Nearly all major ocean carriers have announced plans to stop providing chassis to U.S. truckers at key shipping locations. But it's far from clear how that decision will play out.

The big name in cereal and snacks seeks to improve forecast accuracy through the adoption of a new tool that supplements traditional supply-chain planning processes with a broader range of information about actual customer demand.

As part of a program to cut costs and guarantee the lowest prices on the market, the big retailer seeks to boost its reliance on direct sourcing. But the change will require a major overhaul of its IT supply-chain infrastructure for dealing with key suppliers.

While red-carpet treatment is sometimes extended to celebrities who have done little or nothing to deserve it - can you say Kardashian? - most of the time such recognition is reserved for people who have actually achieved something. Often that means they have done something helpful or beneficial for others. And that's the group we celebrate in this, our annual 100 Great Supply Chain Partners issue.

As margins shrink, Advanced Energy Industries Inc. looks to the supplier side of its supply-chain management efforts with a new sourcing solution.