Risk/Resilience

  • A Bed Bath & Beyond sign against a blue sky with puffy white clouds.
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    Daphne Howland/Supply Chain Dive

    Risky business: How suppliers defend themselves against retail bankruptcies

    Retailers and their vendors go through a delicate dance when a Chapter 11 looms, with financial hazards for both sides.

    By • Jan. 26, 2023
  • A family lounges on a bed with sage-green covers.
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    Courtesy of Tuft & Needle

    Serta Simmons files for Chapter 11

    The bedding manufacturer said it was still “operating as normal” and is working with vendor partners to fulfill orders from its facilities.

    By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2023
  • Explore the Trendline➔
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    Getty Images
    Trendline

    Risk Management

    Risk takes many forms in the supply chain: a storm, a sudden change of regulation, an unethical supplier, a cyberattack. Explore the tactics supply chain managers use to prepare for disruptions.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • Cargo is being loaded into the belly of a passenger aircraft, with other airplanes in the background
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    Mariakray via Getty Images
    2023 outlook

    Shippers regain buying power as air cargo fundamentals shift

    Softening rates and new market capacity are pushing many to rethink their air freight strategies.

    By • Jan. 24, 2023
  • Storefront of a Party City.
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    Nate Delesline III/Supply Chain Dive

    How Party City suppliers ‘reached their limits’ as it slipped toward bankruptcy

    Tightened terms with suppliers after it fell behind on payments helped tip the retailer into Chapter 11. Now it needs its vendor base more than ever.

    By • Jan. 20, 2023
  • Vita Coco
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    Permission granted by Vita Coco
    Deep Dive // 2023 outlook

    Here’s how CPGs are bracing for more volatility in 2023

    Supply chain disruptions are prompting companies to revamp operations to weather a period of prolonged uncertainty.

    By Christopher Doering • Jan. 19, 2023
  • Storefront of a Party City.
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    Nate Delesline III/Supply Chain Dive

    Party City gets green light to start paying ‘critical’ suppliers in bankruptcy

    The party goods retailer expects to pay $74 million to its most important vendors over the course of the Chapter 11 process.

    By • Jan. 19, 2023
  • Team of two engineers installing solar panels on roof.
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    ArtistGNDphotography via Getty Images

    South Korea’s Q Cells to spend $2.5B on US solar plant

    President Joe Biden said the announcement marks the single largest investment in the country's solar industry.

    By • Jan. 17, 2023
  • Three shoppers look into a storefront at dressed-up mannequins.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images

    As Mango bets on supply chain transparency, ‘others will follow’

    The fashion brand recently published a full list of its tier 3 suppliers, with the aim of using visibility to push its sustainability goals. 

    By • Jan. 12, 2023
  • Puffy clouds in a blue sky frame a storefront that says "Bed Bath & Beyond" in large dark letters.
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    Daphne Howland/Supply Chain Dive

    Bed Bath & Beyond’s sales and inventory crash as suppliers tighten terms

    The struggling retailer’s in-stock position fell by 70% in the third quarter amid accelerated payment requirements and other financial constraints.

    By • Jan. 11, 2023
  • Joe Biden, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Justin Trudeau pose for the media during a welcome ceremony as part of the '2023 North American Leaders' Summit.
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    Hector Vivas via Getty Images

    US, Mexico and Canada take on 5 initiatives to strengthen supply chain resilience

    The countries plan to collaborate on projects such as mapping critical minerals and assessing future manufacturing labor needs.

    By • Jan. 11, 2023
  • A person looks with binoculars at large cargo ships carrying containers.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images

    Supply chains 2022: A year in pictures

    Rising inflation, strike threats and slowing demand triggered a wave of business uncertainty following months of growth. Take a look back at 13 memorable moments.

    By , , , • Jan. 10, 2023
  • Rivian electric pickup trucks are parked in a line.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

    Rivian falls short on EV production amid supply chain stall

    The electric vehicle maker has faced production downtime because of a shortage of a “key component,” executives previously said. 

