MODEX 2018: What you missed at the exhibit hall

A round-up of product announcements and partnerships announced at the show.

By Edwin Lopez • April 18, 2018

5 takeaways from MODEX 2018

The distribution center has become the battlefront amid the war to win consumers’ hearts.

By Edwin Lopez • April 18, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating evolving global trade and tariff policies, rising costs and operational uncertainty across supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

The path to smart distribution centers begins with data

While many DCs are using technology to optimize their processes, integrated data can also enable autonomous and self-learning buildings.

By Craig Guillot • April 17, 2018

Robotics are enabling the next-generation supply chain

Operating systems can turn ordinary machines into robots, helping them tap into big data and boost labor productivity at once, according to a panel at MODEX 2018.

By Edwin Lopez • April 17, 2018

P&G pledges 100% renewable energy at its plants

The company's sustainability goals also include halving greenhouse gas emissions and sourcing more water from circular sources. 

By Shefali Kapadia • April 17, 2018

Mattel closes New York office after Toys R Us liquidation

The toy maker, one of Toys R Us' top suppliers, was in bad financial shape when the retailer went under.

By Kate Patrick Macri • April 13, 2018

10 tips for the ethical supply chain in 2018

Wondering how to improve sustainability efforts and protect against malpractice within the supply chain? Read on for the top tips.

By Caitlin C. Blanche, Amy L. Groff, John F. Sullivan • April 12, 2018

Corporate responsibility starts with the supply chain

Global supply chains are complex and often not very transparent, making it an ideal starting point for companies to improve their social responsibility. 

By Kate Patrick Macri • April 12, 2018

Why Geodis is pushing automated drones into warehouses

Drones inside warehouses can accelerate inventory management and also create a safer environment for employees.

By Barry Hochfelder • April 12, 2018

Apple achieves 100% renewable energy at facilities, targets suppliers next

Even though Apple met its big sustainability goal, the tech company stresses every link in its supply chain will need to operate on 100% renewable energy.

By Barry Hochfelder • April 11, 2018

How clean data can help companies boost productivity

The proliferation in the amount of data available businesses need to collect makes for a daunting task, and that's only half the problem. 

By Craig Guillot • April 10, 2018

UPS CIO: Supply chain is now a 'technology-enabled business'

Juan Perez says if UPS approached innovation today as it did 15 years ago, the company would be bankrupt. "If we don’t disrupt ourselves ... who will?"

By Edwin Lopez • April 10, 2018

Tipalti-NetSuite partnership automates payments, grants visibility across supply chain

The integration will allow for more top-down visibility and accountability within companies wanting more direct oversight over the supply chain.

By Barry Hochfelder • April 10, 2018

REI to enforce sustainability standards for vendors

By 2020, the outdoors retailer said that the more than 1,000 brands it sells must follow newly released product sustainability standards.

By Cara Salpini • April 10, 2018

Becoming the shipper of choice in a carrier's market

With shippers and carriers facing a capacity crunch, open communication and shared goals can help both parties weather the freight market. 

By Rich Weissman • April 10, 2018

40% of logistics companies will offer 2-hour delivery by 2028

As stores increasingly operate in part like fulfillment centers, same-day and even two-hour delivery is expected to become the norm, according to a Zebra Technologies survey.

By Dan O'Shea • April 9, 2018

20th century warehouses not fit for 21st century e-commerce

Facilities built before 2000 still account for 89% of storage space in the U.S., according to data from CBRE, and that's forcing tradeoffs on clients.

By Kate Patrick Macri • April 6, 2018

Walmart expanding pickup towers to 700 stores

The retail giant is also adding lockers so customers can pick up larger items like TVs.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2018

3-D printing manufacturer launches fulfillment service

The 3-D printing startup Voodoo Manufacturing will now help new and small businesses streamline their supply chains to better compete in the e-commerce market.

By Kate Patrick Macri • April 5, 2018

Manufacturers believe inventory optimization will mitigate 'Amazon effect'

The rise of e-commerce is leading manufacturers to streamline operations and become less dependent on retail partners, according to a JDA Software survey.

By Kate Patrick Macri • April 4, 2018

3 ways distributors can ensure top notch customer service

By using technology to streamline processes, companies can free employees from mundane tasks and allow them to focus on the customer. 

By Nancy Harris • April 4, 2018

Facing inventory problems, hospitals automate their supply chains

Hospitals are tapping into supply chain best practices to fix the lack of visibility and highly manual processes aggravating healthcare costs.

By Craig Guillot • April 3, 2018

H&M's turnaround runs through its supply chain

For apparel companies who bet on fast fashion, new products can be a gamble, but a sound resilience strategy will always help retailers bounce back. 

By Edwin Lopez • April 3, 2018

To stay valuable, Nike, H&M invest in supply chains

In the world of fast fashion, retailers must speed up their supply chains and keep inventory backlogs to a minimum.

By Barry Hochfelder • April 3, 2018

Walmart Canada taps FourKites to track shipments

The visibility platform's data will help the retailer optimize inventory management at stores and distribution centers. 

By Shefali Kapadia • April 3, 2018