Trucking companies blame slow manufacturing for rough 2019 volumes

Landstar expects the weak trucking environment to continue in the coming months and said "it is difficult to predict the economic environment in the back half of 2020."

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 6, 2020

Hyundai, Airbus stop production as coronavirus leaves manufacturers scrambling

Two Hyundai suppliers, Kyungshin and Yura Corporation, have announced plans to increase production outside of China to make up for supply shortages and plan to resume production Sunday at their Chinese locations.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 5, 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

Owed millions, Forever 21 suppliers and lenders take aim at auction plan

Some of the retailer's biggest suppliers say the company has fallen behind on payments and worry that a quick sale process could burn them. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated Feb. 5, 2020

Cummins cuts inventory by $400M anticipating truck production downturn

Private fleets are "awash in excess equipment,” according to ACT Research. Cummins' CEO said Tuesday he expects heavy-duty truck production for North America to be down 40% year-over-year in 2020.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 5, 2020

Learning from Adidas' Speedfactory blunder

Adidas will end its revolutionary manufacturing program this year, but that doesn't mean the principles of distributed operations should be abandoned by other players.

By Adrián Hernández • Feb. 4, 2020

US manufacturing recovered slightly in January but isn't out of the woods

Despite seeing the first signs of growth since July, a number of manufacturers are cautious about making investments in capital projects and hiring while the future of U.S.-China trade relations remains uncertain. 

By Morgan Forde • Feb. 3, 2020

Mercedes-Benz taps blockchain to track emissions in cobalt supply chain

The blockchain platform aims to trace carbon emissions and help the automaker hold suppliers accountable for ethical supply chain practices. 

By Morgan Forde • Feb. 3, 2020

Operations, trade flows halt as coronavirus spreads

Transportation in and out of Wuhan and Hubei Province is shut down, and all terminals at The Port of Wuhan have ceased operations due to a regional quarantine​.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 31, 2020

Supply chains plan for coronavirus disruption

While officials say the outbreak is not a threat to Americans' health, businesses will have to deal with a quarantine in one of China's largest industrial hubs. 

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 29, 2020

When forecasts are misaligned

Coordinating plans across operations, procurement, logistics and finance can be a challenge, especially at large businesses. A central forecasting team can help. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Jan. 28, 2020

DHS targets warehouses to combat counterfeits

Facility owners would be responsible for proactively notifying CBP, if counterfeit or illicit goods are found in their facilities, and complying with agency orders.

By Morgan Forde • Jan. 27, 2020

La Senza's suppliers file to put it in Ch. 7 bankruptcy

The lingerie retailer was sold by L Brands in 2018. Less than a year later, it fell behind on tens of millions of dollars in payments, a vendor alleges. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 27, 2020

Coca-Cola says it won't ban plastic bottles because consumers like them

Head of Sustainability Bea Perez said people like being able to reseal drinks in lightweight packaging, and alternatives could increase the company's carbon footprint and hurt sales.

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 27, 2020

Amazon, DHL, Ikea, others join electric vehicle alliance

The Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance members plan to electrify their fleets within the next five to 10 years.

By Morgan Forde • Jan. 23, 2020

E-commerce deliveries will overrun cities in 1 to 3 years

The World Economic Forum argues the best path forward is to build portfolios of solutions that improve congestion, emissions and unit cost of deliveries. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 23, 2020

Trade war will lead to global recession: survey

The uncertainty surrounding a possible recession requires supply chain managers to tread cautiously and firm up risk management strategies.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 23, 2020

Starbucks sets course for resource positive supply chain

The operational and procurement changes would touch every corner of the company's operation from food sourcing to building construction.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 22, 2020

3 retail supply chain fails of 2019 and how to avoid them in 2020

Supply chains struggled with technology integrations in 2019. Experts believe the ability to bounce back from a crisis will be essential for modern managers. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 21, 2020

Nestlé to invest up to $2B in sustainable packaging

The global company wants to lead the shift to food-grade recycled plastics and accelerate the development of more environmentally friendly solutions with a venture fund.

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 17, 2020

Why procurement planning is critical ahead of Chinese New Year

Smart U.S. companies have plans in place to accommodate disruptions that come with the holiday, such as delayed production, slower shipping and tight capacity.

By Amanda Loudin • Jan. 16, 2020

Trader Joe's, CVS get low marks on chocolate supply chains

If retailers make the decision to buy chocolate based on labor and environmental standards it can help shift the industry in the right direction, Green America noted in its study.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 16, 2020

Sustainable ocean freight gains momentum as Kuehne + Nagel, 7 others forgo Arctic shipping

Eight companies pledged not to use the Northern Sea Route, a pathway through the Arctic which cuts transit times but carries environmental consequences. 

By Morgan Forde • Jan. 14, 2020

Amazon, FedEx, UPS join CBP e-commerce data pilot

The pilot will test whether shippers providing cargo information to the agency upfront will streamline screening processes as e-commerce parcel volumes approach 1.8 million per day.

By Morgan Forde • Jan. 14, 2020

What are the top supply chain trends of 2020? 4 experts weigh in

2019 trends including automation, speedy operations and changing global supply chains will likely carry over and intensify this year.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 13, 2020

Brexit vote paves way for Jan. 31 exit, future of EU trade remains uncertain

The U.K. will remain subject to EU trade laws until Dec. 31, 2020, though the European Commission President called the likelihood of reaching a comprehensive trade agreement by the end of the year "impossible."

By Morgan Forde • Updated Jan. 23, 2020