Getting to Big: SMBs Embrace Tech and Partnerships
Logistics can sometimes be challenging for small businesses that frequently have limited resources and a laser focus on core competencies. But with the right technologies and partners, SMBs can develop—and execute—supply chain strategies on par with even the largest players.
From Sky to Doorstep: Drones Deliver the Middle and Last Mile
The United States is in the midst of an aerial revolution, as the soaring potential and advancements in drone technology help reimagine middle and last-mile deliveries.
How to Write a Great RFP
Is it time to negotiate new carrier contracts? Here are the keys to successfully optimizing the Request for Proposal (RFP) process—from building a relationship with carriers to adapting to conditions as they change.
Technology Brings A New Dawn for Drayage
It’s a new day for the drayage industry as it attracts investments in technology to transform a crucial, but long-overlooked, component of the supply chain.
Logistics Solutions: Robots Step Up
Taking on repetitive and potentially dangerous tasks in supply chain operations—from unloading containers to materials handling—robots are driving efficiencies in warehouses and distribution centers. And they’re getting smarter, thanks to AI.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
↑ South Carolina Ports awarded $253,000 to 116 South Carolina nonprofits and community organizations as part of its Community Giving program for fiscal year 2024, marking the highest number of grants awarded since the program began in 2013. Awards were given in amounts of $7,500, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000.
2024 Supply Chain Predictions
Pencil in these tips, insider insights, and fearless forecasts from supply chain leaders.
You’re Writing a Book About How to Manage Supply Chains in 2025. What’s the Longest Chapter?
Readers reveal the most voluminous chapters of their imaginary supply chain management manuscripts.
Bringing Automation to Food Production
John Deere and SpaceX have partnered to bring new automation advances to food production. Automation in the food supply chain is nothing new and there are many examples of how automation has driven efficiencies by saving time and keeping costs down. Most of the existing examples are found in the middle mile—the warehouse and DCs—moving […]
4 Things to Expect from Logistics Providers in 2024
The logistics industry, though not quite back to pre-pandemic norms, has successfully weathered much of the chaos into which the pandemic had thrown it. 2023 allowed many companies to take a breath and return to more realistic inventory levels. As consumer spending eased, companies were able to eliminate expensive stockpiles of goods, which enabled logistics […]
What’s the Word? The Language of Logistics
What’s an antifragile supply chain? Should we expect humanoid warehouse workers in 2024? We explore some new logistics terms as well as revisit familiar definitions.
The Supply Chain Benefits of AI-Powered Decision Making
Leaders from eight countries and a range of industries were asked about the challenges and opportunities of AI-powered decision making. Here are the top takeaways.
Backward Integration: Definition, Implementation Process, and Competitive Advantages
In a competitive business world where efficiency and dominance are paramount, backward integration emerges as a strategic linchpin for companies aiming to fortify their market position. This method involves businesses taking command of their supply chain, particularly by securing the production of raw materials. This strategic move elevates profit margins and solidifies a competitive edge […]
The Secrets Behind Today’s Leading Supply Chain Companies
In today’s globalized world, supply chains are the unseen arteries pumping lifeblood into every industry. But behind the seamless delivery of everything from your afternoon candy bar to the latest iPhone lies complex supply chain strategies that incorporate innovation, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at four of the best supply chains operating today.
What Is a Fulfillment Center? Everything You Need to Know
In today’s fast-paced world of e-commerce, smooth and efficient order processing is a critical component for businesses to thrive. Fulfillment centers play an essential role in ensuring that online retailers deliver their products to customers promptly and accurately without putting too much burden on the business owners. But what exactly is a fulfillment center? How […]
2024 Winter Reading Guide
Feeling lost in logistics? Fear not! Inbound Logistics has curated a bookshelf of the best supply chain management books, from beginner-friendly guides to advanced strategy tomes. Dive into data-driven insights, uncover industry secrets, and learn to navigate today’s ever-evolving business environment.
