Making Sense of Supply Chain Education
Class is in session! Professors at some of the country’s leading supply chain education programs join Inbound Logistics for a lesson in how they are preparing the next generation of professionals, whether they come from business programs or engineering schools, for tomorrow’s challenges.
Warehouse Sustainability Doesn’t Measure Up
Only a small number of warehouse operators—18% of those surveyed—currently use sustainability metrics to analyze their environmental impact, finds a new Transport Intelligence warehouse benchmarking survey. Of those who do use sustainability metrics, not one was able to say how much energy they used per square meter or how much carbon dioxide they produced at […]
Gearing Up for a Bright Supply Chain Future
Logistics providers, retailers, and other large global movers are applying a mix of enabling technologies and innovative business models to drive the efficiency and supply chain orchestration needed to meet tomorrow’s package volume demand and capture market share, finds Deloitte’s recent Future of the Movement of Goods study. With growing e-commerce, shifting trade patterns, and […]
Last Mile Delivery Strategies During COVID-19 and Other Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply chains and carriers keep the global economy working amid the unprecedented conditions resulting from COVID-19, but they can seize up under extreme strain.
AI Powers Sustainable Manufacturing
One of the greatest potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) is helping the world become more sustainable. This includes addressing the three P’s of sustainability—people, planet, and profit—in manufacturing.
Plan B: 5 Ways to Weatherproof Your Supply Chain
From establishing secondary suppliers to setting up alternative routes, here’s how Plan B strategies can keep you up and running, even during extreme weather events.
Building a Case for Blockchain
Asset-tracking and traceability are the top uses for distributed ledger technology (see chart), highlighting the need for improved management as supply chains evolve from linear models to multitiered networks, says a PwC report. About 52% of business leaders say asset-tracking and traceability are the best applications for blockchain technology. Among those respondents, 52% identify trade […]
Robot Return Ratios
More robots are on the way to Walmart, says John Crecelius, the retailer’s vice president in charge of in-store innovations. Walmart will add shelf-scanning Bossa Nova robots to 650 more U.S. stores in 2020, for a total of 1,000 or more by the fall. Either Bossa Nova or Simbe robots will be in “the majority” […]
Transporting Cars: RoRo or Containers
The automotive supply chain is global and complex. The integration of smart solutions such as containerization maximizes the safety of the product, no matter how far it will travel to the final destination. Using containerization in place of traditional roll-on roll-off, or RoRo, transportation offers many advantages to the driver, the automotive supplier, and the consumer.
How Supply Chain Drives Business Value
World-class companies such as Apple, Cisco, Amazon, and Unilever have found a way to foster strong collaboration between their supply chain and commercial teams to execute business strategy, and this is a key driver in their success.
Leveraging Your Suppliers: What You Can Do for Me
Engaging in strategic partnerships with suppliers can net big gains.
2020 Reading Guide
It’s time to open up that book you’ve been meaning to read. These titles will help you catch up on the latest deep dives into the world of logistics.
Atlanta Hits the Spot
Atlanta, Georgia, takes the top spot as the easiest market to find spot truckload van freight in 2019, according to a DAT Solutions report. Because spot freight is unscheduled, it can be a useful indicator of economic activity. Take a look at the top 10 markets in 2019 for outbound truckload freight by equipment type. […]
How Does Coronavirus Impact the Supply Chain, and How Can Retailers Minimize Disruption?
With the new coronavirus impacting supply chains globally and shifting consumer spending habits, retailers must assess their response on a daily—or even hourly—basis. COVID-19 has impacted the supply chain by limiting access to employees due to quarantines, closing factories or slowing down manufacturers, and limiting access to logistics to move goods, according to Gartner. Retailers can minimize these disruptions in three ways:
SPOTLIGHT | Technology Innovations
These innovations connect supply chain stakeholders to enable instant booking, seamless collaboration, and increased visibility.
The Ultimate RFP Checklist for Shippers: Essential Things to Include in Every Bid
When it comes to creating a successful request for proposal (RFP), it’s all about dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s. The clearer your RFP, the easier it will be for third-party logistics (3PL) providers to understand your requirements and provide the information you need to make an informed selection.
