Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Emily Tucker, assistant professor at Clemson University's Department of Industrial Engineering. Most of the medicines we rely on every day come from just two key trading partners overseas. That has created shortages and vulnerabilities in our medical supply chains and has limited our abilities to assure that we have medicines when we need them. Dr. Tucker explains why we have this problem and what can be done to solve it.Ocean going vessels make up a significant portion of the carbon released into the atmosphere. This week we learned that Maersk, the huge container shipping company, is taking steps to decarbonize its operations. In an announcement Maersk says it has ordered a large16,000 TEU cargo vessel that will be carbon neutral. This new vessel will be powered by methanol. Is this a step in helping to alleviate climate change?Susan Lacefield, the executive editor of CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly joins us to discuss the State of Logistics special issue. This issue of the Quarterly takes a deep dive into major aspects of logistics with specific articles on the status of freight, parcel, rail, air, ocean, inventory, and other market segments. How does the industry look now and how might that change in the near term?Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Clemson University's Department of Industrial EngineeringMaersk to take delivery of carbon-neutral container ships in 2024Will logistics' wild ride continue?Supply Chain Quarterly websiteVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: SofteonOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, our guest is Scott Cornell, transportation lead and crime and theft specialist at Travelers. Cargo theft is on the rise compared to pre-pandemic levels. Cornell talks about where cargo is stolen and what types of products are most desirable to thieves. He also discusses ways that supply chain professionals can better safeguard their cargo.Because of strong consumer demand, U.S. ports have been setting records all year long. July was no different, as ports continued to see robust business on imports, but not so much on the export side of their business. What's behind the numbers, and do they show trends for the future?Insurance is one of the largest expenses for any trucking fleet. This week we report on a new kind of insurance available in some states. What makes it unique and less costly?Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Travelers Inland MarineEast Coast ports post record July volumeDaimler invests in digitalized truck insurance startupATRI says the size of court verdicts against trucking fleets is growing faster than inflationVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: SofteonOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, our guest is Kathy Fulton, executive director of ALAN, the American Logistics Aid Network. Hurricanes can leave in their wake many supply chain disruptions, even for those not in the direct path of the storm. We are about to enter the heart of hurricane season. Kathy shares how companies can prepare their supply chains for when hurricanes impact the movement of goods and services. And what can be done to help others recover when a hurricane hits them directly?The U.S. Senate this week passed an historic infrastructure bill. Supply chain professionals have been waiting for years for such legislation. It still has to be worked out with the House of Representatives before it is enacted into law, but it looks promising this time that something will finally get done. How is the supply chain and transportation industries reacting to the various projects and provisions within the bill and are their any groups disappointed with the legislation?Sustainability is continuing to get attention from supply chain professionals. It seems the desires for even more environmentally-friendly practices and greater respect for human rights only seems to be increasing within the industry. A new report highlights these trends and priorities even during the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:American Logistics Aid NetworkIndustry praises Senate passage of infrastructure billMIT State of Supply Chain Sustainability 2021 reportSupply chain companies committed to sustainabilityVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: SofteonOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, we discuss the whether reshoring will take hold as one way of mitigating the many supply chain disruptions we have experienced this year. Our guest, Andrew Viteritti, commerce and regulation lead at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), shares research on the likelihood that U.S. companies will bring production back to North America. Is it a feasible solution?New economic news shows that logistics activity continues to be very strong, with solid projections moving forward. Find out what's behind the numbers in the latest Logistics Managers Index report.Many companies want their employees to return to work in person, but the rise of the Delta variant of Covid-19 might hamper those efforts. In response, many employers may ask that employees either be vaccinated or face ongoing mask and social distancing measures. What are industry organizations saying about this growing trend among employers?Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Economist Intelligence Unit websiteLogistics industry growth continues strong paceWith recovery in their grasp, business groups throw their weight behind vaccination pushVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: SofteonOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, Darren Epps, senior director of advanced vehicle technology at Ryder, shares what it will take for freight companies to transition to electric fleets. It is more than just buying electric trucks. It involves decisions on infrastructure for charging them and determining which loads are best suited for currently available technologies.Many workers spent the last year working remotely and ordering many, many things online. Now they are returning to offices. But what will they do about their e-com orders if they are not home to receive them? That's why some office complexes are considering installing electronic  parcel delivery lockers so that these workers can receive their e-commerce deliveries at work.What keeps chief supply chain officers up at night? A new study reveals the priorities that will set their agendas moving forward.