Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, we talk to Brian Feehan, President of the Industrial Truck Association, who shares about National Forklift Safety Day, a virtual event held this past Tuesday to promote a culture of safety around forklift operations.Our news team discusses how logistics workers have honored the memory of George Floyd while bringing attention to racism and police violence. We also look at how the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed problems in the IT infrastructure of many companies, which are scrambling now to maintain operations with some employees working in their facilities and others working at home. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Watch the National Forklift Safety Day virtual event on demand.Website of the Industrial Truck Association (ITA)The pandemic highlights the crucial role of ITPort workers honor the memory of George FloydLet’s talk about race and the danger faced by black delivery driversDC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverageVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by FortnaOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, we talk to Mike Griswold of Gartner about the recently released list of companies with top supply chains and what goes into making those rankings.Our news team discusses this month's Logistics Managers Index numbers and how it reflects the current state of the supply chain.We look at Amazon's latest additions to its air fleet and what it means to competitors.And we share some of the latest tools available to perform distribution in the age of social distancing within warehouses, including proximity sensors and contract tracing systems. Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Cisco takes top spot in Gartner supply chain rankingGartner.com LMI improves in MayAmazon to lease a dozen Boeing 767cargo jet to boost capacity for online ordersZebra launches wireless proximity sensing as companies plan reopeningDC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by FortnaOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, we talk to Martin McVicar of Combilift to see how his manufacturing operations have been adjusted in light of social distancing and proactive safety measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also discusses meeting with customers at a time when face-to-face meetings are not possible, and how his company developed a ventilator splitter device to help the medical community deal with the coronavirus.Our news team discusses how layoffs are affecting the logistics sector disproportionately and how truck drivers are being shown a little love in the form of higher pay.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Survey shows disproportional layoffs in logistics sectorTrucker pay is on the riseALAN opens nominations for 2020 Humanitarian Logistics AwardsCombilift forklift company develops ventilator deviceDC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by FortnaOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

With National Forklift Safety Day coming up on June 9, DC VELOCITY Contributing Editor Toby Gooley joins us to discuss her recent article on how companies can create a culture of safety around the use of forklifts.We also discuss the bumpy road of new truck and trailer sales and how Purdue University and Microsoft are teaming up to monitor the nation's food supply chain.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:How to build a forklift safety cultureTrucking market conditions fall to all-time low marksRyder reports steady used truck salesPurdue University, Microsoft collaboration calculates food supply chain riskDC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by FortnaOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, we talk to Jim Berlin of Logistics+, a third-party logistics provider, who shares how his company has operated during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing distributors and first responders with badly needed PPE equipment.We also discuss how drones are helping in the fight against Covid-19 by providing tracing and delivery, and we talk about how retailers are turning their outlets into "Dark Stores."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:"Drones stepping up to fight Covid-19""Retailers look to DCs and Dark Stores to serve consumers during Covid-19 crisis""JD Logistics prepares to launch robots and drones in sickened Wuhan""UPS to launch seven-day delivery in 2020 for online shopping demand"DC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by FortnaOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, we talk to Jayson Lusk, distinguished professor and head of the Agricultural Economics department at Purdue University. He explains why farmers are throwing away food even as we see shortages at the grocery store and discusses other issues affecting the food supply chain. We also discuss the latest Logistics Manager's Index, which measures logistics-industry business activity, and President Trump's pick for Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:"LMI reaches all-time low in April""Postal Service names former New Breed Logistics, XPO executive to top job""Postal Service posts $4.5 billion net loss for quarter preceding Covid-19"DC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by FortnaOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, we preview some of the stories in our May issue, including: An interview with Sheetal Shah, senior vice president of product and operations at Impossible FoodsOur 17th annual salary surveyNew developments in picking technologyA shift toward private fleets and dedicated carriageNational Forklift Safety Day: June 9A look at women's increasing visibility in top-level supply chain roles Also: A new survey says that consumers are OK with longer delivery times, at least during the Covid-19 emergency.A look at how companies may adjust their operations to get back up to speed as the coronavirus lockdown is lifted.Podcast sponsored by FortnaResources mentioned in this episodeDC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Other linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

Kathy Fulton, executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), fills us in on how logistics and supply chain companies are helping out during the Covid-19 crisis. She also talks about resources available to logistics businesses to help deal with issues caused by the coronavirus.Also: The virus' impact on suppliers worldwide Digital freight-matching platforms launch special efforts help shippers find carriers in the current marketPodcast sponsored by FortnaStories and resources mentioned in this episodeAmerican Logistics Aid Network (ALAN)Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security AgencyNational Business Emergency Operations Center"Supply disruptions will continue, tech firm says""Transfix offers increased freight volume to top performing carriers"DC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Other linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

Robert McKeel, the new CEO of automation, engineering services, and software company Fortna, talks about how customers' priorities are shifting during the Covid-19 crisis, and which changes he thinks will stay around after the pandemic ends. Also: An update on demand for cold storage, which has been accelerated by the coronavirus.A roundup of logistics companies' efforts to help out during the crisis.Stories and resources mentioned in this episodeFortna website"Cool solutions for cold environments""Covid-19 to accelerate demand for cold storage""Covid-19 roundup for April 15: Kuehne + Nagel upgrades portal listing canceled containership sailings; logistics efforts by Ware2Go, UPS, Cummins, 3M, Fortai, Brother""Covid-19 roundup for April 16: Convoy to pay trucking costs for any business donating truckloads to food banks, plus coronavirus efforts by TraceLink, Inspectorio, ShipChain"DC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Other linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of helping employees feel safe coming to work during the coronavirus crisis; Covid-19 deaths in the logistics industry; new companies that are emerging to serve the at-home workforce; how the virus is affecting cargo volumes; and Covid-19 resources for supply chain professionals. Stories and resources mentioned in this episode"Logistics firms face unique challenges in their role as front-line, essential services""Employers offer wage hikes to stressed logistics workers""Logistics industry counts first deaths from Covid-19""Last-mile logistics firm Bringg raises $30 million in latest venture round""Logistics sector posts strong growth in March""First-quarter volumes drop 18.5% at Port of Los Angeles""Container imports plunge in March as economy "unravels" under Covid-19 pressure"DC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chainDC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage Other linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY