Page 2

DHL adds Foreign Trade Zone in Texas with plans for 3 more

The locations allow shippers to reduce the cost associated with tariffs on imported goods or component parts.

Deep Dive

Electronics supply chains are stuck between a pandemic and a trade war. Where do they go from here?

Shifting operations is a mammoth undertaking for the electronics industry due to China's specialized production capacities, co-location of key suppliers and economies of scale.

Union Pacific improves service metrics despite 20% volume drop

The railroad is now building up capacity for the volume growth it expects through the balance of the year, but executives emphasized it will not return to pre-pandemic workforce or equipment levels.

CSX loses ground on service metrics due to volume volatility

A principal concern for the railroad was recalling workers who may have already found interim work elsewhere, delaying their return.

Apple's 2030 roadmap to carbon neutrality focuses on product design, supplier base

The company plans to invest in emissions reduction technologies and carbon removal projects to achieve net-zero emissions across its operations, manufacturing, supplier base and product life cycles.

United Airlines stands out with 36% revenue growth in cargo

The airline operated 3,800 cargo-only flights to transport 204 million pounds of cargo during the second quarter.

Pork producers face $5B in losses with surplus of hogs

Pandemic-driven plant closures have slowed meat processing. The National Pork Producers Council is calling on Congress to pass financial aid for farmers.

Gartner: 17% of CSCOs are women but talent pipeline, development remain stagnant

According to the survey, "not a single respondent" listed employee resource groups as the best step toward preparing and elevating women in senior supply chain roles. 

Walmart's planned South Carolina warehouse will increase Port of Charleston volume 5%

The $220 million, 3 million-square-foot facility will serve regional distribution centers that support about 850 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs.

Coca-Cola expands 'ruthless' SKU rationalization strategy to cut entire product lines

The beverage giant is in the process of discontinuing the Odwalla juice brand — a decision stemming from the SKU rationalization work the company has undertaken due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. 

Schneider invests in TMS company to launch visibility tool

Schneider CEO Mark Rourke said the TMS would "accelerate the blending of our asset and non-asset worlds," reducing shipper wait times for loading and unloading trailers at warehouses.

Stonyfield saves on cost and carbon by reducing waste, tracking KPIs

Companies are identifying waste streams with economic value and sending those materials to recycling facilities, realizing financial and reputational benefits. 

MIT, CSCMP: 35% of companies lack supply chain sustainability goals

Social issues — child labor or slavery, worker welfare, etc. — received "far more" focus in companies' sustainability goals than environmental issues.

Flooding in China disrupts medical, PPE suppliers. Shippers should expect delays

Maersk said it had several inland terminals suspend operations as a result of the flooding in Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, though "the situation is improving, as the water recedes," a company spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive.

UPDATED: July 23, 2020 at 1:47 p.m.

Maersk, Microsoft, Nike, Unilever, others form net-zero emissions initiative citing 'climate emergency'

Member companies have committed to sharing best practices across their value chains.

Pandemic-driven budget cuts increase safety risks for ocean cargo

Alllianz warns that the economic impacts of the coronavirus on shippers, carriers and workers since the downturn will encourage cost-cutting which often negatively affects safety. 

DHL: Supply chains must adapt to current conditions before post-coronavirus recovery

Transparency, investing in digital transformation, and identifying alternate supply and distribution channels are key to shoring up organizations during this "pre-new normal" phase, according to DHL's report.

Kansas City Southern's dwell time up 3% as volume returns amid cost cutting

The volume surge midway through the quarter caused the railroad to lose some progress on dwell, velocity and operations ratio compared with the same period last year.

Opinion

4 ways to restore healthcare supply chains before COVID-19's second wave hits

Healthcare organizations shouldn't try to restore supply chain service to pre-pandemic levels, rather, they should focus on greater cost-effective and efficient operations, writes Jeff Berman, a principal at Grant Thorton.

FedEx installs robotic arms for automated parcel sorting to handle rising e-commerce volume

The carrier is partnering with Yaskawa America and Plus One Robotics, starting with four robotic arms sorting small parcels in its Memphis hub. 

Reshore, nearshore or offshore?

Moving supply chains is not an overnight decision or task. While risk from the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend for many industries, others lack the infrastructure and labor to go all in on "Made in USA."

JB Hunt: Coronavirus costs on carriers will start to affect pricing for shippers

Fluctuating demand and increased costs from personal protective equipment and employee benefits have thrown intermodal carriers for a loop.

Asos works to restore warehouse throughput, build operational flexibility for peak

The retailer will incur roughly $5.7 million in costs related to pandemic operational requirements needed to keep workers safe while scaling capacity for peak.

6 charts show global trade and supply chain nearshoring trends

Recent factors have eroded the cost competitiveness of production in China, and the appeal of globalization for many supply chains lessened.

Florida requires sea level studies for construction as ports plan for climate risk

The Port of Miami said sea level rise was one of the "biggest concerns involving the future" of the port.