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Vertical Focus: Automotive
From iPads to e-Cars Apple is moving forward with self-driving car technology and plans to produce a passenger vehicle equipped with its own battery technology by 2024, Reuters reports. Central to the company’s strategy is a new “monocell” battery design that could radically reduce costs and increase the vehicle’s range, the report says. However, making […]
Read MoreCold Chain Takes a Shot
The freight industry is tasked with transporting an average of 271 million ultracold and cold COVID-19 vaccine doses per month. At least 857 temperature-controlled trucks will leave Pfizer and Moderna manufacturing facilities or distribution centers each month, says an ABI Research report, and delivery will get more complicated after large urban and suburban areas are […]
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Freight Spending Soars to Record Highs
Truck freight spending in the United States reached record highs in Q2 of 2021, jumping 10.1% over Q1 levels, says a recent U.S. Bank report. While all regions experienced double-digit growth in spend, different geographic areas and industries emerge from the pandemic at different paces, the report shows: Northeast: Freight shipments rose 1.5% in Q2 […]
Read MoreNOTED: The Supply Chain In Brief March 2021
Sealed Deals Lifestyle products and services company Urban Outfitters selected TGW to design and implement an automation solution for its new fulfillment center in Kansas City, Kansas. TGW’s FlashPick system uses the smart robot Rovolution, which picks orders automatically and ensures the next phase of picking is being addressed. FlashPick allows Urban Outfitters to use […]
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Vertical Focus: Personal Care Products & Cosmetics
What’s In Store? In-store shopping accounted for up to 85% of beauty product sales in most major markets before the pandemic, finds a McKinsey report—even millennials and Gen Zers made almost 60% of their cosmetics purchases in stores (see chart). What will happen to physical beauty product stores in the future? About 30% of premium […]
Read MoreNOTED: The Supply Chain in Brief-2021
Sealed Deals Third-party logistics provider FM Logistic was awarded a contract from Pepperfry, a furniture and home products marketplace in India, to provide omnichannel logistics services in the country’s western region. FM Logistic will handle warehousing operations at Pepperfry’s Bhiwandi warehouse. To help The Ocean Cleanup map harmful plastic, Maersk will deploy scientific sensor technology […]
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New Google Maps Feature Gets a Green Light
Google Maps can not only help truckers and passenger vehicles find the quickest route from point A to point B, but now it also gets them there greener. Google has introduced a series of new features including eco-friendly routes that provide Google Maps users with more fuel-efficient navigation. The app determines fuel consumption for every […]
Read MoreSupply Chain Recovery Starts with Hygiene Compliance
Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, supply chain leaders have been challenged with ever-evolving conditions and circumstances, especially for manufacturers responsible for producing and delivering essential goods during a time of crisis. In addition to supply shocks that have the industry rethinking supply chain models, hygiene has also moved to the forefront in […]
Read More4 Ways to Include Deskless Logistics Workers in Your Digital Strategy
Supply chains are undergoing unprecedented restructuring driven by competition, demand shifts, and trade wars—circumstances further accelerated by COVID-19. The resulting pressure on profits forces logistic functions and companies to evaluate ways to innovate, lower costs, and increase long-term resiliency. Logistics industry leaders are meeting this challenge by embracing digital transformation through innovative digitalization plans. But […]
Read MoreHow to Identify the Blind Spots in Your Supply Chain
As the global economy has become more interconnected, supply chains are increasingly complex and distributed. This allows companies to work with a broader range of suppliers and source materials on demand, which has made supply chains more efficient and reduced costs. However, modern supply chains also pose more daunting logistical challenges than they used to—with […]
Read MoreTechnology Adoption Is a Must for the Trucking Industry in 2021
As all industries experienced the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, those involved in freight and supply chain management realized digitalization transformation efforts had to come first in order to mitigate disruption and better prepare for the near term. Here are three areas where I foresee major changes in the coming months. Route Optimization and AI/ML […]
Read MoreNOTED: The Supply Chain in Brief-January 2021
Sealed Deals CEVA Logistics and Italian publishing company Mondadori Group signed a contract to extend their partnership for another five years. The CEVA Logistics Italia team will continue to manage consumer orders, concentrating operations in a dedicated warehouse in La Città del Libro (City of Books), where it will handle 30 million book copies and 65,000 titles each […]
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Surging Optimism Buoys SMBs
Despite the upheaval businesses experienced in 2020, optimism has now surged past pre-pandemic levels, and many leaders from small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) report being well-positioned for growth in the year ahead, says Umpqua Bank’s annual report. Key findings from the survey include: Positive Outlook Positivity has roughly doubled since 2020, with expectations for economic […]
Read MoreRevisiting 2020
This was a year like no other for supply chain and logistics management. here’s what we’ll remember about 2020.
Read MoreGlobal Trade Plateau?
Order volumes in Western economies have grown significantly, but momentum may be slowing, finds a new report.
Read MoreSupply Chain Threats Beyond COVID-19
While COVID-19 remains a primary concern, a number of additional disruptions and risks impact supply chains. These are the risks to consider.
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Going the Distance
As we move into 2021, social distancing is a top priority for C-level executives. While they manage their business with social distancing, the protocols aren’t ideal for productivity, finds a survey by consulting firm West Monroe. More than half say they primarily work remotely to avoid social distancing, and 40% say it’s the biggest hindrance […]
Read MoreDHL Shares Strategy for Peak Season and Beyond
E-commerce is up 65% year over year, and expected to surge more than 50% during the busiest peak week, according to Chet Paul, senior vice president at DHL Express; Kraig Foreman, president at DHL Supply Chain; and Craig Morris, chief information officer at DHL eCommerce Solutions. In a media call, the DHL execs shared how […]
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Intermodal Bounces Back
Strong intermodal volumes will continue as retailers replenish their inventories, says CSX Transportation and Canadian National Railway (CN). Intermodal traffic, which halted with the rest of rail volume when the pandemic began, bounced back faster than carload volumes and is surpassing 2019 levels. U.S. intermodal volume was up 10% and CN’s intermodal business was up […]
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