Articles
How-To
Managing Expedited Shipments
There are two kinds of expedited shipments: critical and time-sensitive. Knowing the difference between the two and understanding your customers’ supply chains can help you make decisions that translate into cost-effective expedited shipment strategies. Here’s some advice from Greg Humes, president of Detroit-based third-party logistics provider NLM. 1. Hire the right people. Employing a staff […]
Read MoreBoosting Supply Chain Visibility
Improving supply chain visibility is a top priority of companies striving to maximize global operations performance. Nathan Pieri, senior vice president of marketing and product management for East Rutherford, N.J.-based Management Dynamics, a global trade management solutions provider, offers these tips for using technology to increase visibility. 1. Look at the big picture.Make sure your […]
Read MoreGenerating Accurate Global Documentation
Improper documentation can stop import shipments dead in their tracks and you may not even know they are stuck. Beth Peterson, president of BPE Global, offers advice for achieving fast, reliable customs clearance.
Read MoreEasy Come, Easy Go: Keeping the Yard Running Smoothly
Some companies consider yard management a low priority, but an inefficient strategy can bleed dollars from the bottom line. Wilson Rothschild, industry and product marketing supply chain manager for Infor, an Alpharetta, Ga.-based warehouse management software company, offers these tips for making yard management a strategic imperative. 1. Lead an initiative to review yard management […]
Read MoreClearing Customs Quickly and Efficiently
Efficient customs clearance requires technical knowledge and respect for procedure, as well as an ability to understand the game, speak the language, and build good relationships throughout the supply chain. Mike McCarron, managing partner, MSM Transportation, offers 10 tips for fast, reliable customs clearance. 1. Focus on what you can control. When you ship globally, […]
Read MoreShipping Hazardous Materials Safely
Shipping hazardous materials requires more attention to detail than transporting regular goods. The changes in paperwork and procedures since Sept. 11 have further complicated an already convoluted process. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the International Air Transport Association govern hazmat shipping at the federal and global levels, but transport buyers may encounter additional […]
Read MoreSelecting a Global Trade Management Provider
Language barriers, distance and time differences, security issues, and customs rules make global sourcing difficult to manage. Selecting the right global trade management (GTM) solution can help. Here’s some advice from Graham Napier, CEO of TradeBeam Technologies. 1. Look for immediate value. Identify a GTM provider with solutions that deliver immediate impact in core areas. […]
Read MoreManaging Warehouse Labor Costs
Ask any warehouse manager, “what is the most difficult cost to control?” and the answer will invariably be labor. Labor costs comprise the largest part of a warehouse’s operating expenses. The ongoing challenge is managing those costs without jeopardizing customer service and reducing productivity. Tim Wills, vice president of PEAK Technologies, Columbia, Md., offers these […]
Read MoreManaging Expedited Freight Costs
Too much expedited freight can turn profitable sales into losses. While most shippers expect to use some expedited service to meet customer requirements, the ultimate goal is to reduce that need. Thomas Phelps, president, Alloquor Consulting, Los Angeles, Calif., offers these tips for managing expedited freight costs. 1. Determine why you need to expedite. Take […]
Read MoreSelecting a DC Location
With the growth in global trade, deciding where to locate your distribution centers is an increasingly challenging process. Dr. Jeffrey Karrenbauer, president and co-founder of INSIGHT Inc., offers these tips for selecting the best sites. 1. Evaluate your supply chain network and create a plan.Look at what you are doing now and where you want […]
Read More