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

European, US manufacturers shut down as China comes back online

Factory shutdowns will quickly ripple through the supply chain to impact the suppliers, logistics partners and other businesses that work with manufacturers on a regular basis. 

By Matt Leonard • Updated March 24, 2020

53% of US manufacturers expect operational impact from coronavirus: survey

Operational changes include the implementation of business continuity plans involving workplace sanitation, limiting in-person interaction and managing shifts to account for an uptick in worker absences, according to The National Association of Manufacturers.

By Matt Leonard • March 17, 2020

PwC: Coronavirus is moving supply chain into the board room

In a survey conducted last week, 90% of 50 the CFOs said if the coronavirus outbreak disappeared today, it would take their companies three months or less to regain normal function.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 17, 2020

Trucking demand surges as retailers restock

Analysts said demand spikes and spot rate increases are "directly attributable" to the COVID-19 outbreak as retailers attempt to restock depleted stores. 

By Matt Leonard • March 17, 2020

IGA looks to China operations for coronavirus guidance

Chinese supermarkets stretched to the limit by the crisis offer a glimpse of the challenges and solutions that grocers in the U.S. face.

By Sam Silverstein • March 16, 2020

CDC chief: Certain materials critical to coronavirus tests​ 'now are in short supply'

Separately, the government announced funding for development of COVID-19 diagnostic tests meant to detect the pathogen in about an hour. 

By Greg Slabodkin • March 13, 2020

62% of procurement, supply chain managers experiencing supplier delays from China

Companies that shifted sourcing to countries outside of China, such as Vietnam, could be better positioned to weather coronavirus-related disruptions, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

By Morgan Forde • March 12, 2020

Airfreight rates from China to US climb 27% in 2 weeks as demand surpasses capacity

Flight cancellations out of China have removed 5,100 tons of capacity from China per day on average, which has led to a 36% year-over-year decline in total airfreight capacity out of mainland China.

By Matt Leonard • March 12, 2020