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  • Robert Zimmerman has been named president of USF Holland, a subsidiary of Yellow Roadway Corp. that offers transportation services throughout a 22-state network in the Midwest and Southeast. Prior to his new appointment, Zimmerman was senior vice president, field operations and sales at Yellow Transportation. He began his career with Yellow in 1982.
  • The Transportation Marketing & Communications Association (TMCA) has named Dick Metzler, executive vice president of DHL Express, the 2005 Marketing Executive of the Year. Metzler was honored for his leadership, professionalism and strategic creativity, with special commendation for his work on DHL's 2004 branding and advertising campaign.
  • Tompkins Associates, a supply chain design and consulting firm, has created the Emerging Technology Center. The center focuses on technologies such as RFID, voice-activated picking and real-time warehouse controls.
  • Rich Stolz is the new senior vice president, sales & marketing, for less-than-truckload carrier Central Freight Lines. In his new position, Stolz will be responsible for defining value-added services for Central's customers, building and training a sales team, and managing the sales and marketing organization.
  • Supply chain software company Tecsys has completed the acquisition of Application Solutions Inc. ASI is a full-service integrator of bar-code-based solutions, warehouse management systems, and managed network and wireless services. In another move, Tecsys has established a presence in Europe under the name Tecsys Europe Limited.
  • Pacer Distribution Services, the warehousing and distribution operation of Pacer International, has made several appointments to its management team. Jeff Lindner is now vice president of sales, which includes the marketing of customized freight-handling services. Jose Tobias is vice president of operations, responsible for managing operations at the company's warehouses and cross-dock facilities. Clem Cleri has been promoted to vice president of PDS Trucking, the operation's local trucking (drayage) provider.

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Economic activity in the logistics industry expanded in January, growing at its fastest clip in more than two years, according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, released this week.

The LMI jumped nearly five points from December to a reading of 62, reflecting continued steady growth in the U.S. economy along with faster-than-expected inventory growth across the sector as retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers attempted to manage the uncertainty of tariffs and a changing regulatory environment. The January reading represented the fastest rate of expansion since June 2022, the LMI researchers said.

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Disrupting the furniture supply chain: An interview with Jay Rogers

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As commodities go, furniture presents its share of manufacturing and distribution challenges. For one thing, it's bulky. Second, its main components—wood and cloth—are easily damaged in transit. Third, much of it is manufactured overseas, making for some very long supply chains with all the associated risks. And finally, completed pieces can sit on the showroom floor for weeks or months, tying up inventory dollars and valuable retail space.

In other words, the furniture market is ripe for disruption. And John "Jay" Rogers wants to be the catalyst. In 2022, he cofounded a company that takes a whole new approach to furniture manufacturing—one that leverages the power of 3D printing and robotics. Rogers serves as CEO of that company, Haddy, which essentially aims to transform how furniture—and all elements of the "built environment"—are designed, manufactured, distributed, and, ultimately, recycled.

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Generative AI (GenAI) is being deployed by 72% of supply chain organizations, but most are experiencing just middling results for productivity and ROI, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc.

That’s because productivity gains from the use of GenAI for individual, desk-based workers are not translating to greater team-level productivity. Additionally, the deployment of GenAI tools is increasing anxiety among many employees, providing a dampening effect on their productivity, Gartner found.

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The German third party logistics provider (3PL) Arvato this week acquired the U.S.-headquartered companies Carbel LLC and United Customs Services, saying the move would grow its client base, particularly in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle segments.

According to Arvato, it made the move in order to better serve the U.S. e-commerce sector, which has experienced high growth rates in recent years and is expected to grow year-on-year by 5% within the next five years.

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Supply chain pros are wary of inflation and labor woes

The top worries that supply chain leaders hope to address with new innovations this year include inflationary concerns (68%) and labor shortages (50%), according to a survey on innovation from the third-party logistics provider (3PL) Kenco.

And many of them will have a budget to do it, since 51% of supply chain professionals with existing innovation budgets saw an increase earmarked for 2025, suggesting an even greater emphasis on investing in new technologies to meet rising demand, Kenco said in its “2025 Supply Chain Innovation” survey.

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