Logistics

China Denies Status of World's Largest Trader

March 7, 2013

China has a new status its government doesn't want - world's biggest trader. Trade data from both governments indicate China passed the United States last year in total imports and exports by a margin of $3.86tr to $3.8tr. That is about $44bn, or just over one percent of China's total.

Air Menzies International Sets Up Operations in India

March 6, 2013

Air Menzies International

Air Menzies International, a global trade-only airfreight and express wholesaler, has set up a new regional division to foster its development in India, and launched its own operation in Mumbai.

Legacy Supply Chain Services Acquires Vitran SCO

March 6, 2013

Legacy Supply Chain Services

Legacy Supply Chain Services has acquired Vitran Corporation Inc.'s Supply Chain Operation (Vitran SCO).

You Can't Be Too Careful When Choosing a 3PL Partner

March 6, 2013

Kyle Gholston, Vice President, Conexus

A recovering housing market, record level U.S. exports and improved unemployment numbers are all key factors pointing to a slow but steady economic recovery in the United States. But while companies are celebrating their profits and looking at improved sales in the months and years ahead, far greater concerns loom on the horizon for shippers as the ever talked about driver shortage becomes a reality.

Seven High-Tech & Electronics Supply Chain Priorities to Focus on in 2013

March 6, 2013

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: During 2012, high-tech industry executives recognized that optimizing supply chain operations is directly related to profitable growth, higher operating margins and capital efficiency - each of which helps create value. While new products matter, factors such as selection, price, availability and service also enhance the buying experience. - Gene Tyndall, Executive Vice President, Tompkins International

Global Supply Chain Management Requires Knowing What - and When - to Outsource

March 6, 2013

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: The worldwide logistics market has experienced a growth rate of approximately 7 percent annually, which is notable given logistics costs average about 12 percent of total revenues globally. Of this total, an average of 46 percent is spent through outsourced relationships, which drove total spend in North America alone to $134bn in 2011. Given this growth and the increasing complexities of global trade, selecting the appropriate services to outsource and structure mutually beneficial relationships with logistics providers is critical. - Aaron Pernat, Senior Manager, and Gary Allen, Executive Director, both in Ernst & Young's Supply Chain Advisory Practice

A Much More Holistic Approach Is Required in Forecasting & Demand Planning

March 5, 2013

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Despite extensive writing from IDC Manufacturing Insights last year extolling the virtues of supply chain responsiveness "” and that in many cases investments in responsiveness might well be better served than investments in forecasting "” manufacturing supply chains continue to rate "making improvements in planning and forecasting" among their top investment priorities. Not that responsiveness isn't important, just that companies believe there is still more progress to be made in things like forecast accuracy. - Simon Ellis, Director, Supply Chain Strategies Practice, IDC Manufacturing Insights

Logistics Providers Must Improve European E-commerce Offering, Report Says

March 5, 2013

Transport Intelligence

Although mail, express and logistics companies are benefiting from the growth of e-commerce in Europe, to date few service providers have developed the sophisticated services which e-retailers demand.

Smaller But More Frequent Retail Orders

March 5, 2013

Scott Moran, Kane Is Able; Brian Gibson, Auburn Univ.; John Slinkard, Sun-Maid

Asian Supply Chain Optimization Improves On-time Delivery, Margin for European OEM Components

March 1, 2013

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: The automotive industry is an orchestration of marketing, logistics and product development. This orchestration, which leads to higher complexity and demand, requires that many parts be available in manufacturing and services. And this global and complex way of looking at a problem drives the European automotive industry to operate in Asia, as well as localize their supply chains for sales in Asia. However, the logistics for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) between these two continents sometimes become complex. - Thomas Wiedmann, Managing Director, Europe, Tompkins International