Logistics Management Magazine Archives

May 2020 Logistics Management

In this Issue:

  • Alliance Award Winner: Bargain Hunt partners for growth
  • How far has the digital supply chain advanced?
  • 2020 Technology Roundtable
  • High-tech freight forwarder upstarts
  • News & Analysis: Latest COVID-19 coverage
  • Special Report: Top 30 U.S. Ports: Responding to the pandemic
  • Special Report: MODEX show wrap up
May 6, 2020 · As we have over the past 10 years, we devote much of our May issue to an examination of just how far we’ve progressed down the path of digital transformation.
May 6, 2020 · The pandemic quickly shifted the discussion to the processes, software and technology tools that are helping to improve e-commerce fulfillment on the front lines. Our panel shares their insights on the next steps logistics and distribution operations need to take to keep their companies—and the nation—moving.
May 5, 2020 · Through a unique trucking partnership, the extreme discount retailer has streamlined its process, integrated new technology and cut the size of its fleet in half while serving more locations than ever—all while reducing the number of miles driven by 20%.
May 5, 2020 · Lift truck operator training is getting a boost from VR. In addition to shortening training time, the technology offers managers and drivers more information earlier about people’s abilities to safely operate trucks of all types.
May 5, 2020 · Supply chain experts and analysts say how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go down the path to complete digitalization of the supply chain.
May 5, 2020 · A wave of digital disruption surfaced in the freight forwarding sector a few years ago, with startups, suppliers and even shippers using new technologies to develop a variety of innovative trade solutions. But the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic poses the ultimate challenge to these new models.
May 5, 2020 · Last year at this time trade tensions were largely determining where cargo would go next—now it appears that those will be regarded as “the good old days.” To what extent container volumes will rebound across the board is subject to much speculation.
May 5, 2020 · Now more than ever, business leaders should be planning for the worst, and hoping for the best.
May 5, 2020 · The COVID-19 crisis is a human tragedy with almost 50% of the world’s population locked down and many lives at risk. It’s also an unprecedented real-life stress test for operations and supply chains.
May 5, 2020 · We’ve seen many changes reshaping the rail, ocean and air modes that are being driven by innovations in technology and the rapid growth of the interconnected “digital” supply chain.
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Latest in Logistics Management

April Services PMI contracts after 15 months of growth, reports ISM
The Services PMI, at 49.4 (a reading of 50 or higher signals growth) fell 2.0%. The last time the index contracted was in December 2022, when it came in at 49 and prior to that the last month seeing contraction was in May 2020, when it came in at 45.4.

2023 industrial big-box leasing activity heads down but remains on a steady path, notes CBRE report
In the report, entitled “2024 North America Industrial Big-Box Review & Outlook,” CBRE said that Food & Beverage was the third most active occupier for big-box leasing activity, at 8.6%, with Automobiles, Tires & Parts, E-commerce Only, and Building Materials & Construction rounding out the top six, at 7.0%, 5.4%, and 5.3%, respectively.

U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed in April, reports AAR
Rail carloads, at 848,882, were down 6.5%, or 58,751 carloads, annually. Intermodal containers and trailers, at 1,018,569 units, increased 8.6%, or 80,471 units, annually.

Q1 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index sees shipment and spending declines
The report’s first quarter shipment index value, at 87.5, was off 7.8% compared to the fourth quarter and down 21.6% annually.On the spend side, the report observed that the first quarter reading, at 194.7, fell 27.9% annually and was down 16.8%, from the third fourth quarter to the first quarter.

Pitt Ohio exec warns Congress to go slow on truck electrification mandates
Taki Darakos, Pitt Ohio’s fleet manager who oversees the acquisition and maintenance of 1,550 company-owned tractors and box trucks, testified before Congress on the technological, operational and financial challenges fleets face as federal and state regulations mandate the adoption of battery-electric trucks.

Q1 intermodal volumes are up for second straight quarter, reports IANA
In its “Intermodal Quarterly,” IANA reported that total first quarter intermodal volume, at 4,286,600 units, rose 8.8% annually, growing for the second consecutive quarter, following eight straight quarters of annual declines.

Supply Chain Management Software: Build the foundation, deliver the value
As the days of slow, invisible supply chains that “worked behind the scenes” continue to fade in the rearview mirror, companies are improving their demand forecasting, gaining real-time visibility across their networks and streamlining their operations—and its software that makes that all possible.

2024 State of Freight Forwarders: What’s next is happening now
Technological solutions and platforms are being rapidly developed and are catapulting the freight forwarding industry into a new era. Today, the forwarding industry is undergoing a digital revolution, and analysts surmise that companies that fail to keep pace with these advancements risk falling behind—and fast.

Ryder opens up El Paso-based multi-client facility logistics facility
The company said earlier this week it opened up a second multiclient facility logistics facility located in El Paso, Texas, which is in close proximity to the Ysleta Port of Entry, which it said is the largest commercial port in the El Paso district, as well as a critical trade corridor for northbound goods out of Juarez, Mexico.

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) on a mission to automate
Autonomous mobile robots are the current leading figure in the move to mobile automation. Their mission is quite simple: Reduce the cost of shipping everything.

Equipment batteries get a jolt
That’s a good thing. Lithium-ion batteries are well past the early adopter stage as they make notable inroads on lead acid. Here’s a look at the reasons why.

What’s next for trucking?
Entering into some form of asset-pooling agreement, operationally enabled by AI-based solutions, can help reduce non-productive expenses, improve service, enhance margin and lead to greater market share.

April manufacturing output takes a step back after growing in March
The report’s benchmark metric, the PMI, came in at 49.2 (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth), down 1.1% from March’s 50.3 reading. ISM added that the overall economy grew, at a slower rate, in April, for the 48th consecutive month.

2024 Parcel Express Roundtable: Lower volumes, pricing shifts, and network changes define the market
Three of our top parcel industry sources offer their takes on the most consumer-facing segment of freight transportation and logistics. They say that while market conditions continue to affect how carriers approach the market, shippers are leveraging the benefits of lower package demand in the form of better pricing.

Show Review: Looking back at MODEX 2024
MHI’s Modex 2024 saw a record-shattering number of registered manufacturing and supply chain professionals, reaching a total of 48,733. The event, held March 11 to 14 in Atlanta, saw attendees engaged with 1,200 exhibitors showcasing the latest supply chain technology and innovation across three halls and 580,000 net square feet at the Georgia World Congress Center. This was the largest Modex event to date for MHI, with 32% more registered visitors than Modex 2022. Here’s a look at some of what our editors saw at the...


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