Regulation & Compliance

Study Conducted by Three U.S. Universities Suggests Ways Pentagon Can Cut Billions

July 18, 2012

As with most government agencies, the U.S. Department of Defense faces intense pressure to be more efficient in how it spends tax dollars. Building greater trust with defense contractors might be the solution, according to a new study sponsored by the U.S. Air Force and co-authored by professors from the University of Tennessee, Auburn University and the University of Alabama.

Airfreight Group Argues for 'Harmonized' Approach to Risk Assessment on U.S. Model

July 17, 2012

Air Cargo World

In a position paper, the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group warned against the issuance of ad-hoc directives about the utilization of advance electronic data for airfreight security. Instead, the coalition encouraged governments around the world to take cues from the industry and look to the Air Cargo Advance Screening pilot program currently under way in the U.S. for guidance.

EU Won't Participate in Anti-Counterfeiting Treaty After All

July 12, 2012

News Factor

The European Parliament overwhelmingly defeated an international anti-piracy trade agreement after concern that it would limit internet freedom sparked street protests in cities across Europe. The vote - 39 in favor, 478 against, with 165 abstentions - appeared to deal the death blow to the European Union's participation in a treaty it helped negotiate, though other countries may still participate without the EU.

Aerospace Supply Chain Faces Harsh Reality of Having to Deliver Huge Backlog of Orders

July 10, 2012

AlixPartners

Following a boom in commercial aircraft orders in 2011, a year which saw the successful launch of the Airbus A320 NEO and the Boeing 737 MAX, the aerospace industry is now faced with having to deliver a huge backlog. According to a study of the aerospace and defense industry released by global business advisory firm AlixPartners, the industry must increase production rates by 45 percent in volume by 2015 if it is to meet demand, representing the industry's biggest challenge in the coming years.

Japanese Ministry Retains Accenture to Study Safety, Resilience of Nation's Food Supply Chain

July 10, 2012

Accenture

Accenture has announced a management consulting contract with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for a project to improve food supply capabilities in natural disasters and emergencies.

Surface Transportation Bill Passes. Where Do We Go From Here?

July 9, 2012

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Give Congress credit for finally coming to agreement on a new surface transportation bill, after months of acrimonious debate and nine extensions of the old funding law, known as SAFETY-LU. The fact that the Senate and House of Representatives could agree on anything at all is, I suppose, reason to applaud, especially given the toxic atmosphere that chokes the political scene today. And this new measure is something more than a "kick-the-can-down-the-road" effort, given that it maintains current highway funding levels until September 2014.

Non-Asset-Based 3PLs & C-TPAT Certification

July 9, 2012

Jeff Vielhaber, Vice President of Operations, TTS, LLC

This past month, non-asset-based third-party logistics companies took a big leap forward in their fight to join the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), one of our nation's leading supply chain security programs. The Department of Homeland Security approved port security legislation that includes creating a pilot program for non-asset-based 3PLs to participate in C-TPAT. The pilot program will give entry to C-TPAT to five 3PLs for one year.

Boosting Efficiencies in the Clinical Trials Supply Chain

July 9, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

There has been increased interest in the clinical trials supply chain, according to Michael Wallace, life sciences industry specialist with Oracle Corp., and Arun Cavale, principal with NexInfo.

How the FDA is Impacting Your Supply Chain

July 9, 2012

Michael Wohlwend, Vice President, SAP America, Inc.

Highway Bill is Positive for Shippers Reliant on Truck Transportation, NASSTRAC Says

July 6, 2012

nasstrac

NASSTRAC, an industry association representing shippers, commended members of the House and Senate conference committee for their work in passing a highway bill that lays a foundation addressing America's need for adequate freight transportation infrastructure. NASSTRAC, otherwise known as the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council, represents manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and distributors that rely heavily on over-the-road trucking to safely and efficiently move freight through their supply chains.