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Reverse Logistics in the Supply Chain
When we think of the supply chain, we typically focus on the journey of materials to manufacturers and products to retailers and consumers. Equally important, however, are the logistical processes that go into moving a product from the consumer back to the retailer or manufacturer. Having an efficient reverse logistics plan is crucial to the…
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The Evolution of Reusable Packaging
Packaging is an essential aspect of the supply chain. On a basic level, packaging is important because it protects products as they are transported and ensures that they are intact when they reach consumers. However, on a higher level, packaging is essential as supply chain companies strive to become more sustainable. Because of evolving consumer…
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Building a Rewarding Supply Chain Career
Three years ago, the global and national supply chain was not a typical part of everyday conversation — supply chains operated behind the scenes. However, recent material shortages, port bottlenecks, global conflict, and other major disruptions have put the supply chain in the headlines and at the top of many consumers’ minds. At the…
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Creating an Integrated Supply Chain
A supply chain is made up of a series of moving parts. The components of a company’s supply chain begin with product manufacturing and end with the product reaching its destination. Efficiently managing the supply chain and all the processes that come between production and final delivery is vital to the success of any company.…
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Image Recognition in the Supply Chain
Recent shifts in consumer behavior and disruptions to the supply chain and workforce have made warehouse management an increasingly difficult task. To alleviate some of the pressure, many manufacturers, retailers, and logistics companies are beginning to incorporate more supply chain technology systems into their warehouse processes. Along with resources such as robotics and other automated…
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Supply Chain Inventory Trends
In early 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, the looming shutdowns and stay-at-home orders caused many consumers to panic and stock up excessively on goods such as toilet paper and household cleaning products. Retailers saw products flying off the shelves in record numbers and quickly realized their standard inventory management process was not equipped…
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Perfect Order Fulfillment in the Supply Chain
As a result of the pandemic, logistics companies and retailers have pivoted their business models and altered their processes to offset ongoing disruptions and concerns. With new processes comes the challenges of the unfamiliar, and executives may find themselves monitoring the adjustments closely to ensure they are working for a company’s supply chain and consumers.…
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Optimized Route Planning in the Supply Chain
Planning a delivery route is no easy task. And as the demand for goods goes up, planning the best route for delivery and meeting customer expectations only becomes more challenging. To safeguard against potential disruptions and streamline logistics, companies are putting an emphasis on optimized route planning. Optimized route planning involves finding the most…
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Importance of Supply Chain Visibility
The supply chain snarls and slowdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led many organizations to scrutinize their operations and identify methods to prevent future disruptions. One key approach involves increasing overall supply chain visibility, which gives companies advance insights into potential risks before they become problems while enabling increased optimization and efficiency. As the…
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Making Employee Safety a Priority
Workplace injuries are unfortunately a common occurrence in most industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,764 workers suffered fatal work injuries in 2020. Additionally, 2.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in 2020. Employee injuries not only impact workers and their families, but also the bottom…
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Omnichannel Fulfillment Strategies for the Supply Chain
With the increase in online shopping and the growth of e-commerce leaders like Amazon, customer expectations have grown significantly over the past several years. Even prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, customers expected fast delivery times and flawless fulfillment experiences. Fast-forward to the supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic — now more…
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Why Education Matters in the Supply Chain
Supply chain disruptions continue to impact the day-to-day lives of consumers. From baby formula to semiconductor chips, product shortages and delays remain top of mind for many. While some of these unforeseen circumstances are out of the hands of manufacturers, retailers, and logistics companies, there are steps they can take to make the supply chain…