An Inside Look at Freight-Based Development in Kansas City
CVS Pharmacy, Amazon, and others have invested more than $456 million in warehousing and distribution centers in the KC region, adding 4,700 jobs since 2015.
President Trump’s Trade Policy To-Do List: Top 10 Priorities
President Donald Trump’s early days in office have been busy ones for trade policy. It is too early, however, to assess the impact of these changes, according to global trade data company Panjiva. Here’s how Panjiva prioritizes the President’s trade policy task list. 1. Light up Lighthizer. Senate approval for Robert Lighthizer’s appointment as U.S. […]
Top 5 Things to Know About IoT
The Internet of Things is still in its infancy, and can be confusing to supply chain and logistics managers. Greg Braun, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Montreal-based logistics IT company C3 Solutions, shares some advice. 1. IoT technologies promise vastly improved visibility into supply chain operations. The ready availability of connected devices […]
Supply Chain Visibility: Closer Than You Think
Running a sustainable company isn’t as simple as it looks. "Compliance and recycle/reuse is about knowing what’s in your product—materials, chemicals, substances," says Christoph Wilfert, CEO of London-based everycs, developer of a technology solution—currently in beta testing—that screens global supply chains for risks and impacts. "But suppliers, like chemical companies, hate formula or percentage composition […]
Transportation Industry Leads the Way in Preventive Maintenance
Trucks need to keep rolling. Conveyor belts aren’t much good if they don’t convey anything. Cargo planes don’t move freight if they can’t fly. Ships don’t deliver from under the water. Business logistics managers can’t ignore the importance of preventive maintenance because the costs of reactive maintenance can have a heavy impact on the bottom […]
Growing Your Small Business: How to Find Your Next Supplier in Mexico
Is Mexico the New China?
Intermodal Bounces Back in Q1
Intermodal freight volumes returned to growth in the first quarter of 2017 following declines during 2016, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) Intermodal Market Trends and Statistics report. International and domestic containers rose 2.9 percent and 1.3 percent respectively, and intermodal trailers posted minimal gains of 0.3 percent. "All intermodal market segments […]
U.S./Canada Trade Remains Strong, With Plenty of Opportunity for Growth – Purolator
Q: What trends are you seeing in U.S./Canada cross-border trade? A: I see tremendous opportunity on both sides of the border. For one thing, imports from Canada are growing, largely due to the stable U.S. dollar. We seem to have turned the tide on the currency volatility of the past couple years, allowing Canadian manufacturers […]
E-commerce Fulfillment Survey Finds Evidence of Retailer Growing Pains
Business is booming for e-commerce retailers according to a new global market study by Peoplevox, an e-commerce Warehouse Management System (WMS) provider. Peoplevox’s “The 2017 E-Commerce Fulfillment Report” found sales of 82% of the e-commerce and multichannel businesses taking part had increased in 2016, with only 6% reporting a decrease in orders. While many voiced […]
Commentary: What Uber Freight Will Mean for Shippers
Uber recently announced the launch of their newest service, Uber Freight, which allows trucking companies to automatically match with loads in need of transportation. While reviews of the new service are mixed, Uber executives claim that their shift toward infiltrating the trucking industry is in full force and that they already have a network of […]
Putting an End to Black Box Shipping
Sometimes, for even the most critical shipments, the only two data points that the shipper receives is when the shipment left their hands and confirmation from the destination that the shipment has arrived. This can be likened to a black box in computer science, where a function is considered a black box when the developer […]
PortMiami Welcomes Largest Container Ship to Call Florida
MAERSK SHANGHAI, a 10,081 TEU container ship, the largest to ever call a Florida deep-water port was at PortMiami last week. The MAERSK SHANGHAI is part of the TP11 Service (Maersk Line), AMERICA Service (MSC), USEC-1 Service (2M Alliance, Maersk & MSC). The vessel is 1,063 feet (324 meters) long and 159 feet wide, which is equal to about […]
Report: New Data Shows Extent of E-Commerce’s Differing Impact on Retail Categories
E-Commerce has generated significant volumes of sales in the U.S. electronics and clothing industries but has yet to gain traction in other retail sectors, according to a CBRE Group, Inc. analysis of recently released government data. U.S. Commerce Department figures show extensive e-commerce penetration in certain retail categories such as electronics and appliances, with a […]
Commentary: The Shift from Fleet Management to Mobility Management
Today’s digital economy impacts how people, goods, and services move throughout the marketplace. From app-based, ride-share companies to connected data and analytics, transportation is entering a new era and changing the role of traditional fleet managers. We’re seeing a shift from fleet management to mobility management. How can businesses adapt and employ new tools to […]
Reconstructing Supply Chains
I see it every day on my way to work, and if you’re in logistics, you see it too. The demand chain structure that you manage is breaking down and rebuilding itself, just below the surface, and changing into what best serves consumers’ needs. On a major New York artery, I pass a long-vacant big […]
Do you think self-driving trucks will affect the supply chain in the next two years? How so?
