Consumer Packaged Goods

Holiday Season Hiring: More Companies Show Need for Human Touch

October 25, 2016

If robots are taking human jobs, they haven't made much headway in Santa's workshop - or in his supply chain. It turns out that even the most technologically advanced retailers need lots of humans to serve customers. Amazon, arguably the most disruptive force in American retailing, announced last week that it would be hiring 120,000 seasonal workers this year - 20 percent more than last year - and the Seattle giant isn't alone.

California's Proposed Regulations May Slow Progress on Driverless Cars

October 24, 2016

Los Angeles Times

California's proposed rules for self-driving vehicles got another road test last week, as vehicle makers and industry groups expressed concern at a public workshop that the Department of Motor Vehicles' regulations could slow development of the technology and conflict with more flexible federal guidelines.

Dubai Plans 700mph Tube to Transport Freight

October 21, 2016

Global Construction Review

Building on plans to use the futuristic Hyperloop tube-transport system at its operations in Dubai, ports giant DP World has invested millions in the start-up company Hyperloop One, and its chief executive has joined the Hyperloop One board.

Amazon Adding 120,000 Workers To Meet Holiday Demand

October 21, 2016

CRM Daily

The holidays are coming, and Amazon says it plans to add 120,000 seasonal workers in an effort to meet an expected spike in demand as more and more people trade bricks for clicks. The seasonal positions will be created at fulfillment centers, sorting centers and customer service sites in 27 states. The move marks a 20 percent boost from the 100,000 seasonal hires a year ago.

As China's Economy Slows, Experts Worry What Comes Next

October 21, 2016

The New York Times

China reported this week that its economy grew 6.7 percent in the third quarter compared with a year ago. That matched economists' expectations exactly, and was identical to the pace China set in the first and second quarters of this year. In economics, stability like that is remarkable - and usually not to be believed.

New Grocery Route Optimization Fulfills in 24 Hours, Lancaster Organics Reports

October 20, 2016

RIS News

Lancaster Farm Fresh Organics (LFFO) has streamlined its previously manual fleet operations to help get product in and out of the warehouse and into the customer's hand in 24 hours or less, said Ben Kreider, the retailer's transportation director. LFFO uses the Descartes Route Planner.

Study Shows Profit But Low Priority in Sustainable Supply Chain

October 20, 2016

Industry Today

According to a 2015 World Economic Forum study, organizations can increase revenue up to 20 percent and boost brand value up to 30 percent by investing in supply chain sustainability. But are organizations taking action to realize these benefits? And if so, how?

A.I. Will Soon Be a Top Business Investment Priority, Analysts Say

October 20, 2016

Computerworld

Mention artificial intelligence, and a discussion about the robot wipeout of humankind is sure to follow. It's also a technology that businesses will increasingly trust in decision-making, Gartner analysts said this week at the research firm's annual Symposium and ITxpo.

Fill-Air Flow Wants to Bring Inflatable Plastic to Small Businesses, Designer Says

October 19, 2016

BloombergBusinessweek

Forget packing peanuts, it's all about the air cushion, says John Wolf, vice president for global sector marketing at Sealed Air and the inventor of bubble wrap. Fill-Air Flow is a device the size of a paper-towel dispenser that creates clear plastic air cushions - a cheaper, sleeker alternative to packing peanuts and the like - at a scale designed to be affordable for small businesses, Wolf says.

Industrial Automation Software Accelerates DC's Shipping, Improves Accuracy, Increases Speed

October 18, 2016

Challenge: High-volume publisher was experiencing high growth, increasing demand, and a rotating, diminishing workforce. They needed to automate their manual operation to reduce reliance on labor, increase speed and earn substantial shipping discounts.