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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT | Robotics Solutions
AutoStore: The scalable storage and retrieval system from Swisslog uses robots and bins to quickly process small parts orders. In one use case, Arvato Supply Chain Solutions processes e-commerce orders for Rituals Cosmetics Enterprise (pictured). In 2020, Arvato scaled up as needed by adding 65 new robots to its initial deployment of 36 robots. Bolt: […]
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Acing Your Stress Test
Facing more frequent disruptions—from natural disasters to the pandemic—supply chain professionals are shifting their focus to mitigate risk and assess resilience. Post-pandemic, 93% of executives responding to a McKinsey survey say they expect to increase resilience by rebalancing their supply chains, an increase from 70% before the pandemic. A supply chain resilience stress test is […]
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EVs Get a Charge Out of Aluminum-Ion Batteries
Aluminum-ion rechargeable batteries charge 10 times faster than lithium-ion batteries, recent test results show in a study by Australia-based Graphene Manufacturing Group. Although their energy density is about 60% of the energy per weight of the best lithium-ion batteries, they provide other benefits: Speedy charge. A smartphone running an aluminum-ion battery could charge fully in […]
Read MoreNOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief-Aug 2021
Good Works Global logistics services provider DHL Express delivered the U.S. government’s donation of 1 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in collaboration with the COVAX global vaccine-sharing program. DHL arranged pickup of the vaccines from U.S. facilities before they were airlifted from its Cincinnati hub to the DHL Express Subang Gateway in Malaysia, where […]
Read MoreIN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-August 2021
Products Confidex released its new Ferrowave Micro on-metal label for use on retail items such as golf clubs, cosmetics, and metallic beverage containers that were once too small for RFID tagging. With an acrylic adhesive that securely attaches to painted or non-painted metal surfaces, the label also serves as brand authentication for high-value goods. The DuraLabel […]
Read MoreE. Coli Eats Up Plastic and Churns Out Vanilla
U.K. scientists used E. coli to transform plastic waste into vanillin, the molecule responsible for the characteristic smell and taste of vanilla. This means it’s possible to transform plastic into a highly useful material for cosmetics manufacturing. Researchers used genetic engineering to create a strain of E. coli that converts one of the chemicals used […]
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Fertilizer Company Launches Autonomous, Zero-Emission Vessel
In an effort to reduce its reliance on diesel trucks, Norway-based fertilizer company Yara International has developed the first autonomous, zero-emission cargo ship. The Yara Birkeland is fully autonomous in piloting as well as port operations, allowing the vessel to dock, tether, and begin the cargo transfer process on its own. Yara relies on diesel […]
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Plastic Pallets Stack Up Sustainability
What’s in store for the pallet industry, and how will it affect retailers’ sustainability goals? Jeff Pepperworth, president and chief executive officer at iGPS Logistics, a national plastic pallet pooling services provider, shares his outlook. Q: What’s the state of the plastic pallet industry at the moment? Right now, the industry is robust. We see […]
Read MoreNOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief-July 2021
Green Seeds Leonard’s Express adopted a new source of alternative energy for its national fleet of long-haul diesel trucks by using the SPI Energy Reaction System. The system alters the chemistry of combustion by reusing the exhaust gases that are being wasted. To reduce pollution and noise disturbance, GEODIS invested in a green fleet for […]
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