No. I do not believe this is a viable option in the United States. Current research is specific for the European theater on confined and controlled highway systems. The United States will require significant highway infrastructure investment to facilitate self-driving trucks. Bill Carter Vice President of Logistics, CFI Yes. There’s an enormous driver shortage plaguing […]
Getting the Most From Your 3PL Provider
As the debate between globalization and regionalization continues, getting the most from your third-party logistics (3PL) provider is more important than ever. Businesses need to be agile and able to not only proactively respond to customers, but also adjust in response to any unanticipated business change. While many 3PLs offer similar services and capabilities, companies […]
Paul Nugent: Feed the Flow
Paul Nugent is director of logistics for Kitchen and Bath Americas with Kohler Co. While Kohler is best known for plumbing products, the company also manufactures furniture, cabinetry, tile, engines, and generators. Responsibilities: Create and execute distribution and fulfillment operational strategies for manufacturing plant warehouses, logistics centers, and customers. Also responsible for operations, network design, […]
REO Logistics CEO Rebecca Polan: In Line to Succeed
Rebecca Polan was working toward a career in the not-for-profit world when she realized she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life. Her father, Lake Polan, the third-generation leader of a family logistics and real estate firm, urged her to work for him for one year. “He said, ‘No harm if you […]
Handle With Care: How to Be the Best At Fulfilling Your Clients’ Chemical Handling Needs – WSI
Chemical handling is an important function of a third-party logistics provider. If your firm is looking to source a chemical handling partner or currently handles chemicals and wants to perform better, our guide below illuminates some key factors to finding the best fit. 1. Explain your chemical business thoroughly, so potential providers know their duties. […]
Thinking Inside the Unbox
Consumers today judge businesses on many things beyond product performance. Unboxing, for example, is now part of a consumer’s everyday experience. That means daily opportunities for your brand to make a positive impression. Today, 68 percent of shoppers say they are more aware of packaging than they were five years ago, according to a Kantar […]
5 Ways Your TMS Can Help You Go Green
Some of the most common reasons to implement a Transportation Management System (TMS) include automation, visibility, and optimization, all of which can lead to reduced costs and greater efficiency. However, a TMS also has the ability to help you be more environmentally responsible. Sustainability matters to businesses and individuals—both in terms of what they buy […]
19 Steps to Creating a Lean and Green Supply Chain
Nurturing a green, sustainable supply chain benefits the environment and your bottom line. Here are some tactics—from analyzing your transportation network and warehouse design to looking for recycling opportunities—to help you go green and get lean.
75 Green Supply Chain Partners
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 that their operations are socially and environmentally friendly. These companies have spent years developing and implementing best practices to ensure the footprint they leave on the world is a positive one.
India and Southeast Asia: Land of Opportunity and Challenges
The region offers a promising but complex supply chain climate for companies interested in expanding globally.
Chemical Logistics: Primed for Growth
Growing demand for U.S.-made chemicals sparks new opportunities, while aggravating capacity concerns.
Online Education: Become a Supply Chain Leader…in Your Pajamas
A wide range of quality online education options lets you build your skill set and advance your career without leaving home – or thinking about the dress code.
