Articles
How-To
Boosting Supply Chain Sustainability
Sustainable business practices and supply chains reduce waste, cut costs, and improve profit margins. Alan Amling, director of global logistics and distribution marketing at UPS, offers the following tips to help businesses improve supply chain sustainability. 1. Avoid reinventing the wheel. Minimizing waste is the first step in sustainability. Before investing in your own supply […]
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Increasing Warehouse Productivity
Warehouse efficiency promotes productivity, which is essential to customer satisfaction. Jason Minghini, senior director, best practices, at Chattanooga, Tenn.-based third-party logistics provider Kenco Logistic Services offers the following tips for creating more efficient, productive warehouse operations. 1. Communicate effectively. Clearly communicating to workers your organizational goals and the processes to achieve them is one key […]
Read MoreProtecting Your Supply Chain Against Disruption
Most companies know supply chain vulnerability poses a threat to their operations, yet few perform analysis or plan strategies to minimize risk to the bottom line. Businesses can protect against disruptions by adding supply chain redundancy, says Dr. Jeff Karrenbauer, president of supply chain solutions provider INSIGHT. Here is his advice for strengthening your logistics […]
Read MoreBuilding Efficiency Into Your Supply Chain
When it comes to supply chain efficiency, information is king. The more you know, the better you can manage the process and engineer improvements. Ellen Fontaine, general manager, strategic planning and business development, at Georgetown, Ky.-based third-party logistics provider VASCOR Ltd. offers this advice for boosting supply chain efficiency. 1. Seek opportunities to optimize. Optimization […]
Read MoreSecuring Global Supply Chains
With trading partners spread across various regions, unique security risks associated with different countries, and an array of legal and regulatory regimes, global shippers must be well-prepared to ensure cargo safety. Bill Anderson, group director of security and international safety, Ryder System Inc., provides these tips for securing your international supply chain. 1. Create a […]
Read MoreManeuvering Freight Through Challenging International Areas
Do your 2011 business plans include shipping to areas where civil unrest or natural disasters have occurred? If so, be flexible and make strong connections, advises Larry Wenrich, vice president, government sales for Lima, Pa.-based Pilot Freight Services. Here are his tips on shipping to and from difficult areas. 1. Locate an airport with customs […]
Read MoreManaging Fresh Produce Shipments
With produce’s limited shelf life, on-time delivery takes on increased importance. These goods must move quickly through the supply chain, as any delay can result in spoilage and lost revenue. Eden Prairie, Minn.-based third-party logistics provider C.H. Robinson’s general managers, Gary York, Bob Biesterfeld, and Mark Petersen, provide this advice for managing produce shipments. 1. […]
Read MoreOptimizing Air Cargo Shipments
Surging oil and jet kerosene prices, increased security measures, and government focus on compliance are just a few factors currently impacting the air cargo industry. These trends and others make it more critical than ever that shippers optimize their use of air cargo transportation. Scott Aubuchon, director of international airfreight marketing for UPS, offers the […]
Read MoreReducing Ocean Freight Costs
The best way to maximize ocean freight purchasing efficiencies is effective planning. Get a clear understanding of your shipments’ scope, frequency, and quantity, then cement relationships with carriers to better plan your containers, advises Mark Malambri, senior vice president, global ocean products for Houston-based CEVA Logistics. Malambri offers the following tips to help shippers reduce […]
Read MoreEstablishing a Successful Core Carrier Program
It’s easy to assume that the “core” in core carrier is synonymous with “one of just a few.” But the success of a core carrier program has less to do with the number of carriers than it does with ensuring that each provider selected is equal to the task of meeting your company’s needs in […]
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