Analyst Insight: Facility location planning is a six-dimensional balancing act encompassing long-term facility commitments with need for agility, predictable demand patterns with seasonal and spiky demand surprises, material handling investments with facility flexibility, return on investment with immediate operations effectiveness, cutting-edge technology with common sense, and operational efficiency and cost reduction with technology investment. Consequently, the best FLP results are those that design in the most needed capabilities, leaving space to accommodate the flexibility that drives location success. - Robert Sabath, Principal Essentialist SCM, TRISSENTIAL
Distribution center design has always been a key aspect of supply-chain management. Now it's becoming a "science." Russ Meller, vice president of research and development with Fortna, explains what that means.
Results published by the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI) indicate that the total cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers increased by 1.6 percent in December when compared with November results.
U.S. hospitals spend tens of billions of dollars annually on high-tech surgical implants. But the supply chain for the devices is anything but high-tech. And that drives up costs both for hospitals and implant makers.
Companies that successfully rode out the recession are now looking for better times ahead, but they should be cautious, says a report from Jones Lang LaSalle, which identified five operational issues that companies should remain focused on as the economy continues to strengthen.
Newgistics Inc., a provider of electronic-commerce software and systems for retailers and brands, has entered into a partnership with ShipStation, a Web-based shipping service for online merchants.
Saudi Airlines Cargo is increasing belly capacity on new international routes, with the commencement of passenger flights from Manchester, U.K. to Los Angeles by Saudia Arabian Airlines.
Analyst Insight: Both the public and private sectors in China are taking bold steps to respond to challenges of the new consumption-driven economy. Government measures, though stuck at a policy level in many cases, are addressing the right issues. At the same time, domestic companies are rising up to meet new demands. In 2014, China will see big changes in its core logistics and manufacturing industries. Some of the top areas seeing change include domestic transportation, distribution, import and export, as well as sourcing. - Jim Serstad, Managing Director Asia, Tompkins International
The latest news, analysis, services and systems regarding logistics and freight and their impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are transporting and delivering perishables and manufactured goods in a more timely and efficient manner than ever before through logistics solutions. New technologies that provide information during local and global shipments are transforming the way companies do business - and allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As transportation and distribution services continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies are using logistics and cargo solutions to power their supply chains.
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