Supply Chain Challenge: Getting Employees on Board
The first step in Agilent’s supply chain restructuring strategy was encouraging employee buy-in and feedback through a training and educational platform.
Commentary: IoT and Analytics to Usher in New Era in Logistics
With millions of shipments being moved, tracked, and stowed by a variety of vehicles and people each day, it is no surprise that logistics and the Internet of Things (IoT) form a promising partnership. Trucks need smarter management systems that will help in increasing their utilization, reduce downtime, lower costs, and increase revenues. The movement […]
Report: Traditional Industrial Distributors at Risk
Asset-light e-marketplaces and other nontraditional shopping channels, combined with shifting demographics, are upending industrial distributors’ inventory-heavy model more rapidly than previously thought. As a result, distributors must quickly adapt and address threats with everything from sharper mobile offerings to upgraded customer service, a new white paper from UPS (NYSE: UPS) shows. According to the […]
Celebrating the Family’s Chief Logistics Officer: Dad
Companies need a Chief Logistics Officer, but so do families. This Father’s Day, remember all that Dad does – fixing, building, hauling, managing, protecting, teaching, providing – to make our homes and our lives safe and happy.
Commentary: What You Need to Know About Trump’s $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan
On May 23, 2017, President Trump released the first glimpse of his highly anticipated plan for a $1 trillion infrastructure package. According to the budget, the rebuilding plan would inject $200 billion into transportation projects over the next 10 years with the goal the administration would meet its $1 trillion target through a mix of […]
Online Shoppers Turning To International Retailers
Nearly half of avid U.S. online shoppers bought items from international retailers, demonstrating the need for retailers to offer more personalized services as a way to compete against lower prices, according to the sixth annual UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper study. The UPS study found that almost all avid U.S. online shoppers (97%), made […]
Penske Truck Leasing Agrees to Acquire Old Dominion Truck Leasing
Penske Truck Leasing announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Richmond, Virginia-based Old Dominion Truck Leasing. Financial terms were not disclosed. "Old Dominion Truck Leasing and Penske Truck Leasing customers will benefit from synergies in our products, technology, and services available across our combined network of facilities," said Brian Hard, president and CEO, […]
APICS Expands Supply Chain Stem Program
APICS, a professional association for supply chain management, launched a new, expanded Supply Chain STEM Educational Outreach Program. The program aims to introduce K-12 students to the concept of supply chain, demonstrate the importance of supply chain management, and highlight promising career paths within the industry. This latest investment will extend the reach of the […]
Study: U.S. Manufacturing, Logistics Industries Grew Dramatically Over Last Generation
Contrary to public perception, U.S. manufacturing and logistics industries experienced dramatic growth over the past generation, says a new report from Ball State University. U.S. manufacturing production grew 11 percent since the dot-com bust (2000-03) and the ensuing economic turbulence of the 2001 and 2007-09 recessions, according to Manufacturing and Logistics: A Generation of Volatility […]
LG Honored For Supply Chain Sustainability
LG Electronics (LG) was honored for innovation in supply chain sustainability by the Green Electronics Council. Presented at CES Asia 2017, the GEC Catalyst Awards seek to inspire innovation in the design, manufacture, and use of electronics to advance global sustainability. LG’s special distinction as 2017 GEC "Catalyzing Impact at Scale" Honoree recognizes LG OLED […]
Commentary: Supply Chain System Security Starts in the Cloud
The May 2017 ‘WannaCry’ ransomware cyberattack swept 150 countries, crippling hospitals, paralyzing government entities, and completely halting businesses by exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated operating systems. By infiltrating systems, locking down digital assets, and making all files and folders inaccessible, the attackers effectively shut down entire organizations. No fulfillment. No new client acquisition. No checking inventory. […]
DHL Becomes the Logistics Partner of the Council of Fashion Designers of America
Logistics provider DHL has inked a partnership agreement with the Council of Fashion Designers of America Inc. (CFDA) to be the American fashion trade organization’s official logistics partner. The New York City-based CFDA is a not-for-profit organization with a membership of more than 500 foremost womenswear, menswear, accessory, and jewelry designers. “We are thrilled to […]
