Our guest on this week's episode is Maggie Barnett, CEO of third party logistics company LVK. It has been a whirlwind week in Washington. First the administration announced shocking new tariffs. Then within hours those new tariffs for Canada and Mexico were called off and postponed for a month. New Chinese tariffs remain. With all of the back and forth and uncertainty, how are supply chains to plan for their future? Our guest offers some advice and also discusses the changing de minimis rules for importing small-value items that had formerly been exempt from tariffs.
Economic activity in logistics expanded in January, growing at its fastest clip in more than two years; that’s according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, released this week. We look at the solid numbers and what they mean for the near-term future of supply chains.
Artificial intelligence is one of the biggest buzzwords of the year, but a new study shows that although most supply chain organizations are testing it out, a lot of them are running into challenges. This news comes in a new survey from the analyst group Gartner that found that generative AI (GenAI) is being deployed by 72% of supply chain organizations, but most are experiencing just middling results for productivity and ROI.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Zebra Robotics Automation
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Our guest on this week's episode is Kathy Fulton, the executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). We have all seen the unprecedented damage caused by the wildfires near Los Angeles. It is at times like this that the supply chain industry can mobilize resources to make sure supplies get to those who need help. Kathy Fulton shares what the emergency needs are, what is being done, and what more can be done. She also gives her take on the role of FEMA in disaster response.
We saw some encouraging signs this week of manufacturing projects here in the U.S. Of course, manufacturing brings the promise of new jobs, and also of material handling, warehousing, trucking, and all the logistics that’s needed to make a factory work. We discuss two new projects - the construction of a $1.2 billion plant in Oklahoma for producing materials for batteries and GE Vernova plans to invest $600 million in its U.S. factories over the next two years to support its energy businesses.
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, or NMFTA, published proposed changes to its National Motor Freight Classification system this week. The NMFC is a freight classification tool that businesses throughout the less-than-truckload industry use to classify and establish prices for moving freight. When they take effect later this year, shippers may see changes in the LTL prices they pay to move freight.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2025
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Our guest on this week's episode is Kristen Purvis, product manager at ePost Global. Retailers have just completed a very successful holiday shopping season. But now those same retailers are dealing with many unwanted gifts in the form of returns. Are there ways they can successfully managing them? Our guest has some insights into ways to cut costs, be more sustainable in reverse logistics operations, and incorporate artificial intelligence into returns processes.
Technology is vital to any business operation, but a recent study shows that logistics leaders view it as fundamental to managing growth in an increasingly complex global trade environment. The study, which was released this week by logistics technology vendor Descartes Systems Group, found that 74% of supply chain and logistics leaders view technology as fundamental or highly important to their organization’s growth strategy in the face of rising global trade challenges.
It’s been a busy week in Washington DC as the new administration has officially started the process of appointing directors to top posts, including those that oversee and regulate our supply chains. We talk about the new nomination for Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, as well as important appointments to head the Surface Transportation Board and the Federal Maritime Commission.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2025
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Our guest on this week's episode is Zac Rogers, associate professor of operations and supply chain management, Colorado State University. 2025 is just two weeks old and most of us have barely settled into the new year. Considering the unknown economic outlook, politics, possible tariffs, and ongoing turmoil around the world, it could be another interesting and a possibly volatile year for supply chains. Our guest shares his insights based data from on his role in helping to produce the monthly Logistics Managers' Index.
We’re in the middle of the transition season for a new administration in Washington DC. There are a lot of unknowns in this time of change, but one thing that's definitely happening is that business interests are busy lobbying politicians to protect their interests. And this week we saw some details that show what policies supply chain interest groups might want to happen in coming years. This was news from the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), which released an eight-point wish-list for its recommended policy agenda to support the nation’s seaports.
Manufacturing and logistics workers are raising a red flag over workplace quality issues according to industry research released this week. And it’s all related to internal and external pressures that are causing workers to cut corners, risking both safety and compliance demands.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2025
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Our guest on this week's episode is Ian Wilson, Senior Analyst with Intelligence Solutions at Everstream Analytics. At what seems like the 11th hour, dockworkers and ports on the East and Gulf Coasts agreed to a new contract. What will labor peace mean for shippers using those ports? Our guest has some insights. He also talks about whether there will be possible impacts for shippers on the West Coast due to the out-of-control wildfires raging around Los Angeles.
