Operations: Page 2

Column

Patent Pending: Target's plan to simulate supply chain flow

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 10, 2020

Delays, surcharges and returns: Holiday shipping headaches have just begun

In a season expected to produce more than $190 billion from online sales alone, retailers are pulling out all the stops to keep up with demand.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 09, 2020

XPO: Early peak boosts last mile, supply chain outsourcing

Revenue for the 3PL's logistics business grew 5% YoY, which it credited to e-commerce growth and omnichannel fulfillment.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 06, 2020

Ball fragments aluminum can supply to meet North American demand

While new manufacturing capacity is in the works, Ball Corporation will focus on using data to fine-tune existing operations and squeeze every can possible out of its supply chain. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 06, 2020

Supply chain agility entered the spotlight when the pandemic made forecasting futile

Supply and demand swings shifted flexibility and visibility from nice-to-have capabilities to must-haves.

By S.L. Fuller • Nov. 06, 2020

Coupa buys Llamasoft in $1.5B deal

The deal puts procurement and supply chain technology under one umbrella at a time when businesses are prioritizing a close alignment of supply with demand.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 05, 2020

Deep Dive

So you want to reduce your supply chain emissions

Walmart’s journey to a robust scope 3 emissions program reveals a shift in the way sustainability advocates see the supply chain and the urgency with which companies need to address it.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 05, 2020

Wayfair's logistics network is getting a workout due to the pandemic, but will it last?

Questions from analysts about the max capacity of Wayfair's network mark a reversal from just a few months ago when concern about the timeline for full network utilization was top of mind.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 04, 2020

Sealed Air, packaging suppliers shift to serve e-commerce 'mega trend'

Businesses said they've seen increased e-commerce traffic as a result of the pandemic, and they expect some of that volume to stick.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 04, 2020

Automation upgrades warehouse execution systems to essential status

The technology creates a digital twin, providing inventory management traditionally found in a WMS while adding the ability to control automated infrastructure.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 03, 2020

Inside Chewy's first automated fulfillment center

Priorities around worker safety, cost structure and warehouse efficiency guided how the pet e-tailer built its tech stack in Archbald, Pennsylvania.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 03, 2020

Supplier deliveries slow as manufacturers await election results: ISM

Companies indicated their inventories were finally growing, though customer inventories are still too low.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 03, 2020

Kraft Heinz boosts supply-chain-stressed SKU production 20%

The company adapted its product mix to the raw materials available in Q3, which U.S. Zone President Carlos Abrams-Rivera offered as evidence of Kraft Heinz's increased agility as it adopts a new operating model.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 02, 2020

Deep Dive

Meat processors expedite robotics plans as pandemic ups pressure

The future of meat manufacturing could include 3D scanners and automated cutting. Tyson, Smithfield, Cargill and JBS are looking to increase automation.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 02, 2020

Sponsored by EY

How thinking outside the box could be the best way to deliver for your customers this holiday season

Projecting shipping volumes is different this year, as volume is already hitting all-time highs in virtually every market due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

FedEx readies for 'peak on top of peak' with 4 tech investments

The logistics company provided a look behind the curtain on Thursday during its Peak Innovation Showcase, highlighting sensors, data and automation that will help manage holiday parcel volumes.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 30, 2020

Amazon shipping costs outpace sales growth as pandemic operating expenses soar

"It's going to be tight for everyone ... and it's advantageous to the customer, and probably to the companies, for people to order early this year," said Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 30, 2020

Demand volatility is the supply chain disruptor of 2020

The pandemic is still the dominant force on global economies, but leaders say supply is no longer the top problem.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 30, 2020

Walmart launches test stores to further blend tech and in-store ops

The prototype locations will allow the retailer to quickly experiment with ways to make fulfillment more efficient and move in-store inventory online.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 29, 2020

How COVID-19 changed warehouse management and design

Warehouse managers are adjusting workflows to keep employees safe and distanced while also handling the new demand for e-commerce.

By Jen A. Miller • Oct. 27, 2020

Supply chain visibility is 'awfully low,' but improving it can aid operations goals

A recent survey found that 40% of supply chain leaders plan to increase their investment in real-time visibility, which one expert said could help with omnichannel and forecasting.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 27, 2020

Mattel, Hasbro play catch-up after demand for board games, toys surges

Executives from the toy giants say retailers are keeping inventories tight for Q4, putting the onus to meet demand on suppliers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 27, 2020

Coca-Cola works with bottlers to convert operations as it cuts 200 product lines

A dedicated team has largely finished SKU-cut decisions, and changes at bottling plants will roll out over the next year.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 26, 2020

Demand for temp workers to lose momentum for remainder of 2020, report finds

The pandemic created an initial demand for temp workers, but uncertainty is causing a slowdown in hiring, according to the Palmer Forecast. 

By Sheryl Estrada • Oct. 22, 2020

Retailers face operational, logistical hurdles in pandemic-driven switch to ship from store

Retailers scrambled to change their fulfillment operations as open stores figured out ways to get their inventory to online shoppers.

By Matt Leonard • Oct. 20, 2020