DC Velocity

How has the pandemic affected businesses in general and supply chains in particular? Dr. Yossi Sheffi, a professor at MIT, offers some answers in his latest book.

LAST-MILE LOGISTICS

Last-mile providers navigate “the mother of all peaks”

Last-mile logistics had been experiencing a growth spurt leading into 2020. Then the pandemic—and the e-commerce explosion—put it on steroids. How will that change the dynamics of—and the demand for—last-mile service?

November 25, 2020

Gary Frantz

Robotics

No site visits? No problem

Travel restrictions have prevented robotics companies from going out to customers' sites to install their equipment. So now they're finding creative workarounds.

December 14, 2020

Travel restrictions have prevented robotics companies from going out to customers' sites to install their equipment. So now they're finding creative workarounds.

Market Trends: 3PL

In search of industrial space

Warehouses become smarter, more flexible as demand for space heats up.

December 14, 2020

Victoria Kickham

Warehouses become smarter, more flexible as demand for space heats up.

Pallets

It’s all about the base

Rising pallet-supply costs led two innovative suppliers to throw out the old playbook and design a new solution for their clients. The result: a “hybrid” pallet-supply model that slashed one customer’s costs by 31%.

December 7, 2020

Gary Frantz

In Person

In Person interview: Ed Bowersox of CJ Logistics America

In our continuing series of discussions with top supply-chain company executives, Ed Bowersox of CJ Logistics America discusses peak season, the benefits of lean, and the need for resiliency.

December 11, 2020

David Maloney

In our continuing series of discussions with top supply-chain company executives, Ed Bowersox of CJ Logistics America discusses peak season, the benefits of lean, and the need for resiliency.

APPLICATIONS

Getting better all the time: Saddle Creek’s continuous upgrades

Periodic technology modernization projects help 3PL boost fulfillment, accuracy, and speed to handle customers’ steadily growing order volumes.

December 9, 2020

Periodic technology modernization projects help 3PL boost fulfillment, accuracy, and speed to handle customers’ steadily growing order volumes

Billy Footwear sneakers with colorful stars

APPLICATIONS

Shoemaker finds its elves with ERP software

Fast-growing Billy Footwear speeds fulfillment with help from SAP, ShipStation, and Shopify technology.

December 12, 2020

Fast-growing Billy Footwear speeds fulfillment with help from SAP, ShipStation, and Shopify technology.

APPLICATIONS

Films/adhesives manufacturer develops new pandemic-era order-scheduling playbook

Covid-induced demand spikes and customer plant shutdowns threw Flexcon’s scheduling operations into disarray. Consulting company LeanCor helped it create order from the chaos.

December 13, 2020

Diane Rand

Covid-induced demand spikes and customer plant shutdowns threw Flexcon’s scheduling operations into disarray. Consulting company LeanCor helped it create order from the chaos.

Peak season will test retooled supply chains, survey shows

Peak season to test retooled supply chains

Businesses continue to adjust to pandemic-related challenges, including accelerated e-commerce and related delivery demands, survey shows.

October 19, 2020

Businesses continue to adjust to pandemic-related challenges, including accelerated e-commerce and related delivery demands, survey shows.

Consumer spending drives V-shaped recovery from pandemic recession, Drewry says

E-commerce shopping soars as buyers find more cash in their pockets after shutdowns cancel costs of commuting, vacations, and entertainment.

October 16, 2020

E-commerce shopping soars as buyers find more cash in their pockets after shutdowns cancel costs of commuting, vacations, and entertainment.

Retail supply chains tested this holiday season, survey shows

Contactless shopping, free returns, and a smooth delivery process rule the day this holiday season

Retailers that can pivot to meet consumers’ changing shopping patterns will reap the biggest gains this peak season, survey shows.

October 20, 2020

Victoria Kickham

Retailers that can pivot to meet consumers’ changing shopping patterns will reap the biggest gains this peak season, survey shows.

Rooftop solar panels help power Ashley Furniture DC in PA

Furniture maker is greening its DCs

Ashley Furniture Industries furthers its sustainability goals with solar installation at its Leesport, PA, manufacturing and distribution facility.

October 29, 2020

Ashley Furniture Industries furthers its sustainability goals with solar installation at its Leesport, PA, manufacturing and distribution facility.

TIA names DOT official Reinke as new CEO

3PL trade group returns to federal government for leadership after departure of longtime chief Voltmann.

October 19, 2020

3PL trade group returns to federal government for leadership after departure of longtime chief Voltmann.

3PL adjusts to pandemic demands with new air freight, PPE arms

Logistics Plus launches international air charter and medical import services as virus continues to squeeze cargo flows.

October 27, 2020

Logistics Plus launches international air charter and medical import services as virus continues to squeeze cargo flows.

Online marketplaces seize growing revenue share during pandemic e-commerce boom

Retailers look to return online sales to their own websites, Geodis and Accenture survey shows.

October 8, 2020

Retailers look to return online sales to their own websites, Geodis and Accenture survey shows.

Material handling sector needs to woo generations Z and Alpha

Youngest workers will lead industry’s adoption of cloud computing, robotics, and machine learning, MHI panel says.

October 13, 2020

Youngest workers will lead industry’s adoption of cloud computing, robotics, and machine learning, MHI panel says.

Ryder launches $50 million venture capital fund to back supply chain tech startups

Initiative follows similar investment arms at logistics powers like Zebra, Maersk, UPS.

October 28, 2020

Initiative follows similar investment arms at logistics powers like Zebra, Maersk, UPS.

Five rail operators join forces to tag train cars with telematic sensors

“Rail Pulse” initiative could improve safety, make rail more competitive with other freight modes, partners say.

October 23, 2020

“Rail Pulse” initiative could improve safety, make rail more competitive with other freight modes, partners say.

INBOUND

PERC launches webpage on carbon monoxide safety

Resources include infographic depicting the symptoms of CO exposure and emissions comparisons of propane equipment versus diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles.

December 7, 2020

Resources include infographic depicting the symptoms of CO exposure and emissions comparisons of propane equipment versus diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles.

INBOUND

The power of positive drinking

Last-mile delivery firm comes up with unique plan to keep drivers alert during holiday rush.

December 8, 2020

Last-mile delivery firm comes up with unique plan to keep drivers alert during holiday rush.

Inbound

Trucker teams up with MIT to create "roadmap to improve driver efficiency"

U.S. Xpress says initiative will help it make the most of its drivers' roadtime.

December 14, 2020

U.S. Xpress says initiative will help it make the most of its drivers' roadtime.

INBOUND

The shirts, they are a-changin’—into dog leashes

UPS “upcycles” old driver uniforms into leashes for homeless pets.

December 11, 2020

UPS “upcycles” old driver uniforms into leashes for homeless pets.

Inbound

Chemical company launches program to turn waste into fuel

Norwegian manufacturer says surplus hydrogen could power 1,000 cars per year.

December 14, 2020

Norwegian manufacturer says surplus hydrogen could power 1,000 cars per year.

INBOUND

Logistics gives back: December 2020

Here's our monthly roundup of some of the charitable works and donations by companies in the material handling and logistics space.dc v

December 8, 2020

Here's our monthly roundup of some of the charitable works and donations by companies in the material handling and logistics space.

BIG PICTURE

Railroads: Still on track

Despite the pandemic, railroads have made progress on a number of fronts in 2020.

December 9, 2020

David Maloney