Industry News
Supply Chain
- How Mexico’s presidential candidates expect to leverage nearshoringModernizing border crossings, improving legal certainty and improving roads and rail networks were among the ideas candidates raised during a presidential debate.
- Airhouse makes ‘major layoff,’ transfers customers to partner 3PLsThe shakeup at the fulfillment provider happened after a potential funding round fell through, CEO Kevin Gibbon announced.
- Coca-Cola turns to Microsoft’s AI services for its supply chainThe beverage giant signed a $1.1 billion deal as it explores the use of AI to streamline operations, boost efficiency and more.
- UPS, FedEx fuel surcharge hikes to heat up delivery pricesThe tweaks come on top of percentage increases the two delivery giants levied in December as they look to grow per-package revenues.
- Sportsman’s Warehouse invests in inventory management tech to boost in-stock reportingThe retailer partnered with Blue Yonder to develop the system as it looks to keep up with inventory trends.
Packaging
- Embracing Innovation in WMSSpurred by the cloud computing boom, warehouse management systems (WMS) are seeing a widespread move from on-premise solutions to software-as-a-service (SaaS) and cloud-hosted delivery. With this supply chain evolution in mind, how can change management move from something organizations avoid at all costs to something they embrace?
- Automating with Sustainability in MindWatch now as Unboxing Logistics host Lori Boyer interviews Dematic retail expert Kim Baudry on sustainable logistics under the lens of profitability. From an end-to-end view, software and hardware, Kim shares her experience in driving sustainable solutions for businesses like yours.
- Next-Generation Packaging Brings Reliability and Visibility to Supply ChainsThe “next generation” of packaging must meet strict standards of recyclability, reusability, compostability, biodegradability and traceability.
- Industry Guide: Right-Sized Packaging On Demand® Solutions for Furniture and Cabinetry ManufacturersThis guide will share details on how right-sized packaging on demand can help manufacturers address challenges such as reducing product damage, supply chain inefficiencies, labor shortages, and throughput.
- Connecting the Dots: The Role of the Modern-Day Warehouse Execution SystemWithin the four walls of a typical warehouse today reside a host of applications, each designed to manage a wide assortment of tasks. Perhaps the most commonly known among these is the warehouse management system (WMS), which has played a key role in distribution facilities for decades.
Material Handling
- KION Group and Li-Cycle form battery recycling partnership focused on circular economyKION Group signs agreement with Li-Cycle, a leader in lithium-ion battery resource recovery. Recycling will initially be carried out beginning later this year in a new Li-Cycle plant in the Magdeburg, Germany area with expansion into other countries, including France.
- ProMat 2023 insights: Integrated robotics direction seems well-matched to the timesLabor availability issues remain a core driver for warehouse automation and robotics, but ProMat exhibitors were also talking up analytics, algorithms, and digital twin modeling as a means of containing costs in inflationary times.
- ProMat 2023 attendance sets new mark at nearly 51,000 registrantsProMat returns as biggest supply chain event in its history, with an overall registration count of 50,924 and 1,051 exhibitors.
- Gap Inc. expands its e-fulfillment networkA new 800,000-square-foot DC in Texas optimizes fulfillment processes and the network.
- MHI announces winners of 2023 MHI Innovation and StartUp awardsLast night, during Industry Night at ProMat 2023, MHI announced the winners of the 2023 MHI Innovation and Startup Awards.
Transportation & Distribution
- Containers Rerouted from Baltimore Face Lengthy Dwell Times at East Coast PortsDemurrage charges for rerouted containers waiting at East Coast ports could add up to as much as $3.9 million each week.
- U.S. Truck Freight Struggles Mount as Volumes Continue Free FallSpending by shippers dipped by almost 28% from Q1 of 2023, more than the dip in volume, indicating lower rates.
- Watch: Introducing the New and Improved DAT iQ BenchmarkSamuel Parker, director of shipper segment with DAT, describes the company's iQ platform, which hosts the new and improved DAT iQ Benchmark, an AI-powered business tool for shippers.
- Regulators Close Probe After Union Pacific Cuts Back on Shipping LimitsThe STB opened its investigation after crew shortages led to Union Pacific imposing more than 1,000 embargoes in 2022.
- Bellwether Logistics Company J.B. Hunt Sees Dip in Profit, Revenue in Q1 2024The company posted a $127.5 million profit in the opening months of the year, down from nearly $200 million in Q1 of 2023.