Supply chain trade & visibility

source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/2023_general_rate_increase_guide_for_fedex_ups_shipping

Attendees are looking for more automation, robotics and tech solutions to move their supply chains into the future source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/survey_promat_2023_attendees_have_big_spending_plans

That's how Grainger is putting the E in ESG source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/minimize_shipments_minimize_miles_and_maximize_what_goes_into_the_trailer

Company is offering five courses with once-a-week sessions and on-demand components source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/smc3_opens_up_registration_for_ltl_educational_certification

WiM elects 20 members to its 2023 Board of Directors, with their terms starting on April 1, 2023 source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/women_in_manufacturing_association_announces_2023_board_of_directors

A new survey finds SCMs can provide valuable insight that improves customer service. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/its_time_to_make_supply_chain_managers_a_c_suite_partner_says_report

The Brother Titan Industrial Printer goes above and beyond industrial printing expectations. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/putting_the_ultimate_industrial_warehouse_printer_to_the_test

Meet soaring consumer demands with top quality, more speed, and less lag. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/the_5_biggest_challenges_facing_todays_warehouses_and_how_to_tackle_them

Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 51.8, an increase from the January index of 48.5. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/equipment_finance_industry_confidence_improves_again_in_february

ProMat 2023 is back in person, with 35% more floor space, more than 1,000 solution provider exhibits as well as educational sessions and keynote presentations. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/promat_primed_for_return_to_chicago_in_2023

January’s shipment reading—at 1.124—saw a 4.3% annual increase and up 1.3% compared to December. Expenditures—at 4.096—saw a 1.7% annual increase and were down 3.2% compared to December. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/january_cass_freight_index_report_sees_annual_shipments_and_expenditures_ga

With the focus turning to sustainability, one ITAD company is taking steps to step up its recycling and reporting efforts. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/enabling_the_circular_economy

Seattle-based digital freight network Convoy introduced a new service that it said provides shippers with dedicated truck and trailer capacity that can flex to accommodate surges in freight. Entitled Convoy Dedicated On Demand, the company said this new service offers shippers things like cost stability and quality service expected from traditional asset carriers, coupled with the company’s flexibility, for sourcing a single truck or an entire fleet in a matter of days. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/convoy_rolls_out_new_dedicated_on_demand_offering

In a project considered to be a first, Element Logic, AutoStore, RightHand Robotics, and Apotea blend robotic cube storage with robotic piece picking to be able to deliver approximately 50,000 orders per day. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/swedish_online_pharmacy_apotea_integrates_piece_picking_solution_with_autos

In survey of nearly 500 professionals, 71% of companies report cloud/hybrid will be preferred method for labeling in next three years source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/survey_cloud_seen_as_preferred_deployment_method_for_labeling_challenges

There will be no merger, acquisition or combination of any sort involving Yellow Corp. and any of its rival less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers. That’s the final word on that from none other than Yellow CEO Darren Hawkins, who says he has enough going on within his $5 billion company. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/yellows_hawkins_dismisses_ltl_merger_rumors_with_a_no_way_no_how_response

For the month of January, Descartes noted that U.S. container volumes—at 2,068,943 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—were up 7.2% compared to December’s 1,929,032 TEU, which were down 1.3% compared to November, and its largest December to January increase in the last six years. While volume saw a sequential gain, they were down 16.1% annually, with the caveat that this tally was only 0.3% below a pre-pandemic January 2019. The report also noted that even though the Lunar New Year was in January, the subsequent impact on import volumes won’t be felt until later this month and into March. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/solid_import_volume_growth_is_the_key_theme_of_descartes_global_shipping_re

Mark Lippert becomes just the sixth president in company history source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/hamilton_caster_mfg._co._names_new_president

The last few years in commerce have been a whirlwind in many ways, just three years ago we first heard terms like “curbside pickup” and “contactless” shopping experiences with Omnichannel fulfillment taking center stage. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/simplifying_supply_chain_complexities_with_an_order_management_system

The decision to purchase a warehouse management system (WMS) is a critical initiative for your company’s success, the 2021 WMS RFP Template empowers you to objectively grade prospective vendors on the solutions they offer. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/warehouse_request_for_proposal_template

In these two 'papers we discuss everything retailers need to know about an order management system, and how to select the best OMS that enable enables rapid omnichannel transformation and profitability. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/the_ultimate_guide_best_practice_for_selecting_an_order_management_systems

Fiscal year 2023 first quarter earnings results, for the United States Postal Service (USPS), which were issued yesterday, saw a 1.0%—or $206 million—increase in operating revenue, to $21.5 billion, with volumes down 1.7 billion pieces—or 4.8%—annually. While operating income increased, USPS said that it had a $1.0 billion net loss, which it said was a $519 million decrease in net loss compared to a $1.5 billion net loss, for the same quarter a year ago. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/usps_reports_mixed_fiscal_first_quarter_earnings