Refrigerated Trucks: History, Benefits and Types
Refrigerated trucks, also called reefers, crucial for transporting perishable items under controlled temperatures, are the backbone of delivering fresh food and vital medications. Remarkably, these reefers transport 70% of the food we consume, with around 500,000 units actively maintaining the cold chain across the United States. In this blog, we will discuss the history, benefits, […]
Types of Freight Trains: Definition and Use of Modern Rail Cars
Freight trains have been the backbone of modern industries for centuries, ensuring the seamless movement of commodities from one place to another. As the transportation landscape evolved, so did the types of freight trains, with rail freight transport growing increasingly sophisticated to handle diverse cargo needs. If you’ve ever wondered about the intricacies of these […]
Communicating With Empathy
Supply chain management (SCM) has often been perceived through operational metrics, systems, and efficiencies. The unsung hero of this intricate web, however, is communication with empathy. This skill transcends merely conveying information and dives deep into understanding, validating, and addressing the emotions and needs of everyone involved.
Are You Prepared for New Regulations?
Those of us who hoped we’d quickly get back on track after the notoriously shaky supply chains of 2020 and 2021 have been left wanting. A confluence of factors has come together to create further disruption across global supply chains, with some poised to only get worse.
How Artificial Intelligence Will Impact the Supply Chain in 2024
From warehousing to risk assessment, here’s how generative artificial intelligence solutions could help address supply chain complexity and resiliency challenges in 2024 and beyond.
Powering Up a Better Supply Chain
Aggreko ensures business is always on by delivering energy anywhere it’s needed so that businesses can grow and communities can thrive. The power company found an ideal partner in RedStone Logistics.
OpenRoad’s Bold Brand Refresh Marks 20 Years of Logistics Excellence
Since 2004, OpenRoad has been empowering companies to achieve more. Here’s the history behind two decades of innovation and adaptability, and the strategy that shapes OpenRoad’s visionary brand refresh.
Custom Dashboard Provides Rail Data Insights and Boosts Efficiencies
RSI Logistics developed a custom dashboard tailored to meet its client’s needs with unmatched precision and accuracy, enabling them to make firm, data-driven decisions that ignited confidence.
Warehousing Process: Steps And Role In Fulfillment Efficacy
Warehousing is essential in today’s fast-paced supply chain, key to efficient order fulfillment and customer satisfaction. This article delves into the warehousing process, examining each step, from receiving goods to distribution, and how they collectively enhance supply chain efficiency. Discover these processes’ crucial roles in boosting your business’s fulfillment success. Primary Warehouse Process Steps: How […]
Are You Ready to Navigate 2024?
Let’s put last year’s pain and friction points out of our minds and stage for growth this year. We asked our readers what skills we should tune up and emphasize to drive value and maximize growth in 2024. Keep your cool. “Circumstances can turn on a dime and require not only quick, but also clear […]
Manufacturing CEOs Accelerating Investments in AI, Automation & Robotics
Manufacturing CEOs are making big plans for 2024, including accelerating investments in artificial intelligence, automation and robotics. Plus, other news shaping the global supply chain.
Top 5 Aerospace Supply Chain Disruptions & Other Aerospace News
What are the key disruptions threatening the aerospace industry?
Warehouse vs. Inventory: Their Roles And Differences
Understanding the crucial differences between warehouses and inventory is essential for operational excellence in supply chain logistics. This article explores the roles and connections between warehouse capacities and inventory management in enhancing overall supply chain efficiency. The Role Of A Warehouse A warehouse is a storage facility that efficiently stores and protects goods until they […]
Musco & AFS Logistics: Oiling the Wheels of Change
About five years ago, when Michael Lin joined Musco Family Olive Co. as senior director of supply chain, he “walked into a tight-running operation,” he says. At the same time, Lin sought to bring greater discipline and automation to many of the company’s logistics and supply chain processes. To work toward these goals, Lin enlisted the help of AFS Logistics, a third-party logistics provider.
Not So Sweet: Expensive Cocoa’s Lesson on Supply Chain Resilience
Chocolate’s largest manufacturers face spiraling costs for key ingredients like cocoa beans and cocoa butter. The trickle-down effect will hit many consumers in the wallet in the latest example of what can happen if a supply chain isn’t resilient enough.
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
Origify from Bosch lets manufacturers give sneakers and other high-value products a digital fingerprint as early as the production or packaging phase. The authentication solution photographs each product and converts the image into a binary and non-manipulable data record of a few kilobytes, which is stored in a cloud.
How to Achieve Foodservice Industry Sustainability Goals
Foodservice providers are reevaluating their operations with manufacturing and logistics playing a key role in driving sustainable change.
Sustain the Chain With Technology
Today, more than ever, it is important that we build sustainable supply chains that positively impact business, society, and the planet. To meet customer expectations and be truly sustainable, organizations must ensure responsible business practices internally and across the entire value chain.
Warehouse Solutions Hit the Mark
These warehouse innovations rack up efficiency gains and process improvements, bringing competitive advantages to supply chain operations, big and small.
8 Steps to Cracking the Traceability Code
As supply chain disruptions and competition increases at a global scale, supply chain visibility has become vital for business success. Lack of visibility along the supply chain not only poses a risk to the seamless flow of goods but also raises concerns about product quality and overall productivity. With only 13% of manufacturers having full visibility into their supply chain network, it’s important to manage this challenge.
The Future of Freight: What to Expect
The next few years will bring further disruptions to a freight model that the industry spent decades optimizing. In 2024 and beyond, new consumer demands, technological advancements, and broader changes like nearshoring will present new opportunities for logistics leaders from first to final mile.
Carbon Output Is Spiking Amid Red Sea Supply Chain Crisis. What Are You Going to Do About It?
Another sustainability crisis is brewing in the global supply chain. Ongoing attacks on container ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels have caused major shipping companies and oil/gas firms to suspend shipments through the Suez Canal, one of the most active shipping routes in the world. As a result, vessels are forced on […]
What Is 3PL? Meaning, Benefits, and Challenges
In today’s fast-paced business world, efficient supply chain management is critical to success. That’s where third-party logistics (3PL) comes into play. This blog post will include a 3pl definition to explain what 3PL means (some people refer to it as 3rd party logistics), the benefits of partnering with a 3PL provider, and the potential challenges […]
Jessica Yurgaitis: In the Right Place at the Right Time
Jessica Yurgaitis is chief executive officer with Industrial Supply Company, which distributes maintenance, repair, operational, and production (MROP) supplies to the construction, manufacturing, mining, government, and industrial markets from eight locations
in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Wyoming.
Hybrid Fulfillment: Definition and Types
In the ever-changing world of logistics and order fulfillment, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to efficiently meet their customers’ needs. Well, here’s a game-changer for you: Hybrid Fulfillment. This approach allows you to combine and integrate different fulfillment methods, unleashing a world of possibilities for optimizing your fulfillment process. Defining Hybrid Fulfillment and Business […]
Inbound vs Outbound Logistics: Processes, Comparisons, and Optimization
Both inbound and outbound logistics play important roles in the processes, comparisons, and optimization of supply chain management that businesses must understand to achieve maximum efficiency. These two types of logistics are essential for the smooth functioning of an organization’s operations. This blog post will provide a thorough overview of inbound and outbound logistics, their […]
6 Types of Supply Chain: Their Roles Defined
Understanding the different types of supply chains and their unique functionalities is crucial for businesses to optimize operations, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.
10 Tips for Selecting a Warehouse Management System
Companies must understand some important considerations to ensure they select the best warehouse management system (WMS) for their needs today and the future. These 10 steps can help focus your decision.
Primed for Growth: 3PL Partnerships Help Shippers Roll With It
Despite persistent supply chain challenges and uncertainties, now is the time to prep your supply chain for future growth. 3PLs have the talent to take you there.
10 Ways to Empower the Logistics Workforce
From harnessing the latest innovations to nurturing a culture of continuous improvement, these 10 strategies can help your team excel in the ever-changing logistics landscape.
Dark Data Illuminates the Supply Chain
In the sprawling cosmos of logistics and transportation, there’s a vast, uncharted territory: dark data. This term refers to the untapped, unprocessed information that fleets, freight systems, and supply chains generate but never use. Think of it as the digital equivalent of dark matter in the universe—invisible, yet its potential gravity can pull industries into a new era of enlightenment.
