UPS, FedEx suspend service guarantees citing coronavirus impact

UPS declined to "speculate about future policies" when asked if it is considering a force majeure declaration and if the service guarantee will return after the COVID-19 crisis resolves.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 1, 2020

Planning should replace forecasting as coronavirus uncertainty clouds outlook

“What you need to be thinking about is how you can now start positioning to come out of the tunnel sprinting – not crawling, but sprinting,” one private equity professional said.

By Jen A. Miller • March 31, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainable supply chains

Amid pressure from consumers, investors and governments, companies are scrambling to measure and reduce the impact of their supply chains on the world.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

From Section 301 to COVID-19: How a volatile China changed supply chains

An ongoing trade war, and now a global pandemic, pushed U.S. businesses to diversify and raised the question: Are we too dependent on China?

By Shefali Kapadia • March 31, 2020

2M Alliance announces blank sailings on 21% on Asia-Europe trade

MSC will create a seasonal blank sailing program to match shrinking market demand due to the coronavirus. 

By Matt Leonard • March 30, 2020

Lululemon leverages RFID, supplier relationships to manage inventory amid coronavirus demand drop

On top of advantageous technology investments, Lululemon has several inherent qualities that give it a somewhat easier path through the COVID-19 crisis most non-essential retailers are facing, executives described. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 30, 2020

As coronavirus spreads, reliance on foreign sourcing strains pharma supply chains

With India on lockdown and China still ramping back up production, experts worry about the pipeline for importing critical drugs into the U.S.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 27, 2020

Ceva Logistics declares force majeure, citing possible rate changes and surcharges

Just three weeks ago, CMA CGM touted Ceva as an important tool in bolstering service continuity in light of the COVID-19 disruption. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 27, 2020

Survey: 59% of US companies would have 2 weeks of stock after halting production

The key is not only surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, but preparing for a "double wave" of significant demand shifts once production resumes, Rapid Ratings CEO James Gellert said.

By Morgan Forde • March 27, 2020

Ocean carriers blank sailings on Transpacific, European routes as importer demand drops

Maersk announced three new blank sailings this week that would have served trade on European, Mediterranean and Transpacific routes.

By Matt Leonard • March 27, 2020

Digital procurement marketplace connects hospitals responding to coronavirus outbreak

The Exchange tosses out standard allocation models in favor of connecting procurement professionals through a global network.

By S.L. Fuller • March 26, 2020

What procurement managers should expect from a 'bullwhip on crack'

Slight variations in demand at the retail level grow larger until they reach the manufacturer. This bullwhip effect is playing out in real-time in the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • March 26, 2020

CSX says leaner operations, more tech will help reduce emissions 37% by 2030

The railroad seeks to meet this target by employing technology and operational strategies to increase fuel efficiency. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 26, 2020

India, Bangladesh extend lockdowns, factories remain closed

The Indian government extended its lockdown order Tuesday, which was initially followed by multiple factories announcing closures. Factories in Bangladesh face a cascade of canceled orders.

By Matt Leonard • Updated April 14, 2020

How health systems are responding as COVID-19 squeezes the medical supply chain

Procurement of supplies will become more difficult if cases surge and federal stockpiles don't trickle down to the state level quickly enough.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 25, 2020

IHS Markit: March Flash PMI posts steepest decline since 2009

Manufacturers reported the first contraction in new business and orders in over a decade amid sharp declines in supplier capacity and customer demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Morgan Forde • March 25, 2020

Nike optimizing supply and demand daily to weather coronavirus storm

Previous investments in digital tools will allow the company to snap back whenever consumer demand returns while keeping and paying employees, executives said Tuesday. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 25, 2020

The apparel industry had an inventory problem before coronavirus. What now?

With such an unprecedented set of restrictions and uncertainties, universal recommendations are hard to come by for "nonessential" retailers and wholesalers, but some trends are starting to surface.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 24, 2020

Today's supply chains are too lean

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dangers of just-in-time principles and lean inventories.

By Rich Weissman • March 24, 2020

Food manufacturing will stay healthy during coronavirus, trade groups say

Leaders of the Consumer Brands Association and the American Bakers Association say their members are rising to the challenge and see no shortages of the basics.

By Megan Poinski • March 24, 2020

United, American Airlines begin cargo-only flights as rates double between Europe and US

As the number of global consumer flights dwindles, so does a large slice of the global airfreight capacity that existed in the belly of those passenger planes.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 23, 2020

Cold chain stays steady as grocery demand heats up

COVID-19 has had minimal effect on warehouse operations, so far. But stakeholders are keeping an eye on staffing and are requesting regulatory help to maintain functionality. 

By S.L. Fuller • March 22, 2020

XPO ends spinoff strategy in light of COVID-19 outbreak

CEO Brad Jacobs' January announcement that he would consider selling off parts of the business was a sign trucking M&A was healthy, but world events have conspired against further plans.

By Jim Stinson • March 20, 2020

McKinsey estimates stock-outs for automotive, retail supply chains by end of March, April

Just-in-time and traditionally low-inventory supply chains could be in danger in the coming weeks as supply out of China continues to be slow and U.S. and EU factories begin to postpone production.

By Morgan Forde • March 19, 2020

US won't suspend China tariffs during coronavirus outbreak

The tariffs present a risk and additional cost to medical supply chains as the need for critical supplies becomes urgent. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 19, 2020

Redundancies, hurricane prep keeping healthcare company Baxter in stock despite COVID-19

The company is constantly monitoring the supply and the demand side to thoroughly understand supplier capacity and prevent hoarding by hospitals, said CEO Joe Almeida. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 19, 2020