Moving products and services efficiently from one place to another requires logistics management. The same supply-chain management strategy is used in global logistics-only the number of variables is amplified. One of the best definitions of business logistics is “the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the effective and efficient flow of goods and services from the point of origin to the point of consumption.” The word “logistics” dates back more than 100 years, though we tend to equate the term now to the modern processes and technologies that have expedited materials management and distribution. The advantages to developing effective global logistics are many: new revenue opportunities from new markets is the most obvious, but there may also be increased economies of scale, and lower cost sourcing for everything from components to labor. Centralizing global production is one of the best ways to lower per-unit costs and resource budgets. The challenge comes in establishing relationships with international supply-chain partners, and/or building a global sales organization. It’s not enough to put all the pieces in place; it must be done in a way that maintains quality control across longer transit distances and transit times, and that delivers products to the end user at a reasonable value. The longer the supply chain, the more vulnerable it might be to damage or delivery interruptions caused by weather, equipment failure or other obstructions. While global logistics can be modeled, analyzed, visualized, and optimized with sophisticated simulation software, this is a procedure that will always be more reliant on human resources than machines to get the job done.

Building Resilient Supply Chains through Collaboration and Digital Connections

Collaboration and communication are increasingly important for effective continuity planning and business development in a complex and uncertain global supply… Read More

ZIM to Adopt INTTRA eVGM Service as Compliance Tool for New International Container Weight Requirement

Peter Buxbaum 9:35 AM  7/21/2016

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, a leading container shipping carrier, and INTTRA, the world’s ocean shipping electronic marketplace, have announced ZIM’s… Read More

FASTLANE Projects List Released

Peter Buxbaum 8:46 AM  7/21/2016

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has reported to Congress the first list of grants it intends to award… Read More

Overcapacity Jeopardizes China Port Profits

Haylle Sok 5:38 AM  7/21/2016

China’s build-out of excessive steel production capacity has led to a global glut of the metal, falling market prices, and… Read More

Automotive Supply Chain Subjected to Intensified Pressures During Summer Shutdown Preparation

Haylle Sok 4:21 AM  7/21/2016

The automotive industry is entering a period of calm before the storm, according to Evolution Time Critical, a Europe-based automotive… Read More

South China Sea: Uncertain Times for Shipping and Trade

Haylle Sok 2:38 AM  7/21/2016

Tension and uncertainty are nothing new in the South China Sea. From Chinese skirmishes with Vietnamese forces in 1974, to… Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Oakland City Council Takes Final Vote, Confirming Coal Ban

Peter Buxbaum 11:39 AM  7/20/2016

Today, the Oakland City Council voted to confirm an ordinance that would ban coal from being handled and stored in… Read More

Volga-Dnepr and GE Announce Global Strategic Partnership

Haylle Sok 9:55 AM  7/20/2016

Volga-Dnepr Group and GE Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a strategic partnership to develop collaborative solutions… Read More

Sale of Frankfurt-Hahn Airport: Down the Tubes?

Peter Buxbaum 8:08 AM  7/20/2016

The sale of the money-losing Frankfurt-Hahn airport in Germany to Chinese investors may be on the verge of collapse. At… Read More

Honeywell to Acquire Supply Chain and Warehouse Automation Technology Provider

Haylle Sok 8:44 AM  7/19/2016

Honeywell has signed an agreement to acquire the privately held supply chain and warehouse automation firm Intelligrated for $1.5 billion…. Read More

First Big Ship to Transit Expanded Panama Canal Arrives at PortMiami

Peter Buxbaum 6:31 AM  7/19/2016

PortMiami celebrated the arrival of the MOL Majesty, the first neopanamax vessel call on the port after transiting the expanded… Read More

Conquer the Supply Chain with a Small Army

Darren Matthews 5:16 AM  7/19/2016

Conquering the world is no small task. Any world leader throughout history who’s ever tried it could tell you that… Read More