Surge Protector
About 35 years ago, Mark Hogan left a successful career as an accountant to pursue a job in freight transportation. He hasn’t looked back.
Autonomous Ship: Maiden China?
China’s first unmanned cargo ship completed its test voyage in December 2019, marking a significant milestone in autonomous shipping. The ship, Jin Dou Yun 0 Hao, successfully delivered cargo from Dong Ao Island in Zhuhuai to the No. 1 pier of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Measuring about 42.2 feet long and 12.5 feet wide and […]
Coronavirus Precautions
The Chinese government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak has impacted 280 supplier sites near Wuhan, China, according to Bindiya Vakil, chief executive officer of Resilinc, a provider of cognitive supply chain monitoring and mitigation solutions. Businesses could experience supply chain disruptions for three to six months, which is comparable to disruptions caused by the swine […]
Ship More, Pay Less: Controlling Transportation Costs
Better matching demand to supply and adjusting contracts, tendering, and invoice auditing strategies can help control transportation costs when rates are on the rise.
Crossing the Final-Mile Finish Line
Total e-commerce revenue in 2020 will reach $3.52 trillion, growing year-over-year at nearly 19%, according to global tech market advisory firm ABI Research. This explosion is forcing retailers to find faster and more convenient modes to reach the final mile. Retailers will likely trade profits to continue investments in the e-commerce explosion. This growth depends […]
3PLs Do It All
Third-Party logistics providers are building future-proof supply chains, filling their toolbox with business insights, predictive capabilities, and other new solution sets.
Incoterms 2020: Embracing the Rules
International Commercial Terms, commonly known as Incoterms®, standardize the responsibilities of the buyer and seller in an international transaction and are now used frequently in domestic transactions in the United States.
I Like Big-Box and I Cannot Lie
Nearly half of small to mid-sized business (SMB) decision-makers involved in distribution, logistics, and/or procurement estimate an increase in shipping spend in 2020 compared to 2019, and big-box retailers are influencing their strategy, finds logistics technology platform uShip’s 2020 SMB Shipping Strategies report. About 25% of decision-makers say the logistics strategies of Amazon and Walmart […]
Can the New Silk Road Compete with the Maritime Silk Road?
The more I hear and read about the New Silk Road, the more grand the expectations. Politically, the trade corridors between China and Europe, as well as Africa, seem to be China’s key to becoming a leading global power in the 21st century. Logistically, infrastructures and networks are emerging on an entirely new scale, taking a gigantic economic area—representing 60% of the world’s population and 35% of the global economy—to the next level. The New Silk Road could act as a high-speed internet for transporting goods.
Supply Chain Predictions 2020
Industry leaders look to the future, offering advice and strategies to help you successfully navigate the year ahead.
Small Ports, Big Benefits
Smaller, lesser-known ports often deliver substantial benefits to shippers, letting them bypass congestion while leveraging advanced technology. Here are seven reasons to consider these less-trafficked cargo destinations.
VERTICAL FOCUS | Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
4 Things FMCG Retailers Need to Know FMCG retailers need to be aware of four key areas as they build their future omnichannel supply chains, finds RSR Research’s Supply Chain Management 2018 report. 1. Change signals. Retailers are increasingly aware that new digitally enabled consumer behaviors are challenging a key operational assumption—that consumers will start […]
Logistics Leaders Into Outsourcing
Outsourcing logistics services has become common—85% of logistics leaders expect their outsourcing budget to increase by more than 5% in 2020; 85% reported a similar budget increase in 2019, finds Gartner’s 2019 Logistics Outsourcing Strategy survey. One reason leaders expect budgets to increase is that logistics outsourcing supports their business objectives. About 70% of respondents […]
6 Supply Chain Risks Worth Taking
From technology investments that stretch budgets to supply chain partnerships that share proprietary information, these moves may give small businesses pause. Here’s why they should dive right in.
Navigating Amazon’s Move into Freight
Amazon’s quiet but successful launch of a full-service freight brokerage has a number of implications for supply chain professionals—some obvious and some not so clear.
How Zulily Optimizes its Supply Chain on Cost, Not Speed
Zulily started in 2010 with the idea of making online shopping fun—delightful even.
