-
Achieving Supply Chain Sustainability
“Sustainability” now appears inextricably linked with our present corporate culture. For some businesses, the concept may be a genuine, but still an ill-defined goal. For others, sustainability is seamlessly integrated into both long-term strategies and day-to-day business operations. Most companies can at least agree on its importance. A recent Oxford Economics survey found that 65% of companies have created a clear purpose statement around…
-
The Importance of Employee Motivation in the Supply Chain
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the landscape of the workplace. In some cases, it has given employees desired flexibility and choice, and in others it has created new stressors and hardships. An unfortunate theme of 2020 was that there weren’t enough people working due to the economic downturn posed by the pandemic. And now…
-
Upgrading Distribution Networks for the New Economy
The global aluminum industry is the latest industry to suffer massive price hikes due to supply chain disruptions. Aluminum reached $3,000 a ton for the first time in 13 years amid anticipation that problems plaguing global distribution networks will persist well into 2022. These problems include COVID’s Delta variant sidelining much of the labor force…
-
Warehouse Drones and Supply Chain Automation
The concept of using warehouse drones may appeal to logistics companies as the COVID pandemic continues to disrupt global supply chains. Drones, and other forms of warehouse automation, are among many technological solutions businesses could potentially turn to as they brace for a potential logistics crisis when the holiday shopping season gets underway. Replacing some human labor functions…
-
Can New Environmental Regulations Create Sustainable Supply Chains?
According to a United Nations report released earlier this month, global warming is dangerously close to spiraling out of control. Thanks to human activity, record heatwaves, deadly storms, and other natural disasters are likely to only become worse. Unless immediate worldwide action is taken the average global temperature is likely to reach or cross the 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold within the next 20 years. Heatwaves…
-
Limitations of Supply Chain Automation
Global supply chains continue to weather crisis after crisis. The Delta variant of the coronavirus has devasted much of Asia, prompting nations to cut off land access for around 100,000 sailors who provide critical manpower for shipping lanes. Flooding has upended logistics routes in Germany and China for everything from fuel supplies to manufactured goods. Cyber attacks have disrupted container operations in the South African ports of Cape Town and Durban, causing further delays…
-
How Supply Chain Tech Can Save the Holiday Season
The Delta variant, climate change, and labor shortages continue to disrupt global supply chains as the 2021 holiday shopping season approaches. Experts warn that most consumers can expect empty shelves and very high prices the longer they wait to purchase holiday gifts, décor, and other items. Meanwhile, logistics companies will have to contend with skyrocketing…
-
The Delta Variant and Supply Chain Safety
The COVID Delta variant appears to be the main obstacle to global economic recovery and a return to normal life. As schoolchildren return to classrooms, public debates have divided communities over school mask mandates. The restaurant industry, which had expected further growth of in-person business in the second half of 2021, is now facing a…