Digitization can help procurement be more purposeful

As consumers worry more about ethical sourcing, chief procurement officers can manipulate technology to elevate their procurement practices.

By Marcell Vollmer • June 26, 2018

High beef consumption, low interest in leather creates surplus of hides

Understanding societal trends and human behavior is at the forefront of business decisions, especially in industries with by-products.

By Rich Weissman • June 25, 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

Carbon dioxide crisis strains food and beer supply in Europe

Soccer fans in England may be unable to watch Sunday's game with a Heineken in hand if the issues persist.

By Edwin Lopez • June 22, 2018

Out-of-stocks could be costing retailers $1T

Amazon Prime members, facing empty shelves, are 52% more likely than other consumers to take out their phones and buy what they need online, IHL's research found.

By Daphne Howland • June 22, 2018

Sourcing natural ingredients for cosmetics opens 'Pandora's box of risk'

About 30% of the ingredients in common cosmetics come from mined or agricultural commodities, many of which are linked to poor labor conditions.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 21, 2018

Antibiotic supply chains need better management to fix shortage

Precise demand planning, sourcing and distribution strategies could help offsets the costs of "risky" R&D.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 21, 2018

Apple's screen solutions threaten suppliers' security

Choosing to stick with LCD screens to keep prices low, the tech company will not be using as many OLED screens on the new iPhones.

By Nicole Ault • June 20, 2018

Why Kirkland's is counting on BOPIS to boost profits

Along with its direct sourcing initiative, the home decor and furniture retailer expects to see double-digit cost savings. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 19, 2018

Mars sends team to Madagascar to fix 'broken' vanilla supply chain

The candy manufacturer shows actively participating in the social supply chain, rather than seeing it as an adjunct, is an effective business strategy. 

By Rich Weissman • June 18, 2018

India, China retaliate against US tariffs

The reciprocal tariffs on more than 500 products are meant to cancel out any domestic economic gains from U.S import taxes.

By Edwin Lopez • June 18, 2018

Asics plans to cut 55% of its supply chain carbon emissions

The company committed to a "circular economic model" and is pursuing sourcing, logistics and operations initiatives.

By Nicole Ault • June 18, 2018

Tariffs on Chinese imports start July 6

China vowed to retaliate with measures of the "same scale and same strength" against the United States' taxes on 1,102 of its products.

By Edwin Lopez • June 15, 2018

FedEx spent $800M sourcing from women-owned businesses in 2017

The company said working with diverse suppliers helps manage "an evolving supply chain."

By Shefali Kapadia • June 15, 2018

Walmart opens its own milk processing plant in Indiana

The $165-million plant is the retailer's first food production facility and will provide a variety of private-label dairy products to about 500 Walmart stores in five states.

By Cathy Siegner • June 15, 2018

Private label supplier to Toys R Us was left with $500K of inventory

A bankruptcy court has ruled in favor of Huffy, allowing the vendor to sell the merchandise after it suffered "substantial hardship."

By Shefali Kapadia • June 14, 2018

Boeing sent 'cavalry' of engineers to Wichita to get 737 production back on track

When a Boeing supplier struggled to make on-time deliveries of an essential part for the 737, the aerospace manufacturer stepped in to help.

By Rich Weissman • June 14, 2018

3 ways volcanoes in Hawaii and Guatemala will disrupt supply chains

Lava and volcanic ash from Kilauea and Fuego are wreaking havoc on local farms and infrastructure, but the economic effects are just beginning. 

By Nicole Ault • June 14, 2018

Smucker's recalls are an opportunity to strengthen supplier relationships

Higher-than-expected freight costs and recalls significantly reduced the food company's fourth quarter earnings.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 13, 2018

Labor watchdog slams Amazon for 'oppressing' workers at supplier factory

In its own audit, Amazon discovered violations at the same factory and said it requested a plan to remediate the issues. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 12, 2018

Apple warns suppliers to send 20% fewer iPhone parts

The warning could alleviate pressure on the tech company's supply chain as sales slow.

By Rich Weissman • June 11, 2018

Where's the ... tomato? Wendy's shifts sourcing to indoor farms

After unseasonably cold weather in 2010 that lead to a tomato crop shortage, the restaurant chain adjusted its sourcing to ensure continuity of supply. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 7, 2018

'Growing pains' force backlogs on non-manufacturing industries

Trucking shortages slow down supplier deliveries, making it harder for companies to keep up with new orders.

By Nicole Ault • June 7, 2018

Did suppliers, not Amazon, create the retail apocalypse?

While blame for brick-and-mortar store closures often falls on Amazon, many suppliers are selling directly to consumers and circumventing the retailer. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 6, 2018

Mastercard partners with AI startup to streamline freight payments

The partnership is expected to improve payment transparency and efficiency for small and medium-sized businesses in supply chain.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 6, 2018

Apple may be tightening control over its supply chain — again

The tech giant has been moving aspects of its supply chain in-house in order to improve profit margins and lower costs.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 5, 2018