7 Notable Women in Supply Chain & Logistics
Meet the women who are succeeding at high levels in their companies, driven by a passion for supply chain and logistics, self-confidence, authenticity, and the ability to untangle the spaghetti of information that drives business decisions.
5 Ways to Manage Warehousing Requirements During Peak Periods
Managing peak period shipment volume is a structural challenge in the U.S. economy. Those preoccupied with executing order fulfillment services spend much of the year thinking about and planning for it. The surge is a three- to four-month peak in first inbound, and then outbound shipments, with overlap. Shipments to retailers come first, followed by […]
Which ERP Trends Will Catch On in 2020?
Supply chain management involves planning, execution, control, and monitoring, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions handle the physical aspects of supply. Next-generation ERP technologies have come to the forefront, and their powerful capabilities are having a great influence. Here are three ERP supply chain trends to watch in 2020. 1. Warehouse operations managers are more […]
Charging the Electronics Supply Chain
Electronics suppliers, distributors, and retailers address high-voltage challenges—from shorter product life cycles to price erosion and unpredictable tariffs—with technology and changing business processes.
How Is Coronavirus Impacting E-Commerce?
The number of people infected by the new coronavirus globally surpassed those infected in China as of February 2020. As the virus continues to spread, new ramifications are revealed daily. How is the coronavirus impacting e-commerce operations, and what can retailers do in response to those challenges?
The Secret Behind the Best Supply Chain Transformations
Even the most well-oiled supply chains have room for improvement. But what if you want to do more than just improve; what if you want to transform? Data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) can disrupt—and, yes, transform—your supply chain.
Taking a Dip Into Supply Chain Management
Frank Armetta is global vice president of supply chain with Sabra Dipping Company, a division of PepsiCo. Responsibilities: Leads procurement, strategic sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution reports, global engineering, and global quality. Also oversees the Australian and Western Europe businesses. Experience: Vice president, global manufacturing with Sabra; global manufacturing vice president for PepsiCo Worldwide Flavors in […]
Turning Fixed Logistics Costs Into Variable Costs via Outsourcing
Variable costs offer an ideal way for many shippers to keep money in their proverbial pocket when things are slower without sacrificing service when orders pick up.
3 Big Barriers to IIoT Integration
From monitoring air quality in "smart cities" like Chicago and New York City to tracking health data in real time on smart watches, the Internet of Things (IoT) is everywhere. IoT applications look promising for the manufacturing industry as well: European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is developing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies to provide valuable […]
Applying Lean Thinking to Procurement
How to slate demand and supply initiatives and techniques into your procurement strategies.
Conquering Overflow Leads to a Long-Term Partnership
When a global medical device manufacturer turned to Suddath to manage overflow product, it found a long-term partner that also provided warehousing and value-added services.
Tips for Shipping Across the Mexico Border
Does your business have the knowledge and resources to manage cross-border shipping effectively? Review these five critical questions to ask before booking your next load across the Mexico border.
2020 Global Trade: It’s a Whole New World
From tariffs and trade wars to new trade agreements and updated INCOTERMS, 2020 is shaping up to be an interesting year for global shippers.
Technology Can Cure the Parcel Crisis at the Border
As e-commerce continues to increase globally, shippers have to streamline customs compliance to support their omnichannel strategy.
How Green Was My Tally?
Almost one-third of online shoppers are willing to pay more to have their items shipped in environmentally friendly packaging, with those buying health and beauty products leading the way at 33%, according to Macfarlane Packaging, which analyzed packaging performance among e-commerce retailers in the fashion, health and beauty, home and garden, and food and drink […]
Ten Minutes From Now—Do You Have a Plan?
While the publisher is focused on planning for a far-off future, I’m focused on providing practical information that you can use in the here and now. Leaf through this edition for the next 10 minutes, and you’ll find plenty of practical examples to help you navigate 2020. The content we provide is specialized because the […]
Ten Years From Now—Do You Have a Plan?
It’s a new decade and time to project and plan for the next one. Ten years from today, what will your market look like? What kind of customers will you have and where will they be located? What will they buy? How will they buy? And how will you adapt your supply chain operations to […]
What to Look For in a 3PL
The field of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers has grown fiercely competitive, and the services and capabilities a 3PL can offer become difficult to differentiate.
