Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Dennis Moon, COO of Roadie, a crowd-sourcing delivery company. Halloween is just a few days away. It has grown in popularity over the years to now be among America's favorite holidays - right up there with Christmas and Thanksgiving. Making sure that the deliveries of all of the costumes, decorations, and treats get to their destinations on time is a big task. Our guest shares some insights into how companies are delivering the goods for Halloween.It certainly has been an interesting year in logistics. Many natural disasters and man-made problems have caused supply chain disruptions on a global scale. As we begin to wind down 2024, it leaves us to ponder what is in store for 2025? Will we see more of the same or will technology help to create a better environment for logistics companies? We look at some predictions for supply chain technology trends that will drive the market forward in the coming year.As robots continue to make inroads into our distribution centers, there is one area that is just now getting some love from the robots. That area is bulk handling - specifically handling heavy items moved and stored on pallets. Bulk handling is getting this new attention from robotics companies, as they see this as an area where automation can help deal with the labor challenges of lifting and moving heavy loads.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:RoadieForrester forecasts technology trends for 2025How to handle a palletGet episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: Zebra Robotics AutomationOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Bindiya Vakil, CEO and co-founder at Resilinc. As the Southeast is continuing to recover from the double whammy of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, supply chains have recovered to bring goods to the affected areas and the people who need help. But what can we do to strengthen those supply chains and reduce future risk from the disruptions that widespread natural disasters like hurricanes can cause? Companies are collecting lots of data about their operations and their supply chains. However, most are not using that data effectively. What can companies do to capture and take advantage of their own big data?New research shows that regulatory compliance, tech advances, and consumer demand will spur 8% growth in eco-friendly warehousing and transportation services over the next 10 years. These trends continue to impact supply chain operations, as companies look to integrate electric vehicles into their fleets, use alternative fuels to power vehicles and facilities, and use more energy-efficient equipment and automation systems. We explore what is behind the numbers in the new research.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:ResilincBusinesses thrive with real-time data flowsDeloitte clean energy transition offers opportunitiesLogistics services continue to go greenGet episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: Zebra Robotics AutomationOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Kathy Fulton, executive director at the American Logistics Aid Network, or better known in the logistics industry as ALAN. All of us have witnessed the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to the Southeast and the Carolinas in particular. And then right on the heels of that we had Hurricane Milton tearing across Florida earlier this week. It is during disasters like these that we see the best that the logistics industry has to offer, and of course that is the work of ALAN. Kathy shares what her team is doing to match logistics services with those who need help in those recovering areas.Florida and the Southeast region have been hit hard by storms and disruptions this Fall.  Hurricane Milton moved across central Florida just this week. So the damage reports are obviously not in yet. But we have learned a lot about the longterm effects of recent events and disruptions on supply chains, including Hurricane Helene, the East and Gulf Coast dockworkers strike, and Hurricane Milton. We discuss a new technology that may impact warehouse inventory operations.Inventory drone provider Corvus Robotics made news this week with a product update and the announcement of a new $18 million funding round. The update includes new cameras that allow the drones to work in a lights-out environment—essentially, they deliver a fully autonomous experience.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes is now available on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) Hurricane Milton takes aim at weary FloridaFlorida measures the damage of Hurricane MiltonCorvus Robotics launches drones for lights-out warehousesGet episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: Zebra Robotics AutomationOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Elizabeth Gallenagh, general counsel and senior VP, Supply Chain Integrity, for the Healthcare Distribution Alliance. Pharmaceutical supply chains have been ramping up for a number of years to meet the requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, also known as DSCSA.  The DSCSA requires the tracking and serializing of all pharmaceutical products. The deadline is set for November, but is the industry ready for it? Our guest shares some insights. It has been six months since the Francis Scott Key highway bridge over Baltimore harbor collapsed when a containership lost power and drifted into the bridge abutment. And now a team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University has completed a study that identifies which bridges across the U.S. may be most vulnerable to another such collapse. They did the work because they believe that chances are high for another such incident, and that risk to the Key Bridge amid modern shipping traffic had been underestimated.Two European companies are among the most recent firms to put autonomous last-mile delivery to the test with a project in Bern, Switzerland. Swiss transportation and logistics company Planzer has teamed up with fellow Swiss firm Loxo, which develops autonomous driving software solutions. They will run a two-year pilot project in which a Loxo-equipped, Planzer parcel delivery van will handle last-mile logistics in Bern’s city center.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Healthcare Distribution AllianceStudy shows which bridges may need more protection from ship collisionsDriverless parcel delivery debuts in SwitzerlandGet episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: Zebra Robotics AutomationOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Threats

Our guest on this week's episode is Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos. The deadline is Monday to avert a dockworkers strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. That is when the current labor contract is expiring. A strike of even short duration could wreck a lot of supply chains. Our guest gives us the latest update on the negotiations and what effects a strike might have.Wreaths Across America is seeking carriers and drivers to join the nonprofit’s Honor Fleet, delivering wreaths this holiday season to cemeteries across the country in honor of U.S. military veterans. We share about the organization's mission and how volunteer drivers can help.One of the biggest impacts of pollution is from airplanes that pump out their emissions right into the upper atmosphere. We heard this week about a plan from Honeywell, the big industrial technology provider, to create a special kind of fuel mix called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for both passengers and freight planes.