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Showing posts from November, 2022

House approves bill focused on reaching a deal between railroad carriers and labor unions

The uncertainty regarding the impasse between freight rail carriers and rail labor unions received some potential clarity earlier today, when the United States House of Representatives signed off on H.J. Res. 100, whose objective is to “provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved differences between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers’ Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees,” according to the bill’s text. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/house_approves_bill_focused_on_reaching_a_deal_between_railroad_carriers_an

OneRail heralds $33 million Series B funding round

Orlando-based OneRail, a provider of final mile delivery services for enterprise shippers via a delivery fulfillment SaaS platform, announced it has closed its $33 million Series B funding round. This most recent round of investment brings the company’s total capital raise to $54.5 million, going back to its seed round in 2020. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/onerail_heralds_33_million_series_b_funding_round

Q&A: Karl Siebrecht, CEO of Flexe

Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman recently caught up with Karl Siebrecht, CEO of Seattle-based Flexe, the first and largest on-demand warehousing solution, which connects organizations in need of warehousing services to those that have excess capacity and a desire to generate new revenue streams. Siebrecht addressed various topics, including: the state of that warehousing economy; the impact of BOPIS (buy online pickup in store) on e-commerce and the shifts between online and in-store shopping as it relates to warehousing; and Peak Season challenges, among others. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/qa_karl_siebrecht_ceo_of_flexe

6 Truths About Business Spend Management Technology

There’s a lot of pressure on today’s CIO. So when the procurement and finance teams recommend a new supplier for their spend management system, it might seem safest for you to recommend the ERP vendor’s solution instead. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/6_truths_about_business_spend_management_technology

AAR-hosted call makes the case for railroad carriers and labor unions to avert a strike

On a media conference call hosted by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), various industry associations made their respective cases for Congress to step in to help resolve the ongoing dispute between the remaining four railroad labor unions yet to ratify terms of a tentative labor agreement and the United States-based Class I freight railroads. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/aar_hosted_call_makes_the_case_for_railroad_carriers_and_labor_unions_to_av

5 Tough Love Tips to Choosing the Best TMS Software

Acquiring the best transportation management system for your company’s present and long-term success is doable, but it requires a certain amount of due diligence and change in perspective. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/5_tough_love_tips_to_choosing_the_best_tms_software

President Biden calls on Congress to aid in settling railroad differences

As the clock ticks towards December 9, the end of the status quo, or “cooling off” period, for the four remaining railroad labor groups yet to ratify the terms of the tentative agreements with United States-based Class I freight railroad carriers, President Biden yesterday called on Congress to pass legislation to “adopt the Tentative Agreement between railroad workers and operators—without any modifications or delay—to avert a potentially crippling national rail shutdown.” source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/president_biden_calls_on_congress_to_aid_in_settling_railroad_differences

How Supply Chain Can Teach Us About the Future of Professional Education

Labor problems are currently one of the most pressing issues in society, especially when it comes to finding talented people for current and future jobs. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/supply_chain_can_teach_us_much_about_the_future_of_professional_education

Status quo period for holdout rail labor unions is set to end on December 9, says NCCC

While the current status of railroad labor negotiations remains in somewhat of a holding pattern, the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC), an organization representing the nation’s freight railroads in national collective bargaining, said last week that the current status quo, or “cooling off” periods for unions that have yet to ratify terms of the tentative agreement between the unions and the railroads have been extended to 12:01 A.M. on December 9. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/status_quo_period_for_holdout_rail_labor_unions_is_set_to_end_on_december_9

New app aims to help drivers with sleep apnea stay safe behind the wheel

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a respiratory disorder characterized by a reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep, affects as many as half of the nation’s 3.5 million long-haul truck drivers. But it’s a problem that potentially affects all highway users. That’s because those drivers are five times more likely to have accidents, according to safety data. The good news, however, is that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has determined that treated drivers can be as safe as those without the disease. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/new_app_aims_to_help_drivers_with_sleep_apnea_stay_safe_behind_the_wheel

TMH and Toyota Motor North America donate electric forklift to food bank

Phoenix-based food bank Mom's Pantry receives a new electric walkie stacker from Toyota Materials Handling (TMH) and TMNA. The machine was also customized by TMH to ensure its height was adequate to clear the food bank facility’s loading entry. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/tmh_and_toyota_motor_north_america_donate_electric_forklift_to_food_bank

