Global Supply Chain Management

U.S. Import Regulations on Canadian Meat Products Said to Be Too Restrictive

June 7, 2012

A simplified "Product of Canada and the USA" labeling system should apply to beef and pork as well as livestock raised, processed, and traded between Canada and the United States, says a study released by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian public policy think tank, and the Competitive Enterprise Institute of Washington, DC.

Watch Out for 'Gotchas' in Outsourcing Contracts Because They Are About More Than Price

June 7, 2012

Outsourcing Center

Negotiating a good outsourcing agreement involves much more than just achieving the pricing you desire. As you go through the process, you will go through the normal "give and take" discussions as you work with your potential provider(s). However, it is important that you do not focus solely on pricing.

Report Explores Value of Integration in Logistics Outsourcing

June 7, 2012

Saddle Creek Logistics Services

Why are many companies choosing to outsource a variety of logistics functions to a single provider? They recognize the positive impact that integration can have on their company's supply chain, according to a new study just released by Saddle Creek Logistics Services.

3PL Cost Control Strategies

June 7, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

Knowing how to effectively manage fuel costs is an important skill for 3PL providers, particularly in the current environment of volatile and spiking oil prices, says Skip Wendel, global vice president for consumer and retail at UTi Worldwide.

U.S. Manufacturing is Gaining Ground, But the Rate Varies from Region to Region

June 6, 2012

Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program

U.S. manufacturing has been one of the few bright spots of the recovery, restoring 489,000 jobs since the beginning of 2010. However, there are some significant geographic distinctions in that recovery, says a recent report.

Mobile Applications in Transportation

June 6, 2012

Jeff Vielhaber, Vice President, Operations, TTS

According to the Pew Research Center, one-third of U.S. adults own a smartphone. With smartphones dominating the consumer market, it is more possible now than ever to conduct business while on the move. What does this mean for the transportation industry? It means drivers can have the increased ability to communicate transit information to agents and carriers, while agents can have a snapshot of every load they've brokered in their pocket. In essence, mobile applications provide the opportunity to take a streamlined approach to operational efficiency in the transportation industry.

Online Retail Will Be Main Driver in Developing Distribution Space in Europe, Report Finds

June 6, 2012

CBRE

The major expansion of internet retailing is expected to be the biggest driver of activity in the European logistics market - and the need for distribution space - in the coming three years, according to a survey conducted by global real estate advisor CBRE.

Recycled Energy Development Acquires CHP Projects at Dean Foods Facilities

June 5, 2012

Recycled Energy Development

Recycled Energy Development (RED) has acquired the combined heat and power (CHP) projects at Dean Foods' facilities in City of Industry, Calif., and Franklin, Mass. Each project will produce approximately 2.0 megawatts of electricity and 4.5 MMBtu/hr of thermal energy from clean natural gas.

The Human Factor in Demand Forecasting

June 5, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

With all of the advances in forecasting technology and software, it's tempting to conclude that people don't need to play a direct role in the process anymore. But the opposite is true, says Jonathon Karelse, vice president of corporate development and strategic planning with Wholesale Tire Distributors.

Trends in Industrial Real-Estate

June 5, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

Strength is returning to the market for mid-sized warehouses, though vacancies remain high for facilities of 100,000 to 200,000 square feet, says Rob Wheeler, vice president for industrial services at Cresa Chicago. Cresa Chicago is a real estate firm that works only with tenants. With 55 offices in North America, it is "the biggest real estate firm you've never heard of," Wheeler says.