News

Global Logistics-August 2008

Logistics service providers are no strangers to handling mission-critical projects. So when natural disasters strike, they serve an important role helping first responders and humanitarian relief agencies bring food and supplies to those in need. They may also bank some valuable experience for helping commercial shippers manage their own supply chain adversities. Cyclone Nargis, which […]

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Trends-July 2008

With Washington abuzz about the fall presidential election, the Federal Reserve dodging rumors of recession-fed inflation, and news outlets awash with images of flood-ravaged Midwest farms and independent truckers protesting rising fuel costs, this year’s annual State of Logistics Report echoed prevailing political and economic circumstances – with some difficult-to-swallow truths, easily digestible speculations, and […]

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Global Logistics-July 2008

As European manufacturing capacity gradually migrates to cheaper locations farther east, once-prominent producers such as Germany are filling the economic void by developing transportation, distribution, and logistics capabilities. As a reflection of this shifting dynamic, Ernst & Young’s Location Germany 2008: Germany and Europe—International Manager Assessment report touts Germany as the top investment destination in Western Europe. […]

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Trends-June 2008

In light of the recent and sudden news that New Jersey-based LTL trucking company Jevic Transportation terminated operations and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, motor freight carriers will likely find the road noticeably more barren this summer. If the past is any indicator, the industry will be beset by further insolvency as trucking companies continue […]

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Global Logistics-May 2008

The allure of Central America and the Caribbean as a New World for exploration beguiled 16th-century European traders eager to exploit its wealth of natural resources and labor. Today, the region is attracting colonization of a new order and under its own terms—and U.S. trading partners are equally captivated. As China sourcing becomes more complicated, […]

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Trends-April 2008

Flipping through Backpacker‘s 2008 Gear Guide recently, I happened upon the magazine’s Zero Impact Challenge – a call to action for outdoor equipment manufacturers to design backpacks with “greener” footprints. In the spirit of environmental awareness, the magazine featured five brands in the process of developing new packs that are lighter, simpler in design, made of […]

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Global Logistics-April 2008

Given Belgium’s proximity to mainland European markets; well-developed, multimodal transportation infrastructure; and highly skilled labor force, its potential as an offshore manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and distribution location far exceeds its geographical size. The Port of Antwerp, together with Liege and Brussels airports, places Belgium squarely among Europe’s top-tier cargo crossroads, incenting U.S. businesses […]

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Trends—March 2008

10+2: Anything But Elementary The Importer Security Filing mandate proposed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been a hot topic of late – as much for speculation about its loose provisions as for its underlying purpose of tightening offshore supply chain links. When CBP announced its Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in early […]

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Global Logistics-March 2008

China’s rapid economic growth and recurring spikes in consumer prices could give U.S. manufacturers and retailers more reason to consider alternate sourcing locations. Inflation rose to its highest level in more than 11 years in January after devastating snowstorms exacerbated food shortages throughout the country. Consumer prices climbed 7.1 percent from the same month last […]

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Trends-February 2008

The push for green compliance is slowly permeating the logistics sector as businesses find greater incentives for designing and constructing distribution and retail facilities with sustainability guidelines in mind. As an example of this emerging trend, ProLogis, the world’s largest owner and developer of distribution facilities, recently introduced a directive mandating that all new developments […]

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