Logistically Minded: A talent shortage pervades the supply chain

From warehousing to manufacturing and innovation, talent is critical to new investments and productivity gains.

By Edwin Lopez • May 5, 2017

Tesla may partner with recycling firm to help close its loop

The automaker is known for its sustainability initiatives, but could they just be cost-reduction strategies shrouded in green benefits?

By Edwin Lopez , Jennifer McKevitt • May 3, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Supply Chains

Retailers are making operational investments and adjustments to maintain supply chain resilience. Here’s how.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

UPS, Sealed Air debut Packaging Innovation Center

The facility aims to help solve packaging and shipping challenges facing e-commerce retailers by maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, reducing shipping costs and increasing brand affinity.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017

Airbus delivery targets in jeopardy in 2017 following supplier issues

The number two plane maker will be stretched this year, threatening overall profits.

By Jennifer McKevitt • May 1, 2017

Are capital and labor costs mutually exclusive when automating?

High capital costs and labor concerns can detract from innovation, but a recent example shows the two may not be mutually exclusive.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 28, 2017

Logistically Minded: NAFTA trade rose despite fiery rhetoric, but is the economy weakening?

Economic indicators showed a strong first quarter, but recent reports show growth is vulnerable to commodity price shifts and fickle consumer spending.

By Edwin Lopez • April 28, 2017

Regulators hear industry concerns on self-driving trucks

With autonomous tech on the horizon, the FMCSA is actively seeking out industry opinions to create regulations that prioritize safety but don't harm innovation.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 27, 2017

CIPS identifies 7 types of supply chain risk with new tool

Building resilience and agility is the best way to adapt to seemingly inevitable risk, but the first step is knowing where risk lies.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 27, 2017

SAP launches 3-D printing application linking procurement with UPS' next-gen network

UPS has the network. SAP has the platform. Now, their clients have a way to order 3-D printed parts on the cloud-based platform.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 26, 2017

J.B. Hunt launches freight marketplace

The trucking giant is investing heavily in its technology infrastructure and talent pool in a drive to boost its status as a supply chain solutions leader.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 25, 2017

Tesla foregoes prototypes in race to develop Model 3

The decision to skip a stage of the manufacturing process is a gamble with industry norms that could prove game-changing and costly at once.

By Edwin Lopez , Jennifer McKevitt • April 25, 2017

The bigger the supply chain, the greater the need for advanced analytics

Yet, companies must first ensure they have the talent, need and infrastructure to implement such solutions.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 24, 2017

Report: Execs know the benefits of IoT, but are failing to implement the tech

Recent data suggests the industry may be stuck in a state of inertia as structural challenges like a talent shortage hamper innovation. 

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 24, 2017

Logistically Minded: Trade policy and industrial real estate are deeply intertwined

The nation's logistics hubs have millions of dollars in trade and hundreds of thousands of jobs to loose if protectionist trade stances prevail.

By Edwin Lopez • April 21, 2017

Apple may delay iPhone upgrade over supply shortages

Supplier-buyer relations often come into play when shortages threaten production timelines.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 21, 2017

Toyota, Port of Los Angeles jointly study feasibility of zero-emission trucks

The partners imagine a world without the 6% annual U.S. emissions from trucks, although Toyota's not alone in the race for clean trucking.

By Edwin Lopez , Jennifer McKevitt • April 20, 2017

Macy's RFID effort boosts sales, fulfillment

The store's effort to tag all items by the end of 2017 is already paying off by lowering inventory variance, reducing markdowns and improving display compliance.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 20, 2017

Report: Spreadsheets add multiple levels of risk to operations

The potential for user-error and lack of scalability in spreadsheets limit supply chain planning and efficiency, yet they remain widely popular in the industry.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 20, 2017

How e-commerce logistics is changing cities

On-demand delivery shifted consumer expectations and forced supply chains' digital infrastructure to improve. Now the physical infrastructure is catching up, too.

By Edwin Lopez , Jennifer McKevitt • April 19, 2017

Procurement must go digital to keep up with the pack

Just because procurement is a relationship business does not mean the department is free of waste.

By Edwin Lopez , Jennifer McKevitt • April 18, 2017

OOIDA asks Supreme Court to review ELD decision

The truckers' association is not giving up in its war against electronic logging devices, but hopes of success seem dim.

By Edwin Lopez • April 17, 2017

Brick and mortar: Retailers' last-mile advantage over Amazon?

The e-commerce giant may have raised the stakes for retail supply chains, but retailers can leverage their stores for last-mile excellence.

By Edwin Lopez • April 17, 2017

Why drone delivery still has a long way to go before takeoff

High-profile drone delivery demonstrations continue, but frequent market use is years away, and hurdles must be overcome.

By Dan O'Shea • April 13, 2017

Logistically Minded: March saw tight timelines, high production efficiency in strong economy

Meanwhile, this week's M&A news sparks speculation the trucking industry may see further consolidation in 2017.

By Edwin Lopez • April 13, 2017

Supply chains must collaborate with cities to improve logistics

As e-commerce and urbanization rise, so too will demand for logistics infrastructure — how can cities and businesses partner to minimize congestion and boost efficiency?

By Edwin Lopez , Jennifer McKevitt • April 13, 2017