In a report in the MIT Sloan Management Review, researchers Tom Davenport and Randy Bean wrote about five trends in AI and data science that all businesses should be paying attention to this year. AI has become a very hot topic in logistics circles in the past couple of years, so any research that sheds light on how this technology is affecting business and commerce is something we want to pay attention to. The five trends range from the promise of agentic AI to the struggle over which C-suite role should oversee data and AI responsibilities.
We’re in a part of the business cycle where it can be pretty difficult to find enough warehouse space to rent or lease, whether you’re a manufacturer, retailer, or a 3PL. This information comes from a quarterly measurement from the commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. The report said the overall national industrial real estate vacancy rate edged higher in the fourth quarter. More vacancy means it’s easier to find a place to rent—although vacancy still remains well below pre-pandemic levels. We discuss the report's outlook for available space in the new year.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2025
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Our guest on this week's episode is Jason Schenker, president of Prestige Economics. Schenker is one of the world's leading economists and he shares his insights into what happened in 2024 with the U.S. economy as well as predictions for 2025. Our discussion includes the economic outlook for supply chains and the material handling industry in particular, inflation, consumer prices, interest rates, employment, and looming tariffs
One of the top themes we covered in the past year was the labor pool, and specifically how employers in the logistics sector have struggled to find either qualified employees for increasingly technical positions, or simple enough at all for even entry level positions for things like warehouse work and truck driving. This week a report was released that identified five workplace trends that are coming up in the new year, and methods for how employers can best adapt.
With peak shipping season behind us, it’s time to move on to peak returns season. We are now in the thick of it when it comes to reverse logistics, as retailers and e-commerce fulfillment companies deal with all those post-holiday gifts coming back. We preview a January story in DC Velocity that reveals that many retailers are rethinking their approaches when it comes to managing their returns processes.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Werner Premium Services
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Our guest on this week's episode is Lee Ambrose, vice president at Remote Security Solutions. We hear regularly about securing our supply chains from threats, such as products being stolen while they are in transit. But security is more than just theft - it is also securing and protecting facilities and the people who work in them. Our guest discusses the possible threats that face our supply chains and how to keep both workers and products safe from harm.
California this week got federal approval to move ahead to the final stages of approval for its 2022 plan to gradually scale back the sale of gas-powered cars within the state. They needed federal approval to have a standard different from broader U.S. rules, and the EPA has now allowed what’s called the Advanced Clean Cars II rule. This means that by 2035, all new cars sold in California will have to be zero-emissions models, which includes battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid cars.
Congestion on U.S. highways is costing the trucking industry big, according to research from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), which was released this week. The group found that traffic congestion on U.S. roadways added $108.8 billion in costs to the trucking industry in 2022—the latest data available. This is a record high. We look at states with the highest amount of traffic congestion.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Werner Premium Services
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Our guest on this week's episode is Dwight Klappich, research vice president and Gartner Fellow at consultancy Gartner, Inc. There is tremendous interest in the growth of robotics and drone applications now being deployed in distribution operations. Is the hype and attention they have received warranted? Klappich defines the "hype cycle" and how it can be a useful tool for determining when is the right time to adopt new automation technologies.
A new report out this week reveals that global forklift sales are sputtering. Lift truck sales are even falling short of their initial forecasts for 2024, according to Interact Analysis, a British consulting firm. That group has now revised their forecast for global forklift sales growth for 2024 down to just 0.3%, which is basically flat. We explain why sales have not met expectations, which sectors are most affected, and prospects for the future.
Many logistics and supply chain leaders are focused on reorganizing their supply chains these days—but as they do so, they should be careful to avoid common pitfalls that can derail their efforts. That’s according to recent research from Gartner that identifies critical organizational design mistakes that will prevent supply chain leaders from delivering on business goals. The research revealed that the most successful projects radically redesign supply chain structure based on distinct organizational needs, while prioritizing balance, strength, and speed as key business objectives.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Werner Premium Services
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Our guest on this week's episode is Paul Caron, a cyber Intelligence expert whose title is Head of Cyber Security, Americas at global intelligence and cybersecurity consultancy S-RM. Last week we learned of a major ransomware attack at Blue Yonder that put many supply chains in a somewhat perilous situation just as we went into Black Friday. So, how secure are our supply chains and should this latest attack be something of a wake-up call? Our guest offers some insights into such attacks and how supply chain companies can build security and resilience into their systems.
