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Pandemic Three-Year Review – How Has the Industry Evolved?
It’s hard to believe it has been three years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of the global disruptions it caused. Since March of 2020, the supply chain has experienced snarls and setbacks of all shapes and sizes— including semi-conductor chip shortages, port backups, a dwindling workforce, and panic buying. A…
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Materials Management in Supply Chain
For a supply chain to function properly, materials management is paramount. Materials management in the supply chain involves planning for material requirements, determining the amount of materials to be deployed at each stocking location, and establishing plans to maintain inventory levels. Inventory can be raw materials or even finished goods. Communication must be maintained across…
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Choosing the Right Pallet Supplier
There are numerous factors to consider when choosing a pallet supplier. Choosing the wrong supplier can lead to issues that affect every aspect of a business while choosing the right one can make a considerable difference in supply chain efficiency and financial results. Factors to consider when choosing a pallet supplier: Choosing the right pallet…
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How Rapid Delivery is Shaping the Supply Chain
The food delivery sector grew rapidly after the onset of the pandemic, and though people have learned to live and work outside the home with increased precautions, consumer demand for delivery, including speedy, same-day food and grocery delivery, has remained high. The speed at which groceries or any number of household products can be distributed…
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Mass Customization in the Supply Chain
Manufacturers around the world are constantly striving to increase product sales and enhance customer satisfaction. Many businesses are improving supply chain visibility and enhancing their use of technology to meet growing demand and consumer needs. A key tactic in this effort is mass customization. Mass customization involves the process of manufacturing goods that are made…
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How Retailers are Adapting to Supply Chain Disruptions
When the pandemic hit and altered the supply chain and consumer behaviors almost immediately, the retail industry had to adapt quickly. Disruptions such as materials shortages, port bottlenecks, labor crises, and more, continue to cause significant challenges for global retailers. To combat some of these interruptions, many retailers have changed their processes and employed new…
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What is Supply Chain Convergence?
Over the last few years, supply chain challenges have disrupted almost every level of business. These obstacles include backups at ports, delays in producing and delivering raw materials, and truck driver and other labor shortages. Many of these issues have been exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic, so as companies strive to grapple with these disruptions,…
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Total Quality Management Best Practices
It is easy to think of quality as just a means by which we measure a product’s value. However, in the supply chain, quality goes far beyond just the value of the product that is being delivered. To ensure top product quality, manufacturers must also assess the processes by which they manage their quality standards.…