Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Duane Duhamel, Director of Health, Safety and Environment at ISN, a provider of contractor and supplier management solutions.  OSHA recently released its list of top 10 safety violations. Of course, the violations mean that some things are not being done safely in the workplace – and many of the most common violations occur in transportation and warehouses. We look at what those violations are, why they happen, and what can be done to better assure safety within supply chain operations.

One hangover from the pandemic that has really caused problems is a lingering shortage of computer chips. This is a problem because those chips are a crucial part of so many products in our connected world. The shortage affects production of electronics, but also things like trucks and other vehicles. This week we learned about how some engineering companies are coping with that problem.

There seems to be no shortage of industry products and projects designed to create more environmentally friendly supply chains, and we heard about a new one this week. This is a partnership between industry and academia, specifically Lucas Systems and Carnegie Mellon University. It is designed to address the problem of excess packaging in distribution centers. We share details on the project and how it will be implemented.

CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• ISN
• A new survey of engineers shows IT component shortages have eased since 2022
• A partnership between Lucas Systems and Carnegie Mellon University tackles sustainable logistics
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode is Evan Dexter, vice president, rental product management at Ryder System, Inc. Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day, a day we remember our military families and the important work they do to safeguard all of us. One of the ways our industry helps to support our troops is through programs designed to transition veterans into logistics jobs. We hear how Dexter made that transition himself and how his company works to bring other vets into the logistics industry. 

New laws in California will require that about half the trucks sold in California must be all-electric by 2035. As a step toward this goal, we report on an effort by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to award $60 million in vouchers for the purchase of new electric trucks for drayage operations within the ports.

Facing a host of economic and labor challenges, manufacturers are sharpening their focus on frontline workers as a way to differentiate and propel their organizations forward. That’s according to recent research from consultancy PwC and the Manufacturing Institute, which is the workforce and development arm of the National Association of Manufacturers.  We report on details from this research.

CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Ryder System
• California offers $60 million in vouchers for zero-emission drayage trucks
• Manufacturers sharpen their focus on the front line
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode is Art Eldred, vice president and growth officer at Vargo, a systems integrator. Automation is increasingly an answer for distribution facilities that need to fulfill a growing number of orders, but can’t find enough workers. Automated storage and retrieval systems are one of the tried and true technologies that are finding more applications in today’s warehouses. We discuss their benefits and use cases.

The National Retail Federation has released is annual projections of holiday shopping.  The NRF says that despite higher prices, inflation, and the uncertain economy, shoppers are expected to open their wallets even more than they did last year - with a return to pre-pandemic holiday spending.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is launching its 17th annual Truckers for Troops campaign next week. This is a two-week fundraising effort that supports U.S. military personnel overseas and veterans here at home. We discuss the campaign and how you can participate.

CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Vargo
• NRF holiday spending growth will return to pre-pandemic levels
• OOIDA launches its 17th annual Truckers for Troops Campaign
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode is Chris Grossman, chief commercial officer of Spectaire. It is often said that as California goes, so goes the nation, as other states tend to follow the regulations that the Golden State adopts. Recently there was a new agreement between the state and original equipment manufacturers on California emissions programs  that may affect transportation nationwide. The difficult thing is that there seems to be a gap between measuring emissions and calculating emissions. We explain the differences and what can be done to comply with the regulations.

Demand for third-party logistics services – or 3PL services – is on the rise, due to a range of factors including e-commerce and technology adoption. This is according to recent market research from  Fact.MR. They released data this week showing that the 3PL market size is expected to grow by a nearly 8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next several years, reaching more than $2.1 billion by 2032. 

Consulting firm Forrester Research has a set of predictions for 2024 about how various factors will affect the way  “smart manufacturing” firms will deploy different technologies in the new year. These include the industrial metaverse, generative AI, re-shoring, and autonomous vehicles. We explain what they are and how they might influence technology adoptions for manufacturing.

 
CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Spectaire
• The 3PL market is poised for growth
• Forrester Research says smart manufacturing firms will slow tech rollouts in 2024
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: nVision Global

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode is Sunderesh S. Heragu, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University. The world is still in shock over the ongoing devastation happening in Israel and Gaza. In addition to the human tragedies, there are also economic and supply chain impacts to the ongoing conflict. Our guest shares his expertise on how supply chains in the region are being affected.

New federal funding for reducing carbon emissions from transportation and logistics has been introduced to promote the use of hydrogen as a fuel. The $7 billion in funding comes from the Department of Energy and the bipartisan infrastructure bill. The money is intended to launch seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs located throughout the country and are designed to  advance the use of hydrogen fuel for moving goods. 

A conference at MIT this week highlighted supply chain innovation. The event brought together academics from MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics and practitioners from retail, manufacturing, transportation, and high-tech to talk about how technology is being put to work to improve logistics and transportation operations.

CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University 
• Logistics and manufacturing hubs cheer federal funding wave for hydrogen-market
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: nVision Global

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode is Tracey Bellamy, chief engineering officer at Telgian Engineering and Consulting, a firm that specializes in fire prevention. October is fire prevention month. Most supply chain companies have facilities that they must protect from potential fires and other hazards. But fire codes vary widely from city to city and the codes have not kept up with newer material handling technologies as well as new stored products made from plastic compounds that have been introduced since the codes were established. How can supply chain managers best protect their facilities? 