Kotek spend 32 years of service at the company, 14 as president and CEO source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/kotek_retiring_from_menasha_drees_to_succeed

Rail carloads—at 216,700—were off 0.9% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers—232,886—were off 2.9%. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/u.s._rail_carload_and_intermodal_volumes_are_down_for_week_ending_february

Yellow Transportation, which has about 10% market share in the less-than-truckload (LTL) environment, paid the price for slackening demand in the overall trucking market in the fourth quarter. But Yellow executives say they are buoyed about the LTL market based on contract renewals coming in last month with 5-to-6% rate increases. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/yellow_ceo_hawkins_says_hes_bullish_on_america_despite_tougher_ltl_environm

MHI announced the four finalists chosen as the most innovative products in each category - Best New Innovation; Best Innovation of an Existing Product; and Best IT Innovation based on concept, value, and impact. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/promat_2023_mhi_innovation_award_finalists_announced

Robotic putwalls have replaced manual putwalls to address labor challenges and speed orders through packing. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/inside_the_radial_facility_using_robotic_putwalls

Well, it’s time to brush the dust off the suitcase and hope the khakis and blazer aren’t too snug, because early reports suggest ProMat 2023 (March 20 to 23) is going to be a whopper. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/hit_the_road_for_inspiration

PECO using advanced modeling and cost analysis tools to optimize pallet depot operations, improve network efficiency leading to enhanced customer service and reduced supply chain risks. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/peco_pallet_partners_with_optilogic_for_supply_chain_modeling_and_optimizat

Our annual reader survey finds that many are looking to implement or improve their systems across numerous areas, and when it comes to decision factors for evaluating systems, total cost of ownership and integration gained in importance, while concern over parts availability declined. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/warehouse_automation_survey_levels_and_total_cost_of_ownership_tco_concerns

A major source of contention between United States Class I railroads and 12 railroad labor unions leading up to the brokered deal between the parties, in order to avert a strike, in early December, focused on the number of sick days railroad workers were allowed to have. Signs of progress on that front were made clear this week, with Jacksonville-based Class I freight railroad carrier CSX saying it has come to terms on agreements for two unions—the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way (BMWED), which represents engineering employees, and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC), which represents mechanical workers—with both unions representing around a cumulative 5,000 railroad workers. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/csx_announces_agreement_on_paid_sick_leave_with_bmwed_and_brc

Find out what 1,000 supply chain decision-makers across four major markets plan to do to optimize costs and business spend across their organizations, manage risk, build resilience, and improve their supply chain agility. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/supply_chain_agility_in_an_ever_changing_world

Technology like assistive picking mobile robots, intuitive mobile devices and LMS can help overcome labor management challenges. But it also takes best practices like structured goal setting, in-person communication and employee engagement to be best positioned to maximize labor resources. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/labor_management_technology_methods_progress

Power transmission equipment is not only starting to look different, but operate differently, too. This is a time when sustainability, decentralization and digitalization are all having a far reaching impact. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/a_new_look_for_motors_gearboxes_and_gears

A recently-released report by Brookfield, Wisc.-based supply chain consultancy Armstrong & Associates highlights the pandemic-driven swings the pandemic has had on the third-party logistics (3PL) sector, from various perspectives, including revenue, costs, and services, among others. Entitled, “Downshift: Latest Global and Regional Logistics Costs and Third-Party Logistics Market Trends and Outlook,” the report is replete with 3PL market data and analysis, taking a look at the recent past and what may be in store, in the coming years, too. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/armstrong_report_takes_a_look_at_a_downshifting_in_the_global_3pl_market

With an 8.3-cent decrease, the national average fell to $4.539 per gallon, which was preceded by a 1.8-cent increase, to $4.622 per gallon, for the week of January 30 and an 8.0-cent increase, to $4.604, for the week of January 23, with a 2.5-cent decline, to $4.524, for the week of January 16. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/national_weekly_diesel_average_falls_for_the_first_time_in_three_weeks_repo

One Six Solutions recently helped a third-party logistics company implement a Data Warehouse solution that utilizes a modern cloud data architecture to reduce maintenance overhead as well as allow the client to scale in size as their data needs continue to grow. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/3pl_provider_improves_ecommerce_fulfillment_wms_data_architecture

In this podcast, Jeff Berman, Group News Editor for Logistics Management and the Peerless Media Supply Chain Group, interviews Jonathan Gold, Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy, for the National Retail Federation (NRF). source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/sizing_up_the_2023_retail_logistics_landscape_with_jonathan_gold_nrf

