Patent Pending: Can UPS cut down cold chain costs with better data?

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future of supply chains. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny. Every week, we'll share a few.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 15, 2019

Where is the new China?

As the trade war carries on and labor costs rise, supply chains seek a new home for manufacturing and sourcing. But each alternative location comes with pros and cons.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Nov. 14, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Tesla selects Berlin for Gigafactory, skips UK citing Brexit uncertainty: report

Other car companies voiced concerns over events unfolding in the United Kingdom that could disrupt the auto industry's just-in-time manufacturing. 

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 14, 2019

Port of LA exec warns trade war should concern all US ports

The U.S.-China trade war and current tariff lists threaten 1.47 million jobs and $186 billion in economic activity nationwide, according to the Port of Los Angeles. 

By Morgan Forde • Nov. 13, 2019

Tyson: Current market makes accurate forecast impossible

A deadly disease affecting the global hog supply, unpredictable trade policy shifts and a fire in Kansas all made executives wary of predicting next year's earnings — but it's not all bad news. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 13, 2019

Sanofi reduces chemical, water use more than 90% with continuous manufacturing

While the pharma industry had been slow to adopt continuous manufacturing, Sanofi's new plant signals the shift is underway and those adopting the process are seeing benefits.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 12, 2019

What pharma manufacturing can learn from M&Ms

As the pharmaceutical industry looks to shift from batch to continuous production, manufacturers may take a page from the food playbook.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Nov. 12, 2019

This map is the first step to understanding risk in the food supply chain

Understanding weather and infrastructure risks can help inform supply chain decisions in states that are home to major freight hubs and agricultural production centers.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 12, 2019

Adidas moves high-tech Speedfactory to Asia, closing factories in US, Germany

With the production move, Adidas suggests the business case is still better in Asia, even with advanced technology and despite the distance from target consumers. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 12, 2019

Dean Foods files for bankruptcy as consumer demand for milk declines

Last year, Dean Foods laid off 207 workers with the closure of two milk processing factories, ended more than 100 dairy contracts with the company to curtail how much milk it was buying and closed three other facilities.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 12, 2019

What are the most important supply chain ethics? 3 experts weigh in

Consumer awareness of sustainability and forced labor in the supply chain is driving organizations to take the next step beyond compliance into ethics. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 11, 2019

Patent Pending: FedEx eyes easier returns, Amazon marries drones and intermodal

Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future of supply chains. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny. Every week, we'll share a few.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 8, 2019

Supply chains must take the lead in origin stories

As consumer interest grows in products' sources and production, supply chains have a responsibility to plan and execute company-wide initiatives on origin stories, Gartner's Pam Fitzpatrick writes in an op-ed.

By Pam Fitzpatrick, Senior Director Analyst, Gartner Supply Chain Practice • Nov. 8, 2019

Ralph Lauren launches QR-based tracking system to boost supply chain visibility, fight counterfeits

Ralph Lauren's manufacturers will sew the QR tags into garments adjacent to traditional branded tags. From that point on, the garments will be digitally attached to a purchase order and tracked through the supply chain. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 6, 2019

Supply chain workers dominate temp job growth

The hiring announcements for peak season alone offer ample evidence that temporary workers are essential to manage growing e-commerce. 

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Nov. 6, 2019

Walmart overtaking Amazon? Not so fast

Some statistics that seem worrying for the e-commerce giant could actually be a boon, though it's clear Walmart is advancing nicely.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 6, 2019

Under Armour cuts inventory 23%, sees lower excess product levels

Somewhat ironically, a decrease in product going to off-price channels led CFO David Bergman to lower revenue growth projections for the full year.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 6, 2019

Amazon opens $40M robotics hub to manufacture mobile drive units

Amazon is banking on automated technology to help meet the needs of a modern-day, fast-paced supply chain.

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated Oct. 27, 2021

Avon reduced inventory by $43M in a push for simplicity — is it enough?

"Choking on complexity," the more than century-old beauty brand is knee-deep in yet another turnaround effort as it prepares to be acquired. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 5, 2019

Yeti's growing DTC business and what it means for operations

Companies making the transition from wholesale to DTC can see it pay off in improved margins, but operational changes to distribution centers and purchase orders must also occur. 

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 5, 2019

Caterpillar lays off 120 amid economic uncertainty, trade war

On a recent earnings call, the OEM's executives said they are adjusting production to meet reduced demand resulting from economic uncertainty and trade tensions. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 5, 2019

What makes a successful shipper of choice? 4 experts weigh in

A tight trucking market drove shippers to adjust their operating models and position themselves as good customers to carriers.

By Shefali Kapadia • Nov. 4, 2019

Outspending Amazon is not the way to win last-mile delivery wars

Deliver on expectations — no matter how slow or fast — that's how to compete, according to a survey by Convey.  

By Deborah Barrington • Nov. 4, 2019

UPS expects 26% jump in returns this peak season

The carrier projects 1.9 million returns on Jan. 2 and 1.6 million returns per day in the week preceding Christmas Day. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 4, 2019

5 KPIs make or break supply chain strategy

Investing in supply chain integration and optimization helps firms reap the benefits of improved quality of service and a competitive edge. Optimizing that supply chain, however, means hitting five key performance indicators.

By Dylan Lee • Nov. 1, 2019