Stop, Thief! Five Ways to Protect Your Supply Chain
Today’s supply chain ecosystem is increasingly complicated. We rely on suppliers and buyers across the globe and use multiple transport modes, languages, currencies, and laws across borders.
Winning Moves for the Last Mile
With direct sales on the rise, retailers seek fast and efficient ways to deliver product over the threshold and into customers’ hands.
Most Read Articles of 2019
These Inbound Logistics articles caught your eye and claimed your clicks. From weaving sustainable practices into your supply chain to revealing how Impossible Burger met impossibly high demands, here is the 2019 content that got you buzzing.
You Have a Data Problem. Here’s What to Do About It.
To make 2020 better than years past, shippers must make this New Year’s resolution: Get the data right before the product leaves the dock.
Importer Maximizes Savings and Customer Service with Kuebix TMS
By leveraging Kuebix and an integration with NetSuite, equipment parts importer Summit Supply ensures every order is shipped with the quickest, least expensive option to maximize savings and service.
Noted: The Supply Chain in Brief-2020
Good Works Truck drivers and other employees at Averitt Express, a transportation and supply chain management company, raised $1 million in 2019 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through its Averitt Cares for Kids charity program. The donation is the largest-ever employee contribution to the hospital. Up the Chain H&M chief operating officer Helena Helmersson […]
Keeping Your Eye on the Prize: What Formula One Can Teach Us About the RFP Process
Bid management software is like a team boss, acting as the face—or rather, interface—of the complex data streams racing through your network.
Scale to Meet Your Needs
Now more than ever before, shippers should consider working with an experienced managed transportation service provider that has a large, dedicated network of carrier partners.
Good Question: Will the Supply Chain Management Function Be Obsolete in 10 Years? Why or Why Not?
Zero chance. Supply chain success is dependent upon human relationships, collaboration, partnerships, leading and influencing, servicing customers, and the like. Robots, algorithms, and other new technologies will make certain jobs obsolete, but not the function of supply chain itself.
What if General George Patton was Walmart’s CEO?
General Patton would survey the e-commerce battlefield where Walmart competes and conduct a threat assessment of every major competitor, especially Amazon.
Come Together: Logistics and the Sharing Economy
Logistics embraces the sharing economy with supply chain collaborations, industry crossovers, and unexpected partnerships, bringing fulfillment and transportation efficiencies.
Reshaping the Supply Chain: How New Strategies, Goals & Technologies are Altering Supply Chain Operations
Picture trucking in the United States minus interstate highways. Global trade without shipping containers. Supply chain management with no internet.
Conviction, Clarity, Compassion
Bob Sappio starts his workday at 4:30 a.m. and sends LinkedIn messages to his team on Saturday night. He’s committed, passionate, and a straight shooter–and gives his all to SeaCube’s technological and cultural transformation.
The Show Must Go On
Leaning on 30 years of experience shipping in Mexico, CFI delivered concert equipment for a well-known pop music group tour in North America.
Formulating a Predictive Flow
BASF Corp.’s vision for the next six to 12 months is to continue to move from a proactive approach to predictive logistics and shipping operations. It expects operations to be about 80% predictive in 2020.
Let Data Lead the Way to Optimization
Using intelligent, actionable information, we work alongside our customers to proactively meet their own customers’ needs.
Supply Chain AI: This Time It’s for Real
Data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) are hot topics these days, especially in supply chain circles.
The Three Things You Can Teach Your Third-Party Logistics Provider
Just because your logistics provider is the subject-matter expert, it doesn’t mean there isn’t anything they can learn from you.
Mitigating the Flood of Post-Holiday Returns
Businesses across the country spend months gearing up for the holiday season. And while they survived this year’s frenzy, many are now bracing for a flood of post-holiday returns.
Modernizing Information Along the Supply Chain for Natural Disaster Response
When Hurricane Maria threatened Puerto Rico, it was already a Category 5 storm. Baxter International, which manufactures saline solution bags in the commonwealth, took a major hit in production. The slowdown crippled the flow of these essential medical supplies to Baxter’s primary hospital consumers in the continental United States. Despite dire forecasts about the hurricane, the medical industry could not react fast enough, resulting in a major shortage of saline bags.
