Articles
Trends
7 Ways to Integrate Demand and Supply
Companies can achieve cohesive demand and supply integration (DSI) by following seven fundamental rules, recommends a recent University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute study. The paper, based on the work of Mark Moon, PhD, a UT professor and global supply expert, focuses on 18 companies in a range of sectors with successful DSI as […]
Read More
What Do the New UPS Surcharges Mean?
To help shippers understand UPS’s recent surcharge increases, Spend Management Experts, a supply chain spend management consultancy, outlines the carrier’s new fees and their potential impact. The Increases: Effective June 4, 2018: The fee for over maximum limits and the oversize pallet handling surcharge increased by $150 and a new shipping charge correction audit fee […]
Read More
Anatomy of Hospital Supply Chain Disruptions
The aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, created a severe shortage of IV bags in the continental United States. The reason: Baxter International, one of the major suppliers, manufactures the products in the U.S. territory and was crippled by the loss of electricity to the island. As a result, many […]
Read More
U.S. Seaports Need Multimodal Funding
U.S. port authorities identify more than $20 billion in projected multimodal port and rail access needs over the next decade, while one-third cite pressing rail project needs costing at least $50 million for each of their ports, according to a new American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) survey, The State of Freight III. Funding and […]
Read More
Disruptive Technologies Shake Up Supply Chains
When efficiency is the primary focus in integrated supply chain management, every little bit that helps to tighten both front- and back-end processes helps. Increasingly, companies in a variety of verticals are achieving such efficiencies by leaning on disruptive technologies. These envelope-pushing solutions could take the form of artificial intelligence used in automation software, robotics, […]
Read MoreBridging the Gap Between Women and Funding
Thirty women have become small business owners in the trucking industry thanks to the efforts of Expediter Services (ES), in conjunction with the Women in Trucking Association. To bring more women into the transportation industry, ES set a goal of supporting 150 total women-owned small businesses through the 150 Business Challenge within 12 months. Through […]
Read More
Fleet Operators Get No ELD Satisfaction
Slightly fewer than half of fleet operators responding to a Coretex Electronic Logging Device (ELD) satisfaction survey say the mandate is good for the transportation industry. Coretex surveyed 303 U.S. trucking companies of various sizes. More than two-thirds (69 percent) of responding companies say ELDs do not improve driver satisfaction, and 33 percent indicate it […]
Read MoreManufacturers Take on Amazon
In response to the “Amazon effect” and today’s consumer demands, manufacturers are reprioritizing and focusing their technology investments on inventory optimization solutions (43 percent) and integrated planning and execution technologies (41 percent), according to findings from JDA Software’s 2018 Intelligent Manufacturing Survey. The survey suggests manufacturers are embracing a new retail-like role and willing to […]
Read MoreTo 3PL or Not to 3PL?
Retailers may face significant challenges when expanding further into the online/e-commerce business. Some challenges may involve supply chain management issues. One of the largest obstacles is developing an effective fulfillment strategy. When it comes to making this decision, it is advisable to review the possible benefits of using a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. Self-performing fulfillment […]
Read More
J&J Uses Sustainability to Strengthen Carrier Relationships
Shipper of choice and sustainability are trending terms among supply chain managers but they’re nothing new to the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in North America. The company’s logistics operation has a long track record of attracting carriers that share a commitment to customer service, efficiency, and sustainable transportation. With for-hire trucking capacity in […]
Read More