Why procurement planning is critical ahead of Chinese New Year

Smart U.S. companies have plans in place to accommodate disruptions that come with the holiday, such as delayed production, slower shipping and tight capacity.

By Amanda Loudin • Jan. 16, 2020

USMCA will enter into force July 1

The trade deal promises streamlined digital trade and higher duty-free thresholds in a win for small- and medium-sized shippers.

By Morgan Forde • Updated April 27, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Supply chain certifications: What's new?

Just as the business world evolves, associations offering supply chain certifications are revamping them to include relevant content.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Jan. 16, 2020

Walmart opens new beef supply chain facility

The retailer first shared plans to create its own end-to-end beef supply chain last April, noting the importance of meeting customer demand for transparency and improved food quality. 

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 15, 2020

H&M's AI operation helps make its supply chain more sustainable

With precisely honed demand forecasts, supply chains can use only the resources they need and no more.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 14, 2020

Boeing supplier's 2.8K layoffs highlight scale of supply chain disruption

Spirit AeroSystems blamed the layoffs on Boeing's decision to stop 737 Max production and said it's not clear when manufacturing could begin again.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2020

What are the top supply chain trends of 2020? 4 experts weigh in

2019 trends including automation, speedy operations and changing global supply chains will likely carry over and intensify this year.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 13, 2020

Recession ahead? 6 ways buyers can reduce risk

A prolonged period of economic health has lulled buyers and suppliers alike into a false sense of security.

By Rich Weissman • Jan. 9, 2020

Coupa acquires travel startup Yapta to boost spend management platform

Software vendors use acquisitions to make their suites more comprehensive and encompass numerous procurement functions.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 9, 2020

Trade tensions drag manufacturing to lowest level since 2009

December 2019 was the fifth straight month in which the ISM manufacturing index contracted. Phase one of a U.S.-China trade deal could bolster several industries. 

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 6, 2020

Blockchain-backed app puts coffee supply chain map in consumer hands

The plan is to use farmer IDs to track growing conditions, record transactions and follow yields and sales prices. 

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 6, 2020

China to lower tariffs on hundreds of products Jan. 1

Products set for lower tariffs include imported frozen pork, frozen avocados, non-frozen orange juice, wood and paper products and some components for high-tech electronics.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 23, 2019

2020: Will procurement risk intensify?

The complicated economic, political and technological issues of 2019 are unsolved and will roll into the new year, so procurement managers need to look behind the headlines to stay ahead.

By Rich Weissman • Dec. 19, 2019

Fiat, PSA merger could create $1.6B in procurement savings

The deal comes as automakers invest billions to secure the supply and partnerships needed for electric and autonomous vehicles.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 19, 2019

Trump administration lays out plans to import drugs from abroad

Drug importation as a policy has a long history, but has been rejected in the past over concerns about supply chain security and regulatory resources. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 18, 2019

How a spirits company reduced stranded inventory with rolling forecasts

The company lost sales when its popular products were out of stock, so it stopped using static forecasts to anticipate demand.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 15, 2019

Trump to sign phase 1 of China trade deal Jan. 15

The president said he would travel to Beijing "at a later date" to begin discussions on the second phase of the deal. No new details were released by Trump nor the U.S. Trade Representative on what was in the first phase of the deal.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 13, 2019

Supply challenges could delay McDonald's chicken sandwich launch, analysts predict

McDonald's supply chain offers a bit of insulation. A research firm noted McDonald's uses chickens that are between 5 and 7 pounds, while Chick-fil-A and Popeyes use 5-pound birds.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 12, 2019

How to assess risks in a globalized supply chain

While it can expand reach and profitability, globalization can be a stumbling block for businesses, exposing firms to interruptions in supply, stock-outs, quality problems and supplier management issues.

By Jon Kirchoff, PhD • Dec. 12, 2019

Walgreens, Kroger form group purchasing organization

Despite sparse precedent, it's not too difficult to imagine that either Kroger or Walgreens would want more buying power since their combined revenue is still dwarfed by giants like Walmart and CVS Health. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 12, 2019

US House votes 'yes' on revised USMCA

The business community supports USMCA, touting the potential for smoother customs processing and streamlined shipments, while economists estimate the overall impact on the economy will be middling.

By Morgan Forde • Updated Dec. 20, 2019

Ahold Delhaize to invest $480M in US supply chain integration

The move toward self-distribution will encompass warehousing, transportation and procurement, resulting in $100 million in annual savings and better product availability for customers, Ahold Delhaize USA CEO Kevin Holt said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 11, 2019

Sustainability Plan of the Year: Target's full-scope emissions goals

This year, Target set ambitious carbon emissions reduction goals and committed to bringing suppliers along for the ride, increasing the impact of its work toward a more sustainable supply chain.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 9, 2019

Resilience Plan of the Year: Williams-Sonoma's trade war strategy

At the beginning of 2019, retailers either waited to see what would happen with the increasingly sunny U.S.-China trade negotiations, or they prepared for the worst. Williams-Sonoma prepared and it paid off. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 9, 2019

Climate and change: Decarbonizing procurement contracts

215 of the world's biggest companies see climate change as a threat to their bottom line within the next five years.

By Ashley Norton • Dec. 5, 2019