How can a $1.3tr industry, getting bigger every year, be hidden in plain sight? Easy. The vast U.S. logistics business, which delivers 48 million tons of freight (worth about $48bn) daily and already employs roughly 6 million people, operates mostly behind the scenes.
Moving perishable commodities like fruits, flowers and fresh seafood to the far corners of the world once was feasible only by air, making the price of these products prohibitive for most consumers. Thanks to a new generation of refrigerated ocean containers, however, perishable goods increasingly are being shipped by more efficient water transport. This shift is opening up new markets to producers and providing a growing, global middle class with affordable access to the fresh foods they want to buy.
The challenge of managing corporate reputation in an era of complex global supply chains is rarely out of the spotlight. From poor working conditions to environmentally unfriendly practices, there are a growing number of areas where brands are at risk from the rise of multi-tier supply chains. A succession of scandals has brought the supply chain to the public’s attention - from horse meat being discovered in the ready meals of UK retailers to factory fires in Bangladesh and exploitation of tin for mobile phones in Indonesia. The culmination of these stories means what was once an internal company process is now very visible to the public and runs the risk of inflicting serious damage on a brand's reputation.
Despite talk of the importance of collaboration in shaping demand, many companies have yet to achieve that ambitious goal, says Scott Roy, collaboration planning manager with Wells Enterprises Inc.
The company combines internal support with a pair of outside logistics and fulfillment partners, to help its marketing and sales people maintain an intense schedule of tradeshow appearances.
The latest news, analysis, services and systems regarding logistics outsourcing and its impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are transporting and delivering perishables and manufactured goods in a more timely and efficient manner than ever before using third party logistics providers (3PLs). New technologies that provide information during shipments are transforming the way companies work with these providers - and allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As 3PL services continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies are using logistics outsourcing solutions to power their supply chains.
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