We have seen companies look at different ways to deliver orders to customers, and bikes have become more commonplace in busy cities for this reason. But Walmart is looking at bikes in a different way. In the spring of 2022, Walmart created a new position among the roughly 15,000 employees who work at its headquarters […]
Why are shippers interested in benchmarking and why are we hearing more about it lately? Benchmarking helps ensure they are getting the most out of their supply chain and also provides a platform for further optimization. In this article, we will discuss why benchmarking is so important, how it works, and how you can use […]
A transportation management system (TMS) helps companies move freight from origin to destination efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively. The primary reason companies buy a TMS is for freight savings. These freight savings can be attributed to simulation and network design, load consolidation and lower cost mode selections, and multi-stop route optimization. As freight costs have continued […]
Bugaboo: something that causes fear or distress out of proportion to its importance. When it comes to running a company, when things break down executives have traditionally said “we need to improve our forecasting!” Would better forecasting accuracy be a good thing? Absolutely! Unfortunately, most companies cannot, and will never be able to, consistently rely […]
A few weeks ago I wrote that Little Brown Bakers, the manufacturer behind Girl Scout Cookies, is warning of unforeseen supply issues that will be impacting both manufacturing and distribution of its treats. The company said that digital orders could take longer than normal to fulfill due to unforeseen supply chain shortages, but in-person distribution […]
ProMat 2023, for those that could not attend, this is a great overview of some of the exhibitions I found most interesting, including Pickle Robot’s container/trailer unloading robot, HAI Robotics 32 ft ACR, Addverb’s extensive robotics portfolio previously unknown to me, and the warehouse optimization capabilities of Manhattan Associates, Blue Yonder, Lucas Systems, Koerber Supply Chain, and […]
There are several young supply chain software companies that are unicorns. A unicorn has a valuation of over $1 billion. One of the more interesting is o9 Solutions. In January of 2022, Dallas-based o9 Solutions was valued at $2.7 billion after a funding round. Based on their growth, the company may be worth even more […]
Happy St Patrick’s Day! It’s a day to wear green, and apparently, spend some green as well. Every year, the National Retail Federation conducts a survey on St. Patrick’s Day spending. This year, 61 percent of consumers plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, up from 54 percent in 2022 and the highest in the history […]
Körber Supply Chain Software (Körber SCS) hosted its 2023 Elevate User Conference in Orlando this week. The conference theme was finding your rhythm – a fitting metaphor for supply chains across the globe as they return to more predictable patterns after experiencing disruptive fits and starts over the last couple years. Körber acquired enVista’s Enspire […]
Retail supply chains are complicated, with factories, container ships, and communication networks spanning thousands of miles across the globe to connect raw materials with end consumers. Supply chains have become complex webs of global activity due to the emphasis logistics managers have placed on the first mile, crossing oceans in search of affordable labor and […]