Logistics Plus Warehousing Team Solves Client’s Off-Site Warehouse Inventory & System Issues
Logistics Plus finds a way to “yes” by springing into action and sending employees to help solve inventory and system issues at a client warehouse.
Reverse Logistics: Curing the Holiday Returns Hangover
Consumers tend to over-indulge during holiday shopping—and that means lots of returns once the buzz wears off. Instead of antacids and ice packs, retailers find the remedy in smart reverse logistics strategies and solutions.
Delivery Workers Are Your Biggest Asset
In the fast-paced world of logistics, where every minute counts and customer satisfaction is paramount, your workers are undeniably your biggest asset. As the frontline ambassadors of your brand, they navigate through the intricacies of mid- and last-mile deliveries and create lasting relationships that can impact your company’s business.
How Shippers Can Manage Risk During the Great Trucking Recession
As inflation slows consumer spending, trucking companies are living through the Great Trucking Recession that’s driving large and small carriers to exit the industry.
Freight Forwarders & Shippers: Forward Motion
With innovative solutions and technology, and productive collaborations, freight forwarders position complex global supply chains for success.
Gaining Visibility to Supply Chain Blind Spots
Keeping supply chain risks in your line of sight can protect your profits, people, and productivity.
5 Ways AI-Powered Logistics Maximize Eco Savings
Logistics providers increasingly turn to artificial intelligence to help operate sustainable and cost-effective supply chains.
How Moid Alwy Keeps the Wheels Turning
After nearly 20 years in supply chain roles at Target, Moid Alwy welcomed a new set of challenges in 2022, when he became executive vice president and chief supply chain officer at American Tire Distributors (ATD). “The areas that added complexity at Target have to do with the breadth of the assortment,” Alwy says. “We […]
No Place for Technophobes: Technologies Streamline Global Trade
They used to be just trendy buzzwords, but artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are now poised to have a transformative impact on global supply chain management. If you’ve been shying away from these technologies, it may be time to consider their potential.
5 Top Contract Management Strategies
The pandemic brought a surge in suppliers invoking force majeure clauses in their contracts. Force majeure removes liability for unforeseeable and unavoidable catastrophes that interrupt the expected course of events and prevent participants from fulfilling obligations. Buyers, as well as suppliers, understood that the extreme circumstances surrounding the pandemic warranted it.
Providing Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Support in the Southeast
MD Logistics brought its expertise as a third-party logistics provider within the life sciences and pharmaceuticals industry to the southeastern United States.
You Should Be Asking What You Left on the Table!
You can’t assume medium and large companies have “best practices” because they are large, and they must have grown to that size because they are efficient and make great decisions.
Dynamic Freight Pricing Done Right
Modern shippers rely exceedingly on transportation management system (TMS) solutions for several reasons. Staying competitive while curtailing distribution cost tops the list. Supply chains are also more complex, and the need for TMS and efficient freight pricing solutions is being felt more than ever.
5 Ways to Mitigate SaaS App Risk
The popularity of SaaS apps has skyrocketed, with users having tens of thousands of options from both reputable companies and private developers. Many of these apps, however, contain vulnerabilities or suffer from complex misconfigurations, turning them into a potential Achilles heel for supply chain attacks.
Forward Integration: Strategies, Advantages, And Risks
Forward integration is a key strategy for businesses to strengthen their market position and control over their supply chain. This approach involves companies taking charge of distribution or supply activities further down the value chain. This article examines the various strategies, benefits, and risks of forward integration, offering insights for businesses to effectively implement this […]
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a WMS for Your 3PL Business
Third-party logistics companies need much more than a typical WMS to handle inventory. They need a strong warehouse management system that is actually the brain of the warehouse.
ProTrans Provides a Sustainability Solution with Strategic Partnership
The strategic collaboration between ProTrans International and ClearFlame helped an automotive supplier reduce fossil fuel consumption, GHG emissions, and realize significant savings in fuel costs.
Holman Logistics Uses Artificial Intelligence to Increase Forklift Safety
Holman partners with OneTrack to bring AI solutions to the issue of forklift accidents.
