Deep Dive: Page 6
Industry insights from our journalists
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From Section 301 to COVID-19: How a volatile China changed supply chains
An ongoing trade war, and now a global pandemic, pushed U.S. businesses to diversify and raised the question: Are we too dependent on China?
Shefali Kapadia • March 31, 2020 -
What procurement managers should expect from a 'bullwhip on crack'
Slight variations in demand at the retail level grow larger until they reach the manufacturer. This bullwhip effect is playing out in real-time in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Matt Leonard • March 26, 2020 -
Wayfair is all in on logistics
Executives insist 2020 is the year Wayfair's logistics investments will show their worth.
Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 28, 2020 -
With the promise of faster speed, inventory moves closer to consumers
Amazon could deliver nearly everything to the lower 48 states within two days by air freight. The decision to offer one-day shipping changed the equation.
Matt Leonard • Feb. 18, 2020 -
Supply chain certifications: What's new?
Just as the business world evolves, associations offering supply chain certifications are revamping them to include relevant content.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Jan. 16, 2020 -
The 3 most common forecasting errors retail CFOs make
Smart investment on the planning side can help retailers better align forecasts with actual sales.
Robert Freedman • Jan. 14, 2020 -
Trucking braces for impact as uncertainty surrounds California's AB5 law
Though temporarily stayed, the controversial law presents a major shift for supply chains that experts expect to affect trucking capacity and eventually rates should it be fully enforced.
Matt Leonard and Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 23, 2019 -
How to prevent cargo rolling when contracts lack teeth
Solutions involve time-consuming contract negotiations, more accurate forecasting, or higher costs to guarantee shipment.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Nov. 21, 2019 -
Ocean freight ushers in a new era with instant quotes
Instant online quoting is becoming "table stakes" and freight forwarders must digitize to keep up with the status quo.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Nov. 18, 2019 -
Where is the new China?
As the trade war carries on and labor costs rise, supply chains seek a new home for manufacturing and sourcing. But each alternative location comes with pros and cons.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Nov. 14, 2019 -
Walmart's last mile around the world
From tricycles to drones, Walmart is casting a wide net to find out how shoppers want to receive their goods.
Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 29, 2019 -
How grocery pickup is evolving
As demand grows along with competition, retailers are trying to erase wait times, improve fulfillment and even reach shoppers away from the store.
Lauren Manning • Sept. 30, 2019 -
8 ways warehouse construction has evolved
21st century warehouses require specialized construction techniques, precise scheduling and highly experienced teams to meet industries' expectations.
Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 8, 2019 -
Why are fashion supply chains so wasteful?
Consumer textile waste may be the larger problem, but the pre-consumer supply chain has wasteful practices built in to the way garments are designed and produced.
Emma Cosgrove • July 23, 2019 -
Micron takes on smart manufacturing to fuel memory-hungry sectors
The semiconductor's Manassas site director called the smart factory "the biggest revolution since robotics" to improve manufacturing.
Naomi Eide • July 18, 2019 -
The Panama Canal is thirsty. That's a problem for ocean carriers.
With one of the worst droughts in history, the canal is forced to place restrictions on the amount of cargo ships can carry.
Matt Leonard • July 15, 2019 -
Are we heading toward 24/7 logistics services or are we already there?
As 3PLs extend service hours and days, constant deliveries seem inevitable. But experts say retailers, and to some extent, consumers are keeping a floor under e-commerce delivery times.
Emma Cosgrove • July 11, 2019 -
What's next for logistics M&A?
DSV's friendly takeover of Panalpina and CMA CGM's offer for CEVA left many analysts wondering if this is the beginning of another wave of consolidation in logistics and transportation.
Shefali Kapadia • July 1, 2019 -
How the food industry has weathered an unpredictable 2 years of Trump's trade tactics
With new tariffs announced in tweets, trade agreements awaiting approval and mixed signals from the White House, the last two years have been filled with ups and downs.
Lillianna Byington • June 26, 2019 -
Why reusable food packaging has a promising future
Consumers are looking for both convenience and sustainability, and companies are responding with containers, bottles and bags designed for many uses.
Jessi Devenyns • June 25, 2019 -
Uncontained: The complex link between retail and packaging
Retailers are aware that the environmental impact of packaging is weighing on consumers' minds. But, it's not just about getting rid of plastic.
Kaarin Vembar • April 22, 2019 -
How should shippers prepare? 6 questions about IMO 2020
As carriers adjust to low-sulfur regulations, shippers and supplier industries must follow suit, creating lingering questions of whether the supply chain will be ready for the upcoming shift on Jan. 1, 2020.
Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 24, 2019 -
Case study: Circular Systems turns scraps into textiles
In the era of fast fashion, producers are looking at alternative materials to support growing consumer demand.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 11, 2018 -
Farm to label: Turning corn into textiles
About 400 million tons of corn goes to waste each year, making it a good candidate to transform into new materials.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 11, 2018 -
The supply chain behind turning unusual materials into textiles
Businesses are mining waste products for fiber production, giving rise to dozens of new alternative fibers on the market made from everything from mushroom roots to spoiled milk.
Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 11, 2018