Improve visibility by going beyond the linear supply chain model

COVID-19 has made it clear that organizations must lean into dynamic, collaborative supply networks, the author writes.

By Sean Thompson • Sept. 3, 2020

McKinsey: Fashion industry needs deeper supplier collaboration to cut emissions

More than 70% of apparel and footwear emissions originate in the supply chain before most brands take possession of finished goods, according to the firm.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 27, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Risk Management

Risk takes many forms in the supply chain, including severe weather, geopolitical turmoil and trade uncertainty. Explore the tactics supply chain managers use to navigate disruptions. 

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Help. My supplier was on the news this morning.

Call it guilt by association. Supplier reputation is one more supply chain risk a buyer needs to monitor and manage.

By Rich Weissman • Aug. 27, 2020

Unilever pilots geospatial, IoT tech to cut deforestation from palm oil supply chain

The company is partnering with Orbital Insight, a satellite imagery and data analytics firm, to meet its deforestation goal and trace supply from factories back to individual forests and farms.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 27, 2020

Walmart: More than 2K suppliers are participating in Project Gigaton

A reduction in supply chain emissions is particularly important to meeting sustainability goals, because Scope 3 makes up nearly 89% of Walmart's total emissions.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 27, 2020

Spot rates jump, ports remain closed as Laura heads north

Experts anticipate disruptions could last for days, due to high-speed winds and flooding in agricultural and energy supply chain hubs.

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Aug. 27, 2020

AstraZeneca taps contract manufacturer to scale vaccine production

The agreement is part of AstraZeneca's efforts to aggressively pursue manufacturing and supply partnerships across the globe ahead of the vaccine's potential launch.

By Kristin Jensen • Aug. 26, 2020

Hurricane Laura expected to disrupt Gulf Coast supply chains beginning Wednesday

The Port of Houston, which handles 70% of the container cargo making land in the Gulf of Mexico, will close Wednesday and possibly Thursday.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 25, 2020

Kind will exclusively source almonds from bee-friendly farms by 2025

The brand is asking its suppliers to reserve 3% to 5% of their farms for pollinator habitat in hopes of curbing the high levels of honey bees that die each year.

By Lillianna Byington • Aug. 25, 2020

Stocked out: Why cleaning product supply chains struggle to meet demand

The disinfectant and cleaning product supply chain relies on a just-in-time approach, making it difficult to radically move the output meter in a short timeframe.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Aug. 20, 2020

What's at stake for supply chains if postal service slows down?

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy says his intention is not to slow down the mail. But postal workers, shippers and small parcel experts contend that's exactly what his policies will do.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 19, 2020

Symrise, Kellogg achieve 2020 goal of 100% responsibly sourced vanilla

Suppliers must adhere to a code of conduct, which includes standards for human rights, health and environmental sustainability, Symrise said.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 19, 2020

USPS will raise commercial parcel rates for peak season

The temporary rate hikes will take effect Oct. 18 and be removed Dec. 27. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 14, 2020

'Made in China' order changes Hong Kong product labels, not tariffs

The labeling switch does not impact a product's tariff designation, but analysts said the "Made in China" label could have a negative effect on brand perception.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 13, 2020

How can managers make their supply chains more agile? 4 experts weigh in.

The ability to remain nimble and react to unforeseen changes across the value chain has proven more beneficial than scenario planning or forecasting for many businesses.

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 13, 2020

Stores went dark. Online orders tripled. How Joann used its OMS to cope.

The retailer de-stressed its technology, and employees, as online traffic tripled typical holiday volumes. 

By Jen A. Miller • Aug. 11, 2020

Why cold chain tracking and IoT sensors are vital to the success of a COVID-19 vaccine

Technology-enabled tracking and monitoring sensors provide real-time visibility into a vaccine shipment's condition — and an opportunity to intervene before damage is done.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Aug. 11, 2020

Strike ends at Port of Montreal, operations resume

During the 11-day strike, container terminals closed their gates to trucks as port workers protested overtime cuts and changes to premium pay for nights and weekends.

By Jim Stinson • Updated Aug. 24, 2020

US reverses decision to reimpose aluminum tariffs on Canadian imports

The initial announcement to reinstate the 10% duties came as manufacturers faced a shortage of aluminum cans.

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated Sept. 16, 2020

US orders government to prioritize domestic drug supply chain

A directive announced by the president Thursday would require government agencies to buy certain "essential" drugs from factories in the U.S.

By Ben Fidler • Aug. 6, 2020

EcoVadis: Procurement's sustainability track record getting worse

The pandemic disrupted progress on supplier visibility as it stopped operations and prevented travel and in-person audits — casting doubt on potential improvement in 2020.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 6, 2020

Dear valued supplier: Don't take advantage of the pandemic to raise prices

Nearly every cycle, some business condition creates cost challenges, with many price increases valid but others not. The goal is to separate fact from fiction.

By Rich Weissman • Aug. 6, 2020

CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk and MSC resume operations at Port of Beirut

The port resumed operations on Monday afternoon, according to a notice from Maersk which reported the container terminal saw only minor damage. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated Aug. 12, 2020

Food distributors, restaurants reinvent business models in a scramble to survive

From wine bar to mini grocery store, from restaurant distribution to direct to consumer — food sector firms are pivoting operations to keep business flowing.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Aug. 6, 2020

Fashion industry says purchase order cancellations will endure in Q3 and beyond

Despite reduced optimism about the industry's future, 90% of survey respondents plan to increase hiring over the next five years, particularly in production and supply chain roles.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 5, 2020