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Ryder websiteHybrid workplaces could feature more parcel lockersReport: chief supply chain officers to focus on managing disruption & business continuity as pandemic challenges continueVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: ApteanOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, Spencer Shute, a consultant with the supply chain and procurement consulting firm Proxima, discusses the recent executive order from President Biden designed to encourage more competition between American companies. The goal is to increase competition to better serve consumers, but what impact will these orders have on the supply chains that we currently know and how will it affect freight markets in particular? Merger and acquisitions continue throughout our industry, as investors view supply chain companies as worthy of their investment dollars. Yesterday, a large deal saw Uber Freight buying Transplace. What will the impact of the more then $2- billion deal have on the market and is it just another example of trends we have been following?During the pandemic, many thought that sustainable and environmentally-friendly business activities might have been put on the back burner while companies merely focused on survival. Surprisingly, that has not been the case. Sustainability remains a major priority among supply chain companies.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Proxima websiteBiden calls for stricter enforcement of antitrust laws in transportation and other sectorsUber Freight buys 3PL Transplace from its private equity owner for $225 billionSupply chain companies committed to sustainabilityVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: ApteanOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Evans, chief robotics technology officer at Honeywell, discusses how automation can help small to medium-sized distributors compete with the big guys on the block.5G cell technology is rolling out across the nation, but it will take a while for the infrastructure to be  in fully in place to make an impact. How will it eventually affect the growth of devices using Internet of Things technology?During the pandemic, consumers stopped shopping in person and turned to online shopping for the goods they needed. Now that the nation is re-emerging, it appears those shopping habits are here to stay.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Honeywell website5G networks will require vast numbers of small cell antennas to support IoTReport says online shopping trends are here to stayVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored byApteanOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, Gary Master, president, COO, and group publisher at Agile Business Media, discusses the current state of supply chains. He explains that new challenges arise each day - almost like playing the arcade game Whac-A-Mole. Once one problem is addressed, another comes up to challenge supply chain managers. Product and component shortages, freight bottlenecks, labor issues, tight capacity, and growing complexities are just some of the major concerns we face each day in getting products to the people who need them. Our nation's truckers are breaking down at a higher rate this year. This increase in the number of unexpected roadside events is due to a number of factors, including aging fleets, the lack of spare parts, decreased preventative maintenance, and the conditions of our highways.Freight capacity continues to be very tight and there is no end in sight for the foreseeable future. A new report details just how difficult it is to find capacity within the logistics market.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Report tracks spike in unscheduled roadside eventsFreight capacity pinch will continue into 3rd & 4th quarters 3PL forecastsSupply chain kinks are pinching the supply of new trucks, FTR saysVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored byApteanOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, Mark Manduca, the newly appointed chief investment officer of GXO Logistics, discusses the new company and its role in the logistics industry. GXO is the result of a split in the logistics and warehousing segments of the large worldwide company, XPO Logistics. GXO has been created to assume the contract warehousing business. At its launch in a few weeks, it will become the second-largest firm of its kind in the world. Manduca shares about GXO's industry role and company vision as  a new player with a powerful heritage.The demand for warehouse space just continues to grow. New data shows that capacity will still not meet the demand for new distribution space. A perfect storm has converged to keep warehouse capacity high, including less new construction during the pandemic and also the growth of e-commerce and consumer demand. Is there any letup in sight?Financial firms are continuing to make significant investments in logistics and technology companies. What is driving confidence in this market and why are logistics firms so attractive for investment dollars?Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:GXO websiteXPO says name of contract warehousing spinoff with be GXODemand for warehouse space gains steamSoftbank continues to back logistics tech startups with a quarter-billion-dollar bidVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by Honeywell IntelligratedOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management PodcastsRate and review our podcast.We value your feedback and look forward to hearing from you.Apple Podcasts: Scroll to the Customer Reviews section at the bottom and click “Write a Review.” Podchaser: Click the “Rate podcast” button.

In this episode, Richard Sinkoff, the director of environmental programs and planning at the Port of Oakland, is our guest. He discusses a new initiative to have California fund $2.25 billion improvements in ports and infrastructure to create a zero-emissions distribution network. The network would aim for zero-emissions handling, including trucks that come into and out of the state's ports. It also would provide electric charging stations along heavily traveled freight corridors to reduce the carbon footprint of cargo being transported throughout California. The annual Gartner and AWESOME study on women employed in supply chain shows a steady increase in the number of women working in the industry. It's now at the highest point since the survey began in 2016. However, the report also reveals a lack of women represented at the highest company levels and cites a lack of opportunities and development programs for women executives.Digital transformation continues to steamroll through supply chains. A new report shows that one of the driving factors accelerating digitization has to do with B2B buying habits. Procurement at manufacturers, consumer packaged goods firms, and financial services institutions show that more activity is being done online since the start of the pandemic. That is only expected to accelerate in the future as buyers seek better online purchasing experiences.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Port of Oakland websitePort of Oakland joins bid for extra funding for green operationsShare of women in supply chain workforce hits 41 survey showsReport: most buyers will switch suppliers for a better online experienceVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by Honeywell IntelligratedOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts