A decade ago, consumers accepted waiting a week for their product but now with the infusion of companies such as Amazon and Alibaba, consumers are making their purchase decisions based on how quickly they will receive the product. In order to stay competitive in the marketplace, companies are turning to 3D printing to create their products quicker.

The world's farmers have increased their use of genetically modified crops steadily and sharply since the technology became broadly commercialized in 1996. Not anymore.

As companies are increasing their spending on supply chain technology, a growing number are looking to robotics and automation.

Free Trade Agreements, such as the ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership recently signed in Auckland, N.Z., represent an attractive opportunity for U.S. importers. The same is true for the corresponding Foreign Trade Zones that have greatly proliferated in the last forty years - rising from eight in the U.S. in 1970 to more than 500 today.

The global military helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market is expected to exceed $11.5bn by 2020, growing at a CAGR of over 3 percent, according to market research from Technavio.