In this episode, guest Phil Evers, a logistics professor at the University of Maryland, shares why the United States Postal Service is facing financial difficulties and what can be done to fix it. How might this affect the agency's parcel services?

We also talk about how supply chains will be affected by Hurricane Laura. Some changes in anticipated landfall and other disruptions are expected in the devastation that Laura left behind.

And shippers are taking a fresh look at transportation management systems (TMS) during the pandemic, as they recognize the benefits of these systems to manage their transportation needs in a very volatile market.

Episode web page with transcript.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• The University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business
• Congress can uses a tutorial (USPS)
• Pandemic peak in e-commerce flooded USPS with parcels in third quarter
• Technology promotes transparency in transportation shipping
• Truckload traffic jumps as shippers move freight away from Hurricane Laura
• Threat of Hurricane Laura shutters energy production from Houston to New Orleans
• American Logistics Aid Network
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by DCV-TV

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• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, guest Patrick Penfield, an assistant professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management, discusses how Amazon will be moving into vacant mall spaces to create mini distribution centers.

We also examine a growing trend of some shippers moving away from the major parcel carriers and toward smaller, regional carriers.

And despite high unemployment numbers in the general workforce, the logistics industry still finds it difficult to find skilled workers for warehouses and transportation. We look at new initiatives to assure a steady pipeline of workers into the industry.

Episode web page with transcript.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Syracuse University Whitman School of Management
• Last mile delivery startup Fetch Packaging raises $18 million.
• Prologis enhances logistics training program to meet growing demand for workers
• Combined MHI and WERC plan expanded conversations between MHE vendors and users
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by DCV-TV

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• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, guest Dr. Tom Goldsby of the University of Tennessee discusses why we still have so much trouble equipping our essential healthcare workers and others with the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to assure their safety during the pandemic.

New trucking numbers are in for the June and July time periods. Has trucking turned the corner after several very difficult months?

And we look at new solutions that help to promote social distancing within our nation's warehouses and distribution centers. How are they applied to better protect workers?


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• University of Tennessee Supply Chain Management program
• Trucking freight demand came roaring back in June
• Material handling companies focus on social distancing
• Vargo unveils new social distancing feature in COFE WES software
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Fortna

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

In this episode, guest Zac Rogers of Colorado State University shares about the Logistics Managers' Index (LMI). He discusses how this measurement tool is a snapshot of the current state of the logistics industry and how supply chain professionals should apply its monthly findings.

We also look at how several new collaborations between lift truck companies and robotics firms may spur the development of more autonomous forklifts and other warehouse-based vehicles.

And the commercial real estate market has been hit extremely hard during the Covid-19 pandemic, with much of our nation's workforce still working from home. The one bright spot is a huge uptick in the demand for warehouse space due to e-commerce growth. Can this channel save the commercial real estate market?


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Logistics Managers' Index
• Logistics Industry growth continues in July - LMI report for July
• Email Zac Rogers to learn how to participate in the LMI survey
• Kion strikes deal with Chinese robotics startup
• Trio of firms launch material handling robots for retail stores
• Pandemic pushes warehouse robot vendors to partner with system integrators
• Industrial and logistics segments to lead commercial real estate recovery
• Urban Outfitters to build e-commerce center near Kanas City
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Fortna

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

In this episode, Dana Stiffler of Gartner discusses new research that the organization has conducted on women in supply chain executive positions. Are they making gains? And what can supply chain companies do to enhance diversity in their C-Suites?

Consumers have come to love curbside pickup during the pandemic, but it puts a strain on operations for retailers. What can retailers do to ease the burden, and will curbside be a service that will survive long after the pandemic has ended?

While transportation has kept goods on the move during the Covid-19 pandemic, the virus has greatly affected the industry. How long will it take before transportation is back to pre-virus levels?


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Survey shows record number of women chief supply chain officers
• Gartner's webcast on Women in the C-Suite
• Gartner website
• Curbside and in-store pickup are popular with consumers but stressful for retailers
• Radial website
• A tough road ahead for transportation markets
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Fortna

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 

Bill Van Amburg, the executive vice president of CALSTART, a national transportation accelerator organization, discusses the recent memorandum of understanding agreement from 15 U.S. states and the District of Columbia to advance zero-emission vehicle technology on our nation's roads.

We also look at the growing number of retailers either running fulfillment out of the back room of their stores or converting their retail sites to a last-mile hubs entirely.

And we discuss proposed legislation in Congress to provide tax credits to food and beverage distributors serving commercial customers, such as restaurants, bars, and institutions, that have been unable to pay their bills due to the pandemic.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• CALSTART website
• Companies convert idle retail sites to last mile fulfillment facilities
• Walmart Canada launches plan to upgrade DCs and stores for omnichannel
• Legislators introduce bill to provide tax credits to food distributors
• Text of the PLUS Act
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Fortna

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 

In this episode, guest Michael Zimmerman discusses what the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ annual “State of Logistics Report” reveals how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the logistics industry. Zimmerman, a partner at Kearney, was the lead author of the report and heads up the consulting company’s Analytics Practice for the Americas Region.

Many of America's ports ended their fiscal years on June 30 and released reports on their volumes and productivity. How did the pandemic affect them?

And Auburn University announces plans to build a research center for autonomous vehicles next to its existing test track. Will this spur further development of these technologies?


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• CSCMP's State of Logistics report highlights effects of the pandemic
• CSCMP website
• Cargo volumes down at East and West coast ports
• Port of Virginia marks challenging fiscal year
• Auburn University to build autonomous vehicle research center
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Fortna

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 

In this episode, Rob McKeel, CEO of Fortna, discusses how retailers and other distributors are adjusting to the new normal during the midst of the pandemic. He addresses how network and facility design may change, how retailers must adapt, and what technologies will be key going forward. We also look at how freight companies are adjusting their business strategies to cope with changing business requirements brought on by the pandemic. And we share how last month saw a surge in logistics activity.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Freight sector cuts costs through operations and staffing
• Logistics sector growth surges in June
• DC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chain
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Fortna

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, David Henry, the regional manager for Mexico at transportation broker and logistics provider GlobalTranz, talks about the impact of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that went into effect July 1. Based in Monterrey, Mexico, he has his pulse on what the new agreement means for cross-border transactions and what shippers should know. We also look at our annual class of DC Velocity Rainmakers and how these folks have what it takes to impact the supply chain industry. Additionally, we discuss how sustainability is impacting DC operations--in particular packing areas--with earth-friendly products and designs.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Industry readies for July 1 USCMA implementation
• Logistics providers cheer White House passage of USMCA
• Website of GlobalTranz
• GlobalTranz guide to USMCA
• The 2020 DC Velocity Rainmakers (new honorees will be announced daily through July 10)
• Packaging your way to greener operations
• DCs go green and clean: A look at six sustainable operations
• DC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chain
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Fortna

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, we talk to Ken Raycroft of Briggs Equipment in Dallas, Texas. He shares how he is working with customers on sanitation best practices with a program from Hyster-Yale that assures lift truck equipment is safe between shifts and multiple users.
Our news team discusses how many manufacturers are moving their sourcing and production from China, looking for more resiliency and to avoid tariffs. We also share how distributors without much automation may find their systems stressed this holiday season, as consumers avoid stores and move to e-commerce shopping.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Yale-Hyster group announces sanitation program for lift trucks
• Website of Briggs Equipment
• Gartner survey shows companies moving supply chains out of China
• Peak season demands heat up
• DC VELOCITY's list of Covid-19 resources for the supply chain
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Fortna

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY