All News

P3 Network Collapses: Some Conjecture

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 · Patrick Burnson News that China’s Ministry of Commerce has withheld its approval of the P3 Network – comprising the world’s three largest ocean cargo carriers – may give shippers a reason to consider the viability of such an arrangement to begin with. Can the Chinese be right about…

Logistics Becomes More Expensive Says New Report

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 · SCMR Staff The state of logistics is worrisome as logisticians struggled with uneven 2013 freight demand levels while bracing for a capacity crisis that is becoming “more severe,” a new definitive report on the sector says.

Five Useful Guidelines for Successful Negotiating

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 · Patrick Burnson Thanks to an increasingly complex global marketplace, today’s Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officers employ as broad an array of skills as ever before.

Supply Chain Collaboration May Have Some Shortcomings, Says Study

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 · SCMR Staff University of Tennessee’s Global Supply Chain Institute reports on successful strategies for supply chain integration

Intensifying Iraqi Turmoil Poses Another Threat to Supply in Tight Global Oil Market

Tuesday, June 17, 2014 · Patrick Burnson The impact on global supply chains has yet to be measured.

More Reasons U.S. West Coast Ports Should Worry

Tuesday, June 17, 2014 · Patrick Burnson The Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), says there are several compelling reasons why U.S. West Coast ports are facing “critical” challenges.

Ag Shippers Urge U.S. West Coast Dockside Labor and Management to Come to Terms

Monday, June 16, 2014 · Patrick Burnson While negotiations for a new labor contract covering nearly 20,000 dockworkers at 29 West Coast ports are continuing, shippers are urging The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to come to terms for a new six-year contract quickly.

Supply Chain Managers See Little Change in Trucking Spot Market Rates

Monday, June 16, 2014 · SCMR Staff While the reasons for high spot market activity can vary, DAT cited many reasons for why it continues to be hectic going back to July 2013, including last winter’s weather, the regulatory environment, and the ongoing driver shortage.

May retail sales are flattish sequentially and up annually

Friday, June 13, 2014 · Jeff Berman Commerce reported that May retail sales at $437.6 billion were up 0.3 percent over April and up 4.3 percent compared to May 2013, and total retail sales from March through May are up 4.3 percent annually.

Study: Consumers Demand More Flexibility When Shopping Online

Wednesday, June 11, 2014 · Patrick Burnson Retailers Must Address Buyers' Complex Path to Purchase

Riskiest Countries for Business: FM Global Ranks Nations by Supply Chain Resilience

Wednesday, June 11, 2014 · Patrick Burnson New Resilience Index is an online, interactive tool that displays data on country-by-country susceptibility to supply chain disruption

Resources May Not Be Running Out…But That Doesn’t Mean “Business as Usual”

Wednesday, June 11, 2014 · Patrick Burnson In the last several years, major companies have drawn the attention of international media when they have suffered supply disruptions due to raw material shortages.

Omni-channel Retailing Creates New Challenges for Supply Chain Managers

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 · Patrick Burnson A new report by Capgemini Consulting reveals industry views about the rapidly evolving retail landscape, including business challenges and opportunities.

West Coast Supply Chain Managers Ramp up Ocean Cargo Orders

Monday, June 9, 2014 · Jeff Berman With the June 30 deadline for contract talks for West Coast dockworkers between the between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) approaching, import activity at United States-based retail container ports is expected to see…

New Focus on Supplier Relationship Management

Monday, June 9, 2014 · Patrick Burnson Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) may be staging a comeback, as companies seek new ways of mitigating risk and controlling costs.