Port Everglades to Purchase Three Super Post-Panamax Container Gantry Cranes
Port Everglades is purchasing three low-profile Super Post Panamax container-handling gantry cranes at $13.8 million each to meet demands from current customers and new services anticipated from the port’s multi-million-dollar expansion program. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved the $41.4 million crane purchase, with an option for the seaport to purchase an additional three […]
Supply Chain Commentary: The Advantages of First Sale
Today’s supply chains are complex, and companies are constantly on the lookout for ways to lower the cost of doing business. The border represents an area for potential cost savings, with various duty-reduction methods available, such as free trade agreements (FTAs) and preference programs. However, the rules for FTAs can be complicated, and most imports […]
Commentary: IoT for Shippers
Powered by the Internet of Things, the next generation control tower will extend supply chain visibility and control tower services down to the level of things – however large, small, or geographically dispersed they may be. Rather than connecting just the traditional supply chain entities, these control towers will reach into a single piece of […]
New Warehouse Lease Pre-Commitments Reach New High
Almost half of the 167 million sq. ft. of U.S warehouse space currently under construction — 72 million sq. ft. — is already pre-committed to tenants, primarily e-commerce, third-party logistics, and retail users, according to a new report from CBRE Group, Inc. The current tally of pre-committed warehouse space is the highest since 2000. In […]
Supply Chain Report: Why Suppliers Hold Back
Supplier collaboration and sustainability can drive innovation and growth in top supply chains, but only 43 percent of suppliers feel fully empowered to collaborate with their partners, says new research from 3M. Surveying 237 suppliers in the United States, the report uncovers insight on the most urgent trends, opportunities, and challenges facing suppliers today. Collaboration […]
3 Tips for Building a Successful Restaurant Supply Chain
When it comes to the foodservice supply chain, there is little room for trial and error. A simple mistake could cause serious problems in the supply chain that can result in lost revenue or wasted product, can more broadly hurt a brand or lose otherwise loyal customers, and at its worst, put consumers at risk […]
Use Your Supply Chain to Earn
Customer Loyalty
Loyalty is a big word. One could argue that most business decisions can be linked back to the idea of establishing, building, or improving customer loyalty, since it translates to revenues and repeat purchases, as well as better customer satisfaction, advocacy, and brand love. In fact, up to 15% of a business’s most loyal customers […]
Georgia Ports Authority Breaks Container Volume Record
Larger vessels and additional container services calling Georgia’s ports coupled with a positive economic forecast ushered in an all-time record month for container volume. The Georgia Ports Authority handled 350,104 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May, 11.68 % more TEUs compared to the same month a year ago, or 35,619 additional TEUs. "It’s evident […]
Commentary: Mitigating Supply Chain Risk
Think of shipping cargo like a financial portfolio: It’s important to diversify. That’s because there are inherent risks when shipping via air and ocean: delays, damaged cargo, weather events, etc. Cargo insurance, though critical, isn’t always enough to protect you and your business. You need a plan that covers all the predictable and unpredictable risks, […]
Commentary: Create a Positive Work Culture for Increased Performance
Culture is driving everything in the warehousing industry, and management drives the culture whether they know it or not. The benefits of work place inspiration have been proven time and again. Research indicates that happy employees – those with positive personal well-being – compared to unhappy employees: · Deliver 31% higher productivity · Demonstrate 3 […]
UPS Opens New Healthcare Facility in Colombia
UPS’s new 76,000-square-foot center is the company’s latest investment in healthcare logistics aimed at helping pharmaceutical, biopharma, and medical device companies create seamless, global supply chains as they expand into, transport within, and export from Latin America. The multi-client facility is equipped with technology for storing temperature-sensitive healthcare products. The building offers best-in-class distribution services, […]
The Benefits of Domestic Sourcing
Even though businesses have historically looked to imported inputs as a means of lowering production costs, the benefits of sourcing domestically should not be discounted. With uncertainty surrounding the future of multilateral trade deals like NAFTA and the long-term implications of Brexit and other nationalist movements, now is an excellent time for businesses to reevaluate […]
