Responsible sourcing is key to rid labor abuse from PPE supply chain

Legislation and governmental sanctions can help, but businesses must commit to ethical sourcing standards.

By Steve Ardagh • May 6, 2021

Concerns over Xinjiang forced labor prompt transparency tool for solar sourcing

The protocol aims to better equip companies to navigate U.S. import compliance obligations and ensure products are ethically produced.

By Jean Haggerty • May 6, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Walmart gives diverse suppliers option for early payment to help increase access to capital

The retailer is expanding its early payments program through a partnership with the financial technology company C2FO.

By A.B. Brown • May 5, 2021

Supply chains play inventory catch-up against a growing backlog of orders

Clorox grew inventory 50% and 3M's grew 6% in a race to meet elevated demand.

By Matt Leonard • May 4, 2021

Ford doubles down on lean in the face of semiconductor shortage

The automaker expects the semiconductor shortage to get worse before the supply levels improve, with the second quarter now the expected trough for the sourcing issue.

By Matt Leonard • May 3, 2021

How construction is using technology to mitigate supply disruptions

Soaring material costs and supply chain woes threaten the industry's rebound.

By Joe Bousquin • April 30, 2021

Supply chains turn to Vietnam, India to diversify sourcing: Qima

Rising labor costs, a trade war and the pandemic have prompted companies to rethink their dependence on China, whether that means reshoring, nearshoring or China+1.

By A.B. Brown • April 29, 2021

What a meeting with suppliers taught me about being a better buyer

Simple operational solutions are low-hanging fruit, but more profound changes can make you a customer that suppliers value.

By Rich Weissman • April 29, 2021

Tesla faces 'insane' supply chain headwinds, from semiconductor shortages to port congestion

The manufacturer is building factories as quickly as possible and aims to double supplier capacity next year, executives said.

By S.L. Fuller • April 28, 2021

Chipotle focuses on supply chain 'wild card'

Amid discussions of carbon neutrality and a quickly evolving fast casual landscape, the CFO said the chain remains committed to its agricultural suppliers.

By Jane Thier • April 27, 2021

Supply chain professionals need procurement knowledge

As global businesses dig out of the disruptive effects of COVID-19, supply chain professionals need to identify vulnerabilities and build resiliency into their supply networks.   

April 26, 2021

Construction suppliers turn to prefabrication to work around shortages

A market outlook by the firm Consigli noted rising material prices for metals like copper and steel, and predicted increases in items such as PVC, hard woods and insulation.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 22, 2021

Study: Spend analytics, category management top priorities for supply chain leaders

The IHS Markit survey results come on the heels of a Gartner report that found data and analytics will become a "core business function" this year.

By A.B. Brown • April 22, 2021

It's game on for packaging procurement as lead times lengthen

Stadiums and concessions anticipate surging demand as events resume. Can supplies keep up?

By Jen A. Miller • April 22, 2021

Mars, PepsiCo and McCormick form coalition to guide supplier sustainability

The group gives suppliers tools to create their own emissions-reduction plans, with the first year focused on calculating footprints and creating targets.

By Lauren Manning • April 20, 2021

TSMC plans $100B investment to battle semiconductor shortages

The semiconductor shortage should be "greatly reduced" by the next quarter, though it could still last until 2022 if demand remains high, CEO C.C. Wei said.

By Matt Leonard • April 16, 2021

'Chaotic' supply chain pushed up supplier prices: MSC

Port congestion, severe weather and COVID-19 disruptions to production lines have impacted product availability and led to inflation.

By A.B. Brown • April 15, 2021

Stacking procurement functions with a mix of outsourcing and insourcing

Using a third party for the entire department would be a strategic blunder.

By Rich Weissman • April 15, 2021

How the pandemic impacted demand at FedEx, Clorox and C&S Wholesale

Companies across industries began to shift operations in early 2020, as signs pointed to changes in demand and consumer habits.

By Matt Leonard • April 14, 2021

Walmart establishes supplier policy to protect pollinators

The retailer outlined new guidelines for fresh produce suppliers, along with sharing how it plans to combat habitat loss.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 14, 2021

Chipotle reaches 31M pounds of locally sourced produce

The restaurant chain joins a growing number of food brands and grocers emphasizing local sourcing over the last year. 

By A.B. Brown • April 8, 2021

Target to spend over $2B with Black-owned suppliers by 2025

The retailer intends to add products from over 500 Black-owned businesses in several categories and launch resources to help vendors scale their operations.

By Maria Monteros • April 8, 2021

Supply chains do the math on reshoring's pros and cons

COVID-19 exposed risks and spurred conversations about moving manufacturing, but the pandemic is far from the only factor to consider.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • April 8, 2021

Auto industry calls on government to fund semiconductor capacity

An industry group warns the shortage could cause a production shortfall of nearly 1.28 million vehicles in 2021.

By Matt Leonard • April 7, 2021

Cardboard prices reach record high amid e-commerce demand

Box producers are running on lean inventories, as online buying booms and creates greater demand for packaging materials.

By Matt Leonard • April 6, 2021