Success in the global economy requires a shift in strategic vision of the Asia-Pacific region's role in supply chains. While it is no secret that an end to low-cost production in Asia is in sight, smart companies are studying the complexity of APAC region and gaining insight into the roles each country plays in the quickly evolving economic horizon. But visibility into where APAC is today isn't enough; forecasting where it will be next year, five years from now, and further into the future are key to positioning supply chains now for ongoing optimization.

With 2015 off to a good start, IHS Automotive forecasts global automotive sales for 2015 to reach 88.6 million, an increase of 2.4 percent over 2014, continuing an unbroken five-year run of sales recovery and growth from the low point set in the depth of the Great Recession in 2009. However, a slowdown is being signaled with just two of the high-potential BRIC markets likely to see increased sales this year.

SupplyChainBrain and JobsInLogistics have joined forces in 2014 for the specialized purpose of:

Development of clean alternative energy resources has been growing in Canada and contributing significant employment opportunities. However, a new clean energy industry report has concluded that the federal government is ignoring those resources in favor of fossil fuels.

FTR has released preliminary data showing November 2014 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 40,560 units indicating an extremely strong truck market. This is the second consecutive month above the 40,000 level. November order activity, similar to the previous month, was concentrated at a few OEMs with the remainder falling short of October order input. Class 8 orders have totaled an impressive 363,000 in the last 12-month period.

Canadian Tire is pushing the envelope and has developed a 60-foot container that has received government approval and will soon by deployed on multiple lanes.

The total cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers dropped by 0.97 percent in August when compared with July results, according to results published by the Canadian General Freight Index.