Modern sat down with Michael Field, President and CEO of Raymond Corporation to discuss the pallet industry. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/60_seconds_with_michael_field_ceo_of_raymond_corporation

The Services PMI—at 55.2 (a reading of 50 or higher signals growth)—increased 6.0% over December’s 49.2, which was down 6.9% compared to November’s 55.5. Through November, the Services PMI had grown for 30 consecutive months. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/january_services_economy_activity_sees_a_solid_start_to_2023

The Services PMI—at 55.2 (a reading of 50 or higher signals growth)—increased 6.0% over December’s 49.2, which was down 6.9% compared to November’s 55.5. Through November, the Services PMI had grown for 30 consecutive months. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/january_services_economy_activity_sees_a_strong_start_to_2023

In this podcast, Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman interviews Greg Oberting, Founder and CEO of Rail Modal Group, an intermodal logistics provider. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/intermodal_logistics_greg_oberting_rail_modal_group

This paper first examines why existing supply chain management practices do not naturally develop resilient supply chains and why some of the existing supply chain processes are not suitable for addressing such risks and required responses. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttp://www.supplychain247.com/paper/risk_resiliency_and_supply_chain_modeling

The supply chain is comprised of market and socio-economic-political conditions, but it is also comprised of people, people who can intelligently plan and continuously optimize execution across the network to enable your company to be resilient. source https://www.supplychain247.comhttps://www.supplychain247.com/article/will_the_supply_chain_improve_and_what_does_agility_resiliency_mean_in_2023

The Services PMI—at 55.2 (a reading of 50 or higher signals growth)—increased 6.0% over December’s 49.2, which was down 6.9% compared to November’s 55.5. Through November, the Services PMI had grown for 30 consecutive months. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/january_services_economy_activity_sees_a_strong_start_to_2022

Research firm predicts CAGR of 16% through 2027 for the market for software used to control, execute, and manage the operations of automated warehouses. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/interact_analysis_warehouse_automation_software_market_to_near_6_billion_by

Even before the pandemic, the idea of managing a streamlined global freight transportation network was considered by many as the single biggest challenge facing U.S. companies looking to build a universal brand—no matter the industry. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/global_logistics_vexing_issues_linger

A leading manufacturer and distributor of critical medical and surgical supplies incorporated nearly nine years of experience with goods-to-person robots in the design of a new flagship facility. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/medline_builds_on_success_with_mobile_robotics

As international trade volumes continue to hit records every year, shippers of all sizes are turning to applications to gain visibility and control of their global trade processes and GTM vendors are there to answer the call. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/global_trade_management_update_simplifying_complexity

With the help of its 3PL partner, Musco Family Olive Co. converted its manual processes to an automated transportation management system, allowing the shipper to lower its total spending by more than 10% in the first year. Here’s how this shipper implemented new solutions for age-old problems. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/musco_a_well_oiled_supply_chain

A key theme in Atlanta-based global freight transportation and express delivery and logistics services provider UPS’s fourth quarter earnings call yesterday centered around its contract with the Teamsters, which is set to expire on July 31. On the earnings call, UPS CEO Carol Tomé made it clear where UPS is coming from, in. advance of its negotiations with the Teamsters, noting that the Teamsters have very important to the company for the better part of the last 100 years. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/ups_addresses_teamsters_contract_set_to_expire_this_summer_in_earnings_call

ProMat 2023 is back in person, with 35% more floor space, more than 1,000 solution provider exhibits as well as educational sessions and keynote presentations. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/promat_2023_primed_for_return_to_chicago

As the glue that holds supply chains together, software continues to play a vital role in the smooth running of these critical global networks. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/7_supply_chain_software_trends_to_watch_in_2023

The report’s key metric, the PMI, at 47.4 (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth), down 1.0% from December’s 48.4, contracting, at a faster rate, for the third consecutive month. The last three months of contraction, through January, were preceded by a stretch of 29 consecutive months of growth. ISM also said that the overall economy contracted, at a faster rate, in January, for the second consecutive month, which was preceded by 30 consecutive months of growth. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/january_pmi_falls_but_remains_in_close_range_to_estimates_reports_ism

American Trucking Associations (ATA) President and CEO Chris Spear urged Congress to take steps to exercise oversight over the implementation of the law, officially called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Truckers want to ensure that taxpayers and the supply chain get the maximum return on the $1.2 trillion of investment the legislation provides. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/truckers_urge_congress_to_assure_infrastructure_funds_address_new_construct

Under the partnership, Logiwa’s cloud-based warehouse management platform integrates with eHub’s API to simplify the complexities of the shipping process source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/logiwa_and_ehub_partner_to_improve_shipping_experience

New business models are transforming last mile delivery. Not all will survive. source https://www.supplychain247.com/article/last_mile_delivery_is_ripe_for_re_invention