Economic activity in the logistics industry expanded in November, continuing a steady growth pattern that began earlier this year and signaling a return to seasonality after several years of fluctuating conditions. That’s according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index report (LMI), which was released this week. We look at the numbers behind the index and what they mean for the health of the logistics industry.
We are smack in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and knee-deep in the middle of the winter-peak shopping season. And that means we’re also in the middle of the peak-shipping season, when e-commerce retailers are handling a huge surge of orders for holiday gifts. Most shoppers are demanding to receive their goods in two days or less. We share a report card on how they are doing at getting these shipments to their destinations on time.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Werner Premium Services
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Our guest on this week's episode is Chris Jamroz, CEO at Roadrunner. It is no secret that the trucking industry has had a challenging couple of years. In addition to economic factors, like higher interest rates and inflation, truckers have also had to face too much capacity in the market and disruptions from several natural disasters. How has the less-than-truckload market weathered these storms and what are prospects for 2025? Our guest shares his insights.
Businesses are cautiously optimistic as peak holiday shipping season draws near, with many anticipating year-over-year sales increases despite continuing to battle challenging supply chain conditions. That’s according a report from DHL Express U.S. released this week; it’s DHL’s 2024 Peak Season Shipping Survey. The company surveyed small and medium-sized businesses to gauge their holiday business outlook compared to last year and found that a mix of optimism and “strategic caution” prevail ahead of this year’s peak.
It seems like there’s always a new supply chain disruption right around the corner. This week a new report from trucking and logistics provider Averitt predicted the first month of 2025 could have more turmoil than usual. The Averitt report tracked three potential supply chain hurdles as we head into 2025: the disruptions caused by Chinese New Year (CNY), the looming threat of potential tariffs on foreign-made products that could be imposed by the incoming Trump Administration, and the unresolved contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX).
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Werner Premium Services
Other links
Our guest on this week's episode is Judah Levine , head of research at Freightos Group. We are now past the elections here in the United States and supply chains are already planning for life under a second Trump administration. The president-elect has promised sweeping tariffs on imports that will have huge impacts to our supply chains. Our guest shares his insights into how importers are trying to bring goods into the country before higher tariffs are enacted and what impacts proposed tariffs may have in the future for our nation's international trade.
A new report this week from commercial real estate firm CBRE shares trends in industrial real estate. The report explains that the businesses leasing the most warehouse space are 3PLs, third-party logistics providers. The amount of space that 3PLs are leasing rose significantly over the past year and reveals some interesting themes about the economy overall.
We saw more information this week pointing to the growing use of robotics in logistics and supply chain operations. Technology research and consulting firm Gartner came out with its Hype Cycle for Mobile Robots and Drones. The report shows that supply chains are poised for accelerated adoption of mobile robots and drones as those technologies mature and companies focus on implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across their logistics operations. The report explains that several mobile robotics technologies will mature over the next two to five years, and it also identifies breakthrough and rising technologies set to have an impact in the future.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Werner Premium Services
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Our guest on this week's episode is Jeff Rogers, director of field maintenance operations at Ryder, Inc. Veterans' Day is Monday. The supply chain industry, like many fields, has a large number of veterans who have brought the skills they acquired in the military and now apply them to civilian work. Our guest today shares about his own military experience and how it has helped him carve out a long and successful career at Ryder.
You can hardly turn anywhere in our industry without hearing something about artificial intelligence and how it is bound to impact supply chains. However, actual and successful use cases are still being worked on. This week we learned about some actual examples of how AI is being deployed, working a bit behind the scenes to complete some common supply chain tasks.
The return to steadier growth across logistics markets continued in October, as industry conditions moderated from the ups and downs of the last few years. That’s according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index, or LMI, which was published on Tuesday. We share the latest statistics from the report and discuss what the numbers mean in reflecting trends in the industry.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Werner Premium Services
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Our guest on this week's episode is Ashray Lavsi, a principal at the global procurement and supply chain consultancy Efficio. It's no secret that China has ambitions to bring Taiwan into its fold. Chinese rhetoric and military operations in the region have already threatened Taiwan, which has acted as a sovereign nation since the end of the Second World War. But such a move against Taiwan would cause major chaos to our supply chains, including the 50% of world container shipments that currently pass through the Taiwan Strait. While we hope this will not turn into a worst-case scenario, what should shippers and manufacturers do now to prepare for a potential attack on or blockade of Taiwan from China?
