We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Change Me
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Change Me
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » The end of our economic winter of discontent?
big picture

The end of our economic winter of discontent?

March 21, 2011
Peter Bradley
No Comments

The end to a long and miserable winter here in the Northeast, the return of the robins and birdsong ought to give rise to the sense of optimism that spring usually brings. More businesslike measures also give some cause for hope. The results of our eighth annual survey of key DC and warehousing metrics are one small indicator that the economic recovery continues, though at a glacial pace.

The authors of the study—Karl Manrodt, a professor at Georgia Southern University, and Kate Vitasek and Joseph Tillman of the consultancy Supply Chain Visions—believe the survey results suggest that DCs are well along in preparing for an upswing in orders—a good sign.

The primary purpose of the survey, conducted each year across readers of DC Velocity and members of the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC), is not to measure economic activity, of course. Rather, it tracks the metrics DC professionals use to monitor operational performance. Perhaps more importantly, the ongoing study provides a useful look at changes and trends in performance against those metrics from year to year.

Overall, the survey results show DCs resolutely on a path of continuous improvement. (Our story on the study outlines the major findings—full results will be available at WERC's website, www.werc.org, in May.) In particular, order cycle times showed marked improvement, a fact the authors attribute to a sense of urgency to meet customer demands even as volumes pick up.

And yet, the recovery still seems fragile to me. Maybe it's the elevated oil prices sparked by unrest in the Middle East and North Africa and their potential to slow—if not derail—the economic recovery. Or perhaps it's due to how uneven this recovery has been. While many businesses are reporting healthy profits, unemployment remains stubbornly high—perhaps because those same businesses are reluctant to ramp up hiring until they feel more secure about the economy's future. Certainly, the devastation caused by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear catastrophe in Japan, the world's third largest economy, must cause concern for business even as we grieve for the victims.

Maybe I'm being pessimistic. Other signs in our neck of the woods look good. The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association reports that its "booked orders" index for January was up 41 percent from the previous year. Companies like FedEx are reporting strong gains and express confidence that they'll be able to impose higher rates as business recovers. And there are others.

It was a long winter, both as a metaphor for the economy and in fact. I'm ready for spring.

Supply Chain Services
KEYWORDS Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) FedEx Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC)
  • Related Articles

    The winter of their discontent

    The unsung heroes of end-of-the-line logistics

    "End of the Line" not top-of-the-line

Peterbradley
Peter Bradley is an award-winning career journalist with more than three decades of experience in both newspapers and national business magazines. His credentials include seven years as the transportation and supply chain editor at Purchasing Magazine and six years as the chief editor of Logistics Management.

Recent Articles by Peter Bradley

From temp to management: interview with Diane Garforth

Watching over intermodal's interests: interview with Joni Casey

Building resilience into the supply chain: interview with Yossi Sheffi

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • A look into the future of robotics

  • Exotec Skypod System Adopted by Gap Inc. to Optimize Returns Process

  • A primer on warehouse robots

  • Roadrunner Freight bolsters LTL capabilities with $50 million in new backing

  • Truck driver availability tightens to three-year low, ACT says

Now Playing on DCV-TV

B56eecf1 4687 42a4 865e c3f3223925f7

How serious are you about controlling your freight costs?

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
If you’ve been feeling like your freight budget is under attack, you’re in good company! Whether you’re looking at the ocean, parcel, LTL, truckload, or air markets, capacity is tight and prices are soaring.RELATED RESOURCES:Rapid AssessmentVisit our websiteSubscribe to our YouTube Channel

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Special Report: Supply Chain Trends in Retail & Consumer Goods

  • Fortify Your Operational Resilience

  • Cold Storage Automation: Leveraging Advanced Technologies to Meet Increasing Demand

  • The modern warehouse: Maximizing productivity and capacity

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing