Is reshoring (the return of manufacturing to the U.S.) really even a debate? A debate would indicate that there are two compelling sides to the argument, but from what I see, the hard and fast facts of the economy preclude a debate.
Drewry's latest Container Leasing report shows that the world's fleet of operationally leased containers grew annually by almost 11 percent throughout 2011-12, although a smaller 6.4 percent is being forecast for 2013, in line with the poorer global trade forecast.
The balance of world economic growth is tipping in another direction. Just as economists have begun lowering their forecasts for China and many other developing economies, the American economy is bouncing back. Japan appears to have turned a corner and is ending almost two decades of grinding deflation. Economic data out of Europe on Wednesday provided the first solid indication that many countries in the euro zone may be escaping the clutches of recession.
Third-party logistics companies with experience in Mexico and strong partnerships with leading Mexican carriers and customs brokers can make cross-border shipping a truly seamless activity, says Dennis McCaffrey of XPO Logistics.
Having completed 16 acquisitions of small logistics companies in the past seven years, Echo Global Logistics knows something about successful takeover strategies. CEO Doug Waggoner talks about the company's growth-through-acquisition initiatives.
A radical new blueprint for how Britain's NHS buys everything - from rubber gloves and stitches to new hips, building work, bed pans and temporary staff - has been unveiled by health minister Dan Poulter.
A new reform-minded government, a stable economy and sound infrastructure are among the factors combining to make Mexico a good market for logistics operations, says Eric Markeset, who is based in Mexico City as principal of consulting firm Tsol.
U.S. imports in July are the highest volume seen in one month since July of 2007. The United States brought in more than 1.69 million twenty-foot containers in July, which is 13 percent higher than last month's volume and 2 percent higher than July of last year.
Li & Fung - the most important company that most American shoppers have never heard of - has long been on the cutting edge of globalization, chasing cheap labor to garment factories first in China, then elsewhere in Asia, including Bangladesh. Now, with sweatshop disasters there drawing international scrutiny, the business is looking for the next best place - perhaps South America or sub-Saharan Africa - where it can steer apparel buyers seeking workers to stitch clothing together for a few dollars a day.
