-
The Stages of Cold Chain Management: Improving Effectiveness at Every Stage
The cold chain is different from other types of supply chains because failure almost always results in the loss of products. If a nonperishable item–a package of toothbrushes, for example–is unintentionally left in a hot warehouse too long, the product will be salvageable. The same can’t be said for a crate of fruit or pallet…
-
Environmentally Friendly Business Practices: Tips on Making Your Business More Green
Every day brings new and alarming stories about the environment. The buildup of plastic in the oceans, increasing levels of carbon in the atmosphere, and water shortages in some areas make it apparent that there’s a lot we can do to make our planet a healthier and more beautiful place to live. The well-being of…
-
Track and Minimize Your Supply Chain Waste Streams
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tracking supply chain waste streams isn’t just a matter of looking at the trash that comes out of processes. It’s about understanding how ineffective processes cost companies money–and how they can damage the planet. Waste occurs at every stage in the supply chain, from planning through delivery, and includes material-related streams (metals, glass, plastic, and…
-
What Is an Ethical Supply Chain?
There is no one fixed answer to the question “What is an ethical supply chain?” Just as no two supply chains are exactly the same, there’s no clear-cut route that all companies should follow to meet ethical standards. Supply chains involve many different stages, and working toward more ethical processes should include, at a minimum,…
-
How to Reduce Pallet Costs
Efficiency is the key to protecting profit margins, especially in the high volume and narrow margin world of grocery and consumer packaged goods. Due to the nature of these industries, the companies working in them already pursue efficiency with an eye towards keeping their Total Cost of Business (TCOB) low and their profits as high…
-
Cold Storage Warehouse Best Practices and Considerations
ARTICLE UPDATED ON JANUARY 6, 2023 Cold storage presents many challenges for businesses. Cold temperatures affect employees, increase depreciation on equipment, and necessitate more frequent maintenance on machinery. Still, cold temperatures must be carefully maintained to guarantee that temperature-sensitive goods inside facilities remain safe to use. This is crucial for products that include food and…
-
Three Real-World Examples of a Circular Supply Chain
Circular economic models are creating a major paradigm shift for supply chain managers. By pulling away from old linear models that followed the pattern of “produce, use, and discard,” companies are both reducing their impact on the environment and cutting their Total Cost of Business (TCOB) by keeping resources in use longer. Focusing on sustainability…
-
Green Supply Chain Management in the Food Industry
Food production is one of the most difficult environmental problems the world faces. Fertilizers that are sprayed onto fields wash into waterways where they can cause toxic algal blooms and fish kills. Pesticides used on crops have a detrimental effect on pollinating insects like bees and butterflies. Livestock have been found to be a significant…