For years, supply chains were engineered to be lean. Reducing cost was the primary objective, and most operational decisions—from sourcing to fulfillment—reflected that mindset. But today’s global environment is more unstable than it was a decade ago. Lean models alone are no longer sufficient. Recent years have brought a series of disruptions that exposed vulnerabilities […]
The manufacturing sector is facing unprecedented volatility in global trade, with tariffs becoming the latest in a series of uncertainty drivers that are impacting virtually all industries. Trade policies are constantly evolving, forcing companies to assess how these changes impact customer demand, supply networks, fulfillment strategies, and cost to serve. Supply chains need to be […]
Interos, a company providing supply chain resilience and risk management software, emailed me to say that there was a supply chain risk everyone seemed to be ignoring – AI-related risks. Companies use risk management software, like the Interos solution, to monitor and analyze supplier risk events in real time. These are big data platforms that […]
Maritime transport is the main artery of global trade. The intricate networks of shipping routes, ports, and inland terminals have strengthened the interconnectedness of the world economy, and maritime shipping is the critical mode of global transport. The 2024 report, The Review of Maritime Transport, prepared by UN Trade and Development, highlighted several significant trends […]
This is the time of year when analysts get bombarded with pitches from PR firms. The pitches share a “sneak peek” of the predictions that a CEO at a solutions company is making and then asks the journalist if they want to interview the CEO. These predictions mostly seem obvious. I got a pitch from […]
Global trade is riddled with uncertainties. Trade agreements have long existed to try to reduce some of that uncertainty, create a more even playing field, or to create mutually advantageous trade conditions between specific countries. The significant increase in tariffs proposed by the upcoming Trump administration adds to the challenge of businesses working to safeguard […]
As automation continues to evolve in logistics, two technologies are becoming central to modern delivery methods: autonomous drones and autonomous vehicles. Both are advancing through operational trials led by companies like Amazon, UPS, Alphabet’s Wing, Tesla, and TuSimple. However, each technology serves different purposes within logistics, and the question remains: Which will ultimately shape the […]
