Supply Chain
- Can manufacturing make a comeback in the US?While certain production can be brought Stateside, the U.S. still faces domestic labor and factory infrastructure hurdles, per Rosemary Coates, executive director of the Reshoring Institute.
- Macy’s to shutter unit at Connecticut distribution centerThe closure will take place in stages starting Dec. 28 as the retailer advances a turnaround effort that includes a multi-year supply chain revamp.
- Covenant sees bids at ‘all-time highs,’ CEO saysBids are up 17% since August, which usually doesn’t occur until November through February, CEO David Parker said in a recent earnings call.
- US, Japan sign framework for critical mineral supplyWithin the next six months, both countries plan to take steps toward selecting and funding projects that can deliver mineral products to buyers.
- US to lower China tariffs as part of trade war truceThe truce also includes de-escalating other trade actions, such as China's rare earth export controls and U.S. investigations into China-linked ships.
Packaging
- Six Mistakes That Could Haunt Your Operations This Peak SeasonThe retailers and logistics providers that dominate this peak season won't be the ones with the biggest budgets or the most warehouses.
- The Tech-Enhanced Future of Pallet PoolingPallet pooling systems allow companies to share access to a centralized network of reusable pallets, making it easier to keep goods moving while cutting costs, reducing waste and simplifying logistics. Check out iGPS’ Back to the Future report on current developments and future trends in pallet pooling.
- Case Study: DSV & Locus Robotics Partnership — Optimizing Warehouse Fulfillment with Intelligent, AI-driven, Enterprise-grade RoboticsDSV, a global third-party logistics provider, encountered challenges in managing the fluctuating seasonal demands of a key health and beauty retail client. To address this, DSV partnered with Locus Robotics, implementing an advanced autonomous mobile robotics (AMR) solution tailored for warehouse automation.
- Five Steps to Strengthen KPIs and Resilience in Uncertain TimesAdd one more layer of complexity for e-commerce shippers to navigate amid wavering demand and thin margins: tariffs, including fast fashion and other high-volume, low-value parcels previously imported duty-free under the de minimis exemption.
- Five Critical Warehouse Problems Addressed with Warehouse IntelligenceRead Five Critical Warehouse Problems Addressed with Warehouse Intelligence to see how warehouse intelligence is reshaping the future of supply chain operations.
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
- Smaller Sized Truck Fleets Face ‘Compliance Disadvantage’Survey suggests that smaller fleets face significant financial risk as a result of low dash cam adoption rates.
- Gearing Up for Peak Season: How Foodservice Distributors Can Turn Pressure into PerformanceThis webinar will explore how distributors can successfully prepare for peak season by embracing tools and strategies that reduce bottlenecks and improve customer satisfaction.
- Tech-Driven DeliveriesGenerative AI is enhancing the driver experience in last-mile routing.
- ONE Extends Sustainable Shipping Partnership with NikeDubbed ONE LEAF+, the service allows shippers to transport cargo on ships using UCOME biofuel, which generates 84% fewer carbon emissions compared to standard marine fuel.
- The Tech-Enhanced Future of Pallet PoolingPallet pooling systems allow companies to share access to a centralized network of reusable pallets, making it easier to keep goods moving while cutting costs, reducing waste and simplifying logistics. Check out iGPS’ Back to the Future report on current developments and future trends in pallet pooling.