Operations

4 strategies suppliers are using to handle reverse logistics

New policies, strategies and data processes are emerging to handle the mass volumes of returns now arriving at facilities.

By Craig Guillot • July 17, 2018

Patterson's new supply chain initiatives could turn around lackluster sales

The dental company's new initiative aims to increase operational and supply chain efficiency but may have unintended consequences.

By Kate Patrick • July 17, 2018

ERPs a top challenge to growth of electronic payments

Electronic payments help lower costs and keep suppliers happy, but the technology's lack of interoperability with existing software is hindering adoption.

By Edwin Lopez • July 17, 2018

Supply chain woes leave Boeing, Airbus struggling to deliver

Booming demand in the airline industry is squeezing suppliers and creating shortages of crucial components such as engines and wing assemblies.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • July 17, 2018

Furniture retail starts to feel the 'Amazon effect'

While the industry has been slow to advance, increased demand and competition is driving innovation, keeping manufacturers on their toes.

By Barry Hochfelder • July 16, 2018

Automation puts supply chain workers at high risk for exploitation

For businesses, juggling efficient automated facilities with the livelihood of workers is a balancing act. 

By Shefali Kapadia • July 12, 2018

It's time to reboot S&OP

A dose of technology plus supply chain collaboration may be the awakening that is missing to achieve better forecasting.

By Rich Weissman • July 10, 2018

Despite post-election bump, reshoring declined in 2017

A.T. Kearney's Reshoring Index saw a 27 basis point decline in 2017 as manufacturers turned to offshore facilities for imports.

By Edwin Lopez • July 10, 2018

Swimming in data? 3 types of analytics can help

Knowing when to use descriptive, preventative and predictive can make a huge difference in your day to day supply chain operations.

By Hoyoung Pak

GE files patent to trace 3D printed parts with blockchain

3D printing is nothing new for GE, but finding a practical use case for blockchain holds steep supply chain implications.

By Kate Patrick • July 06, 2018

Tariffs sucker-punch high-debt companies like Harley-Davidson

While the motorcycle company retains good financial strength, significant risk and high debt have investors keeping close tabs on Harley. 

By Shefali Kapadia • July 05, 2018

Before the boom: How $1.2B in fireworks get from China to the July 4 celebration

As the country's fireworks industry consolidates, supply chain managers are preparing to avert disruption.

By Craig Guillot • July 03, 2018

BMW is scaling in-house battery operations for mass production in 2020

BMW is following Tesla's lead, but can the German automaker ramp up EV production that quickly?

By Kate Patrick • July 03, 2018

Mattel may underperform in Q2 due to poor inventory management

The toy supplier's financial outlook is not optimistic for fiscal year 2018 based on its struggle to rebound from Toys R Us' liquidation.

By Kate Patrick • July 02, 2018

New tech, low costs create 'utopia' for robotics growth within facilities

Investors are pouring millions into robotics startups that are developing technology to improve supply chain and manufacturing efficiencies. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 26, 2018

What are the operations KPIs of the future?

A new wave of indicators — from queue time to disruption impact — is emerging to show investors and executives alike how well a company is performing.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 26, 2018

Ocado will give Kroger added flexibility, take pressure off stores

In addition to home delivery, automated warehouses will help the supermarket chain fulfill its store pickup orders as demand rises, CEO Rodney McMullen said during a conference call last week.

By Jeff Wells • June 25, 2018

Opinion

Beware of Dante's (ERP) Inferno

Despite countless horror stories, organizations still tend to underestimate the complexity associated with implementing ERP.

By Shawn Stamp

Out-of-stocks could be costing retailers $1T

Amazon Prime members, facing empty shelves, are 52% more likely than other consumers to take out their phones and buy what they need online, IHL's research found.

By Daphne Howland • June 22, 2018

2017 hurricane season weighing on Michaels distribution costs

The arts and crafts retailer struggled to rebound from hurricane season last year and now is dealing with rising transportation costs.

By Kate Patrick • June 22, 2018

US Supreme Court clears the way for states to collect e-commerce sales tax

The high court overturned 'unsound and incorrect' precedent in its South Dakota v Wayfair decision. 

By Corinne Ruff • June 21, 2018

Antibiotic supply chains need better management to fix shortage

Precise demand planning, sourcing and distribution strategies could help offsets the costs of "risky" R&D.

By Kate Patrick • June 21, 2018

One-third of millennials frustrated by late deliveries

Retailers who make fulfillment strategies an afterthought risk losing their customers.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 20, 2018

Tailored Brands taps supply chain to enable custom-suit deliveries

The parent company of Men's Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank hopes three-week deliveries of custom suits made in a vertically integrated facility will boost sales.

By Edwin Lopez • June 20, 2018

IoT is coming to the supply chain: What happens next?

The Internet of Things can help supply chains light up "dark assets" and gain second-by-second or foot-by-foot visibility.

By Gordon Feller