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Although the global COVID-19 pandemic looms large in our current consciousness, it’s hardly the first major event to create significant supply chain disruptions. Consider the 1998 hurricane that affected Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The massive storm wiped out 10% of the worldwide banana crop, putting both Chiquita and Dole in a difficult position. Additionally, the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City resulted in increased security and scrutiny around shipments coming into the U.S., delaying the arrival of many manufacturing components from abroad. Among those affected were U.S. auto manufacturer Ford Motor Company, who had to close five of their plants for...

The COVID-19 pandemic put pressure on even the most resilient supply chains. As the pandemic unfolded—and its events created ripples across industries—it shone a bright light on potential challenges and weak spots, some of which resulted in massive disruptions during the global crisis. As a result, many companies are taking time this year to re-evaluate their risk management strategies—and implement new ones. According to a report from the Business Continuity Institute (BCI), 53.2% of companies surveyed are developing a comprehensive pandemic-specific plan to cover them for supply chain issues, while 32.3% are updating their overall plans to better account for supply chain challenges. In other...

If there were ever a year that underscored the importance of supply chain logistics, 2020 has been it. First, the pandemic’s stay-at-home orders drove online ordering to new heights, with demand for final-mile delivery rising right along with it. Then, as consumers reacted to the global event by purchasing en masse essential supplies like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes, many manufacturers scrambled to deliver. Add to that the sharp decrease in passenger flights, which led to an air cargo capacity crunch. Stir in increasing consumer preference for online holiday shopping, and you’ve got a year that delivered a significant number of logistical challenges....

To anyone outside the industry, logistics professionals often appear to be speaking a language all their own. Amidst all the industry jargon, abbreviations, acronyms, and shortcuts, you’ll also find a few words that are in a category of their own. These words hint at the future of logistics and, often get thrown around in conversations where visionaries discuss what might be possible in the next five, ten, or even fifteen years. And while some may know exactly what these terms mean, you might see other people pull out their phones and surreptitiously Google the definition so they can join in the conversation. We’re talking about...

Online shopping is on the rise and, with it, comes the rise in returns. Although the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 holiday shopping season have both contributed to the growth of online sales and returns, these two events merely serve to underscore the increasing overall importance of reverse logistics and its role in the supply chain. In this article, we’ll explore this under-examined and under-appreciated link of the supply chain and highlight its impact across your business as a whole. First, let’s make sure we’re clear on terminology. Reverse logistics, as we’ll discuss in this article, refers to moving goods from their final destination back...

2020 has been the year of the curveball—a year in which seemingly anything could happen. Even just in the world of logistics and supply chain management, this year has seen dramatic shortages, supply chain disruptions, air freight capacity crunches, ocean freight blank sailings, and much more. (The list goes on!) As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the globe, most experts agree that the 2020 holiday season will look a little different this year for consumers, retailers, and logistics providers alike. But exactly how will it be different? Obviously, that still remains to be seen. However, in this article, we’ll take a look at some...