In this Issue:
- E-commerce Logistics: An endless array of challenges
- WMS: Intelligence intertwined
- Building resilient supply chains
- Going deeper with 3PLs
- Top 50 Trucking Companies: Accept the challenge and adapt
Logistics Management Magazine Archives
April 2023 Logistics Management
April 9, 2024 · Our latest Peerless Research Group (PRG) survey reveals current salary trends, career satisfaction rates, and shifting job priorities for individuals working in logistics and supply chain management. Here are all of the findings—and a few surprises.
April 9, 2024 · Bar coding remains the central technology for data capture, with new wearables and handheld form factors to boost productivity. But RFID momentum is building, and a range of real-time location technologies can complement handheld data collection.
April 9, 2024 · In light of the current political and economic developments, the mood in the European transport and logistics branch remains somewhat subdued. However, the crises have taught the logistics industry the importance of resilient supply chains—and thus the need for diversification of logistics services.
April 5, 2024 · As loyal readers of Logistics Management are well aware, we’re sticklers for tradition—especially for research and annual lists. This month marks the 40th year we’ve shared our Annual Salary Survey and the 20th year we’ve worked with SJ Consulting in Pittsburgh to create our Top 50 Trucking lists.
April 4, 2024 · Despite ongoing geopolitical headwinds, the majority of airfreight analysts say that 2024 may herald the start of a new economic growth cycle for the global air cargo industry.
April 2, 2024 · Logistics and supply chain leaders are keeping an eye on escalating tensions overseas, drought conditions in the Panama Canal, and emerging cybersecurity headaches. Here are a few proactive strategies for navigating an evolving supply chain landscape where new risks continue to lurk around every corner.
April 2, 2024 · From ever-increasing customer demands to increased operating and finance costs to delivering against the sustainability targets set by the C-suite, the need to go deeper with your third-party logistics provider is not only needed, but necessary to survive in the world of uncertainty in which we all live.
April 2, 2024 · The new technology will touch most aspects of the supply chain and make professionals more productive in their day-to-day work.
April 2, 2024 · This is the second of two columns that visits the concept of “index-based variable-rate pricing” as a way to establish more market stability for both shippers and carriers.
April 1, 2024 · The best fleets, buffeted by higher costs and now increasing environmental mandates, manage to stay ahead of competition through vision, strategy, and execution. But in the end, executives say it’s their people who make the biggest difference.
March 4, 2024 · While this year may be a close copy of 2023 in terms of supply chain execution as it relates to e-commerce moves, forecasting is more precarious. The instability and conflict have no upside, only more disruption—which inevitably leads to service and cost impacts across the board.
March 1, 2024 · If you thought our annual survey on the outlook for warehouse and DC equipment and systems spending would indicate off-the-charts spending plans, think again. However, you will find interest in goods-to-person robotics, labor management, as well as more respondents tapping third-parties for maintenance analytics as companies look for more efficiencies.
March 1, 2024 · The cessation of Yellow continues to have repercussions throughout the $58 billion LTL market. Now, a shuffling of the capacity equation is causing strategic changes, and shippers need to adapt to the new alignment of resources to find operational success.
March 1, 2024 · While managing significant volume swings driven by the pandemic and ongoing geopolitical issues, U.S. seaports continue to press forward with efforts to improve infrastructure and build in efficiencies an unwavering attitude that bodes well for the future.
March 1, 2024 · Whether manual, automated or somewhere in between, reverse logistics operations deliver maximum return only with an organized and efficient process. Don’t wait any longer to make your move.
March 1, 2024 · We explore the role that WMS plays in today’s e-commerce fulfillment centers and how it will continue to drive these busy operations in the future as it becomes more intelligent—and, in some cases, intertwined with other applications within the warehouse’s four walls.
March 1, 2024 · This is the first of two columns that visits the concept of “index-based variable-rate pricing” as a way to establish more market stability for both shippers and carriers.
March 1, 2024 · We’re running out of ways to describe how e-commerce has reshaped the logistics landscape. Nearly every feature we assign over the editorial year contains advice for logistics professionals on how to fine-tune operations through strategy or technology to meet these new, pressing demands.
February 1, 2024 · Our foreign trade specialist shares ways in which U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones serve as economic development tools and often mitigate changes in Customs and trade regulations—critical insight that every shipper should understand to remain globally competitive in 2024.
February 1, 2024 · How more shippers are unlocking efficiency, avoiding fines and staying compliant with the help of global trade management (GTM) software.
February 1, 2024 · With its new Texas DC, the world’s largest distributor of alcoholic beverages has built one of the most automated facilities in its network and continues to lead the way in automation adoption.