Craving a Sweet 3PL Partnership
Thanks to its 3PL partnership with Evans Distribution Systems, Bon Bon Bon workers can fill orders more quickly than was possible previously. One reason is Evans’ technology, which offers a step-by-step guide for processing orders.
Fourth Party Logistics: Definition, Advantages, and Disadvantages
Unlike third-party logistics (3PL) providers, which focus on specific logistics tasks like warehousing, shipping, and order fulfillment, 4PL providers manage and optimize the entire supply chain.
The 6 Advantages of Warehousing
Warehousing plays a crucial role in modern business operations, offering numerous benefits and contributing significantly to the success of an organization. This article explores the six advantages of warehousing.
Fragile Goods: Definition, Packing, and Tips
Ever wondered how to ensure your delicate items reach their destination in one piece? This article provides insights into what constitutes fragile goods and how you can ensure their safe transit.
What Is Insourcing? Definition, Benefits, And Examples
Understanding how insourcing works and harnessing its advantages allows you to achieve more control over your company’s processes while reaping cost savings.
20 Leading 3PL Companies
These 20 leading 3PL companies are offering cutting-edge solutions to help businesses optimize their supply chain management.
Delivery at Place: How It Works, Benefits, and Best Practices
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Delivery at Place (DAP), its advantages and disadvantages, and best practices for managing DAP shipments.
Future Focus: 2024’s Top 3 Supply Chain Trends
Three key supply chain trends to watch in 2024.
Consolidated Warehouse: What It Is, Process, and Benefits
In today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving world of logistics, understanding warehouse consolidation is crucial for businesses looking to optimize their supply chain and reduce costs. A consolidated warehouse plays a critical role in streamlining operations by gathering small shipments from various sources, organizing them efficiently, and ensuring timely deliveries. So what exactly is a consolidated warehouse, and […]
Private Warehouse: Benefits, Challenges, and Who Should Use Them
In today’s competitive business landscape, efficient warehouse management is crucial for success. As companies look to optimize their logistics operations, many are considering private and public warehousing as a viable solution. We’ll explore the ins and outs of private warehouses, delving into their benefits and challenges and determining which businesses stand to gain the most […]
Happy New Year!
For your planning pleasure, this handy calendar highlights holidays, potential promotions, seasonal swings, and logistics appreciation days for the coming year.
IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
The MULTILIFT Ultima 28Z from Hiab, part of Cargotec, is a heavy-duty hooklift designed to help companies complete demanding materials handling tasks with fewer hauls. The hooklift provides a low loading angle for handling fragile goods and navigating height-limited environments.
How to Find and Retain Skilled Workers
As demand for faster order fulfillment grows, attracting and retaining top logistics talent becomes increasingly essential. Despite the talent shortage, there are strategies you can employ to secure skilled workers and ensure a thriving workforce for the future.
VERTICAL FOCUS: Luxury/High-Value Products
The world’s most expensive fountain pen, Fulgor Nocturnus by Tibaldi, was sold for $8 million at an auction in Shanghai in 2010. The pen includes 945 black diamonds and 123 rubies. It has 16 clips above the small button on the cap and a golden nib for durability. Only one exists in the entire world.
NOTED: Supply Chain Highlights
DHL Express, Kalitta Air, and Kalitta Motorsports united efforts in the “Race to End Hunger,” an initiative that provides hunger relief for families in need. After completing six racing events, the program raised the money to provide one million meals.
20 Leading Global Trade Management Systems Providers in 2023
Global trade management systems (GTMS) are some of the best tools that commerce businesses can use. Regardless of the industry, they’re valuable in assisting with international trade. There are dozens of GTMS available, but not all of them are leaders in the industry. Below you’ll find 20 leading global trade management systems providers. What Are […]
On-Demand Warehouse: Definition, Examples, and Uses
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, on-demand warehousing has emerged as a game-changer in supply chain management and logistics solutions. This innovative approach allows businesses to access warehouse space and fulfillment services when they need them, offering increased flexibility and cost-effectiveness. On-demand warehouses are particularly beneficial for eCommerce companies or those with fluctuating inventory needs. […]
Net Weight vs. Tare Weight vs. Gross Weight: A Comprehensive Guide
Net weight, tare weight, and gross weight are key terms in the shipping industry. They affect the cost and safety of global trade and transport. Anyone involved in shipping should know the difference between net weight vs gross weight vs tare weight. The Importance of Shipping Weights Shipping weights are indispensable in logistics. They influence […]
3PL Provides a Natural Solution
Consumer demand for more natural and environmentally friendly cleaning products fueled the growth of Branch Basics, a direct-to-consumer company. The pandemic caused sales to increase exponentially and the e-tailer also realized a growth in subscription sales. Branch Basics needed an experienced third-party logistics provider to help manage distribution, fulfillment and transportation.