A new report from Gartner outlines the supply chain investments in digital technology that companies are currently prioritizing. And it should be no surprise as to which digital technology tops the list for investment dollars. We reveal the tech and discuss the impact that it is making on supply chains.
We have turned the calendar to November and that means the holidays are right around the corner, so it is not too early to talk about the upcoming holiday shopping season. Are consumers expected to fill their stockings to the brim this year? We offer insights from two new reports that show that consumer spending may be somewhat flat this peak shopping season.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Werner Premium Services
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Our guest on this week's episode is Dennis Moon, COO of Roadie, a crowd-sourcing delivery company. Halloween is just a few days away. It has grown in popularity over the years to now be among America's favorite holidays - right up there with Christmas and Thanksgiving. Making sure that the deliveries of all of the costumes, decorations, and treats get to their destinations on time is a big task. Our guest shares some insights into how companies are delivering the goods for Halloween.
It certainly has been an interesting year in logistics. Many natural disasters and man-made problems have caused supply chain disruptions on a global scale. As we begin to wind down 2024, it leaves us to ponder what is in store for 2025? Will we see more of the same or will technology help to create a better environment for logistics companies? We look at some predictions for supply chain technology trends that will drive the market forward in the coming year.
As robots continue to make inroads into our distribution centers, there is one area that is just now getting some love from the robots. That area is bulk handling - specifically handling heavy items moved and stored on pallets. Bulk handling is getting this new attention from robotics companies, as they see this as an area where automation can help deal with the labor challenges of lifting and moving heavy loads.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Zebra Robotics Automation
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Our guest on this week's episode is Bindiya Vakil, CEO and co-founder at Resilinc. As the Southeast is continuing to recover from the double whammy of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, supply chains have recovered to bring goods to the affected areas and the people who need help. But what can we do to strengthen those supply chains and reduce future risk from the disruptions that widespread natural disasters like hurricanes can cause?
Companies are collecting lots of data about their operations and their supply chains. However, most are not using that data effectively. What can companies do to capture and take advantage of their own big data?
New research shows that regulatory compliance, tech advances, and consumer demand will spur 8% growth in eco-friendly warehousing and transportation services over the next 10 years. These trends continue to impact supply chain operations, as companies look to integrate electric vehicles into their fleets, use alternative fuels to power vehicles and facilities, and use more energy-efficient equipment and automation systems. We explore what is behind the numbers in the new research.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Zebra Robotics Automation
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Our guest on this week's episode is Kathy Fulton, executive director at the American Logistics Aid Network, or better known in the logistics industry as ALAN. All of us have witnessed the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to the Southeast and the Carolinas in particular. And then right on the heels of that we had Hurricane Milton tearing across Florida earlier this week. It is during disasters like these that we see the best that the logistics industry has to offer, and of course that is the work of ALAN. Kathy shares what her team is doing to match logistics services with those who need help in those recovering areas.
Florida and the Southeast region have been hit hard by storms and disruptions this Fall. Hurricane Milton moved across central Florida just this week. So the damage reports are obviously not in yet. But we have learned a lot about the longterm effects of recent events and disruptions on supply chains, including Hurricane Helene, the East and Gulf Coast dockworkers strike, and Hurricane Milton.
We discuss a new technology that may impact warehouse inventory operations.
Inventory drone provider Corvus Robotics made news this week with a product update and the announcement of a new $18 million funding round. The update includes new cameras that allow the drones to work in a lights-out environment—essentially, they deliver a fully autonomous experience.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Zebra Robotics Automation
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Our guest on this week's episode is Elizabeth Gallenagh, general counsel and senior VP, Supply Chain Integrity, for the Healthcare Distribution Alliance. Pharmaceutical supply chains have been ramping up for a number of years to meet the requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, also known as DSCSA. The DSCSA requires the tracking and serializing of all pharmaceutical products. The deadline is set for November, but is the industry ready for it? Our guest shares some insights.
It has been six months since the Francis Scott Key highway bridge over Baltimore harbor collapsed when a containership lost power and drifted into the bridge abutment. And now a team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University has completed a study that identifies which bridges across the U.S. may be most vulnerable to another such collapse. They did the work because they believe that chances are high for another such incident, and that risk to the Key Bridge amid modern shipping traffic had been underestimated.
Two European companies are among the most recent firms to put autonomous last-mile delivery to the test with a project in Bern, Switzerland. Swiss transportation and logistics company Planzer has teamed up with fellow Swiss firm Loxo, which develops autonomous driving software solutions. They will run a two-year pilot project in which a Loxo-equipped, Planzer parcel delivery van will handle last-mile logistics in Bern’s city center.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Zebra Robotics Automation
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Our guest on this week's episode is Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos. The deadline is Monday to avert a dockworkers strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. That is when the current labor contract is expiring. A strike of even short duration could wreck a lot of supply chains. Our guest gives us the latest update on the negotiations and what effects a strike might have.
Wreaths Across America is seeking carriers and drivers to join the nonprofit’s Honor Fleet, delivering wreaths this holiday season to cemeteries across the country in honor of U.S. military veterans. We share about the organization's mission and how volunteer drivers can help.
One of the biggest impacts of pollution is from airplanes that pump out their emissions right into the upper atmosphere. We heard this week about a plan from Honeywell, the big industrial technology provider, to create a special kind of fuel mix called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for both passengers and freight planes.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Werner
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Our guest on this week's episode is Dana Stiffler, distinguished VP analyst at Gartner, an industry research and consulting firm. Women continue to be leaders in our industry throughout the world and their impacts are immeasurable. Recently Gartner teamed with the women's supply chain organization AWESOME to complete the ninth annual Women in Supply Chain survey that looks at the work of the female gender in supply chains. Our guest shares the results of the survey and offers insights into growing the number of women in leadership positions.
Many supply chain managers are keeping a careful eye on the ongoing negotiations with dock workers at the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports – and we are getting much closer now to the September 30th deadline. We have the latest on the negotiations and what supply chain executives are doing to prepare for potential shutdowns at those key ports.
Truck drivers nationwide have a mixed outlook on the future of the trucking industry, according to a survey by freight marketplace Truckstop. The study was released this week in conjunction with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which runs through this Saturday, September 21. Truckstop surveyed 850 of its carrier customers to learn more about their lives and experiences on the road. We share highlights of their findings.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2024
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Our guest on this week's episode is Andrew Billings, vice president and supply chain capability lead at North Highland. The retail world has already survived this year’s Prime Day and now we are heading into the peak holiday shopping season. Are retailers prepared and are there any clues as to what consumers will be snapping up this year? Our guest has some insights.
With an eye on assuring it has the raw materials it needs, lift truck manufacturing company Raymond Corp. has opened a new production plant in Binghamton, New York to manufacture batteries to power its line of electric forklifts. The new facility expands on and replaces a former operation by its assembly plant.
While electric vehicles are gaining popularity, the transition to EVs is not happening as fast as earlier market predictions. J.D. Power, the automotive industry analyst firm, says it is cutting back on earlier forecasts for EV market share as sales of battery-powered cars cool off. They cited drivers’ concerns about finding enough public charging ports and also the rising popularity of hybrid cars such as plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)—which combine battery power with gasoline engines.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2024
Other links
Our guest on this week's episode is Michael Sadowski, a researcher and author who just completed a study on sustainability in the apparel industry. Released by the Apparel Impact Institute, the study looks at the apparel industry's use of available resources. Of course, there are the fabrics that are grown and harvested or man-made materials that consume water and power. Most of our clothing is also made overseas, so the industry also needs to be aware of its carbon footprint to deliver all of those new goods to our closets and dresser drawers.
This week we saw a report about truck driver salaries. This came from a survey done every other year by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), and they found that truckload drivers in the U.S. earned a median annual amount of $76,420 in 2023, posting an increase of 10% over the survey done two years ago. We break down which modes of trucking earn the best salaries.
