Some of the biggest gains in U.S. exports due to a widening U.S. production-cost advantage over leading Western European nations and Japan are likely to be seen in chemicals, machinery, and transportation equipment, according to a report by The Boston Consulting Group.

The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America Inc. has asked Customs and Border Protection to revoke or modify a number of long-standing interpretative rulings that it believes have created an overly strict confidentiality standard. The NCBFAA has requested that CBP adopt a standard that requires brokers to maintain the confidentiality of an importer's "proprietary business information" which is generally defined as information which could harm the importer's competitive position if disclosed.

Dynamic flow storage rack system eliminates logistics bottlenecks and allows contract manufacturer of canned chicken to seek new business.

A conversation with Tim Carroll, vice president of global execution within IBM's Integrated Supply Chain.

The list of challenges facing corporate leaders today is lengthy. It includes globalization, rapidly shifting market dynamics, fallout from the European debt crisis, and a potential slowdown in Asia. It is unclear how these economic trends will play out and what impact they will have on industries and countries. Companies will also be faced with unexpected turbulence, whether in the form of adverse changes in their business or the arrival of tough new competitors. All this makes it more critical than ever before for corporate leaders to closely scrutinize the cost side of their income statement.