February 1, 2024 · Figuring out how to emerge from this ongoing maelstrom will remain a challenge for shippers everywhere in 2024. With that in mind, let’s focus a few areas around the globe where extra care and diligent logistics management will need to be applied to keep operations—and budgets—in check.
February 1, 2024 · Ocean shipping is again at the mercy of environmental and geopolitical events—and the pessimists are winning over the optimists on the high seas.
February 1, 2024 · Conference to feature more than 1,100 exhibitors, 165 sessions and keynotes from Jeremy Renner, AI expert Gerd Leonhard and UPS’s Bill Seward.
February 1, 2024 · Interest in supply chain management (SCM) software accelerates as more companies replace their legacy systems and look for new ways to offset ongoing supply chain challenges.
February 1, 2024 · Cycling Through Global Logistics with Logistics Management
January 10, 2024 · Our annual gathering of freight transportation industry analysts reveals that the cycle of rate and capacity fluctuations continue their age-old volatility, but in a more muted fashion. Here’s a look at the elements that have ushered in this current malaise.
January 10, 2024 · Shippers are the main beneficiaries of new freight audit and payment data. They’re now tapping into more auxiliary services such as freight bidding, modal analysis and international services—and the most savvy operations are benefiting by realizing lower, better-managed freight bills with analysis thrown in for good measure
January 10, 2024 · Our top supply chain software analysts share the TMS trends they believe shippers need to be paying attention to during the coming year.
January 9, 2024 · Lithium power is seen as the fastest growing motive power choice for electric trucks, though it has competition from options including thin plate pure lead and hydrogen fuel cells. For end users like City Furniture and Hamilton Beach Brands, motive power has to deliver on outcomes like space savings and uptime.
January 9, 2024 · New research shows which emerging capabilities help supply chain executives make their businesses more resilient.
January 9, 2024 · Yes, warehouse robotics are the biggest thing in automation, but they’re not the only tech to drive efficiencies. Orchestration software, better robot/human collaboration, and the application of computer vision to inventory accuracy all play a role in operational gains.
January 9, 2024 · Event featured an impressive lineup of keynote and session speakers who hit on all of the topics that are driving supply chain growth right now.
January 2, 2024 · Out of all of our annual surveys and features that we do in Logistics Management (LM), by far my favorite continues to be our Annual Rate Outlook
December 7, 2023 · These “must reads” from the past year will help you prepare your logistics operation for what’s ahead in 2024.
December 7, 2023 · Packaging equipment and systems continue to address sustainability, from the growing popularity of systems that right-size corrugated cartons on demand to autobaggers that use kraft paper stock rather than poly. Companies are also looking to ensure high, sustained throughput and improve the unpacking experience.
December 6, 2023 · We canvassed a seasoned group of industry observers to record what happened this past year and what it means to our logistics and supply chain operations as we head into 2024. Here’s what they had to say.
December 5, 2023 · For my first 20 years of overseeing the editorial direction of Logistics Management, I took a firm stance against “year in review” issues.
December 5, 2023 · As demand for North American warehouse space soars, third-party logistics providers find new ways to serve their growing customer bases.
November 6, 2023 · As part of a larger effort to digitize its global supply chain, Kimberly- Clark is putting a combination of machine learning and optimization algorithms to work to optimize its transportation networks—and the savings are up into the multi-million dollars per year.
November 6, 2023 · If shippers think implications from pending truck regulation issues don’t affect them, they’d be wrong. Most of these proposed regs around alternative fuels and speed have a direct impact on truck capacity and costs—and eventually rates.
November 6, 2023 · With excess capacity and lower rates, the digital freight matching (DFM) market is keeping its eye on the ball as the segment ramps up to leverage AI to gain visibility and improve real-time monitoring capabilities.
November 3, 2023 · Having covered B2B markets for 30 years, I’ve been witness to dozens of trends being overhyped to the point where the mere mention of it is reduced to background noise—devoid of meaning due to the number of times it has been spoken or written into a headline.
November 2, 2023 · A leader in the home audio distribution space, Crutchfield is using on-demand packaging to get packages out the door and to save on labor and packaging costs.
November 2, 2023 · This month, I’m stepping away from my usual supply chain matters to provide a testimonial on a remarkable human being and my friend, William E. (Bill) Greenwood, former COO at Burlington Northern (BN). Bill passed away at age 85 on September 22.
November 2, 2023 · Rapidly diversifying truckload carriers are riding out a slump in long-haul ground freight. These “durable, diversified, and resilient” plans are paying off for those TL carriers willing to change with the economic headwinds facing the sector.
