Supply Chain
- Big Lots plans 'bypass network' to mitigate port congestion during peak seasonAs an example, the retailer said 98% of its Christmas trees ship out of Yantian and now have 4-8 week lead times. A bypass network will help imports skip a touch, and arrive in time for holiday shopping.
- LTLs become selective about freight as demand boomsCarriers have to make tough decisions to preserve quality of customer service.
- Lowe's places larger orders with suppliers to avoid holiday stockoutsThe hardware retailer says inventory levels are "actually getting better, not worse," as other companies struggle to navigate supply chain disruptions.
- Facing shortages? Here's 5 ways to build a resilient procurement strategy.Procurement teams can turn supply constraints into an opportunity to rebuild with sourcing in mind, writes Praveen Kumar Soni.
- FMC announces 2 initiatives related to detention, demurrage and complianceThis is the latest action from the Federal Maritime Commission to address issues in the ocean shipping industry, as the pandemic brought forward a series of complaints.
Packaging
- How Automated Packaging Makes E-Commerce BetterOversized boxes lead to lost capacity, higher transport costs and negative environmental impact.
- One Small Step for a Shipper Toward Embracing Electric TrucksPackaging product distributor Veritiv partnered with Penske Truck Leasing to pioneer the use of an electrically powered big rig in Southern California.
- How E-Tailers Are Greening the Last MileDemand for last-mile delivery services is booming around the world — expected to jump nearly 80% globally in the next decade. Here are a few ways e-commerce and logistics companies are aiming to reverse their environmental impact.
- Explore Real-World Examples of How Retailers Are Using AIForward-thinking retailers are optimizing supply chain management with the power of AI.
- In Southeast Asia, Packaging Rules Make Covid Testing ThornyDifferences in infectious substance classifications, packaging requirements and other shipping regulations between countries create significant supply-chain challenges — particularly when it comes to sourcing approved packaging for shipping COVID-19 samples in Southeast Asia.
Material Handling
- DeSHAZO acquires Proto Machine WorksOEM of cranes and automated machinery acquires maker of custom industrial equipment
- Softeon releases glossary of WMS termsFeatures definitions of nearly 100 WMS-related terms to help project members understand industry jargon and collaborate effectively
- TFS creates racking and automation divisionThe goal of the newly created TFS Racking & Automation Division, led by VP Ryan Boyd, is on helping customers address their space, flexibility and automation needs
- August retail sales show gainsCommerce reported that August retail sales—at $618.7 billion—eked out a 0.7% increase over July and rose 15.1% annually. The NRF reported that its calculation of retail sales, which does not include automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, showed that August retail sales headed up 2.3 on a seasonally-adjusted basis over July and were up 12% […]
- U.S.-bound shipments see gains in August, reports PanjivaTotal August U.S.-bound shipments—at 1,353,550—increased 3.1% annually and were 23.2% above 2019’s 1,098,272. And containerized freight imports—at 3,016,706 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—headed up 11.2% annually (and up 18.1% compared to August 2019) and were up 4.4%, from July to August.
Transportation & Distribution
- West Coast Logjam Has Enough Containers to Cross Half the U.S.The number of container ships waiting to enter the biggest U.S. gateway for trade with Asia reached an all-time high of 65 vessels late last week, carrying potential payloads of cargo boxes that would stretch halfway across the country if lined up end to end.
- Walmart Teams With Ford, Argo to Launch Driverless Delivery ServiceWalmart is teaming up with Ford and self-driving startup Argo AI to launch a driverless delivery service in three U.S. cities.
- Shipping Insiders Caution Against New Capacity as Prices SurgeShipowners and financiers should avoid sinking money into new container vessels despite a global crunch because record orders have driven up prices, according to industry insiders.
- Canadian Pacific Wins Buyout War for K.C. Southern, Defeating CNAfter months of twists and turns, Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. sealed a $27 billion deal to acquire Kansas City Southern, claiming a prize that will create the first railroad spanning the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
- Storms From Texas to China Set to Worsen Global Ship SnarlsGlobal supply chains already tangled by the pandemic, labor shortages and sustained consumer demand in the U.S. are getting walloped by Mother Nature.