The future of “last-mile” delivery of e-commerce orders is one of flying drones, robots and driverless vehicles rushing product to our doorsteps. Or so the futurists would have us believe.As with most technological marvels, however, reality must at some point step in to temper the dream.

Transport and logistics procurement are increasingly becoming more sophisticated and methodical. Even companies with three or four trucks are now being asked to tender for contracts they have held for many years. Logistics companies need to develop compelling bids and proposals that go beyond a

(Editor's note: This is the last of a three-part series. Read part 1 and part 2.)In earlier posts, I outlined the background leading to the current Chinese monopoly in the rare earth element (REE) market, and why prevailing beliefs in the U.S. that private investment and opening of new domestic

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on global supply chains in 2020, beginning with lockdowns in key manufacturing regions in China in February. They then spread to buying regions across the globe, triggering dramatic and erratic drops in demand and supply.As global trade enters the second half

An appetite for reshoring and onshoring may be growing due to the coronavirus pandemic, with more than two-thirds of North American manufacturers looking to bring production back home, according to a recent survey by Thomasnet.com. For most, a host of complex factors will determine if, when and

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and rising overseas production costs, many American companies are thinking about returning at least some manufacturing to the United States. But XStream Trucking Inc. has wasted no time in doing just that.Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, XStream is a design

As more companies move to online e-commerce, they are embracing omnichannel fulfillment strategies. Piece pick, parcel ship, and home delivery, combined with pick-in-store and multiple order options, are increasing the volume of small orders. And that’s putting pressure on space, load building

As consumers become increasingly eco-conscious, companies are going to great lengths to present themselves as environmentally friendly. As well-intentioned as the practice of emphasizing sustainability may be, many companies are guilty of “greenwashing” or “green sheen” &mdas

The hiring and employment landscapes have seen rapid changes over the past few months. As part of an ongoing commitment to safety and positive workplace culture, some companies are ramping up their background-check policies — including plans to periodically re-screen employees over time.&

COVID-19 has demonstrated the critical need for responsive and adaptable supply chains, in order to get life-saving materials and daily necessities to those who need them.Organizations with strong supply chains have demonstrated their resiliency throughout this pandemic, and as a result we expect to

As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold around the world, it delivered a shock to the system that tested manufacturers’ ability to adapt to change. Global electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers are quite accustomed to navigating the complexities that come with supporting thousands of cus

Global demand for electric vehicles is accelerating as consumers become more eco-conscious and countries set new targets for cutting carbon emissions. In the United Kingdom, for example, a ban on selling petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles will be implemented from 2035 onwards as the U.K. govern

As the coronavirus breaks out in meat processing facilities around the world, it’s become no secret that the food manufacturing industry is especially vulnerable to the complications that come with mass contamination and highly contagious viruses. While a staggering percentage of people who te

Selling across borders means you can reach new customers in bigger and faster-growing markets. Yet businesses can become intimidated by the operational complexities of selling internationally, especially when it comes to delivery and returns.Selling internationally through e-commerce is a big opport

The coronavirus pandemic threatens to wipe out years of hard work put into supply-chain planning. Processes that were running smoothly and effectively just months ago now require reengineering, and we're learning a hard lesson: Keeping our supply chains safe is just as important as keeping

In the digital age, long and complex supply chains have become the norm for many businesses. From large corporations to small to medium enterprises (SMEs), plenty of businesses now engage in supply chains that often encompass a long list of collaborators and suppliers. While this connectivity has un

As shoppers continue to rely on contactless methods for receiving products amid the coronavirus pandemic, retailers are adjusting their fulfillment strategies to accommodate. This presents complex inventory challenges, as brands struggle to keep up with unpredictable demand across multiple fulf

One of the biggest revelations of the coronavirus crisis is how so many small- and mid-size businesses live a hand-to-mouth existence. We’ve seen major retailers and smaller companies file for bankruptcy, even if they had never before reported a zero-revenue week.That’s how vital cash is

Right about this time in any “normal” year, ocean carriers and truckers would be entering their annual peak season for freight volumes, in expectation of that ever-reliable holiday shopping bonanza. Ships laden with cargo destined for American store shelves would be making their way acro

Pharmaceutical companies have struggled for years to track their products throughout their supply chains, making it possible for counterfeiters to introduce fake drugs into the market. To counteract this problem, a new system to trace and track drugs is needed. Researchers think that blockchain