The global electronics contract manufacturing market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.74 percent from 2012-2016, according to TechNavio analysts. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the need for original equipment manufacturers to optimize resources. With the fast-paced product development environment of high-tech electronics manufacturers, creating a closed-loop, traceable collaboration process with their contract manufacturing partners and suppliers is key to product efficiencies, quality, compliance and meeting time-to-market goals.

To meet the challenge of Amazon.com and other e-commerce rivals, the parent of Sears, Roebuck and Kmart launches an initiative to provide one- to two-day delivery of orders to online shoppers nationwide, drawing on inventory from strategically located stores.

Innovation of the Year: Disruptive technology products must get to market faster than ever, and a product innovation center at Flextronics reconfigures the supply chain to do just that. Runner-up: Sears Holdings Corp. Finalists: Intel, Fast Logistics, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council

Getting your finished goods to customers damage-free is key, but it never hurts the bottom line to do that cost effectively and in an environmentally friendly manner. Intel accomplished all of that by changing how it packaged its products.

The Philippines-based logistics service provider took a concept born in manufacturing, and applied it to the services sector. The result: a significant bump in service quality and customer satisfaction.