Logistics

The Carrier Capacity Crunch

May 11, 2012

Above average percentage increases in transportation costs could indicate your transportation expenses are cutting into your bottom line. Working with a 3PL, you're able to address the cause for the increase and implement some changes to avoid profit erosion moving forward.

Fleet Industry Has Technology Gap, Study Indicates

May 10, 2012

ARI

An overwhelming majority (86 percent) of fleet professionals said at least half of their fleet processes could be made more efficient through technology, but less than half (44 percent) said they will invest in new technologies in the coming year, according to a survey released by ARI, a global fleet services provider. This gap points to a need for technology implementation across the industry as a means of increasing efficiency and decreasing costs.

Idle Container Ship Capacity Falls by a Third

May 9, 2012

JOC Sailings

Container lines have started reactivating their idle container fleets for the summer peak shipping season, which has resulted in a decline of almost a third in idle container ship capacity, according to Alphaliner.

Hong Kong Customs Moves Forward With E-Lock Plans

May 9, 2012

RFID Journal

The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) reports that RFID-based container locks can effectively improve the security, convenience and visibility of the customs process for cargo entering the airport.

Negotiating Supply Chain Agreements in a Time of Unexpected Disruptions

May 9, 2012

Michael OÃ¢â‚¬â„¢Shaughnessy, Attorney, Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.

In the last year the headlines have been full of news about global supply chains and the disasters affecting them. From the Thai floods to the Japanese tsunami, to the tornadoes in Wichita and the Nylon-12 plant explosion in Germany, several fundamental truths about global supply chains have been made more apparent.

DHL Launches Life Sciences and Healthcare Competence Centers in Miami, Atlanta

May 9, 2012

DHL

DHL Global Forwarding has opened Life Sciences and Healthcare Competence Centers in Miami, Fla. and Atlanta, Ga.

Relationship with McLane to Enable Family Dollar to Expand Offerings at Stores

May 9, 2012

Family Dollar

Family Dollar Stores Inc. has entered into a strategic partnership with McLane, a major provider of grocery and food service supply chain solutions. Beginning in September, this partnership will enable Family Dollar to offer customers a broader selection of merchandise, including refrigerated and frozen food, across the retailer's more than 7,200 locations in 45 states.

TierOne Automotive Manufacturer Collaborates with Suppliers, Saving 25% in Inventory

May 9, 2012

Challenge: A multi-billion dollar automotive manufacturer of motor vehicles, engines, components and parts was experiencing significant communication challenges with their global suppliers. The high volume (200,000 parts) and diversity of parts required them to streamline their processes or risk losing customers, money, or both. Their former "push" inventory replenishment system with its one-way faxes and EDI orders could not accommodate any last-minute schedule changes nor did it provide the company or its suppliers with much visibility to stock and orders. Lastly, they needed to improve their supply chain administrative efficiencies internally and among its suppliers to reduce costs.

High Interest Seen in LNG-Powered Vehicles for Industrial Freight, But Adoption Remains Slow

May 8, 2012

PLS Logistics

Natural gas prices are at a 10-year low, and this has increased industry interest in the feasibility of natural gas vehicles for transporting freight. While compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles are appropriate for "return-to-base" vehicles like school buses, garbage trucks and local delivery trucks, liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles, because of their increased range, are currently a better option for long-haul, heavy-duty trucking.

The Benefits of Laser Technology

May 8, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

The total cost of ownership of lasers is cheaper than camera technology, says Jon Stiles, product marketing manager, Accu-Sort systems. But there are decided advantages and drawbacks to each method. He walks the viewer through them.