Articles
Takeaways
Seeking Autonomy
What factors go into creating a successful supply chain? According to the EY Americas Supply Chain Reinvention Survey 2019, which surveyed senior-level supply chain executives on topics ranging from adopting technology, retaining leadership and talent, and prioritizing investment to supporting sustainability, here are the notable trends: A long road to 2025: More than 50% of […]
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The State of Logistics
CSCMP’s annual State of Logistics Report presents an overview of the economy during the past year, key logistics trends, and the total U.S. logistics costs for 2018 (see chart). Here are some top takeaways. Macroeconomics: Economic slowdown expected and trade uncertainty volatile. The U.S. economy is flashing warning signs, as economic growth is forecast to […]
Read MoreAvoiding the Trade War Squeeze
As trade volatility between the United States and China escalates, shippers find few options for avoiding a painful squeeze. While some are shifting production to other nations in the region, others find those countries are less than ready to handle the spike. In the thick of peak season preparations, here are some ways to ensure […]
Read MoreTriple E Supply Chain
The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), a nonprofit supply chain association, released new standards for instituting a “triple E” supply chain—one that is ethical, ecological, and economical. Companies that meet the standards are eligible to apply for the ASCM Enterprise Certification, an industry benchmark demonstrating a commitment to clean supply chains. “More than ever, […]
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Stop, Thief!
TT Club and BSI have issued the second edition of their report on global cargo theft, the first to cover a full year. The report analyzes cargo theft by modality, theft type (modus operandi), commodities targeted, and the value of losses across the major regions of the world (see chart above). Among the notable findings: […]
Read More12 Tips to Identify Quality Suppliers
When most buyers plan to select a new supplier, they are usually tempted to focus on the best price. But shaving a few cents off the product price is no help if the quality is below standard or the component does not arrive when you need it. Focus on quality by incorporating these 12 tips […]
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The Politics of Expanding Into New Markets
A majority of U.S. companies (82%) would like to expand into new markets and 36% are considering expansion opportunities in the BRICS and MINT countries, according to a new survey of U.S. business decision makers by connected planning company Vuealta. However, 55% of respondents say political uncertainty and its impact on their supply chains is […]
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Port of Savannah: Meet Me in St. Louis
The St. Louis Regional Freightway and the Port of Savannah are forging a partnership to create a new connection between the St. Louis region and the largest single-terminal container facility in the western hemisphere. In response to record movement of 4.3 million TEUs in fiscal 2017, the Port of Savannah is investing $3 billion to […]
Read MoreThe Road to Route Planning
Customers in the digital era expect deliveries to be reliable, fast, and transparent; they want to be able to track a delivery, even when it takes only a few hours to reach them. Route planning can help meet this demand. Many businesses employ route-planning systems to gain a competitive advantage. These digital tools consider products, […]
Read MoreSubcoms Focused on the Future
In a retail environment focused on customer experience and convenience, subscription commerce (subcom) companies are maintaining a foothold. According to the 2019 SnapFulfil and Subscription Trade Association (SUBTA) State of Subscription Commerce survey, 46% of today’s subcom offerings now have 2-5 years of operational experience; 40% have more than 5,000 customers, and 29% have more […]
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Technology Trends You Can’t Ignore
Strategic technology trends have the potential to drive significant disruption and deliver significant opportunity. Enterprise architecture and technology innovation leaders must evaluate these trends to identify opportunities, counter threats, and create competitive advantage, according to a recent Gartner report. Key Report Findings Artificial intelligence (AI) opens up a new frontier for digital business. This is […]
Read MoreDigital Forwarders Gain Traction
Digital forwarding platforms are rapidly gaining traction in a global forwarding market characterized by uneven change, according to Global Freight Forwarding 2019, a new study from Transport Intelligence. Technology is creating a vast range of forwarding options available to shippers across the globe—from online booking and quotation to visibility tools and control towers. However, “perhaps […]
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How Evolving Consumer Behavior impacts Global Supply Chains
The impact of evolving consumer shopping behaviors on retailers and manufacturers is the focus of a new supply chain study by DiCentral, a B2B integration services provider, along with the Center for Supply Chain Research at Lehigh University. The study, Supply Chain Collaboration in Transformative Vertical Industries: Implications of Omnichannel and Dropshipping, examines the motivations, […]
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Scrapping Together Automotive Circularity
Specialty materials company Eastman is demonstrating how its carbon renewal technology can recycle mixed plastics from end-of-life cars and use them to make new vehicles, potentially providing a mainstream circular solution for the automotive supply chain. Eastman is partnering with automotive recycler PADNOS and the United States Automotive Materials Partnership (USAMP), a subsidiary of the […]
Read MoreCan Your Supply Chain Turn on a Dime?
Shifting and more demanding consumer expectations are changing the way organizations work. According to the EY Americas Supply Chain Reinvention Survey 2019, 53% of respondents say fast-changing customer preferences require supply chains that can turn on a dime. The survey covers topics including technology adoption, leadership and talent, investment prioritization, sustainability, and other factors in […]
Read MoreBlowing in the Wind
If a transportation route, supplier, customer, or other essential supply chain partner is located in an area at high risk for hurricanes, then your business could risk a major disruption. Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science predicts the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season will bring 13 named storms—including five hurricanes and two Category 3, 4 […]
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Is Your IoT Deployment Secure?
Transportation and logistics companies recognize they must strengthen their approaches to cybersecurity but are not yet taking the practical steps to safeguard their industrial Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, according to a study done on behalf of Inmarsat. According to the study, which surveyed 125 businesses across the transport industry, 64% of respondents say their […]
Read MoreWhat to Look For When Taking Stock of an Inventory Management System
As e-commerce grows, online retailers can benefit greatly from modern automation tools. Choosing the right online inventory management system, for example, can impact both sales and the entire enterprise, and allow e-commerce retailers to retain their competitive advantage. According to Multiorders, here are five factors to consider when selecting an inventory management system. 1. Centralized […]
Read More8 Great Ways to Waste Money in a B2C Warehouse
Outdated warehouse processes and procedures reduce productivity and raise costs, but some simple changes can help you save money and improve efficiency, according to Realtime Despatch. 1. you don’t use warehouse locations. If you rely on staff knowing where everything is, or having to arrange SKUs in alphabetical order to find them, you’re tying yourself […]
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