    By • Jan. 10, 2023
  • A Hydro Flask water bottle.
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    "Hydro Flask" by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY 2.0

    Hydro Flask owner sees reduced orders amid inventory glut

     Helen of Troy, which also owns Drybar and Vicks, said it would cut its global workforce by 10%.

    By Dani James • Jan. 6, 2023
  • Joann store.
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    Courtesy of Joann

    Joann’s $200M cost reduction plan relies on falling ocean rates

    The craft retailer has endured tens of millions of dollars in excess freight expenses throughout the pandemic.

    By • Jan. 4, 2023
  • Steam or smoke comes from the pipes. Combined heat and power plant in the city. Landscape at sunset or dawn.
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    lapandr via Getty Images

    How climate change is expected to transform manufacturing

    Global warming is shifting the calculus for many firms, as flooding and record temperatures affect employee productivity and regional resilience.

    By • Jan. 3, 2023
  • In an aerial view, a freight rail car (C) passes near shipping containers on November 22, 2022 in Wilmington, California.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images

    Top disruptions that shook supply chains in 2022

    Geopolitical conflicts, strike threats and weather-related disasters forced businesses to yet again adjust operations.

    By • Dec. 21, 2022
  • A black and white photograph of the US Department of Labor's sign, with its insignia.
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    Matt Popovich. (2015). "Snowy Labor Department Sign" [photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.

    Los Angeles garment supplier cited for failure to pay workers

    The U.S. Department of Labor said the violation was the latest in a string of abuses at clothing manufacturers in the city.

    By Daphne Howland • Dec. 15, 2022
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    Courtesy of Lovesac

    Lovesac makes strides in sourcing outside of China

    The country used to make up most of the furniture maker's production capacity. Now it's around 30%.

    By • Dec. 13, 2022
  • Signs with messages such as "Yes to Rail Unions! No to capitalist politicians!" is seen in front of the U.S. Capitol
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Rail labor negotiations

    House passes bills to avert US rail shutdown, add paid sick leave

    The vote comes just two days after President Joe Biden urged congressional intervention, warning “a rail shutdown would devastate our economy.”

    By • Nov. 30, 2022
  • Grey and yellow freight rail cars sit in a rail yard with a line of railroad tracks between them.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Rail labor negotiations

    Biden calls on Congress to prevent rail shutdown

    The president said he’s been advised that “there is no path to resolve the dispute at the bargaining table” before the Dec. 9 deadline.

    By • Nov. 28, 2022
  • Oatly cartons on steps
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    Courtesy of Oatly

    Oatly supply chain chief departs

    Moving forward, the plant-based milk brand is looking to simplify operations and shift to a lean manufacturing model.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
  • The Marco Polo, the largest cargo ship to call at an East Coast port, arrives under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and into New York Harbor on May 20, 2021
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Deep Dive

    Amid strike fears, cargo diversion a key fixture in 2022’s supply chain playbook

    The shadow of negotiations clouds U.S. railroads and West Coast ports. Shippers have leaned on less-risky alternatives, despite some drawbacks.

    By • Nov. 16, 2022
  • Two boxes of Stanley Black & Decker tools on a table.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images

    Stanley Black & Decker cuts nearly 50,000 SKUs as part of transformation plan

    The move comes as the company retools its sourcing strategy to help generate $1.5 billion in savings over the next three years.

    By • Nov. 10, 2022
  • Vehicles drive through a flooded street after Hurricane Nicole came ashore on November 10, 2022 in Fort Pierce, Florida.
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    Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images

    FedEx suspends Express, Ground services in Florida areas hit by Tropical Storm Nicole

    The company listed on Thursday hundreds of affected ZIP codes, covering places like Daytona Beach, Orlando and West Palm Beach.

    By • Nov. 10, 2022
  • Green train cars sit on rail tracks
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images

    Deadline to avoid rail strike or lockout extended to December

    The country’s third-largest rail union agreed to a longer “cooling off” period in an attempt to avoid congressional intervention and service disruptions.

    By • Nov. 9, 2022