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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating rising costs, network changes and logistics disruptions across global supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

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

Schneider Electric invests $40M in supply chain upgrades to prepare for post-pandemic demand

Schneider is introducing new capabilities and production lines that will allow it to work with fewer suppliers by finishing some of its own inputs — with added capacity to construct some components entirely in-house when necessary.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 12, 2020

Ahold Delhaize tackles a $480M supply chain overhaul during a pandemic — and Thanksgiving

The grocery group is forging ahead with an insourcing transformation amid a busy time in a tumultuous year. What could go wrong?

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 12, 2020

Take a dynamic approach to supply chain, US government.

Federal lawmakers proposed a task force to fund a more "resilient" supply chain. But resiliency is not the answer for the future, the author writes.

By Nader Mikhail • Nov. 10, 2020

Delays, surcharges and returns: Holiday shipping headaches have just begun

In a season expected to produce more than $190 billion from online sales alone, retailers are pulling out all the stops to keep up with demand.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 9, 2020

Ball fragments aluminum can supply to meet North American demand

While new manufacturing capacity is in the works, Ball Corporation will focus on using data to fine-tune existing operations and squeeze every can possible out of its supply chain. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 6, 2020

Supply chain agility entered the spotlight when the pandemic made forecasting futile

Supply and demand swings shifted flexibility and visibility from nice-to-have capabilities to must-haves.

By S.L. Fuller • Nov. 6, 2020

So you want to reduce your supply chain emissions

Walmart’s journey to a robust scope 3 emissions program reveals a shift in the way sustainability advocates see the supply chain and the urgency with which companies need to address it.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 5, 2020

Tight logistics capacity erodes shipper-carrier trust

Carriers are telling shippers to look elsewhere for capacity as trucks juggle the spike in volume with customer service.

By S.L. Fuller • Oct. 30, 2020

Demand volatility is the supply chain disruptor of 2020

The pandemic is still the dominant force on global economies, but leaders say supply is no longer the top problem.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 30, 2020

Supply chains can use purchasing power to fight inequity

Spending more on local sourcing mitigates socioeconomic and health disparities, strengthens supply chain resilience and reduces carbon emissions, writes Kaiser Permanente's supply chain and procurement chief.

By Mary Beth Lang • Oct. 29, 2020