Tag Archives: supply chain

CEO Update One important lesson learned from the pandemic was the need to address the fragility of global supply chains. To mitigate the risk of future disruption, it’s become clear that firms need to automate and invest in technology to keep up. According to the newly released 2023 MHI Annual Industry Report: The Responsible Supply Chain, 86% of the manufacturing ...

Executive Viewpoint BY BRYAN JENSEN, CHAIRPERSON AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ST. ONGE COMPANY AND MHI PRESIDENT As an independent engineering logistics consulting firm, MHI member St. Onge is different from many companies in the material handling industry. We don’t produce specific products like conveyors, lift trucks, pallet racking or software. Instead, our people—their capabilities and skills—are our product. Our people ...

Feature Retailers, manufacturers and distributors are increasingly leveraging Artificial Intelligence-powered software to aggregate and analyze data for forecasting, allocation and replenishment planning. BY CAROL MILLER, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, MHI If you’ve ever been frustrated because your favorite brand of ketchup is sold-out at the grocery store or had to postpone a home improvement project because some of the key materials ...

Distribution Logistics Fundamentals is the first in a series of six stackable e-learning courses that culminate in a new Distribution Logistics Leader Micro-Credential and Certification. BY MICHAEL MIKITKA, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF MHI’S KNOWLEDGE VALUE CENTER AND WERC Offering educational resources that deliver the critical knowledge warehouse, distribution and fulfillment professionals need to excel in their careers is at the heart ...

Feature Does the customer remain at the center? BY FIONA SOLTES ISTOCK.COM/IPOPBA Action and adaptability, said speaker and author Garrison Wynn, create opportunity. After years of experiencing the former, it’s surely the time for the latter. With pandemic-related disruptions and reactive solutions increasingly in the rearview mirror, has there ever been a better season for re-evaluating overall supply chain strategies ...

By The Numbers BLUE PLANET STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM It’s an increasingly common refrain: 83% of supply chain practitioners surveyed by Gartner say they’re being asked to improve customer experience as part of their organization’s digital business strategy. The most common priority is developing a customer-centric culture. According to the Gartner for Supply Chain Report “Four Steps to Becoming a Customer-Centric Supply Chain,” ...

Solutions Community BY CHRISTIAN DOW, MHI EXECUTIVE VP OF MEMBERSHIP AND INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP ISTOCK.COM/JAY YUNO As the rate of change in the logistics industry continues to grow exponentially, companies across the supply chain are increasingly partnering to find solutions that allow every aspect of the market to perform more effectively and efficiently. Industrywide collaboration is necessary, but ensuring a successful partnership ...

Feature BY MARY LOU JAY ISTOCK.COM/METAMORWORKS When companies introduce new automation and digital technology into their supply chains, they anticipate it will provide benefits like lower costs and increased production. But they’re also concerned about the potential for business disruption during transition. Will they be able to get their products out the door on time? Can key staff members support ...

BY JASON SCHENKER, PRESIDENT OF PRESTIGE ECONOMICS AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FUTURIST INSTITUTE® Everything hinges on inflation The Fed has a dual mandate to keep the economy at full employment and prices low and stable. While jobs were strong in 2022, inflation has been worryingly high. At the end of 2022, unemployment returned to an impressive pre-COVID low of 3.5%, while ...

Feature Autonomous mobile robots can cut time out of labor-intensive fulfillment tasks. When combined with warehouse software, AMRs can improve an operation’s productivity even more. BY SARA PEARSON SPECTER MONOPOLY919/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM With operations increasingly unable to staff adequate labor to achieve their goals for higher throughput and productivity, more companies are turning to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). These intelligent mobility platforms ...