Building Technologies That People Actually Use
Paul Gaffney is chief digital officer with Omni Logistics, a provider of multimodal logistics solutions and supply chain services.
Certificate of Compliance vs. Certificate of Analysis: Their Key Differences
Navigating the intricacies of product safety and quality assurance, one often encounters critical terminologies like Certificate of Compliance and Certificate of Analysis. These essential documents play pivotal roles in affirming product quality, safety, and compliance to established standards. While they bear semblances, their applications, and implications are distinct, aligning with specific regulatory landscapes and industry […]
Bill of Materials (BOM): Definition, Impact, and Components
The Bill of Materials (BOM) is a cornerstone document critical to creating any tangible product in the intricate web of modern manufacturing and product development. It is a comprehensive list that catalogs all the components, raw materials, and assemblies needed to construct a finished product. Its accuracy and detail reflect directly on the production process’s […]
Hybrid Supply Chain: Definition, Strategies, and Advantages
In an era where the pace of change is relentless, the concept of a hybrid supply chain has emerged as a beacon of adaptability and resilience in the business world. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in traditional supply chains, leading to an increased interest in hybrid models. According to a survey conducted by McKinsey & […]
The 6 Types of Transportation in Logistics
In today’s globalized world, understanding the types of transportation in logistics is paramount. With the upsurge in international trade and industries flourishing worldwide, efficiently moving cargo has never been more essential. Knowing how to transport goods across diverse transportation routes cost-effectively and efficiently is crucial for any business. The choices made within the logistics […]
Automakers Shift to Smart Supply Chains
Although the pandemic may be over, auto suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are still grappling with supply chain issues such as concern over net-zero promises, the growing EV market, geopolitical conflicts, evolving trade agreements, natural disasters, and high interest rates deterring shoppers.
Supply Chain Monitoring: What It Is, Why It Matters
Supply chain oversight is an indispensable element in the corporate environment for successful functioning. This blog post explores the supply chain monitoring concept to provide valuable insights and help you understand its importance. We will explore supply chain monitoring and how it can benefit businesses. Additionally, we will discuss some common challenges organizations face when […]
10 Tips for Improving Warehouse Operations
Improving warehouse operations is crucial to ensure orders get out on time and in full. Optimization and resource scheduling technology can help to increase efficiencies, reduce costs, and guarantee customer satisfaction.
How a Strategic Expedite Plan Can Save the Aerospace Industry $60 Billion
Incorporating an expedite strategy can save the aerospace industry billions of dollars in lost time, labor impact, mechanical errors, and passenger chaos.
Why Your Company’s Future Depends on Carrier Development
The relationships that companies have with their carriers play a key role in their long-term success. In this RFP season, the emphasis on dedicated freight will further underline the importance of these partnerships.
GOOD QUESTION: True or False? Managing Supply Chains Is More Challenging Than Ever
Is supply chain management the toughest it has ever been? Or are tech tools so advanced they’re alleviating the uncertainty and guarding against disruptions? Industry insiders have a lot to say.
Cold Chain Innovations: Turn Up the Chill
Smart sensing, monitoring, and packaging solutions keep temperature-sensitive shipments in the zone.
What’s the Key to Reaching Net Zero? Data Collection
Brands can reach their carbon goals by working better with suppliers. Let’s stop bombarding them with requests for information and instead encourage them to participate.
Next Year? AI is a Retailer’s Lifeline
Retailers faced a broad array of challenges this past year. What will they face next year? Does it really matter?