Since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, many of the old Communist-era restrictions for setting up business have been removed. For some logistics companies, the largest barriers to entry come not from Chinese red tape but from other Western competition.
The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought with it increased focus on "connected products." As manufacturers work to retrofit existing products with connectivity and build it into new products, they are faced with the question of how these connected products will transform the after-sales services they provide, and possibly even their business models.
Sometime this summer, a United Airlines flight will take off from Los Angeles International Airport bound for San Francisco using fuel generated from farm waste and oils derived from animal fats.
Challenge: For a company that built its reputation on flawless customer service, this Tennessee-based B2B supplier of safety equipment was disheartened by its chronically late, and frequently error-laden shipments to Canada. Mistakes seemed to be happening throughout its entire distribution chain: Incorrect SKUs, inefficient transit routes, high costs and ineffective technology systems were among the many problems.
Challenge: When a large U.S. B2B supplier of gardening tools and equipment decided to expand to the Canadian market, it enlisted its U.S.-based logistics provider to service its new Canadian customers, and assumed all would proceed as planned.
Ever-rising customer-service expectations are roiling the home-delivery business. Chris Sullens, chief executive officer with Marathon Data Systems, talks about what customers want today, and how service providers are working to shrink the time between order and delivery.
Revenues for U.S. 3PLs, which provide services ranging from booking truck drivers to managing warehouses, rose 7.4 percent to $157.2bn last year, faster than the 2.8 percent growth in logistics spending overall, according to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, which recently released its annual State of Logistics report.
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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