Logistics Management Magazine Archives

June 2014 Logistics Management

2014 Rail/Intermodal Roundtable: Riding High

Through record-high investments and a keen focus on service, rail and intermodal providers are still delivering on their service promise to shippers—and doing it with improved efficiency. Our panel of top analysts takes a deep dive into what railroads are doing to stay lean and powerful during these still uncertain times.

5 ways to handle peak demand

The rise of e-commerce, more frequent promotions, and competitive service- level agreements are creating more peak periods than ever in the DC. Here’s a look at five strategies companies are using to handle peak demand.

Software Users Survey: Caution lingers

Our new reader survey reveals a cautious approach to supply chain software investment and some lingering uncertainty over the place cloud computing will hold in the greater supply chain solution hierarchy.

2014 Cross-Border Roundtable:
Building the future of hemispheric trade

Trade volumes between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are massive and growing due in no small part to the fact that manufacturers now treat the continent as one seamless market for production and distribution. Our panelists offer insight into the bright outlook for hemispheric trade.

RFID and the Supply Chain: Measured progress

The RFID market is showing signs of steady growth as companies work to achieve a meaningful return on investment in specific areas of given processes. We chart the technology’s current and future progress.

June 1, 2014 · Through record-high investments and a keen focus on service, rail and intermodal providers are still delivering on their service promise to shippers—and doing it with improved efficiency. Our panel of top analysts takes a deep dive into what railroads are doing to stay lean and powerful during these still uncertain times.
June 1, 2014 · The rise of e-commerce, more frequent promotions, and competitive service-level agreements are creating more peak periods than ever in the DC. Here’s a look at five strategies companies are using to handle peak demand.
June 1, 2014 · Our new reader survey reveals a cautious approach to supply chain software investment and some lingering uncertainty over the place cloud computing will hold in the greater supply chain solution hierarchy.
June 1, 2014 · Trade volumes between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are massive and growing due in no small part to the fact that manufacturers now treat the continent as one seamless market for production and distribution. Our panelists offer insight into the bright outlook for hemispheric trade.
June 1, 2014 · The RFID market is showing signs of steady growth as companies work to achieve a meaningful return on investment in specific areas of given processes.
June 1, 2014 · Finding the right third-party logistics provider (3PL) always involves considerable due diligence, contend industry experts. But it may also mean leaving an existing partner for a set of collaborators that can deliver on the promise of a seamless global network.
June 1, 2014 · Our team of market leading consultants offers global shippers a strategic approach for optimizing air freight expenditures in a way that simultaneously improves service and capacity.
June 1, 2014 ·
June 1, 2014 ·
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Latest in Logistics Management

FTR Shippers Conditions Index takes a step back but remains positive
For January, the most recent month for which data is available, the SCI reading came in at 3.3, marking a 3% decline December’s 6.4 reading and also below November’s 6.3. October had topped September's 4.3 by 2%, with FTR saying at the time reflected the most favorable market conditions for shippers since June 2023.

U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are mixed, for week ending March 23, reports AAR
Rail carloads, at 219,586, fell 0.6% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers, at 255,010, saw a 13.8% annual increase.

Expensive, lengthy delays expected before Port of Baltimore can re-open to vessels following Key Bridge collapse
The collapse of the 47-year-old, 1.6-mile Francis Scott Key Bridge is going to have supply chain repercussions for months, if not longer, supply chain experts are saying.

DAT Truckload Volume Index sees February declines after a strong January
The van TVI, at 245, down 4% compared to January, with the reefer TVI, at 193, down 4% compared to January, and the flatbed TVI, at 242, increased 3% compared to January.

In Pyrrhic victory, Teamsters win as judge tosses Yellow’s $137 million lawsuit
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has won what the union calls “a major victory” in a breach of contract lawsuit against Yellow Corp. Unfortunately for about 24,000 Teamsters who lost their jobs when Yellow ceased operations last August, the victory arrives about nine months too late.

project44 and Everstream offer up analysis on Port of Baltimore situation
Chicago-based supply chain visibility services provider project44 noted that in addition to the Dali, there are also three other container vessels currently moored in the Port of Baltimore. And for container vessels that were scheduled to arrive at the Port of Baltimore now re-routing to alternative ports, Everstream Analytics reported the following: four at the Port of New York and New Jersey; three at the Port of Norfolk; one at the Port of Philadelphia; and one unconfirmed.

Industry experts examine the impact of Baltimore bridge collapse on supply chains
Following yesterday’s bridge collision in Baltimore, when the 32,000-ton container ship, Dali, collided into the 1.6-mile Francis Scott Key bridge over the Patapsco River in Baltimore, causing it to collapse and stopping ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore, for an indefinite period, it has created yet another uncertain situation for supply chains.

Port of Baltimore closed indefinitely to ships after 1.6-mile Key Bridge collapses following maritime accident
The most severe U.S. bridge collision since the Tampa Skyway Bridge disaster in 1980 happened at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday near Baltimore where a 32,000-ton cargo ship Dali rammed a bridge over the Patapsco River in Baltimore, causing it to collapse. The collapse of the 47-year-old, 1.6-mile Francis Scott Key Bridge has brought ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore, an important East Coast trade hub, to a halt. The port said maritime traffic is suspended “until further notice.”

UPS presents updated financial goals and strategic targets at its investor day
Atlanta-based global freight transportation and logistics services provider UPS unveiled details regarding its strategic growth and productivity initiatives and its three-year financial targets at its Investor Day. Company officials stated that through its ongoing “Customer First, People Led, Innovation Driven” strategy, UPS is focused on setting up to the company to be the “premium small package provider and logistics partner in the world.”

Q&A: Mike Burkhart, VP of Mexico, C.H. Robinson
LM Group News Editor Jeff Berman recently spoke with Mike Burkhart, VP of Mexico, for Minneapolis-based global logistics services provider and freight forwarder C.H. Robinson, about the ongoing nearshoring push into Mexico and what shippers need to know and be prepared for in order to establish cross-border supply chain and logistics operations south of the border.

National diesel average heads up for second straight week, reports EIA
The weekly average, at $4.034, saw a 0.006-cent increase, following a 2.4-cent increase, to $4.028, for the week of March 18.

February and year-to-date U.S. import growth is solid, reports S&P Global Market Intelligence
February imports, at 2.44 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) increased 21% compared to February 2023. And when taking into account the timing of the Lunar New Year, coupled with the impact of ongoing Red Sea and Panama Canal disruptions, the firm explained that U.S.-bound imports over the first two months of 2024, at 5.04 million TEU, posted a 14% annual increase over 2023’s 4.40 million TEU, with 2022 and 2021, at 5.21 million TEU and 5.09 million TEU, respectively.

LM Podcast Series: 3PL market update with Evan Armstrong
Themes focused on over the course of this podcast included: the state of the market; ways in which the pandemic affected 3PL operations; M&A; how 3PLs are adjusting to and leveraging nearshoring; and the economy, among other topics. 

CPOs shift focus on AI from what’s possible to implementation
Annual Voices of Sourcing survey from Keelvar also finds technology use is ramping up as the workforce shrinks

FedEx fiscal third quarter earnings see gains amid ongoing volume declines
Quarterly revenue, at $21.7 billion, was off 2.3% annually, and operating income, at $1.24 billion, rose 16% annually. Earnings per share, at $3.51, topped the $3.05 from a year ago, topping Wall Street expectations of $3.30. Net income, at $879 million, was up 12% annually.


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