supply chain optimization Archives

West Coast Ports are Losing Volume: What Are the Successful Doing
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West Coast Ports are Losing Volume: What Are the Successful Doing

Global Trade, Geopolitics, & Import/ Export, Supply Chain Briefing, Supply Chain Trade & Logistics, Transportation & Goods Movement

West Coast Ports are Losing Volume: What Are the Successful Doing

According to PMSA (Pacific Merchant Shipping Association), the five big West Coast ports have lost volume - 702,083 fewer loads and empties were handled in January and February 2023 than in the same period pre-pandemic in 2019. This equates to close to a 16% reduction. Specifically, the Port of Long Beach was off by 18.7% from January 2019 [...]

admin2024-01-16T22:07:16-08:00April 3, 2023|Categories: Global Trade, Geopolitics, & Import/ Export, Supply Chain Briefing, Supply Chain Trade & Logistics, Transportation & Goods Movement|Tags: automation, logistics, ports, strikes, supply chain disruptions, supply chain optimization, supply chain shortages|

Take Control of Your Manufacturing to Wrestle Volatility to the Ground
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Take Control of Your Manufacturing to Wrestle Volatility to the Ground

Manufacturing, Reshoring/ Nearshoring, Supply Chain Briefing, Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Optimization

Take Control of Your Manufacturing to Wrestle Volatility to the Ground

What is clear is that VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) is continuing in the forefront and will continue to be our "new normal". As I recently debated with the Wall Street Journal, we are in an era of non-stop disruptions. Look no further than the escalating war of Russia [...]

admin2023-10-03T21:40:23-07:00February 24, 2023|Categories: Manufacturing, Reshoring/ Nearshoring, Supply Chain Briefing, Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Optimization|Tags: 3D printing / additive manufacturing, backup sources of supply, friendshoring, nearshoring, regional supply chains, reshoring, S&OP, SIOP, supply chain consultant, supply chain optimization, talent supply chain management, technology, volatility, VUCA|

Proactive Approach to Navigating Transportation Woes
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Proactive Approach to Navigating Transportation Woes

In The News, Supply Chain Trade & Logistics, Transportation & Goods Movement

Proactive Approach to Navigating Transportation Woes

Transportation has been in chaos since the pandemic. It started with logjams at the ports that persisted for multiple years, continued with atypical events such as the ship getting stuck in the Suez Canal and truckers blocking the border of US and Canada, and continues to rage on with labor shortages across the board in rail, trucking, and all transportation sectors.

admin2024-01-17T16:49:42-08:00February 15, 2023|Categories: In The News, Supply Chain Trade & Logistics, Transportation & Goods Movement|Tags: Adhesives & Sealants Industry Magazine, friendly shoring, innovation, nearshoring, reshoring, S&OP, SIOP, strikes, supply chain optimization, supply chain resiliency|

The Economy – Where are we headed & where to focus?
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The Economy – Where are we headed & where to focus?

Business & the Economy, I've Been Thinking

The Economy – Where are we headed & where to focus?

In the last few weeks, I've participated in three different economic events, talked with trusted advisors and seen what clients are experiencing. From banks to economists to executives, differing views emerge. But, what is the bottom line?

admin2024-01-17T16:57:20-08:00February 1, 2023|Categories: Business & the Economy, I've Been Thinking|Tags: inventory management, recession-proofing strategies, scalability, stagflation, strategies to fight inflation, supply chain misalignment, supply chain optimization, VUCA|

Proactive Strategies to Get Ahead of the Non-Stop Supply Chain Disruptions
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Proactive Strategies to Get Ahead of the Non-Stop Supply Chain Disruptions

In The News, Supply Chain

Proactive Strategies to Get Ahead of the Non-Stop Supply Chain Disruptions

Companies must develop proactive and clear strategies that help them stay ahead of the ever-changing disruptions within the supply chain.

admin2024-01-17T17:00:31-08:00January 23, 2023|Categories: In The News, Supply Chain|Tags: Adhesives & Sealants Industry Magazine, customer and product profitability, nearshoring, reshoring, S&OP, SIOP, strategy, supply chain disruptions, supply chain optimization, technology|

West Coast Ports Diminishing Volume
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West Coast Ports Diminishing Volume

Global Trade, Geopolitics, & Import/ Export, Manufacturing, Reshoring/ Nearshoring, Supply Chain Briefing, Supply Chain Trade & Logistics

West Coast Ports Diminishing Volume

According to the The Journal of Commerce, the West Coast ports are losing volume. The West Coast share of imports coming from Asia is down from 61.1% in 2021 to 58.8% in 2022 while the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports rose. According to the JOC, the ILWU contract negotiations are causing this change although there are concerns about drayage and rail as well.

admin2024-01-17T17:01:13-08:00January 18, 2023|Categories: Global Trade, Geopolitics, & Import/ Export, Manufacturing, Reshoring/ Nearshoring, Supply Chain Briefing, Supply Chain Trade & Logistics|Tags: logistics, manufacturing, medtech, ports, supply chain optimization, technology|

Supply Chain Disruption Is NOT Dead Yet
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Supply Chain Disruption Is NOT Dead Yet

Supply Chain, Supply Chain Briefing

Supply Chain Disruption Is NOT Dead Yet

According to the Wall Street Journal, supply chains are back to normal. We do NOT agree. Using a take-off from Monty Python, supply chain disruption is not dead yet.

admin2023-09-17T00:47:02-07:00January 9, 2023|Categories: Supply Chain, Supply Chain Briefing|Tags: business opportunities, supply chain, supply chain disruptions, supply chain optimization|

Reshaping the Future of Supply Chains
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Reshaping the Future of Supply Chains

Supply Chain

Reshaping the Future of Supply Chains

Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Wars. Communist threats. Rail strikes barely averted. A severe oil and gas crisis. Inflation soaring. Interest rates rising. Severe weather and stranded passengers. Shortage of baby’s Motrin. What else?!

admin2024-01-17T17:03:24-08:00December 30, 2022|Categories: Supply Chain|Tags: global supply chain, supply chain optimization, talent, technology|

Why People Matter
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Why People Matter

I've Been Thinking, Leadership & Skills Development, Talent & Leadership

Why People Matter

Most clients do not have as much talent as they need (at least in key roles or sites). Similar to inventory, many clients might have talent but do not have the type of talent in the right place (or available) at the right time. Classic challenges!