Technology
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Biden orders review of US supply chains after a year of shortages, delays
The review will start with understanding where suppliers are located, but experts say that making big changes could require government assistance.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 25, 2021 -
Courtesy of Spirit Aerosystems
Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems consolidates warehouse space with digital logistics center
The new Global Digital Logistics Center brings what was 500,000 square feet of warehouse space into a seven-story, 150,000-square-foot facility.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 24, 2021 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Maersk
TrendlineWarehouse automation
Robotics, conveyor belts and software become staples of the warehouse as e-commerce grows.
By Supply Chain Dive staff -
Michelle Rock/Supply Chain Dive, data from Getty Images
Deep DiveWhy the automotive supply chain is in a semiconductor jam
A shortage with no quick fix is shutting down production lines around the world, and capacity constraints at tier 3 put automakers' lean operations into question.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 23, 2021 -
Getty Images
Amazon hands over delivery data to researchers for MIT route planning contest
Participants will take into account driver know-how for route-planning algorithms that fit modern, last-mile delivery environments.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 22, 2021 -
JB Hunt partners with Google to provide shippers real-time visibility
Tight capacity has sent cargo owners scrambling to find trucks. And they're turning to digital brokers that provide as much real-time data as possible.
By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 19, 2021 -
Courtesy of Walmart
Walmart says its automated supply chain is 'ready to scale'
There's a limit to how much the retailer can pick, fulfill and ship from stores, the CEO said. Walmart is banking on automation to change that.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 19, 2021 -
Gartner: 77% of companies invest in deeper supplier relationships for resilience
Nearly a year into the pandemic, the buyer-supplier relationship is key to keeping goods flowing and ensuring companies have supply chain transparency.
By A.B. Brown • Feb. 18, 2021 -
Courtesy of Gatik
Gatik's autonomous, middle-mile box trucks go electric
The company, known for its partnership with Walmart, is using EV technology in B2B short hauls.
By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 18, 2021 -
Master Sgt. Hecht, Matt. (2020). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Deep DiveThe PPE supply chain is a case of the 'haves' and the 'have nots'
Gloves and masks are in short supply, and many organizations are blowing through their budgets as they attempt to source in-demand equipment.
By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Feb. 11, 2021 -
6 River Systems
E-commerce warehouse productivity could improve up to 20% with greater automation: Prologis
Researchers estimate that the adoption of automation could reduce the demand for industrial real estate as existing facilities become more productive.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 09, 2021 -
Permission granted by Home Depot
Home Depot opens automated Dallas fulfillment center with hydrogen-powered forklifts
The facility is part of the retailer's $1.2 billion supply chain investment and includes six miles of mechanized lines.
By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 04, 2021 -
Courtesy of 3M
3M increases N95 production rate to 2.5B annually
The ability to expand production of personal protective equipment is thanks, in part, to 3M's agile supply chain and shorter cycle times, the CEO said.
By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 28, 2021 -
Courtesy of Walmart
Walmart will add automated micro-fulfillment to dozens of stores
The retailer's initial tests with automated micro-fulfillment resulted in faster order assembly, and pickup or delivery within an hour.
By Jeff Wells • Jan. 27, 2021 -
Getty Images
Pick speed improves when augmented reality replaces paper: study
The research suggests that some of the main benefits of the technology could be in training new workers and getting them up to speed more quickly.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 26, 2021 -
Permission granted by Roadie, Heather Hughes
Gig economy emerges as key part of the parcel ecosystem
During the pandemic, Instacart, Postmates, Roadie, Shipt and others have moved into new roles, in many cases integrating into retailers' parcel portfolios as an alternative to traditional carriers.
By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 25, 2021 -
Courtesy of H-E-B
4 elements of the next phase of last-mile delivery
The technologies to move retail delivery forward already exist. The next step is fully weaving last-mile services into the retail landscape.
By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 20, 2021 -
Dollar Photo Club
How supply chains adjusted demand forecasts during the pandemic
Demand planners started to bring in data from Google Trends and Amazon marketplaces to better understand unpredictable consumer buying habits.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 19, 2021 -
Wayfair
How Dick's and Wayfair connect consumers with real-time inventory data
The pandemic upped the stakes for data accuracy, as well as the velocity and volume at which it needed to flow.
By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 19, 2021 -
Port of LA to roll out Control Tower with trucking, rail data
The tool will provide more information on dual transactions, as the port begins incentivizing terminals to increase them.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 19, 2021 -
Danielle Ternes / Supply Chain Dive
ColumnPatent Pending: Walmart plans automated order picking, Target floats RFID for freight tracking
Supply chain innovators apply to patent what they see as important tools for the future. Sometimes they're brilliant. Sometimes they're funny.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 15, 2021 -
jotoler. (2016). [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/photos/worker-industry-man-manufacturing-4395772/.
BDO: 50% of manufacturers plan to secure backup suppliers in 2021
Many manufacturers are rethinking their sourcing because of tariffs and high shipping costs, though they're treading cautiously on implementing wholesale changes during the pandemic.
By A.B. Brown • Jan. 14, 2021 -
Courtesy of Verizon
UPS, Verizon, Skyward partner on 5G drone delivery in Florida
Many details on the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but the companies say 5G will be important to scaling delivery fleets.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2021 -
Retrieved from HomeValet on Jan. 12, 2021
Walmart to test refrigerated boxes that store grocery deliveries outside homes
The secure, internet-connected units can hold items at various temperatures and use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, mold and mildew.
By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 13, 2021 -
How DHL optimized packaging at warehouses to cut shipping costs
Determining the ideal mix of carton sizes uses information on items ordered, dimensions, carriers, destinations and shipping costs — all data that retailers and fulfillment centers collect frequently.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 12, 2021 -
Getty Images
CH Robinson, SAS bet real-time demand data can shorten freight bid windows
Demand doesn't change at the pace of an annual contract. The two companies will use their existing tools to drive more agile freight procurement.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 12, 2021
