US, China hit each other with $34 billion in tariffs

China's Commerce Ministry accused the U.S. of "igniting the largest trade war in economic history." 

By Shefali Kapadia • July 6, 2018

Palm oil group suspends Nestlé, but is the company guilty?

Nestlé failed to meet some certification requirements for the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, then wrote a letter raising questions over its value.

By Nicole Ault • July 5, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Risk Management

Risk takes many forms in the supply chain: severe weather, geopolitical uncertainty and labor tensions. Explore the tactics supply chain managers use to prepare for disruptions.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Port of Rotterdam to test post-Brexit customs

The largest container port in Europe will test new customs procedures in November to anticipate the U.K.'s exit from the EU in March 2019.

By Edwin Lopez • July 5, 2018

Tariffs sucker-punch high-debt companies like Harley-Davidson

While the motorcycle company retains good financial strength, significant risk and high debt have investors keeping close tabs on Harley. 

By Shefali Kapadia • July 5, 2018

Europe's largest supermarkets team up to cut better deals from suppliers

Carrefour and Tesco are joining forces to lower costs and better compete with German discount grocers and Amazon's growing presence in Europe.

By Kate Patrick Macri • July 5, 2018

Before the boom: How $1.2B in fireworks get from China to the July 4 celebration

As the country's fireworks industry consolidates, supply chain managers are preparing to avert disruption.

By Craig Guillot • July 3, 2018

Tariffs drive price inflation, hitting metal buyers

One furniture company with a U.S.-based supply chain is expecting a $5 million increase to its cost of goods sold — just from steel.

By Edwin Lopez • July 3, 2018

65% of procurement professionals say regulations increase business risk

While the fundamentals of mitigating risk and reducing costs remain the same, the complexity of risk has increased with the regulatory landscape in flux. 

By Rich Weissman • July 2, 2018

Mattel may underperform in Q2 due to poor inventory management

The toy supplier's financial outlook is not optimistic for fiscal year 2018 based on its struggle to rebound from Toys R Us' liquidation.

By Kate Patrick Macri • July 2, 2018

3 years after an outcry, Patagonia brings wool back to its supply chain

As the apparel brand investigated its wool sourcing, it encountered significant challenges with traceability and suppliers willing to change their practices. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 28, 2018

Tim Hortons to build two new warehouses

The project aims to expand the distribution network in Canada but comes amid tensions between franchisees and the restaurant chain's parent company. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 27, 2018

Cargill aims to cut carbon emissions 15% by 2020

The initiative seeks to meet the United Nation's goals to reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

By Barry Hochfelder • June 26, 2018

LaZBoy CEO: 'It's an uncertain time for cost inputs'

Tit-for-tat tariffs are creating a fickle environment for companies with all-import business models.

By Edwin Lopez • June 26, 2018

Target, CVS join Walmart in collecting emissions data from suppliers

Retailers are opening the door to collaboration with suppliers, creating opportunities to reduce environmental impact and improve the bottom line. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 26, 2018

What are the operations KPIs of the future?

A new wave of indicators — from queue time to disruption impact — is emerging to show investors and executives alike how well a company is performing.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • June 26, 2018

High beef consumption, low interest in leather creates surplus of hides

Understanding societal trends and human behavior is at the forefront of business decisions, especially in industries with by-products.

By Rich Weissman • June 25, 2018

'EU Blockathon' hopes to find a solution to eliminate counterfeits

The worldwide blockchain competition, hosted by the European Union Intellectual Property Office, is the first step in protecting supply chains and e-commerce sites from fakes.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 25, 2018

UPS and Teamsters reach a deal to normalize weekend deliveries

The tentative deal would grant the 3PL labor peace to expand into Sunday deliveries in exchange for more trucking jobs, better benefits and a $4.15 wage boost.

By Edwin Lopez • June 22, 2018

Out-of-stocks could be costing retailers $1T

Amazon Prime members, facing empty shelves, are 52% more likely than other consumers to take out their phones and buy what they need online, IHL's research found.

By Daphne Howland • June 22, 2018

Carbon dioxide crisis strains food and beer supply in Europe

Soccer fans in England may be unable to watch Sunday's game with a Heineken in hand if the issues persist.

By Edwin Lopez • June 22, 2018

Food companies struggle to overcome high freight costs

Some are investing in their own private fleets, while others are diversifying their shipping options and reducing the frequency of deliveries. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 21, 2018

Sourcing natural ingredients for cosmetics opens 'Pandora's box of risk'

About 30% of the ingredients in common cosmetics come from mined or agricultural commodities, many of which are linked to poor labor conditions.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 21, 2018

Antibiotic supply chains need better management to fix shortage

Precise demand planning, sourcing and distribution strategies could help offsets the costs of "risky" R&D.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 21, 2018

Apple's screen solutions threaten suppliers' security

Choosing to stick with LCD screens to keep prices low, the tech company will not be using as many OLED screens on the new iPhones.

By Nicole Ault • June 20, 2018

Amazon ramps up 3PL competition with launch of 'Hub by Amazon'

The storage solution in apartment buildings will challenge logistics providers to rethink distribution. 

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 20, 2018