Data from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) show that a quarter of all industrial accidents happen at loading docks. That makes this vital, high-activity area within a distribution center a place for vigilant attention to detail. We look at how technologies and better awareness are making a difference to reduce injuries around the docks.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2024
Other links
Our guest on this week's episode is Dawn Andre, chief product officer at Jaggaer. New supply chain talent is on the way, as college programs continue to mold new entrants for the industry. But what are some of the best ways to make use of these new recruits? Our guest has some ideas.
Victoria Kickham is off this week, so filling her seat is Susan Lacefield, the executive editor of Supply Chain Xchange. Susan shares about the newly released issue of Supply Chain Xchange that features articles on the latest in supply chain technologies. We also preview the upcoming CSCMP EDGE conference starting at the end of September in Nashville.
We cover a lot about self-driving vehicles in the magazine, but now autonomous transport is taking to the skies. We report on testing by the U.S. Air Force earlier this month of new autonomous cargo planes. The planes use smaller commercially-available Cessna planes equipped with tech that will allow them to take off, fly, and land without a pilot. These airplanes are much cheaper to operate than traditional military cargo planes.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster Company
Other links
Our guest on this week's episode is Jim Bunsey, director of commercial business development at the Propane Education & Research Council, better known in the industry as PERC. With the goal of reducing carbon footprints and clearing the air, supply chain managers are seeking cleaner technologies to power their operations. Our guest shares that the full energy cycle should be considered when choosing power for material handling equipment and transportation vehicles, including the carbon footprint of the energy creation, such as power produced by fossil-burning power plants.
The big news in North American supply chains this week has been the Canadian rail stoppage. This has been a real whirlwind of huge potential damage to retail and manufacturing operations at a time when supply chains were already in somewhat vulnerable positions. Yesterday, the railroads were locked down over a labor dispute. But last night, the Canadian government stepped in to order workers to report and to resolve their labor issues with binding arbitration. How fast can the railroads get back on track and what does this mean for supply chains?
Companies running large warehouses are looking for ways to improve performance and increase efficiency, all while dealing with persistent market pressures like labor shortages and space constraints. For many companies, warehouse automation is the answer to those problems. We look at two examples where automation is making a difference in warehouse operations.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster Company
Other links
Our guest on this week's episode is Scott Walker, vice president of Supply Chain Product Management for Powerfleet. Last month the U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposed rule to regulate how employers manage and protect workers in extreme heat conditions – both for indoor work, such as in factories and warehouses, and outdoor work, like in trucking, docks and in yards. The proposals would require each employer with more than 10 workers to have a program in place to address heat-related issues with measures to reduce the chance of heat-related stress and illnesses in the workplace. Our guest explains some of the details of the proposed rules and how employers can prepare now to promote safer workplaces.
The total cost of ownership for battery-electric versions of cargo-handling equipment used in our world's maritime ports is about 1.3 times higher than that of diesel-powered equipment, according to industry estimates, Until those costs come down, battery-electric container handling equipment is likely to remain a small portion of the equipment operating at ports around the world. However, research and testing are underway. We look at two examples of where electric systems are being piloted for port operations.
The adoption of electric vehicles in the United States has been slowed by the lack of a sufficient public charging infrastructure, but that shortcoming is showing small signs of improvement. A survey of almost 10,000 EV drivers found that satisfaction in the nation’s EV charging network increased for a second consecutive quarter. We discuss what is hindering more EV adoptions and the difficulty in finding suitable places to charge them.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster Company
Other links
Our guest on this week's episode is Kathy Fulton, executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). This week Hurricane Debby made landfall on the East Coast, bringing with it lots of rain, flooding, and damage to Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. It is now making its way up the coast. What are the effects on supply chains and how is the industry responding to help those in need?
It is always good for us to track the health of the supply chain industry. This week the latest data show that economic activity in the logistics industry expanded in July, marking the eighth straight month of moderate growth across warehousing and transportation markets; that’s according to the latest monthly Logistics Managers Index (LMI) report, which was released this week.
The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is calling on the Biden administration to engage the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) which represents dock workers, and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents port operators to come to a new labor agreement to avoid a possible strike at East Coast and Gulf Coasts ports. The two sides are far apart on a new agreement as the current pact is set to expire on September 30. A strike could have widespread impacts on the flow of goods during peak season.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster Company
Other links