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A  new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:FreightosTruckers honor vets as part of Wreaths Across America DayWreaths Across Americatrucking@wreathsacrossamerica.org Honeywell technology will support sustainable aviation fuel plantGet episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: WernerOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Dana Stiffler, distinguished VP analyst at Gartner, an industry research and consulting firm. Women continue to be leaders in our industry throughout the world and their impacts are immeasurable. Recently Gartner teamed with the women's supply chain organization AWESOME to complete the ninth annual Women in Supply Chain survey that looks at the work of the female gender in supply chains. Our guest shares the results of the survey and offers insights into growing the number of women in leadership positions.Many supply chain managers are keeping a careful eye on the ongoing negotiations with dock workers at the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports – and we are getting much closer now to the September 30th deadline. We have the latest on the negotiations and what supply chain executives are doing to prepare for potential shutdowns at those key ports.Truck drivers nationwide have a mixed outlook on the future of the trucking industry, according to a survey by freight marketplace Truckstop. The study was released this week in conjunction with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which runs through this Saturday, September 21. Truckstop surveyed 850 of its carrier customers to learn more about their lives and experiences on the road. We share highlights of their findings.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:GartnerGartner webinar on Women in Supply Chain surveyPorts see import rush as dockworker strike loomsSurvey reveals mixed outlook on future of truckingNational Truck Driver Appreciation Week informationGet episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2024Other linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Andrew Billings, vice president and supply chain capability lead at North Highland. The retail world has already survived this year’s Prime Day and now we are heading into the peak holiday shopping season. Are retailers prepared and are there any clues as to what consumers will be snapping up this year? Our guest has some insights.With an eye on assuring it has the raw materials it needs, lift truck manufacturing company Raymond Corp. has opened a new production plant in Binghamton, New York to manufacture batteries to power its line of electric forklifts. The new facility expands on and replaces a former operation by its assembly plant.While electric vehicles are gaining popularity, the transition to EVs is not happening as fast as earlier market predictions. J.D. Power, the automotive industry analyst firm, says it is cutting back on earlier forecasts for EV market share as sales of battery-powered cars cool off. They cited drivers’ concerns about finding enough public charging ports and also the rising popularity of hybrid cars such as plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)—which combine battery power with gasoline engines.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:North HighlandRaymond Corp. boosts energy solutions with new battery plantSales of battery-powered EVs sputtered in first half of 2024Get episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2024Other linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Michael Sadowski, a researcher and author who just completed a study on sustainability in the apparel industry.  Released by the Apparel Impact Institute, the study looks at the apparel industry's use of  available resources. Of course, there are the fabrics that are grown and harvested or man-made materials that consume water and power. Most of our clothing is also made overseas, so the industry also needs to be aware of its carbon footprint to deliver all of those new goods to our closets and dresser drawers.This week we saw a report about truck driver salaries. This came from a survey done every other year by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), and they found that truckload drivers in the U.S. earned a median annual amount of $76,420 in 2023, posting an increase of 10% over the survey done two years ago. We break down which modes of trucking earn the best salaries.Data from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) show that a quarter of all industrial accidents happen at loading docks. That makes this vital, high-activity area within a distribution center a place for vigilant attention to detail. We look at how technologies and better awareness are making a difference to reduce injuries around the docks.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Apparel Impact InstituteTaking Stock of Progress Against the Roadmap to Net Zero - 2024 reportATA Survey: Truckload drivers earn median salary of $74,420Get episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2024Other linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Dawn Andre, chief product officer at Jaggaer. New supply chain talent is on the way, as college programs continue to mold new entrants for the industry. But what are some of the best ways to make use of these new recruits? Our guest has some ideas.Victoria Kickham is off this week, so filling her seat is Susan Lacefield, the executive editor of Supply Chain Xchange. Susan shares about the newly released issue of Supply Chain Xchange that features articles on the latest in supply chain technologies. We also preview the upcoming CSCMP EDGE conference starting at the end of September in Nashville.We cover a lot about self-driving vehicles in the magazine, but now autonomous transport is taking to the skies. We report on testing by the U.S. Air Force earlier this month of new autonomous cargo planes. The planes use smaller commercially-available Cessna planes equipped with tech that will allow them to take off, fly, and land without a pilot. These airplanes are much cheaper to operate than traditional military cargo planes.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:JaggaerHow digital twins can transform trucking operationsHow 3D prototyping can compress new product developmentBuilding trust in touchless planningWhy AI will transform procurement and how it is already doing soAir Force runs military exercise with autonomous cargo planesGet episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: Hyster CompanyOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Jim Bunsey, director of commercial business development at the Propane Education & Research Council, better known in the industry as PERC. With the goal of reducing carbon footprints and clearing the air, supply chain managers are seeking cleaner technologies to power their operations. Our guest shares that the full energy cycle should be considered when choosing power for material handling equipment and transportation vehicles, including the carbon footprint of the energy creation, such as power produced by fossil-burning power plants.The big news in North American supply chains this week  has been the Canadian rail stoppage. This has been a real whirlwind of huge potential damage to retail and manufacturing operations at a time when supply chains were already in somewhat vulnerable positions. Yesterday, the railroads were locked down over a labor dispute. But last night, the Canadian government stepped in to order workers to report and to resolve their labor issues with binding arbitration. How fast can the railroads get back on track and what does this mean for supply chains?Companies running large warehouses are looking for ways to improve performance and increase efficiency, all while dealing with persistent market pressures like labor shortages and space constraints. For many companies, warehouse automation is the answer to those problems. We look at two examples where automation is making a difference in warehouse operations. Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more.  All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Propane Education and Research Council Canadian rail strike sends tremors through supply chainsDesigned for efficiencyGet episode transcriptsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comPodcast is sponsored by: Hyster CompanyOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply <