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

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

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

A flock of black swans hovers — and supply chains need to get ready

Risk management should include planning, strategy and a bit of good luck.

By Rich Weissman • April 1, 2021

US directs ports to detain Top Glove shipments from Malaysia, citing forced labor

Directives to seize imports put the burden of proof on procurement and supply chain leaders to prove forced labor was not used.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 1, 2021

Walmart, H&M among retailers in US most exposed to Suez Canal disruptions

Construction and chemical companies are also expected to feel the impact, as more than 300 vessels wait to pass through the canal.

By Matt Leonard • March 31, 2021

Avoiding supplier fraud requires shipment analysis and an educated workforce

Agility is important for survival, now more than ever, but agility without risk management for procurement will not be enough.

By Gina Govojdean • March 25, 2021

Bashas' turns to online platform to expand selection of locally sourced foods

The Arizona grocery chain plans to eventually roll out Forager's online procurement system across its fleet of more than 100 stores.

By Sam Silverstein • March 25, 2021

Procurement leaders upgrade supplier data as agility trumps cutting costs: survey

The pandemic showed how important real-time data is to procurement, yet respondents to a Wakefield Research report said data remains "inadequate." 

By A.B. Brown • March 25, 2021

Starbucks to improve sustainable coffee sourcing, reducing its largest carbon culprit

In a show of priorities, the company said it would take actions that make green coffee carbon neutral instead of tackling emissions from transportation, packaging and roasting operations.

By A.B. Brown • March 23, 2021

Data and analytics to become 'core business function' in 2021: Gartner

The importance of real-time information has risen during the pandemic, as visibility helps supply chains react and adjust to volatility.

By Roberto Torres • March 19, 2021