Peak season will soon be upon us. Given the current state of the economy, especially  high inflation and rising energy prices, what should retailers except from shoppers this season?  It seems that despite those challenges, a recent survey shows that most small- and mid-sized businesses are optimistic about the holiday shopping season this year.

Global situations continue to have ripple effects on our supply chains. This week we saw the Hamas attacks against Israel and the prospects of another prolonged conflict in the Middle East region. Domestically, Congress is at a standstill with the vacancy in the House leadership, leaving in limbo some significant legislation that could affect supply chains. What will the overall  impacts to the movement of the goods we rely upon daily?

CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Telgian Engineering and Consulting
• SMEs are upbeat about the 2023 holiday peak
• Middle East violence triggers regional freight delays
• NMFTA tracks trucking bills frozen in Congress since McCarthy outed
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: nVision Global

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode is Jeannie Carpenter, senior director of global logistics at Jabil. Most supply chain managers aim to design their networks to be efficient at the lowest possible cost. But they also want to make good decisions that will help reduce their supply chain’s impact on the environment. Today's guest explains that those objectives don’t have to be mutually exclusive. 

New research is out that shows how company culture affects employee performance. A company's culture can drive productivity, innovation, and service, with three-quarters
of employees surveyed saying that workplace culture affects their ability to do their
best work. But what are the attributes these employees say defines a good company culture?

Global supply chain disruptions in the last three years have made it more difficult to source, manufacture, and assemble goods overseas and then ship them around the world for sale. For the American market, it makes business sense to make products domestically in the U.S., or at least closer to our neighborhood. But does our nation have the capacity and cost effectiveness to bring manufacturing back home?

CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jabil
• U.S. manufacturing resurgence faces headwinds
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: nVision Global

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode is Pawan Joshi, executive vice president, product management & strategy at E2open. With the rebound in air travel, there are more flights available now to shippers, including cargo-only flights and belly space on passenger planes. How can shippers take advantage of that extra capacity and the lower rates now available? 

We’ve seen a lot of advances in robots that move inventory around the warehouse in recent years. But one problem that has remained really hard to solve has been getting boxes into and out of truck trailers or shipping containers. But now we are seeing new technologies to address truck loading and unloading, with some significant investments and pilot programs making progress on this difficult, labor-heavy aspect of distribution.

More women are joining the trucking industry as technicians. A new survey shows a year-over-year increase in the number of female equipment technicians. This news comes as the trucking industry celebrates National Technician Appreciation Week.

CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• E2open
• FedEx pilots trailer-loading robot with twin arms
• More women join trucking industry as technicians
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: nVision Global

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode is Spencer Shute, principal consultant  at Proxima, a company that provides procurement services. While negotiations are ongoing, the strike by the United Auto Workers against the big three automakers is entering its second week and may expand to other plants. Of course, the longer this goes on, the more it affects supply chains. Shute discusses the current state of the labor dispute, what may happen next, and how supply chains may be impacted. 

Artificial intelligence continues to see wide adoption within supply chains. What tasks are being made more efficient with artificial intelligence, and are we seeing the quality results expected? Also, are there adequate company policies in place to govern how employees use AI?

Sticking to the theme of artificial intelligence, we also look new research into who is investing in artificial intelligence and the differences between generative AI and regenerative AI.

CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Proxima
• Nearly 6 in 10 manufacturing CEOS are adopting AI for business tasks
• Survey: Many workers are already using generative AI tools, but employers are slot to set policies
• Manufacturing & B2B ready for AI overhaul
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: PERC - The Propane Education and Research Council

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode is retired materials handling executive Mike Kotecki. He has just written a new book, Leadership for Engineers: How to Turn Perfectly Good STEM Professionals into Management . Kotecki was formerly an executive with HK Systems and Dematic. He discusses his personal journey into management and how STEM professionals have many of the tools needed to become good industry leaders. He also shares tips for helping them to fill gaps they may have in their backgrounds and training in order for them to progress in management and be noticed when promotions roll around.

Digital technologies have been transforming our distribution centers and warehouses over the past few years. Now, similar technology is moving from inside the four walls to outside the facility and into the yard. We look at how these technologies along with artificial intelligence are beginning to impact yard and trailer management.

Hardly a day goes by when we don’t hear talk about the potential of electric cars and trucks. But, rapid adoption of electric vehicles may face some hurdles, including a lack of infrastructure and the need to keep current vehicles that run on fossil fuels operating through their useful lifecycles. We discuss some of the roadblocks to fast adoption of EVs.

CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.  The current series features Transportation Tech. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Amazon: Leadership for Engineers: How to Turn Perfectly Good STEM Professionals into Management
• Warehouse yards to go digital
• Study predicts bifurcated market as EVs replace gas-burning cars and trucks
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Quarterly
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Quarterly's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Listen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected]

Podcast is sponsored by: PERC - The Propane Education and Research Council

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts