"I work in the supply chain" is often followed by "what's that?" or "what do you do?" Or it can bring to mind negative stereotypes of workers spending endless hours in dark, dingy factories.

It doesn't matter how large or small, what you do, or who is your demographic, there is a place for every business on social media.

Collaborating with supply chain partners on sustainability initiatives can improve outcomes, including financial return and reduce a firm's environmental footprint, according to a recent report by CDP and Accenture titled Supply Chain Sustainability Revealed: A Country Comparison.

Material handling equipment new orders grew 8.1 percent in 2014 and are forecasted to grow 9 percent this year, and another 7 percent in 2016, according to the latest Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Forecast released by MHI.

Companies are heavily scrutinizing transportation costs in East Coast and West Coast seaports-and inland cities with strong transportation links-locating facilities in markets best able to serve established and emerging "megapolitan" areas in a quick, cost-effective manner, according to a report from CBRE Group entitled Transportation Cost Equivalence Line: East Coast vs. West Coast Ports.

The global supply chain management and procurement software market grew 7.3 percent to $8.9bn last year, with small vendors combined significantly outpacing the overall industry growth rate, according to Gartner. Supply chain investments remained a high priority even as IT budget decision makers continued to exercise caution.

Supply chain executives want to invest in powerful new technologies and business innovations to improve their supply chains, but are hampered by a shortage of qualified talent and never-ending pressure to cut costs, according to a new study by MHI and Deloitte Consulting LLP titled "The 2014 MHI Annual Industry Report – Innovations That Drive Supply Chains."