Top 3 CEOs in the Transportation and Warehousing Industry
Now is a good time for pros in the transportation and warehousing industry to consider finding a job at KLM or NFI Industries. Employees at these companies have the most likeable CEOs, according to a new report from Owler, a crowdsourced information platform that’s building a database of company and executive information. Owler’s analysis, which […]
CED Unveils Plan for Improving America’s Roads and Bridges
The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) issued a report with recommendations for improving America’s roads and bridges. The study comes in the wake of discussions by Congress and the President to increase investment in repairing, expanding, and modernizing the country’s infrastructure. As Fixing America’s Roads & Bridges: The Path Forward details, […]
Construction Time-Lapse Video of New Landstar Logistics Center
Landstar System recently celebrated the opening of its new U.S./Mexico Logistics Service Center in Laredo, Texas. Design-Build firm, Haskell, relied on Work Zone Cam’s time-lapse construction webcam to document the entire process from start to finish. The video shows progress from May 2016 to February 2017. The 31,000-square-foot facility features a 30-bay cross-dock and custom […]
Port of Baltimore Planning for Bigger Ships and More Containers
Supersized container ships traveling through the newly enhanced Panama Canal have been arriving at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore since last year and the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) continues to make plans to handle the increased amounts of containerized cargo. Recently, the MDOT MPA purchased property at the […]
Redwood Logistics Named One of Chicago’s Best Companies to Work For
3PL provider Redwood Logistics was named one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for the fourth consecutive year. The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For is a program of the National Association for Business Resources that provides the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices, and […]
Commentary: 4 Reasons Why Asia Pacific Drives the Life Sciences & Healthcare Supply Chain
The seeds were sown some 15 years ago, when a few pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies began investing in Asia Pacific. Over several years of favorable growth conditions, the life sciences and healthcare (LSH) industry gradually matured across the region, becoming a hosting platform for the majority of LSH key players today. So what makes Asia […]
Asia Accelerates Contract Logistics Growth
The overall contract logistics market grew by approximately 3.9 percent in real terms in 2016, according to TI’s Global Contract Logistics 2017 report. Despite stronger global growth in 2016, many developed markets struggled to match even the modest growth rates seen in their contract logistics markets in 2015. This reflects trends in the global economy, […]
Will Stagnant World Trade Hurt Air Cargo?
Global airfreight demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers, grew by 3.8 percent in 2016 compared to 2015, according to data released by The International Air Transport Association (IATA). This was nearly double the industry’s average growth rate of 2 percent over the past five years. Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers, increased by […]
Delivery Robots: Coming to a Sidewalk Near You
Major package delivery stakeholders such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, and Amazon have poured considerable resources into technology that will deliver packages by airborne drone. But their efforts face constant regulatory obstacles that slow the speed at which the technology can be tested and developed. In the meantime, a start-up is testing an idea that has […]
New Innovation Center Uses Technology to Advance Supply Chain Management
When industry and academia team up, benefits abound. Consider a new collaborative effort between J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., a transportation services company based in Lowell, Ark., and the University of Arkansas to advance supply chain management efficiency through technology. J.B. Hunt is investing $2.75 million in the University of Arkansas to create the J.B. […]
New Rail Service Will Link the UK and China
Details of the trade future between the United Kingdom and the European Union may be uncertain, but the UK’s trade with China is on track—literally. The Chinese government’s "One Belt, One Road" initiative checked off another milestone in April 2017 as a freight train left London’s DP World London Gateway, bound for Yiwu in eastern […]
Will Same-day Production and Delivery of Replacement Parts Become Standard?
