Articles
Global Logistics
Global Logistics-January 2009
It’s not easy gold-mining new business prospects offshore. For small companies without the capital, resources, and partners to survey the globe, stake a claim, and dig in, making cultural inroads and chasing business contacts presents a challenge. FedEx knows a thing or two about spanning the world and helping small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) expand […]
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Green Shipping: Taking it Portside
Ports play an important role in reducing the global carbon footprint of maritime shipping, says a new report by the International Transport Forum (ITF). Greenhouse gas emissions from shipping currently represent around 2.6 percent of total global emissions. Without reduction measures, this share could more than triple by 2050. The International Maritime Organization has set […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-December 2008
Imagine what it would be like to slice inventory in half, cut out 2,000 suppliers, and whittle almost $500 million in total costs from your supply chain. With the help of IBM’s Integrated Supply Chain organization, Australia’s leading telecommunications player, Telstra, is bringing this demand-driven vision to reality. In September 2006, Telstra entered a strategic […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-Nov
In a move that will get CN a little closer to its customers, the Montreal-based Class I is acquiring three principal railway subsidiaries of the Quebec Railway Corp. (QRC) and a QRC rail-freight ferry operation. The purchase comprises 540 track miles of rail line CN formerly owned in eastern Ontario, eastern Quebec, and northern New […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-Nov 2008
In a move that will get CN a little closer to its customers, the Montreal-based Class I is acquiring three principal railway subsidiaries of the Quebec Railway Corp. (QRC) and a QRC rail-freight ferry operation. The purchase comprises 540 track miles of rail line CN formerly owned in eastern Ontario, eastern Quebec, and northern New […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-Oct 2008
In tough economic times you can’t nickel-and-dime logistics process improvement. That, in itself, is a lesson for struggling retailers. The United Kingdom arm of Woolworths, the original five-and-ten discount chain, knows this reality firsthand, and is making supply chain management and leadership top priorities as it looks to reverse its fortunes. Beset by rampant stockouts […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-September 2008
Building on successful efforts in China, India, and the United Kingdom, FedEx Express is introducing its first domestic offering in Latin America—FedEx Express Nacional. The new service, which debuts Oct. 6, 2008, provides domestic next-business-day shipping, online tracking and tracing, and a money-back guarantee to businesses across Mexico. “Adding domestic service to our portfolio of […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-August 2008
Logistics service providers are no strangers to handling mission-critical projects. So when natural disasters strike, they serve an important role helping first responders and humanitarian relief agencies bring food and supplies to those in need. They may also bank some valuable experience for helping commercial shippers manage their own supply chain adversities. Cyclone Nargis, which […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-July 2008
As European manufacturing capacity gradually migrates to cheaper locations farther east, once-prominent producers such as Germany are filling the economic void by developing transportation, distribution, and logistics capabilities. As a reflection of this shifting dynamic, Ernst & Young’s Location Germany 2008: Germany and Europe—International Manager Assessment report touts Germany as the top investment destination in Western Europe. […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-May 2008
The allure of Central America and the Caribbean as a New World for exploration beguiled 16th-century European traders eager to exploit its wealth of natural resources and labor. Today, the region is attracting colonization of a new order and under its own terms—and U.S. trading partners are equally captivated. As China sourcing becomes more complicated, […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-April 2008
Given Belgium’s proximity to mainland European markets; well-developed, multimodal transportation infrastructure; and highly skilled labor force, its potential as an offshore manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and distribution location far exceeds its geographical size. The Port of Antwerp, together with Liege and Brussels airports, places Belgium squarely among Europe’s top-tier cargo crossroads, incenting U.S. businesses […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-March 2008
China’s rapid economic growth and recurring spikes in consumer prices could give U.S. manufacturers and retailers more reason to consider alternate sourcing locations. Inflation rose to its highest level in more than 11 years in January after devastating snowstorms exacerbated food shortages throughout the country. Consumer prices climbed 7.1 percent from the same month last […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-February 2008
While many eyes remain fixed on Far East sourcing and offshoring activities, Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are stealing glances as steady growth in logistics investment and development continues. The logistics industry in CEE and Russia is expected to grow rapidly over the next five years, according to recent Datamonitor research, with nominal logistics […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-January 2008
On the strength of surging Asia-Europe container trade and the strong valuation of the euro, leading North European ports are reporting strong throughput growth for 2007, with annual double-digit percentage increases very much the norm. Even the region’s largest gateway—the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where box terminal and overall capacity is under considerable […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-December 2007
The friendly skies are taking a stand against countries that fail to clean up their act—and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is flying cover. Giovanni Bisignani, director general and CEO of the international trade body, recently challenged governments attending the World Air Transport Forum in Cannes, France, to put aside politics and join industry […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-November 2007
European contract logistics providers are signing more contracts. The market in western Europe grew by 6.7 percent in 2006 to reach EUR 49 billion, according to Transport Intelligence’s most recent report, European Transport and Logistics Markets 2007. Some of the highest growth rates were in the Nordic region, where Finland in particular has benefited from increasing […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-Oct 2007
Plans to ensure that the international ocean freight industry pilots a sustainable course for the future received a shot in the arm recently. At its U.S. Legislative Policy Council meeting in Norfolk, Va., the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) got the go-ahead from its member ports to advocate for setting new, tougher air emission […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-September 2007
While it seems that every supply chain is global these days, many companies are struggling to “go global” effectively. Navigating language barriers, cultural differences, and brand consistency can be challenging for even the most globally minded companies. One particularly troubling variable is making sure that the customer experience is consistent across all languages—and U.S. companies […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-July 2007
Will inadequate transportation infrastructure and congestion negatively impact worldwide economic growth in the years ahead? One transportation leader believes so. “If our transport infrastructure can’t keep pace with the rate of growth, then big question marks hang over the continuation of the kind of economic prosperity that has been delivered this decade,” warned Ron Widdows, […]
Read MoreGlobal Logistics-June 2007
Port congestion remains a common concern for U.S. companies importing goods from overseas, and for good reason: one in nine of the world’s maritime containers are either bound for or coming from the United States, according to America’s Container Ports: Delivering the Goods, a new report from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The report ranks […]
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