All Entries

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Our technology correspondent examines where RFID and wireless communications currently stand as logistics and supply chain management enablers and then defines the remaining barriers to adoption. Just how far are we from real-time visibility?

The cost of the U.S. business logistics system declined 18.2 percent in 2009—the largest drop in the history of the State of Logistics Report. But as the economy slowly improves, shippers will need to be more cautious and tactical as they face increasing volumes, tight capacity, and higher rates.

While the extent of the recovery remains uncertain, shippers will continue to be hit with rate increases across all modes.

The market for Class 8 vehicles continues to show sustained strength, according to recent data from ACT Research, a provider of data and analysis for trucks and other commercial vehicles.

In a move designed to expand its services in the Midwest, less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services provider New England Motor Freight (NEMF) said this week it has opened up a new terminal in Toledo, Ohio.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The first half of 2010 brought us several positive economic indicators that were more than welcome. These indicators were to be expected to a certain degree, due to a beyond challenging 2009. But now, in a two-week span or so, the warning signs of a bad economy, or……a double-dip recession appear to be rearing their ugly heads.

The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today that its Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 0.4 percent in May, following two months of sequential increases.

As was the case in May, retail sales were down slightly in June but were up year-over-year, according to data released by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation.

Rail traffic is up year-over-year in June but remains below 2008 levels.

California's merchandise export trade in May showed an impressive 25.7 percent gain over May of last year, but still fell well shy of export levels recorded two years ago