Risk/Resilience

Manufacturers voice concerns as steel prices skyrocket

The rising prices, a reaction to tariffs announced last month, are "killing" American businesses, according to some manufacturers.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 20, 2018
Deep Dive
What 48 hours in Middle America taught me about supply chains

While we often focus on our immediate surroundings in the day-to-day grind, we can't lose sight of the bigger, global picture.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 19, 2018
P&G pledges 100% renewable energy at its plants

The company's sustainability goals also include halving greenhouse gas emissions and sourcing more water from circular sources.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 17, 2018
European Commission bans 'unfair' trade practices in food supply chain

Companies with strong supplier relationships foster a trusting environment and high performing supply chain.

By Rich Weissman • April 16, 2018
Deep Dive
What's at stake in the e-commerce sales tax debate

This week, SCOTUS will hear oral arguments in South Dakota v. Wayfair. It has the potential to overturn a precedent that dictates when e-tailers pay state sales tax.

By Corinne Ruff • April 16, 2018
Solar installations rise in 2017, but tariffs may slow procurement

Procurement trends in the renewable energy sector show the vast impact regulatory policy can have to incentivize green supply chains.

By Rich Weissman • April 13, 2018
Mattel closes New York office after Toys R Us liquidation

The toy maker, one of Toys R Us' top suppliers, was in bad financial shape when the retailer went under.

By Kate Patrick • April 13, 2018
Hospitals struggle to obtain sterile water for injections, drugs

After a shortage of saline bags due to Hurricane Maria devastation, hospitals turned to sterile water as a substitute. Now there's a shortage of sterile water.

By Rich Weissman • April 12, 2018
Opinion
Jack Ma: A trade war could hurt retail, jobs and opportunity

The looming trade war between the U.S. and China would hurt small business, writes the executive chairman of Alibaba.

By Jack Ma
Opinion
10 tips for the ethical supply chain in 2018

Wondering how to improve sustainability efforts and protect against malpractice within the supply chain? Read on for the top tips.

By Caitlin C. Blanche, Amy L. Groff, John F. Sullivan
Deep Dive
Corporate responsibility starts with the supply chain

Global supply chains are complex and often not very transparent, making it an ideal starting point for companies to improve their social responsibility.

By Kate Patrick • April 12, 2018
Walmart eases supplier deadlines for some deliveries

The retailer will allow some shipments to come in a day early as suppliers face a trucker shortage that's straining their distribution capabilities.

By Alicia Kelso • April 12, 2018
Deep Dive
Can Amazon and its marketplace rivals fix their counterfeits problem?

Counterfeiting could soon be a $1 trillion criminal enterprise. As fakes proliferate online, the government is taking notice and brands are taking their arguments public — and to court.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 11, 2018
Apple achieves 100% renewable energy at facilities, targets suppliers next

Even though Apple met its big sustainability goal, the tech company stresses every link in its supply chain will need to operate on 100% renewable energy.

By Barry Hochfelder • April 11, 2018
REI to enforce sustainability standards for vendors

By 2020, the outdoors retailer said that the more than 1,000 brands it sells must follow newly released product sustainability standards.

By Cara Salpini • April 10, 2018
Medical marijuana could shake up biopharma supply chains

As some drugmakers push to legalize pot to break opioid addiction, the drug supply chain may be in need of an overhaul.

By Rich Weissman • April 09, 2018
Round 8? NAFTA 2.0 outline may come this month

North America’s top trade ministers met last week in Washington, hoping to reach an “agreement-in-principle” they could sell the world by the end of the month.

By Edwin Lopez • April 09, 2018
Cyber breach hits Delta tech supplier

Even though the incident did not affect the airline's systems — despite exposing some customer payment data — the breach underscores the need for open communication between company and supplier.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 06, 2018
Deep Dive
20th century warehouses not fit for 21st century e-commerce

Facilities built before 2000 still account for 89% of storage space in the U.S., according to data from CBRE, and that's forcing tradeoffs on clients.

By Kate Patrick • April 06, 2018
Procurement leaders embrace digital, but budgets lie flat

The number of procurement organizations with a digital transformation strategy has doubled, but stagnant budgets and lack of talent could slow that growth.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 05, 2018
Trump's China tariffs hit consumer electronics, home appliances

While everyday products like clothing and shoes are not on the list, trade groups raised concerns that several key categories will be affected.

By Corinne Ruff • April 04, 2018
Manufacturers believe inventory optimization will mitigate 'Amazon effect'

The rise of e-commerce is leading manufacturers to streamline operations and become less dependent on retail partners, according to a JDA Software survey.

By Kate Patrick • April 04, 2018
To stay valuable, Nike, H&M invest in supply chains

In the world of fast fashion, retailers must speed up their supply chains and keep inventory backlogs to a minimum.

By Barry Hochfelder • April 03, 2018
Contracts may be ag shippers' saving grace after China tariffs

The Agriculture Transportation Coalition says shippers can invoke "force majeure" clauses to sidestep contract obligations if demand does not justify cargo targets.

By Edwin Lopez • April 03, 2018
Poor supply chain practices plague hospital operating rooms

A Cardinal Health survey highlights the necessity for better inventory management systems.

By Les Masterson • March 29, 2018