Global Supply Chain Management

How Bad Would It Be Were Political Strife to Close the Suez Canal?

March 22, 2013

All eyes are watching the deteriorating political situation in Egypt. The recent civil riots in Port Said were, arguably, too close for comfort for those dependent on the Suez Canal. Although the arterial trade route is unlikely to close, the possibility cannot be ignored.

French Electronics Retailer Uses RFID to Track Pallets Moving from Distribution Centers to Stores

March 21, 2013

RFID Journal

Scarmor, a logistics subsidiary of the French hypermarket chain E.Leclerc, has installed a network of RFID readers that works without middleware at 35 dock doors within two warehouses. The company continues to roll out the technology that will be used to track pallets being moved from distribution centers to roughly 58 E.Leclerc retail sites throughout the French province of Brittany.

Air Cargo Industry Looking Now for Next Generation of Managers

March 21, 2013

Air Cargo World

Almost half those attending IATA's World Cargo Symposium in Doha had been in the airfreight industry for more than 20 years, prompting lengthy debate about where the next generation of employees is going to come from.

Six Million Retail Thieves Apprehended Annually - But That's Only Tip of the Iceberg

March 21, 2013

Checkpoint Systems

The number of retail thieves apprehended annually continues to be about six million, research indicates, but the picture is much worse than that figure suggests. More than 78 percent of shrink is due to shoplifting by customers or retail employees. New products in fast-paced categories such as electronics, perfumes and sportswear being brought to market every year at premium prices are among the most likely to be stolen. Fresh meat remains a high-theft category for supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Panama Canal Expansion to 'Stress' Intermodal Networks, Trucking Services

March 21, 2013

Inter-American Development Bank

To cope with the larger vessels that will transit through the Panama Canal when its expansion is complete in 2015, Central American countries must dramatically improve their intermodal road and port network infrastructure, the quality of their trucking services and strengthen their institutional coordination, two studies issued today by the Inter-American Development Bank show.

University of Louisville Creates Logistics and Distribution Index

March 20, 2013

University of Louisville

Researchers at the University of Louisville, Ken. have created the Logistics and Distribution (LoDI) Index, a national economic indicator that is intended to help businesses monitor the health of markets and guide their investment decisions.

ARC Advisory Group Releases Supplier Selection Guide

March 20, 2013

ARC Advisory Group

The ARC Advisory Group has released a Global Service Provider guide to supplier selection.

Uncertainty Reigns in Hiring Around the World, Survey Finds

March 20, 2013

ManpowerGroup

Global economic challenges and uncertainty will continue to contribute to subdued hiring during the second quarter of 2013, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released by ManpowerGroup. The research suggests that employers are seeking signs of a robust global economy before labor markets are likely to achieve sustainable traction.

American Trucking Association Disputes New Regulations in Federal Court

March 19, 2013

Transport Topic News

The federal government told an appeals court that industry objections to its latest changes to the hours-of-service rules for truck drivers boil down to "simple scientific disputes" and that the government should be free to use its discretion in such cases.