Global Supply Chain Management

Recycled Energy Development Acquires CHP Projects at Dean Foods Facilities

June 5, 2012

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.

Social Media for the Supply Chain: Help or Hype?

June 4, 2012

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Once a new technology tool becomes embedded in the business world, one tends to forget the doubt and confusion that marked its debut. As anyone over the age of 30 will recall, companies once debated the value of having websites. Early users of the internet were actively hostile to the notion of a network that was created for the defense and academic communities being co-opted by the commercial sector. Now, of course, any business that isn't on the internet is either utterly clueless or not serious about being a success. Yet we seem to be having the same debate all over again, this time centering on the proper role of social media.

Gartner's Top Predictions for Global Logistics Organizations to 2016

June 4, 2012

Gartner Inc.

More than 60 percent of surveyed companies view logistics as non-strategic, yet expectations for near-perfect performance are placing increasing stress on global logistics organizations, according to research and advisory firm Gartner Inc.

The Changing Role of the Business Forecaster

June 4, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

There are two major challenges that companies face today in forecasting, says Bob Leonard, vice president of sales with Forecast Pro. One is the push to drive down to more detail, including smaller time buckets. The other is the need to treat forecasting as an analytical task, instead of just clerical work.

Manufacturing Growth in China Remains Strong, Survey Finds

June 1, 2012

Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium

More than 60 percent of respondents to a recent Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium survey say manufacturing is still on the rise in China. The report, China Supply Chain Perspectives: Operations and Future Investments, reveals the results of a survey completed by nearly 100 North American supply chain executives across all major industry segments that have supply chain operations in China.

What It Takes to Be New Market Leader in Commercial Vehicle Industry

June 1, 2012

Ernst & Young

Six mega trends have been identified that will significantly impact the revenues, costs and profitability of the commercial vehicle industry as demand for trucks and buses evolves with globalization, technology development, regulation and emerging market growth, according to a report from Ernst + Young.

As ERP Market Bounces Back, What Kind of Companies Are Spending Their Money?

June 1, 2012

Technology Evaluation Centers

Since the 2008 economic crisis hit, many firms have been forced to cut back in order to keep their businesses afloat. Enterprise software spending is one area where cutbacks have been most noticeable. But now that the global economy is starting to rebound and information technology budgets are unfreezing, companies are evaluating upgrade or replacement enterprise resource planning systems with added functionality to support their changing business needs.

Senate Ratification of Law of Sea Treaty Strongly Urged by Military, Political Leaders

May 31, 2012

Maritime Executive

In the strongest terms possible, defense and diplomatic leaders have urged the U.S. Senate to ratify the Law of the Sea Convention. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta along with Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. All three urged the committee to approve the treaty.