Walmart adds science-based targets to supply chain financing option

The program aims to help the retailer's private brand suppliers, particularly smaller and mid-size ones, make their operations more sustainable.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 9, 2021

Clorox upgrades 20-year-old ERP for improved data visibility, demand planning

The company is investing $500 million to "significantly increase digital capabilities," CFO Kevin Jacobsen said.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 9, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Risk Management

Risk takes many forms in the supply chain: severe weather, geopolitical uncertainty and labor tensions. Explore the tactics supply chain managers use to prepare for disruptions.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Ashley Furniture's trucking arm to get western boost with Wilson Logistics deal

Adding capacity is a strategic move for the retailer as port congestion persists in Southern California.

By S.L. Fuller • Dec. 3, 2021

The problem with chartering a ship: Break bulk is a lost art

Break bulk is doable for large, well-capitalized companies, but there's no guarantee they'll achieve lower freight costs than using carriers, a Xeneta executive writes. 

By Katherine Barrios • Dec. 1, 2021

Pandemic opens the door to investments in wearables for supply chain workers

Wearable technology offers a treasure trove of data for supply chain managers. But the question remains how to translate the data into decisions.

By Jen A. Miller • Nov. 30, 2021

FMC to use shipping data to identify constraints and help global cargo flows

"We don't have the same transparency in ocean shipping as we do with airlines," said Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel.

By Alejandra Carranza • Nov. 24, 2021

Want to minimize supply chain risk? Become a disruption shaper.

Businesses have figured out how to reduce the rate of disruption to their supply chains — something most leaders dismiss as even a possibility, Gartner's director of supply chain research writes. 

By Suzie Petrusic • Nov. 23, 2021

Damaged packaging, labor constraints hamper Beyond Meat's ability to fill orders

The plant-based food producer is planning more redundancy across its supply chain, its CEO said. 

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 23, 2021

Resin buyers struggle with high prices and short supply

Businesses have stockpiled product, used fewer materials and bolstered internal manufacturing to cope in a tight market.

By Meena Thiruvengadam • Nov. 18, 2021

Electronics manufacturers expect to hike prices again in 2022 as material, labor costs rise

Two-thirds of respondents to IPC's survey had raised prices by an average of 14.5% in 2021. Sustained pressures on profit margins have some manufacturers considering additional increases.

By Max Garland • Nov. 16, 2021

Now is the time to shockproof supply chains, with a 3-pronged approach

Congested ports and empty car lots are a loud wake-up call to the shortcomings of just-in-time, the authors write.

By Kim Doyle and Tim Weed • Nov. 15, 2021

New guidelines limit the number of ships crowding San Pedro Bay ports

"No, this is not going to speed things up on shore," said Kip Louttit, executive director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 12, 2021

Kellogg strike compounds supply chain issues

The cereal maker also is confronting higher ingredients and packaging costs, CFO Amit Banati said.

By Chris Casey • Nov. 12, 2021

Clorox turns to contract suppliers, manufacturers to bolster inventory

CFO Kevin Jacobsen said the move is temporary, and the company plans to eventually "step out of these relationships."

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 11, 2021

5 steps to mitigate the risks of sole-source suppliers

If the pain around pricing, delivery or quality is high enough, a company may need to invest in an alternate sourcing scenario to reduce the risk.

By Rich Weissman • Nov. 11, 2021

Supply chain constraints, inflation weigh on medtech

J&J, ResMed and Stryker are among the companies citing one of these factors as constraining growth in the current reporting season.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 11, 2021

Just-in-time and safety stock require a careful balance

Over the course of the pandemic, inventory has gone up, but so have sales. Are companies rethinking lean or just trying to keep up with demand?

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 10, 2021

Resin shortages are drying up paint supply

The CEOs of Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries lamented the lasting effects of severe weather during recent earnings calls. "There's just not enough paint out there," said one executive.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 9, 2021

Port delays across the US double in-transit inventory times for Columbia Sportswear

The brand is encountering the bulk of its logistics issues in the U.S., as deliveries in Canada and Europe "have been much more timely," CEO Tim Boyle said.

By Max Garland • Nov. 8, 2021

McDonald's expects commodity inflation up to 4%

The world's biggest restaurant chain is also facing difficulties procuring kitchen equipment and delays opening some new restaurants.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 4, 2021

Court stays OSHA vaccine mandate

The Department of Justice plans to defend the rule, which would require employers with at least 100 workers to enact a vaccine mandate in the coming months.

By Ryan Golden , Max Garland • Updated Nov. 8, 2021

Mattel nearshores manufacturing to bypass port bottlenecks during peak

For imported products, the toymaker locked in ocean freight capacity and rates well in advance of the holiday season.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 4, 2021

Microsoft rolls out digital twin service after using it for supply chain resilience

After investing heavily in its supply chain's visibility, Microsoft is introducing a way for other companies to do the same. 

By Max Garland • Nov. 3, 2021

Biden announces actions to boost US supply chain resiliency at G20

"​​​​​Now that we have seen how vulnerable these lines of global commerce can be, we cannot go back to business as usual," the president said at the G20 Summit in Rome on Sunday.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 2, 2021

Retailers opt to hike prices in face of supply chain issues: study

Nearly everyone in the industry expects their costs to increase for the season and plans to either raise prices or let it affect margins. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 2, 2021