Pandemic exposes need to automate finance function amid limited resources

Finance automation has been practical for most organizations for 20 years, but only about 5% are fully vested so far.

By Robert Freedman • July 8, 2020

Biden releases plan to strengthen domestic supply chains

The plan positions critical medical supply chains as a matter of national security and would compensate companies for maintaining excess production capacity and inventory. 

By Emma Cosgrove • July 8, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management as an effective strategy against tariffs.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Supply chain resilience plans start with mapping — but don't wait for disruption to test them

If investing in resilience seems too costly, there's always that other strategy: hoping nothing goes wrong, writes Anne van de Heetkamp, a VP at Descartes.

By Anne van de Heetkamp • July 7, 2020

Small business suppliers are at risk in the pandemic. How do you protect them and your firm?

Buyers can take a multi-phased approach to identify risk and support small suppliers through the economic storm.

By Rich Weissman • July 2, 2020

US government to crack down on supply chains linked to human rights abuses in Xinjiang

The Department of Homeland Security said it will take "increased enforcement action" against U.S. businesses contributing to forced labor and other human rights abuses in the region.

By Morgan Forde • July 2, 2020

US manufacturing breaks growth records, pandemic unknowns temper July outlook

June's PMI figure does not capture the impact of a recent nationwide spike in coronavirus cases.

By Morgan Forde • July 2, 2020

USMCA takes effect. How does it affect supply chains?

Shippers are struggling to determine whether ramping up nearshoring efforts or absorbing tariff costs from overseas suppliers is the most cost-effective strategy under the new NAFTA.

By Morgan Forde • July 1, 2020

Chipotle launches virtual farmers market for suppliers

The program isn't a new revenue stream for the brand. It's a strategic play to stabilize its valuable supply chain network and deepen loyalty with its suppliers.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 30, 2020

Tracking US manufacturers' shift to PPE during the coronavirus pandemic

General Motors gets out of the ventilator game, and 3M adds two new N95 respirator production lines.

By Nami Sumida • Updated Nov. 30, 2020

UPS lowers peak surcharge on China-US shipments starting Sunday

The reduction coincides with a gradual calming of airfreight demand and rates, but surcharges remain above the amount announced in March. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 26, 2020

Gartner: 55% of supply chains expect to be resilient in 2-3 years

Building supply chain redundancies used to be seen as an unaffordable precaution. Now, they're becoming part of critical risk management strategies.

By Morgan Forde • June 26, 2020

NRDC reports little progress toward sustainable fiber sourcing in toilet paper as pandemic shakes up demand

Kimberly-Clark is the only of the three largest toilet paper producers to commit to reducing virgin pulp sourcing. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 25, 2020

FEMA winds down PPE flights as 'supply chain is stabilizing'

Brokers have said the PPE procurement process is nowhere near normal, and the agency has an agreement with airline partners to redeploy Project Airbridge if needed. 

By S.L. Fuller • June 24, 2020

Sales plummeted 14% in April leaving companies with bulging inventories

The inventory-to-sales ratio paints a clear picture of the pandemic and the economic turmoil it has created across retail and manufacturing, leaving product to languish in stockrooms, destined for markdowns or donations.

By Matt Leonard • June 23, 2020

Coronavirus and counterfeits: How supply chain leaders can protect their products and brands

It's dangerous to assume only healthcare products are impacted by counterfeiting during the pandemic, writes Andrew Stevens, a senior director analyst in Gartner's supply chain practice.

By Andrew Stevens • June 22, 2020

Designer Brands to trim vendor list to prep for post-pandemic landscape

Simplification is a watchword of supply chains post-lockdown, according to business executives across sectors.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 19, 2020

1 in 3 procurement leaders: We're past the peak of coronavirus disruption

A Procurious survey found procurement teams navigated the early months of the pandemic fairly well, though the learning curve has been steep.

By Morgan Forde • June 18, 2020

A call to action: Use HUB suppliers for critical operations

Procurement professionals can use their collective power to actively join the social justice revolution.

By Rich Weissman • June 18, 2020

4 food and beverage ingredients facing shortages amid the pandemic

From mushrooms and garlic to carbon dioxide and yeast, the COVID-19 outbreak has sparked global supply concerns.

By Lillianna Byington • June 18, 2020

CH Robinson flexes muscle to wrangle PPE supply chains

The struggle to procure PPE has led states and hospital systems to lean on the procurement and logistics skills of private players.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 18, 2020

Unilever to request suppliers' emissions data on invoices

The supplier accountability effort seeks to advance Unilever' sustainability goals, such as reaching net-zero emissions from products by 2039 and ridding its supply chain of deforestation by 2023.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 17, 2020

Developing the coronavirus vaccine supply chain

Pharmas, nonprofit organizations and suppliers prepare to handle a high volume of vaccines, but component shortages and scaling up manufacturing present challenges.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 16, 2020

UNFI: Grocery supplier stockouts could last into the fall

Consistently high demand, combined with the spike of panic-buying in March, will keep some suppliers in catch-up mode for a few more months, CEO Steve Spinner said. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 12, 2020

It's time for a national hospital supply chain czar

If the current lack of supply chain coordination isn't resolved before the expected second surge in COVID-19 cases, the result will be a far worse crisis, writes Jody Hatcher, a healthcare supply chain expert.

By Jody Hatcher • June 11, 2020

Supply chain median salary 24% higher than national median, gender gap narrows

Supply chain professionals with a bachelor's degree have a median salary of $78,750 and 88% of respondents said they have a positive career outlook.

By Matt Leonard • June 10, 2020