Tag Archives: report

By Shefali Kapadia When pandemic-driven lockdowns sent consumers home, Frito-Lay adjusted its inventory to meet increasing demand for its products. The snack brand temporarily culled about 21% of its SKU portfolio to keep its supply chain as efficient as possible and deliver its most in-demand products, said Laura Maxwell, senior vice president of supply chainContinue reading “Frito-Lay bucks the trend of supply chain simplification”

By Shefali Kapadia USA Truck, like many businesses, went fully remote for office operations last spring when the pandemic prompted large-scale shutdowns. The decision was straightforward for most companies, as they put staff safety above all else. “When the pandemic hit … you have that ‘fight or flight’ button in your brain and say, ‘OK,Continue reading “Transport execs confront high-stakes decision: remote, office or hybrid work?”

By Shefali Kapadia and Matt Leonard The growth spurt in consumer spending that began last summer carried over into 2021, with knock-on effects to supply chains. Freight demand led to hikes in transportation prices and warehouse rents, alongside dips in capacity.  And near the end of the quarter, a global disruption occurred: The Ever GivenContinue reading “9 charts show the highs and lows of supply chains in Q1”

By Shefali Kapadia Trade didn’t make it into the Biden administration’s seven immediate priorities. It’s not a subject where analysts and former trade representatives expect to see big moves or a flurry of activity. But that hasn’t deterred newly-confirmed U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. “I don’t expect, if confirmed, to be put on the back burnerContinue reading “The US has a new trade chief. What supply chains can expect on tariffs and China.”

By Shefali Kapadia Interstate 495 is in clear view from the berths at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware. One traffic light and one turn is all it takes for trucks departing the port to reach the highway and haul their containers to dense population centers along the East Coast. And running parallel to the interstate,Continue reading “Dole, Amazon settle in as logistics infrastructure in Wilmington, Delaware, builds up and out”

By Shefali Kapadia Part of 2020 and 2021 so far have proved to be blockbuster for trucking. Consumer demand kept shippers busy and pleading for space, while the supply of tractors, trailers and drivers remained tight. But not all trucking firms benefit equally from the continuing freight boom. As in every industry, some transport firmsContinue reading “Inside the financial health of trucking’s largest players”

Higher tariffs, lower tariffs. More tariffs, fewer tariffs. Steel tariffs, auto tariffs. The ongoing saga of the U.S.-China trade war feels like Dr. Seuss book meets roller coaster. Throughout 2018, only one thing has been consistent for business managers when it comes to trade policy and regulation — uncertainty. “This is no way for retailersContinue reading “How to navigate the 90-day tariff ‘cease-fire’”

For 20 years and counting, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) has worn the badge of honor of busiest airport in the world. About 275,000 passengers traverse the airport each day, and nearly 650,000 metric tons of cargo and mail passed through the facility in 2016. “It is a major gateway to the world — one canContinue reading “Managing traffic congestion around Atlanta’s ‘gateway to the world’”