PwC, AmCham China predict companies will pursue a 'China+1' strategy after COVID-19

Despite the trade war and ongoing financial and supply chain challenges, very few companies the two organizations surveyed said they were preparing to shift operations or sourcing out of China. 

By Morgan Forde • April 20, 2020

Amazon extends distribution center shutdowns in France after losing appeal case

A French court ruled the company must cease delivery of non-essential goods after a labor union filed complaints about worker safety measures.

By Morgan Forde • Updated April 24, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

ISM: Lead times are up 200% or more across the world

Supply disruptions will remain a global issue that will challenge even well-prepared and diversified firms, said ISM CEO Tom Derry.

By Morgan Forde • April 15, 2020

To prepare for the next 'black swan' event, supply chains should rethink 'lean'

The coronavirus outbreak contains lessons that can help companies — and policymakers — better prepare for the next inevitable “black swan event," if they are willing to take a less myopic approach, write Professors Yao Jin and Lisa Ellram of Miami University.

By Yao Jin and Lisa Ellram • April 14, 2020

COVID-19 wreaks havoc on inventories

Some retailers have asked vendors to hold shipments or stop production on summer and fall items, and put holiday planning on hold.

By Daphne Howland • April 14, 2020

Smithfield closes more plants as coronavirus cases grow among workers

Temporary closures at meat processing plants in the U.S. have executives and meat supply chain stakeholders worried that large disruptions in processing will ripple upstream to livestock farmers and feed producers.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated April 16, 2020

Unions demand COVID-19 protections for Amazon warehouse workers

These safety concerns come as the e-commerce giant is hiring for nearly 200,000 new roles. 

By Sheryl Estrada • April 8, 2020

Kearney: Coronavirus disruption will force even diversified supply chains to 'rethink' sourcing

Kearney predicts supply chains will begin prioritizing resilience over cost to ensure profitability in the future.

By Morgan Forde • April 8, 2020

Levi's ramps up ship-from-store to move inventory trapped in dark stores

The transition will help move inventory trapped in closed stores and hedge against any changes in local regulations that could shut down fulfillment centers not shipping essential goods.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 8, 2020

Warehouse storage should consider SKU correlation and picker traffic, study finds

A group of researchers from Binghamton University concluded in a paper published earlier this year that warehouse operators should consider picking delays caused by warehouse traffic when building fulfillment models.

By Matt Leonard • April 7, 2020

Why supply chain data is king in the coronavirus pandemic

Healthcare systems, distributors and purchasing organizations rely on real-time data to manage supplies and model their equipment and staffing needs.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • April 7, 2020

DOJ clears antitrust concerns, allows medical suppliers to collaborate on manufacturing and distribution

Five major medical suppliers wrote to the agency seeking an antitrust enforcement reprieve in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By Emma Cosgrove • April 6, 2020

PVH may 'pack and hold' inventory until next spring

The company, which owns Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, hopes to regain the ability to sell at full price next year rather than dump goods to into the off-price market. 

By Daphne Howland • April 3, 2020

Manufacturers welcome executive order improving parts access for ventilator production

The move is meant to help domestic manufacturers by removing hurdles to accessing parts and materials needed to ramp up ventilator production.

By Greg Slabodkin • April 3, 2020

Patent Pending: IBM floats process for computers to make bidding decisions

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 • April 2, 2020

Supply chains will survive the pandemic, but revised strategies may take hold

Experts anticipate an increased focus on risk assessment and scenario planning beyond COVID-19. 

By Rich Weissman • April 2, 2020

The supply chain behind the pivot to make coronavirus relief supplies

Relationships and labor are key as manufacturers adjust their operations to produce medical and consumer supplies necessary for fighting the pandemic. 

By Jen A. Miller • April 2, 2020

How can supply chains manage COVID-19 risk? 4 experts weigh in

The short term need is to keep employees safe and healthy. Longer term thinking should focus on resilience and strengthening supply chain partnerships.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 2, 2020

ISM: US manufacturing decline could persist through May

The Institute for Supply Management predicts the worst is yet to come for the manufacturing and transport industries as supply shortages and declining consumer demand cause ripple effects throughout supply chains.

By Morgan Forde • April 1, 2020

How the CARES Act will affect supply chains

The law offers financial relief to businesses weathering COVID-19 disruption and attempts to keep freight and last-mile cargo moving.

By Morgan Forde • April 1, 2020

Inventory, network optimization among most widely adopted supply chain technologies

More than half of survey respondents said they think inventory management technology has the potential to disrupt the industry or provide a competitive advantage to users.

By Matt Leonard • March 31, 2020

Planning should replace forecasting as coronavirus uncertainty clouds outlook

“What you need to be thinking about is how you can now start positioning to come out of the tunnel sprinting – not crawling, but sprinting,” one private equity professional said.

By Jen A. Miller • March 31, 2020

PwC: Supply chains will broaden, diversify in the wake of coronavirus

Top finance executives shift the conversation from meeting immediate needs to what supply chains should look like long-term.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 31, 2020

From Section 301 to COVID-19: How a volatile China changed supply chains

An ongoing trade war, and now a global pandemic, pushed U.S. businesses to diversify and raised the question: Are we too dependent on China?

By Shefali Kapadia • March 31, 2020

Impossible dock scheduling?

Impossible Foods improves operational efficiency with online dock scheduling.

March 31, 2020