The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has urged chemical plants to weigh the risks of natural disasters just as they would the integrity of pipes and production equipment.

Orders for the mining machines and construction bulldozers made at this sprawling Caterpillar Inc. factory in central Illinois have jumped, in general, three-fold over the past year.

About a hundred years ago, the United States reached “peak horse.” In 1920 some 25 million horses roamed the plains, boulevards, cul-de-sacs, rodeos, stockyards, ports, farms, and dingy alleys of America — toting freight, plowing fields, fighting wars, carrying passengers on buggy rides, and making a complete mess.

Gartner, Inc. has released the results of its annual Supply Chain Top 25, identifying supply chain leaders and highlighting their best practices. Analysts announced the results at the Gartner Supply Chain Executive Conference last week in Phoenix.