Accelerate Business Growth with the power of IoT and T-Mobile® Control Center

T-Mobile Control Center accelerates business growth by harnessing the power of Internet of Things (IoT) through custom platforms and flexible solutions. Enterprises can monitor and track assets in near-real time to improve efficiency, optimize logistics, and gain deeper insights into their operations. Download this paper and learn more about T-Mobile for business. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/accelerate_business_growth_with_iot_and_t-mobile_control_center

How Business Leaders Can Speed Up IoT Deployments

Many companies are speeding or scaling up wireless IoT solutions to optimize costs and improve business efficiencies. But to create manageable, large-scale IoT deployments is a complex process. Download this paper to learn more. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/how_business_leaders_can_speed_up_iot_deployments

A railroad strike remains a possibility in the days leading up to the end of ‘cooling off’ periods

What happens from here remains to be seen, of course. But let’s hope, as Yogi Berra noted, that it is not already getting late too early and that freight is able to keep rolling down the tracks without a strike getting in the way. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/a_railroad_strike_remains_a_possibility_in_the_days_leading_up_to_the_end_o

James W. Schlusemann elected board president of SME

The non-profit organization, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary, announced its 2022 election results and installed its new officers, directors, and council representatives during a ceremony at its SME Fall Gala conducted Nov. 6 in Atlanta. Their terms begin in January 2023. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/james_w._schlusemann_elected_board_president_of_sme

Cass Freight Index points to annual October gains

October’s shipment reading—at 1.224—saw a 2.9% annual gain, falling short of the September’s 4.8% annual increase and was also below August’s 1.278 reading, which marked the highest level for shipments since May 2018. On the expenditures side, the report said that October’s 4.399 reading marked an 11.1% annual increase, and rose 52.4% on a two-year stacked change basis source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/cass_freight_index_points_to_annual_october_gains

Automate Your Warehouse With Low Risk

At its foundation, customer satisfaction means speed and simplicity. Only automation can meet both these challenges and future-proof systems to ensure consistent operations and place distribution as a strategic lever. Download this doc to learn more about warehouse automation. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/automate_your_warehouse_with_low_risk

STB Chairman Oberman assesses freight rail conditions and service at RailTrends

Oberman described 2022 as a “demanding year” for the STB, due to the pending Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, as well as he termed a “service meltdown” by Class I railroad carriers, which he said had been brewing long before the onset of the pandemic. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/stb_chairman_oberman_assesses_freight_rail_conditions_and_service_at_railtr

FedEx Freight preps for December furloughs

Various reports issued this week indicated that FedEx Freight, the less-than-truckload (LTL) subsidiary of Memphis-based global freight transportation and logistics services provider FedEx, will begin furloughing employees early next month, in order to be in line with lower-than-expected levels of demand. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/fedex_freight_preps_for_december_furloughs

PECO Pallet opens new service depot in Mississauga

Third depot PECO has established to serve the greater Ontario area and the 11th location in Canada. Expands resources in Ontario serving local retailers, grocery and beverage distributors with high-quality rental pallets supporting efficient supply chain operations source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/peco_pallet_opens_new_service_depot_in_mississauga

Wireless Charging for the Materials Handling Industry?

In this special podcast, Resonant Link CTO Aaron Stein discusses why the lift truck industry is ripe for an energy transformation. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/wireless_charging_for_the_materials_handling_industry

Addverb and McMurray Stern partner to deploy warehouse robotics to customers

Combines McMurray Stern's fully integrated storage options with Addverb's fixed and flexible robotic solutions and software. The strategic partnership will focus on providing Addverb's robots, including Multi-Pro (Mother-Child Pallet Shuttle), Zippy (Guided Sortation Robot), Quadron (Carton Shuttle), and Dynamo (Autonomous Mobile Robot) to deliver streamlined and cost-effective automation systems to McMurray Stern's customers. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/addverb_and_mcmurray_stern_partner_to_deploy_warehouse_robotics_to_customer

TMS+ Go Beyond Transport to Optimize Cost, Service, & Resiliency

In this paper, we discuss why a holistic, “TMS+” approach is integral to success in the new normal and beyond,e outline how the TMS+ breaks down silos to optimize across inventory, transport, logistics, and order management concurrently, intelligently, and in a timely and relevant manner for cost, service, risk, and sustainability. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/tms_go_beyond_transport_to_optimize_cost_service_resiliency

What changes are in store for the 3PL sector?