Using Mentors and Technology to Close the Talent Gap
New logistics technologies can lead to major operational improvements. However, few organizations have the personnel—along with the right mindset and skills—to take advantage, much less the ability to adopt new processes and infrastructure.
Implementing Industry 4.0 to Streamline Your Supply Chain
How beneficial will the fourth industrial revolution be for manufacturers? Adrian Burton, from Harrison Castings, explores three ways Industry 4.0 may help streamline your supply chain.
Noted: The Supply Chain in Brief
Sealed Deals Robotics company Magazino signed shoe manufacturer and retailer Lloyd Shoes GmbH as a new customer. Magazino’s intelligent TORU robots will help employees select and store shoes in shelving racks at Lloyd’s dispatch warehouse in Sulingen, Germany. Magazino can integrate additional TORU robots into an existing fleet in less than half a day. Casio […]
Are You Ready to Join the Circular Supply Chain?
It may be time to revisit how your company produces and delivers products as consumers and retailers become more environmentally aware and shift to a circular supply chain.
UPS Drones Will Soon Deliver Medical Products Within the UC San Diego Health System
UPS Flight Forward, the company’s drone airline subsidiary, will use unmanned drones to deliver medical products between health centers and labs at the University of California (UC) San Diego Health system. The flights, which will begin in February 2020, will take only minutes to complete and will be monitored by remote operators. Medical professionals at […]
Three Track-and-Trace Techniques for Better Transparency
Shipping and logistics remain among the last industries to undertake digital transformation. The highly fragmented nature of international shipping, where a dozen companies (or more) each play a role in getting a product from concept to a buyer’s living room, essentially ensures that there will be a level of complexity beyond that of nearly any […]
Amazon, FedEx, and the Customer-Focused Company
More than 2.75 billion packages were delivered in the United States over the holiday season, a staggering number. Remember, there are only 330 million Americans! Watching all these boxes being delivered, it made me wonder: Why did Amazon choose to start shipping its own boxes? If you haven’t been tracking this, you may not know […]
GOOD QUESTION | When choosing a logistics provider, what’s more important: cost or customer service?
With a tumultuous global economy and trade uncertainties, the most important consideration is value. Can they provide global visibility to your supply chain? Can they help you effectively navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape? Park Williams VP, North America Sales BDP International Customer service. Simply put—you can win and lose with cost, but you will always […]
What Does FMCSA Increase To 50% Random Drug Testing Rate Mean For Fleets And The CDL Clearinghouse?
In December, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has increased its random drug testing rate from 25% of CDL drivers tested to 50%, effective Jan. 1, 2020. So, why was this change made? For the last four years the random drug testing rate has stayed at 25%. Now that more than 1% of drivers […]
Taking the Wheel of GM’s Service Parts
Lisa Veneziano is executive director, global aftersales supply chain, warehousing and logistics, General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales. Responsibilities: Leading an integrated, global team responsible for supply chain planning, warehousing, packaging, distributing, and logistics for automotive replacement parts and accessories heading to GM vehicle owners across the globe. The organization covers almost 100 facilities in […]
Behind The Scenes Of Today’s Leading Supply Chains
Inbound Logistics pulls back the curtain on supply chain best practices.
Artificial Intelligence Gets Real
About 90% of respondents to an IFS global research study into the attitudes and strategies towards artificial intelligence (AI) among business leaders report at least some plans to implement AI in various parts of their business. Among the key findings: Industrial automation is the most commonly reported area of investment, with 44.6% planning AI projects. […]
Growing a Green Supply Chain
Green is the new black in supply chains. Whether it’s a conscious effort or the byproduct of streamlining your operations, going green can pay off.
Drones Make the Medicine Go Down
UPS Flight Forward Inc. and CVS Pharmacy have successfully completed the first revenue-generating drone delivery of a medical prescription from a CVS pharmacy directly to a consumer’s home. This was followed by another delivery of a medical prescription to a second customer in a nearby retirement community. Both flights used the M2 drone system by […]
Seeing Clearly: The Value of Visibility
Few parts of the enterprise have transformed more radically over the years than supply chain as companies struggle to navigate global sourcing, just-in-time delivery models, and unprecedented customer expectations for product availability and delivery speed.
