Social distancing and the supply chain

COVID has forever altered how warehouse staff and truck drivers interact at check-in and departure. New technologies are replacing face-to-face interactions.

Aug. 10, 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➔

Warehouse automation

Robotics and AI are two of the many tools warehouse operators are using to improve productivity.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Fashion industry says purchase order cancellations will endure in Q3 and beyond

Despite reduced optimism about the industry's future, 90% of survey respondents plan to increase hiring over the next five years, particularly in production and supply chain roles.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 5, 2020

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

From visibility software to pallet picks: How Tillamook planned inventory as demand soared

The demand planning team credits software for its ability to adjust operations during the pandemic. Now the challenge is long range inventory planning, particularly for cheeses that require two years to age.

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 4, 2020

New Clorox CEO tasked with increasing supply, staying in stock

Executives are "aggressively investing" to increase production capacity because, though sales are booming, stockouts are adversely affecting the company's share of the total market.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 4, 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

ISM: Manufacturing growth indicates 'we're coming out of recession'

The PMI climbed to 54.2% in July, with employees returning to work and growing consumer demand contributing to a healthy reading.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 3, 2020

Walmart cuts corporate jobs as it focuses on omnichannel push

In an internal memo, executives said the company would be "streamlining some roles" and creating new ones in supply chain, stores and other facilities.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 31, 2020

Amazon prioritizes capacity over speed with peak approaching

A 50% increase in fulfillment, delivery and sortation space is intended to relieve pressure from soaring demand, but it won't fix the e-tailer's lagging delivery speed, according to CFO Brian Olsavsky. 

By Emma Cosgrove • July 31, 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

Demand for partitions and face shields is booming. How a plastic fabricator is adapting its supply chain

Imaginative Materials leaned on supplier relationships and started buying larger sheets of material as customer calls for partitions rolled in. 

By Jen A. Miller • July 30, 2020

Mondelez plans 25% SKU cut to sustain pandemic market share growth

As competitors' supply chains catch up from pandemic-related production slowdowns, CEO Dirk Van de Put said a SKU reduction would help the company maintain its gains.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 30, 2020

Harley-Davidson revamps inventory management, cuts production

The new plans are part of a broader restructuring strategy after Harley-Davidson's retail sales slid almost 27% compared to the same time last year.

By Matt Leonard • July 29, 2020

The pandemic has complicated the WMS procurement process

Vendors and warehouse managers typically use multi-day conferences and whiteboarding to buy and implement warehouse management systems. The pandemic has turned that process upside down.

By Matt Leonard • July 28, 2020

Grocery supply chains must invest in automation as delivery becomes the norm

As grocers cut costs, smaller staffs will be stretched by increasing delivery demands. Technology can fill the gap, writes Avery Dennison VP Ryan Yost. 

By Ryan Yost • July 28, 2020

US taps camera makers to manufacture drugs, coronavirus vaccines

The Trump administration will loan Kodak $765 million to produce drug ingredients, after enlisting Fujifilm to help make coronavirus vaccines, in an effort to reshore pharma supply chains.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 28, 2020

Shippers eye struggling retail properties for conversion to last-mile, fulfillment centers

A shift to online shopping during the coronavirus outbreak has accelerated the trend of retailers retrofitting store properties for supply chain functions.

By Morgan Forde • July 28, 2020

FreshDirect, Fabric to launch micro-fulfillment-powered grocery delivery in DC-area

Expanded service and a same-day offering will kick off later this year from a 10,000-square-foot setup inside a Maryland distribution facility.

By Jeff Wells • July 28, 2020

How COVID-19 is challenging and changing medtech supply chain management

Four experts share insights on the supply and demand hangups medtech companies have been working through during the pandemic, and a few early takeaways the industry can carry forward.

By Maria Rachal • 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

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