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News
Vertical Focus: Confections
Chocolate Supply Chain: Bean to Bar None Consumers are more conscious about the ingredients in the chocolate they buy due to vegan diets, lactose allergies, climate concerns, and ethical spending. This increased the demand for premium products and a bean-to-bar approach to manufacturing, says Fortune Business Insights data. These trends are affecting the chocolate supply […]
Read MoreIN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-May 2021
Technology The Gantry Robotic Intelligent Piece Picker, also known as GRIPP, from Inther, can pick from, as well as put pieces into, compartmentalized totes. Equipped with a customizable gripper, the machine can process up to 1,200 pieces per hour. Avetta, a provider of supply chain risk management software, added an intelligent supplier classification tool to the […]
Read MoreSierra Wireless Launches Acculink Cargo, A Managed IoT Solution for Asset Tracking
Internet of Things solutions provider Sierra Wireless today launched Acculink Cargo, a new managed IoT solution that companies can quickly deploy to track the location and condition of high-value and sensitive assets. Delivered as a service for a single monthly fee, Acculink Cargo leverages Sierra Wireless’ expertise in IoT devices, global connectivity, and cloud to […]
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Airbus Freighter Flies Ahead of Boeing
Expecting the e-commerce boom to continue beyond the pandemic, aircraft manufacturer Airbus aims to launch a freighter version of its A350 aircraft in 2025, flying into one of Boeing’s most lucrative markets. The decision to launch the freighter was based on customer demand for a wide-body aircraft to rival Boeing’s B777F and B767F. The A350 […]
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AI Strategy: Your Move
Artificial intelligence (AI) spending shows no signs of slowing, with 82% of decision-makers saying they’re very likely to increase their AI investment or capabilities in the next two years, says a report from Modzy. Decision-makers should consider the following factors in their AI strategy, the report says: Recognize the value. About 66% of decision-makers surveyed […]
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The Art of the Steal
With pandemic-induced lockdowns, e-commerce surges, and transportation restrictions in 2020, cargo theft shifted to new commodities and locations (see chart), says a BSI and TT Club report. New trends include the food and beverage sector experiencing the most theft, as well as an uptick in theft from facilities compared to 2019. In the year ahead, […]
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Trucking Transformation
Truckers have transformed the previously laborious process of delivering a package with innovations such as capacity-as-a-service and automated driver assist. Now, 64% of truck executives responding to an IBM survey say their future success depends on digitally reinventing themselves. This is what trucking will look like in 2030, the report says: $99.2 billion. The truck-as-a-service […]
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U.S. Trade Ups and Downs
Exports and imports of goods and services in the United States decreased 12.3% to $4.9 trillion in 2020, the largest nominal decrease since 2009, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Exports decreased by 15.7% while imports decreased by 9.5%. Total trade decreased as well, representing 23.6% of gross domestic product in 2020, […]
Read MoreU.S. Policies That Can Strengthen Recovery
The Biden-Harris administration will have an opportunity to strengthen supply chains and position the United States as a go-to partner for COVID-19 recovery, says a report from Baker McKenzie and Atlantic Council. This is how they can advance policies that help supply chains withstand major disruptions, the report says: Expand U.S. commercial ties in Latin […]
Read MoreIN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-April 2021
Technology Shippers with a network of brokers and freight forwarders can benefit from BluJay Solutions’ new Augmented Global Trade platform, which streamlines workflow and accelerates efficiency for international trade operations. The multi-tenant SaaS platform automates end-to-end customs and compliance requirements. IFCO Systems, a provider of reusable plastic containers (RPCs) for fresh food packaging, added track-and-trace technology to […]
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50 Orders in 6 Minutes
Kroger continues to invest in its digital business. By opening America’s first automated warehouse with digital and robotic capabilities in Monroe, Ohio, the supermarket chain can assemble a 50-item order in just six minutes. Comparatively, a Kroger employee takes 30 to 45 minutes to pick items from various areas of the store. The $55-million, 335,000-square-foot […]
Read MoreNOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief-Apr 2021
Good Works PLS Logistics Services, a third-party logistics provider, raised more than $5,000 to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank by hosting a virtual fund drive, providing more than 26,900 meals to those in need in the community. Local PLS employees also volunteered at two food bank distribution locations (pictured). Energy manufacturing and logistics […]
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USPS Steps Up Its Fleet Game
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) invested in the most significant modernization of its fleet in three decades. It recently awarded a 10-year contract to Oshkosh Defense to manufacture a new generation of U.S.-built delivery vehicles as part of a multi-billion-dollar effort to replace the entire fleet. The new vehicles will be equipped with either fuel-efficient […]
Read MorePRODUCT SPOTLIGHT | Tracking Solutions
HasciSE Backhand Scanner: This lightweight wearable device from ACD Group integrates a 2D scanner into the housing. Supporting fast product tracking, the configurable infrared proximity sensor, scan button, and hand strap finger switch trigger the scanning function. The scanner can be combined with mobile workstations for easy asset tracking throughout warehouses. CL6NX Plus: This thermal […]
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Vertical Focus: Healthcare
Vaccines Prepare for Liftoff Ghana is the first country in the world to use drones to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare facilities. COVAX, an initiative led by UNICEF, shipped 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine from its facility in India to Ghana, using Zipline’s national drone delivery service. The goal is to deliver at […]
Read MoreStord Closes $65 Million Funding Round, Expanding Its Cloud Supply Chain
Stord, a cloud supply chain services provider for retail and e-commerce brands, raised a $65 million Series C round led by venture capital firm Bond, bringing its total capital raised in the past six months to $100 million.
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Nonautomotive Robot Orders Rove Ahead
Supply chain disruptions and workforce challenges are causing industries to accelerate their automation strategies (see chart). For example, yearly robot orders from nonautomotive sectors surpassed automotive robot orders for the first time, with sales of robotic units in North America increasing 3.5% in 2020 from 2019, according to the Robotic Industries Association. Growth was driven […]
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Walmart Goes Local
Walmart plans to increase the number of local fulfillment centers across the United States, which it will build inside or near existing retail locations. This localized approach mirrors Amazon’s strategy, as both companies face off amid surging demand for online orders. Walmart opened its first fulfillment center in 2019 in New Hampshire when the retail […]
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Port of Long Beach Loads Up on Business
As cargo volumes surged in the second half of 2020, essential workers at the Port of Long Beach in California moved 8.1 million cargo containers—its busiest year on record. The port ended the year with a 6.3% increase from 2019. Imports rose 6.4% to more than 3.9 million TEUs, exports increased 0.2% to 475,888 TEUs, […]
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