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Helpful Articles - Supply Chain

Sustainability has become a hot topic in the world of logistics and supply chain management. Some companies embrace this value for ethical reasons.   Others are leveraging sustainability measures to appeal to consumers, who are increasingly aware of environmental practices. In fact, a recent Forrester study published in Forbes revealed that 32% of U.S. consumers “prioritize companies that are actively reducing their impact on the environment.”i   Finally, many companies are pursuing sustainability measures to stay compliant with regulations. For example, the International Maritime Organization’s low-sulfur mandate required many companies to reduce sulfur oxide emissions by changing fuels or adopting new technology. One of the trends we’re seeing in sustainability is a move toward liquified natural gas (LNG)-fueled ships....

Although last year’s scramble for household items has mostly passed, supply chain challenges continue to crop up in 2021. The backup at US ports, semiconductor chip shortages, and other supply issues have affected industries across the board. Even national chains like Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A are feeling the pinch.  We’ve seen our customers face several supply chain challenges of their own this year, and we’ve helped them create solutions that kept their businesses moving forward. To share some of these solutions with you, we called on our Approved experts who have been navigating supply chain issues alongside our clients. Below, you’ll find their top tips for surviving the supply chain challenges of 2021.  #1: It Might...

It’s something thousands of people ask Google every month, and, if you’re not in the freight/logistics industry, it’s not really common knowledge. So we’re here to clear up the answer to this frequently asked question:  What is a 3PL?  In addition to explaining exactly what a 3PL company is, we’ll also take you on a quick tour of what a 3PL does—and how they can help you with your business logistics. Let’s dive in!  What Is a 3PL?  3PL is actually an acronym that stands for 3rd–Party Logistics. When someone hires a 3PL company, they’re turning over their logistics—including things like warehousing and fulfillment—to a third party. That third party, the 3PL, is a company...

Out of all the links in a supply chain, the delivery phase is where the rubber meets the road. It’s that crucial moment in which the product that you’ve worked so hard to bring to fruition ends up in the hands of the person you created it for.   As you may already realize, how your product gets delivered is just important as the product itself—and maybe even more so. To illustrate this point, consider this statistic from a survey produced by Convey, a delivery experience management software developer. Their research revealed that 84% of consumers say that they won’t buy again from a brand after just one single bad delivery experience. In other words, the delivery phase of your supply chain is crucial to your customer...

If you don’t work in the logistics industry, the term “LTL freight” may be unfamiliar to you. After all, small parcel carriers are perfectly adequate for some business’ needs. For example, a one-person shop who sells necklaces on Etsy can usually get supplies delivered and send customer orders through carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Even giant storefronts like Zappos can use those same parcel carriers to deliver orders to their customers.  However, there comes a point when some businesses need more. For example, imagine that you need to order a few pallets of raw materials from a supplier. Or maybe you make a deal with a retail outlet to sell large quantities of your goods. Or maybe...

When you’re choosing methods for shipping supplies and/or goods for your business, it’s important to understand all your options so you pick the right one.  If that’s what brought you to this article today, you’re in the right place. You’re also in the right place if you’re looking to understand more about logistics, particularly modes of transportation and how they’re priced.   In this article, we’ll walk you through a key method for moving both goods and supplies: FTL freight. You’ll discover exactly what FTL freight is, and why it might be right (or wrong!) for your business. (And, if you have questions about any other terms, make sure to...