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Helpful Articles - Supply Chain

A little while ago, we tackled the question, “Why is the supply chain so messed up?” Despite efforts from local officials, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and even President Joe Biden’s administration, there’s still significant congestion at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For our part, we’ve been hearing from a number of shippers looking for drayage solutions to get their containers out of the ports. A few key statistics lay out the current state of affairs: 82% increase in average end-to-end transit time from China to the U.S. Due in large part to port congestion, U.S.–China ocean freight transit time has increased considerably,...

As a business grows, its supply chain operations can get geometrically more complex. If you’re only shipping a few loads a week, though, you might not need a transportation management system (TMS). However, if you move a significant number of loads via several different modes from several different origin points, a TMS could be a vital tool to help you plan, execute, and analyze all of your supply chain activities.  Transportation Management System (TMS): A software platform that helps businesses optimize their supply chain activities, specifically around the movement of goods. Both shippers as well as 3PLs may leverage these systems to streamline operations.  If you’re considering a transportation management system for your business, we’ll walk you through the major benefits. You’ll see how other operations leverage...

While your managing and optimizing your organization’s supply chain, you’ll encounter a number of terms. Some might be old, familiar friends. Others might leave you puzzled.  Enter our Approved Glossary of Supply Chain Terms.  Below, you’ll find our definitions of some of the most common supply chain terms you’ll hear, plus links to further resources if you want to dive deeper. Use this glossary to decode the lingo you’ll hear—and sound like the supply chain expert you aspire to be.  Interested in Freight & Transportation Terms? Check out our Transportation Glossary for our definitions of freight, logistics, and transportation terms.  Read More3PL – An acronym that stands for 3rd–Party Logistics. When someone...

The pandemic—and its effects on global supply chains—held insights for manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers alike. Some questioned the validity of the popular just-in-time model for supply chain management. Others are seeking ways to make their supply chains more resilient, so they’re able to flex in response to future global incidents.   Diversification can be a key strategy for reducing the effect of disruptions on your supply chain. Simply put, supply chain diversification is the real-world application of the old adage, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” It asks supply chain managers to reduce their reliance on single sources for components, supplies, and/or finished goods. That way, if one source...

Manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, consumers (frankly, everyone!) who’s tried to buy anything in the last 18 months agrees—the global supply chain is not running the way it used to. Raw materials, supplies, and finished goods are all taking significantly longer to move, and it’s costing significantly more to move them.   As a result, links in the supply chain are stretching and, very often, breaking. Shipments have been massively delayed. Forecasts are getting thrown out the window. Shortages are very real. Additionally, experts are warning U.S. consumers to prepare for a different kind of Christmas than they’re used to. Even books haven’t emerged unscathed as new shortfalls loom, like the paper shortage that may keep new books from reaching shelves.   If you’ve...

We’ve all heard the stories: Massive backlogs at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, complemented by a backup at the Port of New York and New Jersey. Warnings of a Christmas toy shortage. Encouragement to order more and order earlier to keep  supply chains running smoothly.   What’s behind the increasing chaos in the supply chain? Obviously, like many supply chain issues, it’s complicated. (If you work in the industry, you probably expected that answer!) Supply chains are, by nature, interconnected. A disruption in one link can easily cascade through the network. Additionally, supply chain disruptions are truly nothing new. Material shortages, natural disasters, labor strikes, economic trends, and more have long been par for the course, as many supply chain managers...