North America

Levi Strauss Revamps Value-Channel Supply Chain to Keep Pace With Outlet Shoppers

August 1, 2001

As off-price stores moved upscale in recent years with the creation of attractive, shopper-friendly outlet malls, the demands of consumers and value retailers changed. Low prices were still expected, but shoppers also wanted a better selection of style and colors. To meet this need, Levi Strauss revamped its value-channel logistics.

Hershey Kisses Its Supply-chain Inefficiency Good-bye

April 1, 2001

Kurt C. Hoffman

Rapid growth, acquisition of a company with different distribution characteristics and a troubled ERP implementation created supply-chain problems for Hershey Foods in the late 1990s. A new strategy that focused on fulfillment speed and agility helped turn things around.

Hitachi Data Moves to the Heartland for Faster Distribution

October 1, 2000

Kurt C. Hoffman

For 20 years, the high-end data storage system and server assembler had used DCs on each coast. But a self-imposed $1m penalty for unavailability of parts required a faster logistics network. Indianapolis was the answer.

Amazon.com Sees Supply-chain As Crucial To Its Future

September 1, 2000

Malcolm Wheatley

Key Amazon.com executives in Seattle and Europe - including founder Jeff Bezos - talk about how the company's supply-chain strategies and fledgling European operations are shaping its prospects.

Webvan: Rewriting The Rules On 'Last Mile' Delivery

August 1, 2000

Jean V. Murphy

Webvan Corp., with the help of its technology partners, has broken the code on guaranteed, self-scheduled home delivery. Here's how it gets the goods delivered within a promised 30-minute window and where it plans to take that achievement.

Fujitsu Partners With FedEx To Boost Performance of Notebook Business

November 1, 1999

Kurt C. Hoffman

Fujitsu PC needed help with its notebook operation, which was suffering from both excess inventory and slow deliveries. It turned to FedEx for a total logistics solution and now is getting the results it wanted - but the start-up was far from smooth.

Distribution Process at SC Johnson Hits the Mark

September 1, 1999

Kurt C. Hoffman

Beginning in 1996, the household products manufacturer decided to replace its centralized distribution pattern with an approach that relied on regional distribution centers across the country. Mark VII was named to help connect the links in the network through intermodal shipments.

For Logistics Providers, The Bar Is Being Raised

July 1, 1999

Never mind the thriving economy. U.S. manufacturers and distributors are more demanding of service quality - and less tolerant of failure - than ever before.

Xylan Corp.: A Company At the Crossroads

July 1, 1999

MedSurg Finds a Niche In Surgical Supplies

July 1, 1999

North America

The latest supply chain news, analysis, trends and best practices for companies operating in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Learn how businesses are optimizing supply chain and logistics performance across North America - addressing a range of challenges such as varying regulations, labeling and packaging requirements, customs and tax laws and government controlled exchange rates.