Experts Report on Global Supply Chain Strategies in Key Regions of the World

Reopening the Doors to Global Trade

May 11, 2021

In our third annual Regional Guide to Global Supply Chain Management, we shine a light on selected parts of the world in hopes of better understanding how they make up a coherent global trading system.

New Perspectives for Inbound Logistics During U.S. Produce Season

May 5, 2021

Jonathon Swart, SCB Contributor

The United States is facing considerable logistics challenges in the temperature-controlled trucking industry.

The Reality of Last-Mile Challenges in the Pandemic

May 5, 2021

Shawn Winter, SCB Contributor

Skyrocketing last-mile delivery volumes, rising costs, and the drive to return to the service levels consumers expect are forcing North American carriers and retailers alike to assess how technology can make last-mile operations more agile and effective.

E-Commerce Fulfillment Hubs Are Popping Up Across America

May 5, 2021

Melissa Runge, SCB Contributor

More than half of North American retailers say they plan to add or expand delivery and/or pickup services this year.

Puerto Rico Is Becoming the Ultimate 5G Test Zone

May 5, 2021

Gail Nolan, SCB Contributor

For logistics and supply-chain professionals, there’s a new way to think about Puerto Rico: a 3,500-square-mile test bed for 5G and internet-of-things technology integration.

Three Things Mexican 3PLs Can Offer to U.S. Shippers

May 5, 2021

David Henry, SCB Contributor

As shippers adjust to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), they could face a volatile cross-border freight market.

How Covid Brought Digitalization to Mexican Logistics

May 5, 2021

Deepak Chugani, SCB Contributor

Due to U.S. near-shoring and increasing competition with China for trade supremacy, Mexican logistics is at a crossroads: making the fast changes needed to ride the COVID-19 wave, or fully embracing an elusive culture of innovation and digitalization for long-term success.

How to Navigate Cross-Border Shipping to Latin America

May 5, 2021

AJ Hernández, SCB Contributor

The Latin American market offers a major opportunity for U.S. e-commerce.

Four Challenges of Expanding Into Latin America

May 5, 2021

Thomas Schoett, SCB Contributor

Mobile communication gaps, regulations that differ from country to country, and unexpected customs holds are some of the issues to consider.

How the U.K.-EU Trade Deal Impacts Supply Chains

May 5, 2021

Carole Welch, SCB Contributor

For the most part, the trade agreement maintains continuity of supply and prevents greater challenges that industries might have faced without it.

Parcel Lockers Ease Europe’s Last-Mile Challenges

May 5, 2021

John Haber, SCB Contributor

Like logistics providers everywhere, European carriers are facing capacity challenges, delivery delays and rising costs to deliver parcels.

Nigeria’s Erratic Power Supply Dims Its E-Commerce Potential

May 5, 2021

Beth Poole, SCB Contributor

As one of the world’s largest emerging markets, Nigeria stands at a crossroad. Its rapidly expanding economy and growing disposable income will propel its e-commerce market to reach $75 billion per year by 2025. A large unbanked population and erratic power supply, however, threaten to limit growth.

For Supply-Chain Resiliency, the Middle East Scores Last

May 5, 2021

Gregory Schlegel, SCB Contributor

Companies domiciled in the Middle East score low in agility and resiliency compared to other major regions of the globe.

China, Southeast Asia Bounce Back From the Pandemic

May 5, 2021

Sébastien Breteau, SCB Contributor

Even though China has fared better in its economic recovery than originally anticipated, the pandemic boosted the long-term trend of businesses diversifying and engaging suppliers in China’s regional competition.

In Trans-Pacific Trade, Does the U.S. Exporter Stand a Chance?

May 5, 2021

Natalie Brandlova, SCB Contributor

Prior to 2020, American exporters benefited from unreasonably low ocean rates on trans-Pacific westbound lanes.

In Southeast Asia, Packaging Rules Make Covid Testing Thorny

May 5, 2021

Jay Johnson, SCB Contributor

Differences in infectious substance classifications, packaging requirements and other shipping regulations between countries create significant supply-chain challenges — particularly when it comes to sourcing approved packaging for shipping COVID-19 samples in Southeast Asia.