November 2, 2023 · This year’s survey found increasing levels of use for various automation and software technologies, while technology budgets held fairly steady. However, operations face continued challenges around labor scarcity, inadequate warehouse space, and the pressure to perform in line with customer expectations.
October 3, 2023 · Three of the nation’s top market analysts examine the current state of the freight railroad and intermodal markets, including a look at pricing, service levels, ompetition with other modes, and the slow—but steady—implementation of automation.
October 1, 2023 · A continued shift to remote work; the need for retailers to offer nimble shipping options; and the importance of warehouse operations to reduce inventory while increasing throughput are factors pushing laser-focused 3PLs to invest heavily in automation to make it all happen.
October 1, 2023 · The text discusses the evolution of the digital supply chain and the rapid changes in the supply chain industry, particularly in the retail sector.
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Latest in Logistics Management
Understanding the FTC’s ban on noncompetes
April 26, 2024
Crowell & Moring law partner Stefan Meisner discussed the recent decision by the Federal Trade Commission to ban noncompete agreements.
UPS rolls out fuel surcharge increases
April 26, 2024
Earlier this week, Atlanta-based global freight transportation and logistics services provider UPS announced it is increasing fuel surcharges for various service offerings, including UPS Ground Domestic, UPS SurePost, and UPS Domestic Air
U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes, for week of April 20, are mixed, reports AAR
April 26, 2024
Rail carloads, at 216,945, fell 6.7% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 257,599 units, rose 8.2% annually.
Baltimore suing ship that crashed into bridge, closing port, costing jobs
April 25, 2024
The city of Baltimore is suing the owners of the cargo ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse and closing the Port of Baltimore for months.
Intermodal growth volume remains intact in March, reports IANA
April 25, 2024
Total March volume, at 1,464,782 units, increased 6.7% annually, below February’s 14.6% annual increase, while topping November, December, and January, which saw gains of 3.8%, 6.4%, and 5.5%, respectively.
Descartes announces acquisition of Dublin, Ireland-based Aerospace Software Developments
April 25, 2024
Earlier this week, Waterloo, Ontario-based Descartes, a provider of logistics based on-demand, software-as-a-service offerings, continued to flex its M&A muscle, acquiring Dublin, Ireland-based Aerospace Software Developments, a provider of customs and regulatory compliance service.
Amid ongoing unexpected events, supply chains continue to readjust and adapt
April 25, 2024
Expecting the unexpected going back to the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 has really been a part of supply chain and logistics lexicon. As we know, there were many logistics and supply chain “lessons learned” coming out of the pandemic, which clearly still remain intact today, especially including the need for supply chain resiliency and preparedness, as well as flexible and nimble deployment of labor, assets, and technology, among others.
Shipment and expenditure decreases trend down, notes Cass Freight Index
April 24, 2024
March’s shipment reading, at 1.113, fell 3.6% annually, down from February’s 4.5% decrease and January’s 7.6% decline.
March trucking tonnage trends down, reports ATA
April 24, 2024
The ATA’s advanced Seasonally Adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 2%, to 113.4 (2015=100), following a 4% February gain, to 115.7, and a 3.2% January decline.
FTR Shippers Conditions Index enters negative territory
April 24, 2024
For February, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading came in at -1.4, below January’s 3.4, which was 3% below December’s 6.4 reading and also below November’s 6.3.
DAT March Truckload Volume Index sees modest March gains
April 23, 2024
From February to March, the the van TVI, at 260, was up 4%, with the refrigerated TVI, at 200, up 2.6%, and
the flatbed TVI, at 242, up 4.4%.
National diesel average, for week of April 22, is down for the second straight week
April 23, 2024
For the week of April 22, the national average fell 2.3 cents, to $3.922. This followed a 2.3-cent decrease, to $4.015 per gallon, for the week of April 15, which was preceded by a 6.5-cent increase, to $4.004, for the week of April 8.
UPS reports first quarter earnings decline
April 23, 2024
Quarterly consolidated revenue, at $21.7 billion, fell 5.3% annually, and adjusted earnings per share, at $1.43, saw a 35.0% annual decline. Consolidated quarterly operating profit came in at $1.6 billion, which was off 36.5% annually.
LM Podcast Series: Assessing the freight transportation and logistics markets with Tom Nightingale, AFS Logistics
April 18, 2024
During this podcast, Nightingale provided a detailed overview of the new Cowen/AFS Freight Index report and variuous market issues.
Investor expectations continue to influence supply chain decision-making
April 17, 2024
More shareholders are expecting supply chains to become resilient to protect the bottom line.