The 3PL industry has flourished for over 25 years in providing non-asset services. However, in the near future the focus of 3PLs is likely to shift to having assets. That’s a major shift. To prepare for it, let’s take a look at where 3PLs have been. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/what_changes_are_in_store_for_the_3pl_sector

Carolina Handling Creates World’s Largest Pallet Painting

Carolina Handling set the record for creating the world’s largest pallet painting on October 10 in Greenville, South Carolina when it completed a 26,235-square-foot portrait of Lady Liberty. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/carolina_handling_creates_worlds_largest_pallet_painting

Vertical Lift Modules

This white paper examines three bottom-line benefits of this nontraditional warehouse solution that are ideal for industries such as automotive, electronics, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and small parts distributors. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/vertical_lift_modules

Scaling Mobile Robots for Success

AMR deployments have been gaining ground to address labor availability issues. Fleets often start small in pilots and add robots over time, but how do you get to a better system? Success factors include proper solution scoping, RaaS options, integration platforms, and may involve software to orchestrate multiple AMR fleets. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/scaling_mobile_robots_for_success

2023 Gartner Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends

This eBook provides an overview of the technology trends and their opportunities, benefits, and use cases - and some key actions for implementation. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/2023_gartner_top_10_strategic_technology_trends

UPS heralds new Dublin-based healthcare facility set to open in 2023

Atlanta-based global freight transportation and logistics services provider UPS recently announced that its UPS Healthcare subsidiary is gearing up for an expansion in Ireland, with what it called a Dublin-based “first of its kind healthcare facility” set to open in late 2023. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/ups_heralds_new_dublin_based_healthcare_facility_set_to_open_in_2023

Who’s using AIDC in the warehouse & DC?

VDC Research’s David Krebs provides an update on automatic identification and data capture solution adoption and how the hardware and software help companies achieve their warehouse and DC throughput goals in the tight labor market. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/whos_using_aidc_in_the_warehouse_dc

Ascend LLC acquires Fuchs Trucking

Established in 1955, Fuchs Trucking initially hauled livestock and forest products, subsequently moving to serving building materials and furniture sectors by offering dedicated capacity with specialized dry van configurations. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/ascend_llc_acquires_fuchs_trucking

Port Tracker report points to ongoing slowing of imports, with retailers’ inventories at high levels

For September, the most recent month for which data is available, import volume—at 2.03 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—fell 10.2% compared to August and were off 4.9% annually. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/port_tracker_report_points_to_ongoing_slowing_of_imports_with_retailers_inv

Werner announces its acquisition of ReedTMS Logistics

Omaha, Neb.-based Werner Enterprises, a global freight transportation and logistics services provider and the nation’s seventh-largest truckload carrier, said this week it has acquired Tampa, Fla.-based Reed Transport Services Inc. and RTS-TMS Inc., through the signing of a definitive agreement and closing on the acquisition of 100% of Reed’s stock. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/werner_announces_its_acquisition_of_reedtms_logistics

American Eagle Outfitters’ outside fulfillment game strategy

American Eagle Outfitters has long been a leader in e-fulfillment inside its distribution centers. The next step: Move outside the four walls with a distributed fulfillment network that is shared by other like-minded retailers to compete with the big guys. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/american_eagle_outfitters_outside_fulfillment_game_strategy

2022 Warehouse/DC Operations Survey: Recalibrating operations and spending

Capital expenditure expectations for the coming year declined, though there are still signs of sizable automation budgets and interest in warehouse technology. The bigger picture revolves around continued struggles with upstream supply chains, inventory management and space. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/2022_warehouse_dc_operations_survey_recalibrating_operations_and_spending

MFC solution provider Fabric strikes alliance with Reply for supply chain execution capabilities

Fabric’s robotic capabilities and automation to gain integration connector, higher-level orchestration functions, via partnership and integration tie-in to the LEA Reply supply-chain execution platform source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/mfc_solution_provider_fabric_strikes_alliance_with_reply_for_supply_chain_e

Improve your Order Fulfillment Operation with Roaming Shuttles

In this special podcast, Vanderlande’s Jake Heldenberg, discusses the role shuttles can play in optimizing warehouse operations and reducing the cost of labor. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/improve_your_order_fulfillment_operation_with_roaming_shuttles

