Logistics companies plan to use AI, data to ship goods ahead of purchase orders: survey

"Preemptive logistics," in which companies predict demand and ship items before customers order them, requires information sharing and transparency throughout the supply chain, according to a survey from Ericsson.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 7, 2020

Food distributors, restaurants reinvent business models in a scramble to survive

From wine bar to mini grocery store, from restaurant distribution to direct to consumer — food sector firms are pivoting operations to keep business flowing.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Aug. 6, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the trends affecting logistics management

The demise of the de minimis exception, trade tensions and tariffs are among the new challenges logistics managers are facing.  

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Ahold Delhaize's US digital sales soar 127% as consumers turn to online grocery delivery, pickup

To improve delivery profitability, the company is extending a micro-fulfillment center pilot program and ramping up its omnichannel investments to match consumer demand shifts.

By Jeff Wells • Aug. 5, 2020

Beyond Meat incurs $6M in repacking expense to handle pandemic demand shift

With restaurants, schools and offices closed, the plant-based supplier switched food service production lines over to retail products, which resulted in a mix of 88% retail and 12% food service.

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 5, 2020

Wayfair reverses loss trend as pandemic volumes improve logistics network utilization

The "turning point" in profitability comes after years of investment to ramp up capacity in its middle- and last-mile networks.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 5, 2020

Home Depot adds 3 warehouses as DIY demand grows

The pandemic has shifted consumer behavior and buying patterns, but it hasn't deterred Home Depot from its plan to invest in its distribution network.

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 4, 2020

COVID-19's urban exodus will force supply chains to adapt

The shift to working from home could cause a second slower-moving, but more enduring, demand shock that is just starting to unfold, writes Aaron Terrazas, director of economic research at Convoy.

By Aaron Terrazas • Aug. 4, 2020

US ventilator, PPE imports drop as coronavirus cases climb

S&P Global cites efforts by the Trump administration to encourage domestic production of key supplies to combat the coronavirus pandemic as a potential reason for the reduction.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 3, 2020

DSV Panalpina restores guidance to near pre-pandemic level

CEO Jens Bjørn Andersen called the company's guidance "more unsecure than normal," with coronavirus cases increasing in several countries. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 3, 2020

XPO says tech, automation interest is leading shippers to outsource more of their supply chains

Executives said shippers need interim capacity to handle demand spikes during the pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • July 31, 2020

UPS: Current capacity can handle peak, 'we'll be selective' on volume

New CEO Carol Tomé vowed to "sweat the assets" UPS already has to handle peak volume and take a harder line on rates going forward.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 30, 2020

CH Robinson draws airfreight demand with belly capacity down 70% in June

The carrier's airfreight revenue and pricing increased despite hauling less volume — a dichotomy highlighting the struggle shippers face in the current environment.

By Matt Leonard • July 30, 2020

UPS and FedEx surcharges are here to stay. How do shippers negotiate prices?

With no end in sight to parcel fees, shippers can negotiate other pricing elements of carrier contracts to bring down total costs. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • July 27, 2020

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.

By Matt Leonard • July 24, 2020

Home Depot leans on efficiency analysis for sustainable transport plan

"As we try and improve the efficiency of our supply chain, it actually results in massively better sustainability measures," the VP of transportation told Supply Chain Dive.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 23, 2020

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.

By Matt Leonard • July 22, 2020

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.

By S.L. Fuller • July 22, 2020

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. 

By Morgan Forde • July 22, 2020

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. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • July 21, 2020

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.

By Morgan Forde • July 21, 2020

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.

By Matt Leonard • Updated July 23, 2020

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.

By Matt Leonard • July 20, 2020

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.

By Morgan Forde • July 20, 2020

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. 

By Morgan Forde • July 17, 2020

How a small-batch distillery improvised a hand sanitizer supply chain in 72 hours

When hand sanitizer was in short supply, nontraditional producers retooled operations and worked with suppliers to fill the gap.

By S.L. Fuller • July 14, 2020