O'Reilly ventures into the world of online load-matching services.

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Mexico on the Move: Building New Opportunities

A shift is taking place in expedited shipping. While air shipments once reigned supreme -- and still do for import and export goods -- for domestic expedited cargo, ground transport is catching up. To cut costs and still meet customer demand, savvy shippers incorporate expedited service into their overall transport strategy, making ground a viable expedited option.

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As companies race to enter new global markets, many rely on 3PLs to help hurdle cultural and business barriers, while also controlling inbound transportation, driving down costs, reducing inventories, and ultimately mitigating potential supply chain bottlenecks.

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Managing Inventory: From Fat to Lean

Logistics and supply chain management continue to grow in stature within the corporate world. But merely gaining visibility in the boardroom doesn't make logistics and supply chain equal players at the senior executive table. We have made some progress on the road to parity, but CEOs still need convincing  --  an uphill battle sometimes, but one well worth pursuing. As you'll see in the following success stories, a CEO's focus on the supply chain can act as a change agent for the entire enterprise, making it more efficient and profitable.

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Customer relationship management (CRM) helps companies maximize the value of every customer interaction and drive superior corporate performance. And the value of CRM grows considerably when it is tightly integrated with supply chain functionality. A ìcustomer is kingî approach is replacing the factory-based push supply chains of the 20th century.

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Small Companies Take on the World

Each year cargo theft takes a major toll on companies that transport goods, with estimated losses totalling more than $15 billion annually  --  and rising. Advanced technologies and anti-theft devices now on the market help companies maintain the integrity of freight in transit. Here's a look at the products that can protect your cargo.

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From labor slowdowns, port congestion, and power out­ages to wildfires, hurricanes, and terrorist attacks, we've seen no dearth of disasters that can shatter a company's supply chain and transportation networks. Here's how to plan for supply chain continuity -- no matter what the obstacle.

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While forklift trucks may be the tried and true solution for many materials handling operations, forklift-free applications are attempting to shake up manufacturing with the emergence of carts and dollies. Thinking of going forklift-free? Make sure you have all the facts before jumping in.

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In preparation for the peak holiday season, retailers and manufacturers reassess their supply chains to  optimize planning and  combat increased demand.

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RadioShack's Supply Chain Tune-up

The U.S. maritime sector offers an attractive target to terrorists. But the ocean community is taking steps to help protect maritime trade from catastrophic events.

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Smooth Sailing: Managing Ocean Transport by Lane

Join us for a look back at the history of trucking in the United States, lessons motor carriers have learned through the years, and what the road ahead looks like for shippers and carriers.

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Building the Sense and Respond Company

Cargo Crossroads of the World: Alaska  
August, 2004

Located nine hours by air to 95 percent of the world's industrial
population, Anchorage is quickly becoming one of the world's
preeminent cargo hubs.

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Career Solutions: Knowledge by Association

You voted and Inbound Logistics listened. After tallying approximately 3,000 votes in our annual reader survey to determine the Top 10 3PL Providers, the results are in. Find out which companies readers voted for as the strongest links in the 3PL marketplace.

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Establishing a network of centrally located, mega DCs has its advantages  --  proximity to the customer, lower inventory, less building overhead, and cost savings driven by economies of scale. But setting up a big-box warehouse network can also bring big challenges. Here's some advice on siting and sizing your distribution center network.

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Pharma Logistics: Can RFID Heal Supply Chain Security?

Florida boasts easy access to every business center in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, rich cultural ties to those regions, and experienced service providers to smooth your transactions with Latin American partners. Add a strong transportation infrastructure, with intermodal connections that are growing even better as we speak, and for companies that thrive on Pan-American trade, Florida is clearly the place to be.

As important as lift trucks are to tactical activities in today's high-tech warehouses, their strategic value is becoming equally apparent. Businesses are looking at the long-term advantages of investing in lift trucks to revamp and streamline their warehouses and DC facilities to better utilize storage space and increase throughput.

  *Get a Lift: Looking to streamline your material handling operations? Consider beginning with