Inventory levels jump as manufacturers hold onto work-in-progress products

Manufacturers of transportation equipment, computers and electronics need chips, which are in short supply, and some products are being held until critical components arrive.

By Max Garland • Sept. 14, 2021

Shutdowns in Asia sting Toyota, automakers and exacerbate chip shortage

Toyota will temporarily close nine plants this month, including those responsible for the Corolla and Camry sedans, according to an SEC filing.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 14, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Supply Chains

Retailers are making operational investments and adjustments to maintain supply chain resilience. Here’s how.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Vietnam closures push retailers to shift tactics, suppliers ahead of the holidays

Big Lots expects $60 million in lost sales due to lockdowns in Vietnam, which may last until the end of the month.

By Edwin Lopez • Sept. 13, 2021

Make HUB suppliers a key part of your domestic-oriented supply chain

Don't treat a HUB sourcing strategy as a burden. Here are 5 ways to incorporate historically underutilized businesses into critical spend and operations.

By Rich Weissman • Sept. 9, 2021

Kraft Heinz fined $62M after SEC says procurement team misled finance

Employees allegedly negotiated almost 60 transactions with suppliers that were presented to the company’s controller group in misleading ways.

By Robert Freedman • Sept. 9, 2021

LA, Long Beach port congestion could disrupt $90B in trade: Russell

Solutions for a congested freight environment include shippers booking in advance even it means paying extra, carriers doubling orders for container ships and 3PLs adding drayage surcharges.

By Alejandra Carranza • Sept. 9, 2021

CIOs vs. the supply chain: Laptop shortages threaten enterprise efficiency

Semiconductor shortages have become the bane of IT organizations' existence, forcing them to add flexibility to previously rigid procurement practices.

By Roberto Torres • Sept. 7, 2021

Industrial buyers face a resin market with tight supplies, spiking prices

Demand for resins is far outstripping supplies, leaving manufacturers of plastic parts scrambling.

By Meena Thiruvengadam • Sept. 2, 2021

Locust bean gum's newfound success in food stymied by supply shortages

As demand for the versatile ingredient found in everything from ice cream to plant-based foods has increased, soaring prices have prompted some companies to look for cheaper substitutes.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 2, 2021

5 years of supply chain disruptions and the lessons learned

Hindsight has the virtue of revealing opportunities we may have missed.

By Edwin Lopez • Updated Dec. 31, 2021

Inflation: Negotiate with suppliers and don't panic

Tried-and-true methods can help procurement managers combat across-the-board price increases in an inflationary environment.

By Rich Weissman • Aug. 26, 2021

Suppliers push price hikes through the chain in an inflationary environment

Passing costs on to the next buyer in the supply chain is the primary goal for manufacturers, but that isn't always possible.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 26, 2021

What retail executives are saying about widespread supply chain bottlenecks

From air shipping to ship charters to price increases, industry players are managing chaos at ports and throughout the global production network every way they can.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 26, 2021

How leaders are solving 3 key sourcing and procurement priorities in 2021

CPOs are identifying the right tools and processes to solve their biggest challenges for the rest of 2021.

By Kayla Mackay, Solutions Marketing Manager, Quickbase • Aug. 23, 2021

Automakers work to increase transparency into semiconductor supply

Ford CEO Jim Farley said the company was working directly with semiconductor fabs, the first tier in the semiconductor supply chain.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 19, 2021

Shortages and other challenges across liquor supply chain throw a wrench in summer rebound

"We’re at the mercy of the supply chain," said the CFO of Brown-Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel's and Woodford Reserve. 

By A.B. Brown • Aug. 19, 2021

Walmart charters ships to ensure freight capacity, inventory for peak season

One ship leasing company referred to the charter market as "red hot" as it has signed 40 new charters so far this year.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 18, 2021

Sysco struggles with shipper delays, works to find alternative sourcing

The company's sales teams are asking customers whether alternate supplies could be used for products, while its merchant teams coordinate with suppliers.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 12, 2021

Say hello to your pandemic price increase

Inflation, supply chain disruptions and changes in business strategies all point to higher prices. And that may be a good thing.

By Rich Weissman • Aug. 12, 2021

Orders outpace invoices as bullwhip wallops manufacturing

Tradeshift's data shows that order volume from manufacturers has grown to more than double Q1 2020 as of June, increasing nearly 138%. But invoices have not kept pace, falling almost 12%.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 10, 2021

Stress tests: The right tool for strengthening supply chains.

Simulations of potential disruptions — large economic shifts, trade wars, climate change or even cyberattacks — can yield forward-looking assessments of risk.

By Jonathan Welburn • Aug. 9, 2021

Under Armour on alert for product cancellations as sourcing challenges mount in Vietnam

A resurgence of COVID-19 in the country has Under Armour uneasy, but company execs said their diversified sourcing base adds resilience.

By A.B. Brown • Aug. 6, 2021

SEC may require supply chain emission disclosures in expanded 10-Ks

SEC Chair Gary Gensler says a company, when filing mandatory climate risk disclosures, may need to measure carbon emissions across its "value chain."

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 5, 2021

Sharpie maker says manufacturing in the US helped it avoid snarled supply chains

Newell Brands, Sharpie's parent company, said manufacturing based in the same continent as consumer demand helped avoid the freight issues that challenged "at least one" of its competitors.

By Edwin Lopez • Aug. 5, 2021

NXP Semiconductors expects auto companies to pump the brakes on just-in-time

"A just-in-time system is not totally compatible with three to six months manufacturing cycle time," CEO Kurt Sievers said.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 4, 2021