NRF’s holiday sales forecast optimistic, amid economic concerns

The holiday sales forecast numbers are encouraging, with NRF forecasting holiday retail sales for increase 6%-to-8% annually, coming in between $942.6 billion-to-$960.4 billion. In 2021, retail sales were up 13.5% compared to 2020, due likely to the timing of the pandemic in 2020, at $899.3 billion, setting a new all-time record. What’s more, it said that over the last 10 years, holiday retail sales have seen an average increase of 4.9%, with the caveat that pandemic-related spending over the last couple of years represented a large portion of those gains. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/nrfs_holiday_sales_forecast_optimistic_amid_economic_concerns

5 Ways Supply Chains Can Flourish in an Inflationary World

Supply chain and procurement professionals are being called to manage their organizations' value chains in highly challenging macroeconomic conditions, it is important to have visibility into inflation indices like the consumer price index and producer price index inflation. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/5_ways_supply_chains_can_flourish_in_an_inflationary_world

Echo Global Logistics announces acquisition of Fastmore Logistics

Echo officials said that Fastmore’s domestic operations are similar to those of Echo’s, with the real benefit of bringing Fastmore into the fold is that it offers up what it called a unique point of entry into an expansive network of expedited brokerage for the international freight forwarding market through various types of equipment, including: cargo vans, straight trucks, and full truckload. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/echo_global_logistics_announces_acquisition_of_fastmore_logistics

Key Considerations When Evaluating Warehouse Automation Software Platforms

This white paper offers an overview of the key warehouse automation software features and characteristics to consider—and why they are important for your operational success—when comparing the different options available on the market today. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/key_considerations_when_evaluating_warehouse_automation_software_platforms

Services economy output grows in October while declining sequentially, reports ISM

The Services PMI—at 54.4 (a reading of 50 or higher signals growth)—fell 2.3% compared to September, growing, at a slower rate, for the 29th consecutive month, with services sector growth intact for 151 of the last 153 months through October. What’s more, the October Services PMI reading came in at its lowest level going back to May 2020’s 45.2. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/services_economy_output_grows_in_october_while_declining_sequentially_repor

Warehouse Technology For Today and Beyond

In this white paper, we look at why warehouse automation is no longer viewed as a potential addition to warehouses, instead, it has become crucial to implement quickly to reduce risk and add flexibility to ever-changing business needs. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/warehouse_technology_for_today_and_beyond

Outsourcing Your Supply Chain

Listen in as Rosemary Coates and Hannah Kain Founder, and CEO of ALOM, discuss outsourcing and managing your global supply chains. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/outsourcing_your_supply_chain

Yellow’s net falls sharply as it completes network optimization in West

Yellow posted third quarter net income of $4.8 million on $1.36 billion revenue in the third quarter. That was about half its year-ago net income of $8.3 million on $1.30 billion revenue. Third-quarter operating income was $49.1 million, which included a $1.1 million net gain on property disposals. In comparison, operating income for the year-ago quarter was $48.4 million. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/yellows_net_falls_sharply_as_it_completes_network_optimization_in_west

Is Industrial Real Estate Recession-Proof?

Some experts argue that low unemployment, record corporate earnings, and GDP growth in Q3 indicate that the U.S. is not yet in a recession, many economists agree that a recession is coming soon. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/is_industrial_real_estate_recession_proof

CALSTART research forecasts strong growth in zero-emission off-road equipment

Zero-emission off-highway assessment project's scope includes lift trucks, involves collaboration with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Forklifts and underground mining equipment seen as successful market segments for electrification progress. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/calstart_research_forecasts_strong_growth_in_zero_emission_off_road_equipme

LEGACY Supply Chain Announces Deployment of eCommerce Fulfillment Technology Solution

The deployment of advanced automation technology from 6 River Systems, a leader in the fulfillment technology industry, consists of collaborative robots, or cobots, that help optimize fulfillment operations, support labor productivity and increase order throughput. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/legacy_supply_chain_announces_deployment_of_ecomm_fulfillment_technology

Warehouse Technology For Today and Beyond

In this white paper, we look at why warehouse automation is no longer viewed as a potential addition to warehouses, instead, it has become crucial to implement quickly to reduce risk and add flexibility to ever-changing business needs. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/paper/warehouse_technology_for_today_and_beyond

Manufacturing activity remains in growth mode as sector’s dynamics start to shift, reports ISM

The report’s key metric, the PMI, was 50.2 (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth), following September’s 50.9 and back-to-back readings of 52.8 in July and August, growing, at a slower rate, for the 29th consecutive month, coupled with the overall economy also growing for the 29th consecutive month. This represents the lowest PMI reading, going back to May 2020’s 43.5. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/manufacturing_activity_remains_in_growth_mode_as_sectors_dynamics_start_to