Redbox has an unusual supply chain, with 10 new product introductions a week and no replenishments. An algorithm effectively allocates new DVD's among 43,000 kiosks, but this allocation is quickly skewed when customers use different kiosks to rent and return. Matt James, vice president, explains how the company solves this problem.
MBM Corp. is a customized food products distributor to 28 restaurant chains in the U.S. and abroad. Because truck drivers are a critical part of MBM's operations and its primary customer contact, driver recruitment and retention are crucial strategies, says Mark Luttrell, vice president.
Consumer demand for next-day deliveries adds another level of complexity and higher costs to logistics management, says Alex Pace, logistics coordinator at the Green Design Center. Pace explains how the Green Design Center manages its many LTL shipments to individual consumers and dealers.
Stage Stores' vision is to have no compliance violations on orders from suppliers and zero chargebacks, says Ken Lettre, vice president of compliance and supplier relations. Barring that, it wants any violation to occur only once. Lettre explains how Stage Stores is working to achieve those goals.
The shift of most U.S. furniture manufacturing to offshore locations has extended lead times by 90 days for furniture retailer Haverty's. John Gross, eastern regional manager, says a policy of "trust but verify" is essential to ensure that suppliers deliver on time.
The use of aero-robots, or drones, in the supply chain may be nearer than you think, and potential applications extend far beyond delivery of small packages, says Jonathan Evans, CEO of Skyward. Evans discusses the technology behind commercial drones and Skyward's role in helping build a digital airspace infrastructure.
Lithium ion batteries are found in countless high-tech products – laptops, medical devices, security systems, disaster relief equipment and weather monitors, to name just a few. But are they too dangerous to ride on airplanes?
The maker and distributor of heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration units looks to improve the forecast and optimize inventory - while expanding its store network and boosting customer service.