Why analysts say the time is right for XPO to become 2

External factors and CEO Bradley Jacobs' endgame makes this move "smart," one expert said.

By Jim Stinson • Dec. 9, 2020

The Supply Chain Dive Awards for 2020

From Target to 3M, these are the companies and executives that shaped supply chains during this unprecedented year.

By Supply Chain Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

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

Supplier of the year: 3M

The supplier is making more N95 respirators than ever before. Pre-pandemic surge capacity and a focus on real-time visibility enabled the quick shift.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 9, 2020

Executive of the Year: Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles

Seroka has helped the logistics industry navigate the uncharted waters of the pandemic while aiding the city in procuring personal protective equipment.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 9, 2020

Sustainability Plan of the Year: Unilever's broadening emissions ambitions

The company intends to meet new emissions-reduction goals by favoring suppliers that have set science-based targets for cutting carbon in line with the Paris Agreement.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 9, 2020

Why smart factories are the future of supply chain resilience

Smart factories are coming into focus as businesses put more resources behind productivity and efficiency, the author writes.

By Adam Mussomeli • Dec. 8, 2020

How companies worked to elevate small, diverse suppliers in 2020

Companies such as Walmart and Denny's utilized diversity, equity and inclusion principles to create new opportunities for small business.

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 7, 2020

Supplier sues Kroger, alleging refusal to accept hand sanitizer order worth $100M

New York-based manufacturer K7 Design Group said the grocer refused to complete payment and take delivery because of constrained storage capacity.

By Catherine Douglas Moran , Jeff Wells • Dec. 7, 2020

CDC changes vaccine priority suggestion, moves transport back to 'Phase 1c' of allocation

Until vaccine allocation reaches truckers, it will be incumbent upon drivers, employers and shippers to continue collaborating on safety measures.

By S.L. Fuller • Updated Dec. 21, 2020

US blocks cotton imports from leading producer in Xinjiang region of China

Customs and Border Protection will detain Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps shipments at U.S. ports of entry, and CBP expects diverted imports to reach billions of dollars. 

By A.B. Brown • Dec. 3, 2020

A tale of hand sanitizer: How the ethanol supply chain pivoted for COVID-19

Raw material inputs for hand sanitizer were plentiful. But manufacturing capabilities, government regulations, packaging and tankers are a different story.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Dec. 3, 2020

Manufacturers report 'significant delays' due to port congestion, rising coronavirus cases

One respondent in the ISM manufacturing report experienced delays at U.S. ports when importing materials from China, particularly at the Port of Long Beach.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 2, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond works to catch up to decades of supply chain modernization in 3 years

Starting with what one analyst called a "primitive" supply chain, the retailer has nowhere to go but up. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 2, 2020

CSX aims to expand Northeast reach with Pan Am acquisition

The deal closed after regulators signed off in April, saying it would give shippers "more efficient single-line service."

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated June 2, 2022

The role of freight forwarders in distributing the coronavirus vaccine

Freight forwarders, the linchpins of the supply chain, face the arduous task of ensuring vaccines move door-to-door while maintaining their temperature — from the airport to the last mile. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Nov. 30, 2020

Diageo pledges 100% recyclable packaging, 50% supply chain emissions reduction by 2030

After falling short on some 2020 goals, the maker of Guinness and Smirnoff laid out plans to reduce emissions and improve packaging recyclability through 2030.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 24, 2020

The COVID-19 vaccine's logistics will be targeted. Vet the supply chain.

A burst of activity and demand will create openings for providers of transportation and warehouse facilities that may have poor security practices, the author writes.

By Tony Pelli • Nov. 24, 2020

Air cargo shippers navigate a turbulent year

Parked passenger planes resulted in a drop in belly capacity at a time when quick shipments were desperately needed for personal protective equipment. 

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 20, 2020

CH Robinson: Importers have left nearly $1B in China tariff refunds on the table

Keeping tabs on product-specific tariff exclusions is time-consuming and "incredibly complex," shippers have told C.H. Robinson.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 19, 2020

To distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, allocation models need a redesign

Before the pandemic, fair-share allocation helped safeguard against any well-intentioned providers overstocking. But the models that once proved effective needed to evolve, the author writes.

By Heather Zenk • Nov. 19, 2020

IDC: Pharmaceutical industry ups inventory levels as OTIF rates fall

Before the pandemic, the on time and in full rate from suppliers was generally above 80%. Now, pharmaceutical companies are looking for ways to avoid shortages.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 17, 2020

Walmart execs say stockouts track with COVID-19 hot spots

The difference between areas with rapidly increasing cases and those with a slower rise is visible within Walmart's store network, CEO Doug McMillon said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 17, 2020

Moderna's coronavirus vaccine presents fewer cold chain hurdles than Pfizer

The company's COVID-19 vaccine is expected to stay stable at 2-8 degrees Celsius, the temperature of a standard refrigerator, for up to 30 days and will be distributed through McKesson. 

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 16, 2020

The implications of shipping direct to consumer

On top of high costs, fast and free delivery expectations, and returns, brands also put customer retention at risk by forfeiting control over the last mile.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 16, 2020

DeJoy teases service overhaul as USPS parcel volume grows 19%

The Postmaster General said the service needs to modernize and invest in a new fleet.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 16, 2020