A Trump tariff boost? Georgia solar manufacturing plant will be North America's largest

Korea-based Hanwha Q Cells' new plant will produce 12,000 solar panels a day. But solar advocates contend the sector would have done better without the tariffs.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 24, 2019

The upside of disruption? Supply chain's rise in value

Shifts in trade policy and mounting tweets have called attention to the supply chain in a previously rare way.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 24, 2019

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

Shipper of choice: Strategic KPI or lip service?

Simply claiming to be a shipper of choice is not enough in a supply chain increasingly dependent on relationships, panelists said at the CSCMP Edge conference. "You can talk your talk, but you have to walk the walk at some point."

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 23, 2019

More tech means higher labor productivity in the factory: survey

Moving toward "smart factory" status can help manufacturers increase their output, labor productivity and other metrics, according to a study by Deloitte.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 23, 2019

In the fight against food waste, leaders focus on the business case

Experts agree measuring food waste is the crucial first step to moving mitigation work out of the philanthropic realm and into a financial or operational portfolio.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 23, 2019

Nike opens new distribution center running on 100% renewable energy

The 1.5-million-square-foot center is located in Ham, Belgium, expanding the company's existing European Logistics Campus on the site.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 23, 2019

Nestlé, Ikea, Danone among 87 firms committed to further carbon emission reductions

The 87 companies also committed to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through the Science Based Targets initiative. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 22, 2019

Amazon buys 100K electric vans as part of net zero carbon goals

The e-commerce company revealed its total carbon footprint was 44.4 million metric tons in 2018, and it wants to achieve carbon neutrality 10 years ahead of the Paris Climate Accord's 2050 goal. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 20, 2019

With the right mindset, returns present opportunity — not just liability

Reverse logistics was a frequent source of anxiety at ASCM 2019 as supply chains reckon with the onslaught of returns. With no hope of turning back, experts say it's time to take returns seriously.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 19, 2019

Stein Mart introduces BOPIS at all its locations

The retailer expects the move will shift about 15% of its e-commerce orders to in-store pickup. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 18, 2019

As e-grocery matures, fulfillment strategies diverge

The role of the store in order picking is changing for some major players in online grocery as dedicated fulfillment facilities and hybrid models emerge. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 17, 2019

Grouping orders by SKU can save picking time, speed up fulfillment

A group of researchers worked with a Hong Kong-based logistics service provider to create a system that helped reduce average per item pick times by more than 70%.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 16, 2019

Will advanced analytics solve challenges like OTIF?

The amount of data in the world has rapidly accelerated in the last two years, and supply chains can leverage analytics to improve business operations, according to the 2020 Third-Party Logistics Study presented at the CSCMP Edge conference. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 16, 2019

Walmart plans to expand fulfillment services for Marketplace sellers

Walmart's increased focus on delivery and fulfillment for third-party marketplace sellers will help it compete with Amazon and other online retailers.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 16, 2019

Are big CPG companies getting serious about reducing plastic packaging?

Nestlé's new research institute will devise more environmentally friendly solutions, and PepsiCo plans to reduce the amount of virgin plastic in its beverage containers by 2025.

By Cathy Siegner • Sept. 16, 2019

Micro-fulfillment companies adapt to a changing industry

Takeoff Technologies announced a new warehouse model and $25 million in Series C funding, while CommonSense Robotics rebranded as Fabric.

By Jeff Wells • Sept. 16, 2019

EEOC: Union Pacific ignored doctor's opinion of worker recovered from tumor

Employers violate the ADA if they claim an employee with medical restrictions poses a safety risk but cannot show a "direct threat," EEOC has said. 

By Lisa Burden • Sept. 13, 2019

Report: Online grocery sales grew 15% this year

Shoppers are also building bigger baskets and reporting improved user experience, according to a new analysis from consulting firm Brick Meets Click.

By Jessica Dumont • Sept. 13, 2019

DHL opens Chicago innovation center highlighting supply chain tech

At the center, DHL will research the latest operations and logistics technologies, seeking to improve efficiency and productivity for its customers. 

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 12, 2019

My first Loop: Early days in the circular shopping platform

Dozens (if not hundreds) of consumers have placed orders for common household items from Loop, an e-commerce site launched in May that attempts to eliminate single-use packaging and filler that comes with shopping. Here's one consumer's experience.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 11, 2019

H.H. Gregg returns to brick and mortar with NJ store

Owner Valor Group said that, while physical retail is essential, there won't be the kind of over-expansion that led to the retailer's bankruptcy two years ago.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 11, 2019

Target plans to double seasonal hires dedicated to store fulfillment

In total, the retailer said it will hire more than 130,000 employees for this peak season, up from 125,000 last year. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 11, 2019

Amazon's inventory value up 25% as it begins next day shipping

Target, Walmart and Home Depot have all seen inventory grow compared to the same period last year, but none by as large a percentage as Amazon.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 10, 2019

How cobots are changing the nature of fulfillment

Collaborative robots promise greater efficiency and safety, although their functions still have limits — at least for now.

By Jen A. Miller • Sept. 10, 2019

Shopify will acquire robotics startup 6 River Systems for $450M

The announcement comes as e-commerce platforms expand their offerings to include supply chain services and the business case for cobots becomes increasingly clear. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 10, 2019