Manufacturing replacement parts and shipping them to the customer the same day could soon become the industry standard. Same-day production and delivery is possible if communications between production and logistics is fully automated. This was illustrated in a live demo conducted by Deutsche Post DHL in partnership with AXIT and evosoft – IT companies that […]
Blockchain Survey Shows Awareness, Key Applications, and Implementation Plans
The primary use for blockchain is improving supply chain transparency and traceability, according to a new benchmark survey focused on blockchain in supply chain management and trade finance. Other important advantages include transaction cost reductions and enhanced trust between supply chain partners, according to Chain Business Insights’ Blockchain in Supply Chain: Edging Toward Higher Visibility. […]
Spot Truckload Rates Trending Up
National average spot truckload rates for van and flatbed freight rose during the week ending May 20 while the rate for spot refrigerated freight remained at its highest mark since January, said DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards. The number of available loads on DAT load boards increased 5.4% compared to […]
Commentary: Three Ways Technology Is Transforming the Life Sciences and Healthcare Supply Chain
Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers are facing a variety of challenges, perhaps the greatest of which is compliance. Since 2013 and the European Commission’s introduction of good distribution practice (GDP) rules, companies have upped prioritization of compliance in order to meet increasingly rigorous life sciences and healthcare standards. In particular, companies must now ensure temperature-controlled […]
How Labeling Helps Meet Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Challenges

The pharmaceutical supply chain is highly complex. Many ingredients are often shipped in bulk, repackaged, and reshipped before they find their way to the manufacturer producing the branded end-products. Multiple tiers of suppliers and wholesalers are often involved. Oftentimes, borders are crossed. Labeling is essential to smooth the flow of the pharmaceutical supply chain, where […]
Port Everglades Gets Approval for Largest Expansion Project in Its History
Broward County’s Port Everglades received unanimous approval from the Broward County Board of County Commissioners to begin a $437.5 million expansion project to add new berths for larger cargo ships and install crane rail infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax cranes. Currently, Port Everglades is berth constrained and additional dock space for cargo ships is needed, […]
Electrifying Big Truck Fleets
Hyster Company is testing high capacity lift trucks with electric motors. The company suggests that, in the near future, ports and heavy industry will be able to electrify their big truck fleets, producing zero emissions while achieving comparable full shift performance. “Using a modular approach and innovative technology, applications will soon have maximum flexibility when […]
Study Finds U.S. Retailers Lead the Way in International Expansion

The retail industry’s international expansion slowed a bit in 2016 from its strong pace of a year earlier as retailers adjusted to e-commerce and shifting exchange rates, according to CBRE Group Inc.’s 10th annual study of international retail expansion. The study found that retailers’ activity in entering new markets increased by 2 percent last year, […]
Port of Baltimore Sees Record First Quarter
The public marine terminals of the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore got off to a fast start in 2017 by posting a record first quarter with 2,560,065 tons of general cargo. This record surpassed the previous record for the best January through March performance of 2,443,062 tons set last year. General cargo includes cars, […]
Supply Chain Commentary: 4 Ways to Cut Transportation Spending
Transportation represents a significant expense within many company’s supply chains and is vital to ensuring that goods and services are delivered on time. Due to the line item cost, transportation can be under constant pressure for cost reduction. And given how critical it is to the success of a company, those running the department must […]
Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Opens Summer Meeting Registration
Registration is now open for the 249th meeting of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) that will be held July 10–11, 2017 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis. The theme for this meeting is What’s Coming Down the Tracks for Rail Shippers? “It is unclear what impact regulatory, economic, and trade […]
Companies Preparing for Supply Chain Digital Disruption
In today’s digital supply chain landscape, electronic linkages between customers and suppliers is on the rise, and double-digit growth is expected in 2017 and beyond, according to new research released from B2Bi Managed Services provider DiCentral, in partnership with SAP and the Global Supply Chain Institute at the University of Tennessee (UT) Haslam College of […]
Four Tips for Cargo Theft Prevention
