Current Features

Feature Boosting E‑Commerce Operations’ Sustainability and Efficiency BY CAROL MILLER, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, MHI PHOTO PROVIDED BY STAPLES Driven by continued growth in e‑commerce, U.S. parcel shipping volumes grew to 21.7 billion in 2023, according to Pitney Bowes’ most recent annual Parcel Shipping Index. The report, issued in April 2024, predicted continued growth reaching 28.3 billion by 2028. Its authors ...

Feature Humanoid robots are poised to gain traction in warehousing and manufacturing. BY NICK FORTUNA The first humanoid robots for manufacturing plants and warehouses were “expensive,” “cumbersome,” “clunky” and “slow,” but newer versions promise to be much more versatile and effective, driving stronger adoption in the coming years, according to Dwight Klappich, vice president of research at Gartner. Klappich, a ...

Feature Utilizing AI to optimize inventory management, demand forecasting and route planning BY SHERYL S. JACKSON ISTOCK.COM/CHAYADA JEERATHEEPATANONT While most are generally aware of the potential benefits of AI for their organizations, the value of specific applications of AI for supply chains is less clear. Recent research by Accenture found that companies using generative AI, advanced machine learning and other ...

Industry Focus BY TOM GRESHAM ISTOCK.COM/GUVENDEMIR As an industry, aerospace plays a starring role in commercial travel, shipping and national defense. That makes the effectiveness of its supply chain integral to stability and everyday life in the United States and across the globe. “The aerospace supply chain is vital not only to our economy but also to U.S. national security,” ...

Feature BY JASON SCHENKER, PRESIDENT OF PRESTIGE ECONOMICS®, CHAIRMAN OF THE FUTURIST INSTITUTE® ISTOCK.COM/PETMAL The supply chain community should expect 2025 to be a year of greater focus on sustainability. While a number of U.S. government policies are likely to be shaped by the new administration, other sustainability stakeholders have been applying consistent pressure across the economy and supply chains. ...

It’s Time to Assemble for the Biggest Supply Chain Experience of 2025 Come spend four inspiring and eye‑catching days with the people, technologies and ideas that are shaping this industry’s future. With over 1,100 exhibits, 200 educational seminars and four keynote talks, ProMat has all the equipment, systems and software you need to make your operations more resilient, transparent and ...

DEI Update Veterans Bring Leadership and Logistics Skills BY CHRISTY DULA, CHIEF EXPERIENCE & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, MHI ISTOCK.COM/JACOB WACKERHAUSEN Supply chain organizations that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring initiatives often focus solely on race and gender. Yet, persons from a range of different talent pools remain underrepresented in warehousing and distribution. One such overlooked population? Military veterans. ...

WERC Matters WERC’s new Team Memberships offer enhanced value for organizations seeking educational and benchmarking resources for warehousing professionals. BY JOANNA LEON, DIRECTOR, WERC MEMBERSHIP & CHAPTERS AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, COLLEGE‑INDUSTRY COUNCIL FOR MATERIAL HANDLING EDUCATION (CICMHE) ISTOCK.COM/MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES If you’re in warehousing and logistics, you know the importance of people, especially in today’s fast‑paced global supply chain. Helping individuals and ...

Higher Education The Importance of Volunteering for Student Day at ProMat 2025 BY JOANNA LEON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, COLLEGE‑INDUSTRY COUNCIL FOR MATERIAL HANDLING EDUCATION (CICMHE) Every year, Student Day offers the future leaders of the supply chain industry an opportunity to explore careers, see the latest technology and connect with industry professionals. It’s more than just a field trip—it’s an opportunity ...

There’s widespread agreement that transitioning to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050 can’t be achieved unless companies get serious about reducing greenhouse gases generated throughout their value chain, yet the challenges of measuring Scope 3 emissions have left many enterprises struggling out of the gate. New tools and supplier engagement strategies promise to simplify this complex task. BY DAVID H. COBURN ...