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

U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are up, for week ending September 16, reports AAR
Rail carloads, at 232,723, eked out a 0.2% annual gain. Intermodal containers and trailers, at 257,067 units, were up 3.3% annually.

Q&A: Cary Davis, American Association of Port Authorities President and CEO-elect
In late August, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) announced that its Board of Directors announced that, effective October 1, Cary Davis will become its new President and CEO. Davis joined AAPA in November 2019 and has played key public policy roles for the organization in his roles as VP of Government Relations, General Counsel and Board Secretary.

Estes’ $1.52 billion bid beats ODFL’s bankruptcy offer for Yellow terminals
The first big winner in the bankruptcy dismantling of Yellow Corp. is less-than-truckload (LTL) rival, Richmond, Va.-based Estes Express, the nation’s fourth-largest LTL carrier.

FedEx reports mixed fiscal first quarter earnings, with Ground up 3%
Quarterly revenue—at $21.7 billion—was down 7% annually, and operating income—at $1.49 billion—increased 25%. Net income, at $1.08 billion, topped the $875 million recorded for the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $4.23, up 24% annually and topping Wall Street expectations, at $3.70.

Ryder announces the official entrance of its BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric vans
Earlier this week, Miami-based Miami-based freight transportation and logistics services provider heralded the initial rollout of its BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric vans at four strategic facilities in California, Texas, and New York.

Success in Volatile Markets: How High-Tech Companies can Optimize Their S&OP Process
Join our webinar, hosted by Adrian Wood and Robert Oliver from Dassault Systèmes, to discuss an integrated approach to S&OP and how advanced modeling and optimization capabilities allow you to achieve key results:

ATA August tonnage readings are mixed
The ATA’s advanced Seasonally Adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, for August, came in at 115.3 (2015=100), for a 0.2% gain over July. July saw a 1.1% sequential gain, which was revised from an initial reading of 112.9, for a 0.8% decrease, reported by ATA on August 22 and a 0.3% June decline, which registered a 113.8 reading.

USPS is gearing up for Peak Season, says it will not levy a holiday surcharge
The USPS cited various investments it has made, in advance of the 2023 Peak Season, including: hiring 10,000 seasonal employees; utilizing 348 new package sorting machines; increasing daily processing capacity to approximately 70 million; moving 95% of volume via more reliable ground transportation, for First Class Mail and more than 95% of First-Class packages; and its new USPS Ground Advantage Shipping Service

August U.S.-bound shipments see another month of declines, reports S&P Global Market Intelligence
August imports, at 2.88 million TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), were down 12% annually, and were ahead of July’s 2.53 million TEU and June’s 2.43 million TEU. This marked the 13th consecutive month of annual declines. On a year-to-date basis through August, imports are down 14.8% annually, at 18.82 million TEU.

LM reader survey points to strong possibility of the economy entering into a recession
More than 50% of the survey’s respondents stated that the economy will enter into a recession within the next six months. As for reasons why this may be the case, responses included: high interest rates; high balances on credit cards; inflation; lower consumer demand; and high gasoline prices, among others.

August intermodal volumes see another month of declines, reports IANA
Total August volume, at 1,463,123 units, decreased 7.5% annually, faring better than the 9.8% annual decrease seen in July.

National diesel average rises for the ninth consecutive week, reports EIA
For the week of September 18, EIA reported that the national average climbed 9.3 cents, to $4.633 per gallon, following a 4.8-cent increase, for the week of September 11, to $4.50 per gallon.

August Cass Freight Index shipments and expenditures fall annually and rise sequentially
August’s shipment reading, at 1.143, fell 10.6% annually and up 1.9% compared to July, and August expenditures, at 3.459, were down 25.0% annually, in line with August’s 24.4% decline, and were up 1.1% compared to July.

OOIDA bucks effort to regulate heavy truck speeds
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is ramping up its opposition to mandate speed limiters on heavy trucks.

Rivals pick over old Yellow freight assets as shippers plan for LTL rate hikes
The dismantling of Yellow Corp. assets has begun, and so has the realignment of the $58 billion less-than-truckload (LTL) landscape.


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