Although Memorial Day can mean a three-day weekend for most, it’s also the perfect time for thieves to steal cargo. Memorial Day weekend is one of the most popular times for cargo theft with 98 cargo thefts reported in the past 4 years, according to CargoNet. In contrast to non-holiday weekends, Memorial Day weekend has […]
Technological Advances That Will Improve the Supply Chain
Technological advances to improve operations and profit margins are prominent within the supply chain services industry. Optimization and integration are two areas where technology continues to play a prominent role in logistics, while machine learning and Uberization are significant trends to watch. Supply chain optimization and efficiency are targets every logistics provider is aiming for […]
Schneider Expands Intermodal Network With Baltimore Ramp
Intermodal shipping in the Mid-Atlantic region just got easier. Schneider, a truckload, intermodal, and logistics provider, has started offering inbound and outbound intermodal ramp service in Baltimore. The Baltimore ramp allows Schneider to provide customers with more efficient intermodal services by creating additional Mid-Atlantic southbound/northbound lanes previously unavailable in Schneider’s network. The new lanes connect […]
Commentary: Wearable Technology Set to Permeate the Supply Chain Workforce
Often viewed as consumer-facing, wearable technology also presents a huge B2B opportunity particularly when it comes to helping businesses and their workers accomplish tasks and drive success in manufacturing and the supply chain. Seventy-five million wearables will permeate the workplace by 2020. And since this technology is often more mobile than laptops or tablets–and provides […]
How to Prepare for the Digital Future
Digitization is rapidly transforming the ocean container shipping industry, according to INTTRA, an ocean shipping electronic marketplace. In a new whitepaper – Blueprint 2032: How Technology Transforms Ocean Container Shipping – INTTRA reports that the pace of technology innovation is accelerating as businesses seek new and more efficient ways to optimize. “Digitization is now a […]
The Search for Digital Solutions That Drive Down Costs
Senior executives have set their sights on digital and automated solutions that drive down costs and plan to invest in a number of key areas over the next two years, according to the 2017 State of the Outsourcing, Shared Services, and Operations Industry report by HfS Research and audit, tax, and advisory firm KPMG LLP. […]
Enhancing Supply Chain Continuity: What We Learned from the Port of Tianjin Explosion
Just as the Chinese word for crisis contains the characters for danger and for opportunity, a disaster in China was the catalyst for creating an enhanced business continuity management system and a more robust supply chain offering. Challenges in supply to China There are challenges in supply of gases and chemicals to China. Import/export lead […]
How to Get Accurate Counts from Your Scales
In any business venture that sells vast amounts of product at a time, fast and accurate counting methods are essential. The smaller the product and the more items processed at once, the harder it is to keep track of accurate counting. This can waste time and money in incorrect counts. In the past there wasn’t […]
ATA Seeks Trucking Industry’s Future Leaders
American Trucking Associations opened the application window for its premier industry leadership initiative, LEAD ATA. Heading into its fifth year, LEAD ATA is searching for the 2018-2019 class of diverse trucking industry leaders looking to grow their careers and meet other ambitious trucking professionals. “LEAD ATA continues to be an avenue for trucking professionals to […]
Supply Chain Management: Soft Skills Required to Maintain Relationships
Supply chain management is often viewed as solely a statistical endeavor, but soft skills are often required in maintaining buyer and supplier relationships, according to new research from Penn State. Researchers suggest that levels of trust between companies may be an important influence on how they operate and perform. “In business settings, we tend to […]
3 Main Sources of Supply Chain Complexity
The concept of “less is more” does not so easily apply to supply chain management. As organizations look to increase revenues by expanding their product portfolios, they’re also introducing complexity and risk into their supply chains. While it might seem like a good idea to just reduce your portfolio overall, that’s not always an option. […]
Gelnius Launches Supply Chain Management Software
Gelnius’ new technology platform has the ability to save money based on customers achieving reduced transportation cost and better management of administration overhead, as well as cost savings linked to visibility of all freight transactions on a single platform, managing non-compliant suppliers and improved reporting, business intelligence, and supply chain visibility. This Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution […]
Why Supply Chain Visibility Is Vital to Company Success
If you manage or help coordinate a logistics operation, you likely wear many hats throughout the workweek to keep things running smoothly. Your role might require you to keep track of an inventory, confer with carriers, optimize shipping methods and routes, monitor performance reports and activity, and apply management skills to move efficiencies into action. […]
Study Finds Growing Demand for Retail Click and Collect
Nearly one third of shoppers purchased products online and subsequently picked them up at a store during the 2016 holiday season, according to a study conducted by Bell and Howell. The 2017 Click and Collect Retail Consumer Preference Study reveals consumers’ preferences and behaviors when it comes to this practice. As part of the study, […]
Biggest Vessel on the U.S. East Coast Calls
At 1,200 feet long and 158 feet wide, the containership COSCO Development is the biggest containership to call The Port of Virginia and the U.S. East Coast. The vessel can carry 13,092 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The previous record was held by the MOL Benefactor when it sailed to Norfolk International Terminals last summer. By […]
ICS Aims to Reduce CO2 Emissions from Global Shipping
On behalf of the international shipping sector, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) agreed to urge the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt dramatic CO2 reduction objectives to match the ambition of the Paris Agreement on climate change. In a submission to IMO member states, being made in conjunction with other shipping organizations, ICS will propose […]
Commentary: How to Compete with Amazon’s Lower Free Shipping Threshold
Amazon recently announced another slash to its free shipping requirements and is now down to $25. Amazon understands their data better than any retailer in the industry. The company is quite literally built on the ability to understand and take action on data, be that customer buying patterns, price optimization, or competitive information. This move […]
Supporting the Next Generation of Logistics Leaders
When Inbound Logistics began its commitment to advancing logistics and supply chain education, traffic and transportation were taught as subsets of business courses. Today, global supply chain courses are available in countless schools, and through distance learning programs worldwide. To celebrate that achievement, Inbound Logistics – in association with our partners at APICS – proudly […]
Supply Chain Commentary:
5 Ways Shippers Can Go Green
I’ve been in the custom shipping and transport case business for decades. Because my team isn’t limited to working with any one industry segment, we’re able to observe subtle industry fluctuations, trends, and movements—everything from changes in the popularity of certain shipping materials to the types of things being shipped most often. Lately we’ve noticed […]
E-commerce Logistics: Warehouse Slotting and Space Utilization
Slotting – determining the locations of your SKUs in your warehouse – used to be an easy concept. But in the new world of warehousing focusing exclusively to a large degree on e-commerce sales, this is no longer simple. E-commerce sales in the United States grew to over $348.9 billion last year and it is […]
Whitepaper: Who Pays for Customs Compliance Violations? It Could Be You.
The new whitepaper “Customs Compliance– Has Your Business Taken the Necessary Steps?” is an in-depth overview of the compliance process – including areas of particular vulnerability and recommendations for improving internal compliance management. You could be held accountable for customs compliance violations. And we don’t just mean your company but you – personally. A landmark […]
5 Ways to Prevent Forklift Accidents
Forklift accidents have a devastating effect on warehouses – and they happen more often than you think. In the United States, there are nearly 97,000 serious forklift-related injuries each year – 100 are fatal. Whether an accident results in an injured worker or loss of product, an accident always puts a spotlight on safety. Every […]
Celebrating the Greatest Logistician of All Time: Mom
Who’s the greatest logistician of all time? Mom, of course. Logistics is about taking care of those hundreds of invisible details that make supply chains (or life!) go smoothly. This Mother’s Day, let’s remember all the little things Mom does to demonstrate her love and make our homes and our lives happier, healthier and “fully […]
Spring Cargo Numbers Signal Better Year for Great Lakes-Seaway Shipping
Spring cargo numbers from the St. Lawrence Seaway and U.S. ports are signaling a better year for Great Lakes-Seaway shipping. According to the latest figures from the St. Lawrence Seaway, total cargo shipments via the Seaway from the start of the shipping season (March 20 through April 30) reached 3.7 million metric tons, up 8% […]
Supply Chain Commentary: Manufacturing Returns to the U.S.
Despite being one of the oldest job sectors, manufacturing is experiencing an interesting reversal. Chinese companies are now moving manufacturing jobs to the United States at an accelerating rate, with job investment in the United States tripling in one year to $45.6 billion, according to the Rhodium Group. Chinese manufacturers are plagued by wages in […]