Andy Williams, business development manager with Vanderlande Industries, talks about how companies are embracing the direct-to-consumer model of distribution.

Competition within the supply chain industry is fierce. Internal executives, third-party providers and industry consultants all have their own special sauce strategies to navigate the twists and turns of the supply chain. Touting a company's strength is important for shareholders and marketing efforts. But value can be generated by recognizing operational deficiencies, and seeking out partner companies with complementary competencies. By this initiative, both companies capture or retain the ultimate prize - the customer. Sometimes a company's best choice for a partner is the least expected or desired - a competitor.

DSC Logistics has announced the expansion of their U.S. network with the construction of a state-of-the-art Food / CPG Retail Consolidation Logistics Center in the new logistics park in Moreno Valley, California. Kraft Foods Group, one of North America's largest consumer packaged food and beverage companies, will be the first customer in the building, scheduled for a late 2013 opening.

Apple is facing fresh questions over alleged workers' rights violations and environmental mismanagement in its Chinese supply chain, following the publication of a major new report from the China Labor Watch (CLW) group.

CargoSphere, vendor of a network for managing global freight rates for the ocean and air transportation and logistics industries, has introduced its Smart Upload and Diagnostics Solution (SUDS).

DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight arm of Deutsche Post DHL, has launched a mobile app for customers to track their ocean and airfreight shipments.