The CX Files
The truth is out there. Technology tools offer mindbending ways to delight retailers and their customers. And there’s no conspiracy about that.
Taylored-Made Expansion
Merger and acquisition activity in the third-party logistics sector continues to grow. In a major expansion, Taylored Fulfillment Services acquired the U.S. operations of Toll Global Logistics, a $8.7 billion Australian logistics company. Brian Southwell, vice president of business development and marketing, and Margaritta Topielski, chief administrative officer at Taylored, discuss the buyout with Inbound […]
Eating Up Cookies
A cookie shortage is leaving cookie jars empty and taking a bite out of food supply chains. Campbell Soup, maker of Pepperidge Farm cookies, faces supply constraints in its cookie division due to labor shortages and elevated demand as consumers stay home during the pandemic, according to the company’s earnings call. While Campbell ramped up […]
Ten Most Read Articles of 2020
COVID-19 Resets: Logistics Draws the Line JUNE 2020 How the pandemic brought out the best in many people as well as the logistics and supply chain organizations they work with and for. bit.ly/COVIDResets Logistics Workforce of the Future JULY 2020 As North American manufacturing enters a “new normal,” how will the logistics and supply chain […]
Top 10 Manufacturing Predictions
What’s ahead for global manufacturing? "Manufacturing companies are transforming from efficiency-oriented operations to resilient organizations driven by a tighter connection to markets and customers," says Kevin Prouty, vice president, Manufacturing Insights, IDC. Here’s what Manufacturing Insights predicts for the years ahead: 1: By 2023, 65% of global manufacturers will realize a 10% savings in operational […]
Hunger Games: Managing Food Logistics Challenges When Demand Spikes
Since it hit restaurants in January 2019, the Impossible Burger, which is made from plants but offers the taste and texture of beef, has been on a roll. When the company launched in Gelson’s Markets in southern California, the Impossible Burger zoomed to the top spot among packaged goods, outselling the next most popular product […]
Four Ways Reusables Benefit the Circular Economy
The consumer-packaged goods (CPG) supply chain is changing. From faster, more frequent deliveries to specialty packaging, the way goods are handled and delivered has adapted and evolved. But change can come with consequences and the amount of packaging waste due to e-commerce has skyrocketed.
A Hire Purpose: 11 Strategies to Recruit Supply Chain Talent
Competition has never been tougher to obtain supply chain talent, forcing companies to rethink recruitment tactics.
Supporting Women Behind the Wheel
Two U.S. senators, working with Ellen Voie, president and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association, introduced legislation that would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to take a formal role in supporting women drivers. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and bill co-sponsor Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are working with the FMCSA to create […]
Need Speed Across the Supply Chain? It’s All About the Barcode
Barcode labels are a smart and cost-effective way to make productivity gains in your warehouse.
What’s the Word?
We asked the experts in our audience for the hot supply chain words or phrases you and your colleagues will be talking about next year. Here goes. Door to floor. Given e-commerce deliveries of larger consumer products, door to floor is a thing, explains Bob Hitt, industry go to market manager for Salesforce. Some call […]
Scaled 3PL Solutions Heal Pharma’s Supply Chain
A large pharma company teams up with Hub Group to achieve compliance with the best service at a reasonable cost.
Leverage Your 3PL’s Real Estate Assets For In-Demand Cold Storage
Whatever challenges your perishable goods operation faces, the right 3PL can offer innovative solutions.
That’s a Wrap: Holiday Shipping Tied Up in Knots
During the holiday shopping season, all eyes are on shipping, with more than half of consumers (60%), and nearly three-quarters of millennials (74%) claiming they were disappointed with holiday shopping services in the past. Stats from Pitney Bowes’ 2019 Global Online Shopping Study reveal the top shipping frustrations: 1. Free shipping still reigns supreme, with […]
What’s the Deal With Flexible Warehousing?
A third-party logistics provider with its own dedicated workforce is still a company’s best option for handling and storing sensitive goods.