Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

newsworthy

Acting CBP Commissioner McAleenan to discuss port staffing, trade facilitation vs. enforcement at CONECT cargo conference

Customs and Border Protection head will keynote Northeast Cargo Symposium Nov. 2; other sessions to cover NAFTA renegotiation, carrier alliances, blockchain technology, more.

Acting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will be the keynote speaker at the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) 16th annual Northeast Cargo Symposium, slated for Nov. 2, 2017, in Providence, R.I. McAleenan is expected to discuss CBP's port staffing, balancing the agency's dual missions of trade facilitation and enforcement, and regulatory matters such as the "trusted trader" initiative and the revised de minimis rule. As acting commissioner, McAleenan oversees 60,000 employees, manages a budget of more than $13 billion, and directs CBP's national security and trade facilitation operations.

This year's conference theme is "How changing technology and trade policies will reshape your business." Sessions will address such current hot topics as


  • how Washington's goings-on will affect international trade;
  • the effects of NAFTA renegotiation on trade with Mexico;
  • supply chain applications for blockchain technology;
  • CBP's approach to trade facilitation and enforcement in 2018; and
  • an update on the new ocean carrier alliances.

Speakers will include CBP policymakers, carrier executives, technology providers, industry analysts, and legal experts, among others.

The Coalition of New England Companies for Trade provides advocacy and education on current transportation and trade issues affecting importers, exporters, carriers, customs brokers, government agencies, and others involved in international supply chains.

See the complete conference agenda and registration information.

The Latest

More Stories

Disrupting the furniture supply chain: An interview with Jay Rogers

Disrupting the furniture supply chain: An interview with Jay Rogers

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.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

chart of GenAI effect on workforce

Gartner: GenAI tools create anxiety among employees

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
warehouse worker driving forklift between racks

German 3PL Arvato acquires two U.S. logistics firms

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
photo collage of warehouse tech

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
volvo and waabi self driving truck

Volvo deepens partnership with Waabi for self-driving truck tech

Volvo Autonomous Solutions will form a strategic partnership with autonomous driving technology and generative AI provider Waabi to jointly develop and deploy autonomous trucks, with testing scheduled to begin later this year.

The two companies said they will integrate Waabi's virtual driver system, the Waabi Driver, into the Volvo VNL Autonomous, Volvo’s autonomous truck with redundant systems for enabling safe autonomous operations. The Volvo VNL Autonomous will be produced at Volvo’s New River Valley assembly plant in Dublin, Virginia, and be designed to support diverse operational needs, use cases, and Volvo Group truck brands.

Keep ReadingShow less