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.

U.S. Container Imports Expected to Stay Below 2025 Levels Through Spring

Containerized imports at major U.S. ports are forecast to remain below year-ago levels through at least May, as slowing global… Read More

WHILE PROJECT CARGO ENJOYS SMOOTH SAILING, TRANSPORTERS STILL WANT FOR DRIVERS

Ian Putzger 2:45 PM  4/6/2016

Assuming their overseas clients don’t recoil in horror over the exchange rate of the dollar, these are relatively good times… Read More

WHEN TO CONSIDER CHARTERING YOUR OWN AIR CARGO CARRIER

Peter Buxbaum 11:03 AM  4/6/2016

If you find yourself in the business center of an American city, you might want to get around using public… Read More

Port Tampa Bay Receives New Post-Panamax Container Cranes

Haylle Sok 8:26 AM  4/6/2016

Port Tampa Bay has taken delivery of two new, state-of-the-art Post-Panamax gantry cranes, enhancing its ability to handle larger container… Read More

Air Cargo to be Processed at New Technology-Driven Sorting Facility

Haylle Sok 6:00 AM  4/6/2016

UPS has announced the addition of a new sorting facility and the expansion of its existing building at Ontario International… Read More

C.H. Robinson Expands Warehouse Space in Atlanta

Haylle Sok 5:55 AM  4/6/2016

C.H. Robinson, a global logistics provider, has opened a new warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia, to meet increasing customer demands. The… Read More

CEVA and Ford Extend Relationship at Louisville Plant

Haylle Sok 4:38 AM  4/6/2016

CEVA Logistics, a global supply chain management company, announced a renewal and an expansion of its services to the Ford… Read More

Axis Global Logistics and Imperial Logistics International Form Partnership

Haylle Sok 3:22 AM  4/6/2016

Axis Global Logistics and Imperial Logistics International, both providers of supply chain solutions for the worldwide retail industry, have established… Read More

Global logistics technologies aim to create better supply chain management

Ian Putzger 5:49 PM  4/5/2016

Industry events may seem to have become a form of collective memento mori for logistics professionals these days, as logistics… Read More

Liner Shipping Service Reliability Falls to 12-Month Low

Peter Buxbaum 7:16 AM  4/5/2016

Liner schedule reliability fell to its worst level in 12 months in February when the average on-time performance slipped by… Read More

St. Lawrence Seaway Opens 58th Navigation Season

Haylle Sok 6:42 AM  4/5/2016

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) marked the opening of the Seaway’s 58th navigation season today, with the transit… Read More

Shipping and Exploration Opportunities Open With Arctic Sea Changes

Peter Buxbaum 5:00 AM  4/5/2016

The melting of Arctic sea ice, thanks to climate change, has led to increased human activities in that region, and… Read More