Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

In this episode, guest Melinda McLaughlin, vice president, global head of research for Prologis, discusses the market for industrial real estate. The lack of new construction last year, especially during the early phases of the pandemic, has left capacity very tight and rental costs high. What is the outlook for 2021, and how are trends such as e-commerce and urban fulfillment designs affecting the  real estate market for warehousing?

Walmart is partnering with three industrial suppliers to build automated microfulfillment centers within many of its stores. The automation will allow it to more quickly process online orders for pickup or delivery. Will this type of concept be able to expand the reach of brick-and-mortar retailers and allow them to better compete with large online retailers like Amazon?

Demand for goods-to-person technologies, where robots or automation systems bring products directly to workers, are growing in popularity. What are the factors driving this demand, and is this the future of distribution center design?

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Prologis
• Walmart launches plan to build micro-DCs inside dozens of retail stores
• Demand for robotic goods-to-person systems to quadruple through 2023
• 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 Joe Ruddy, chief innovation officer at the Port of Virginia, discusses how the maritime industry survived the rough seas of 2020 trade. Demand was light even before the pandemic, then fell off the cliff when Covid-19 struck, only to return with a vengeance in the latter part of the year. How did our nation's ports handle those changes, and what infrastructure is in place to keep goods flowing well in 2021 and beyond?

The trade war with China is not expected to go away under a new administration in Washington. Many importers are looking at diversifying their manufacturing, and even bringing some of it home or to nearby neighbors. But that is not going to be easy to accomplish.

And truckload capacity is tight and looks to remain that way for the foreseeable future. What are the factors driving that tight capacity, and is there anything shippers can do to hold down rates?

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Port of Virginia
• China and US face reckoning over trade disruptions in 2021
• Truckload carrier predicts challenging year ahead for industry
• 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 Tony Sciarrotta, executive director of the Reverse Logistics Association, shares how retailers are handling the deluge of holiday returns.  Because of the ongoing pandemic, many purchases were made online instead of in-store during the holidays, so now retailers are faced with a deluge of returns this month. What are some of the strategies that are being used to process them and how can retailers reduce the number of returns they receive in the future?

New Gartner research discusses how companies can compete with major disruptors who changed the landscape.

And can smartphones be used better by retailers to not only process orders but also help customers have a better shopping experience? This and some other news from this week's National Retail Federation conference.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Reverse Logistics Association
• Gartner reports four ways to compete with industry disruptors
• NRF: Covid pressures force merger of online and in-person shopping tech
• Survey of shoppers says BOPIS leaves room for improvement
• 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 Zac Rogers, assistant professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at Colorado State University, discusses the current state of logistics, including capacity and pricing for transportation and warehousing. He also shares the latest Logistics Managers' Index figures and how they relate to what is happening in the market.

Capacity remains tight in all aspects of transportation, including air, ocean, and trucking. What is driving this tight capacity and how are shippers and carriers reacting to it?

Most fires and other disasters that carriers suffer are due to poorly packed shipping containers. What can shippers do to assure that the containers that they submit to carriers are packed properly to assure safety in transit?

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Supply Chain Management program at Colorado State University
• Logistics Managers Index report
• Shippers brace for tight capacity  - trend to continue in 2021
• Amazon adds 11 more cargo jets to its growing air fleet
• Cargo safety security a key issue in 2021
• 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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• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, guest Kristi Montgomery, vice president of Innovation, Research & Development at Kenco, discusses the need for innovation. She heads up the Kenco Innovation Labs, an internal think tank and testing center that develops new technologies and methodologies to help solve customer problems within the supply chain. She discusses why innovation is so critical to a company's future.

While vaccines are being rolled out, we learn about new research that shows how inefficiencies and lack of good data are causing major problems for companies using our nation's cold chains.  What's causing these issues and what are the consequences for not having reliable tracking and data for the pharmaceuticals and food that move through cold chains?

Also, two transportation-related stories: What challenges does incoming Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg face, and will infrastructure be on the top of the list for attention under the Biden administration? And a new research center in The Netherlands will test ways to make last-mile deliveries more efficient, especially in urban areas.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Kenco
• Manual process and lack of visibility lead to big losses in the cold chain.
• Logistics trade groups say infrastructure should be top goal for Buttigeig
• Federal regulators loosen rules for commercial trucks and bus licenses
• Dutch investors found $295 million center for research in urban logistics
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Yale Materials Handling

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• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, guest Kevin Paramore, emerging technology commercialization manager at Yale Materials Handling Corp., shares new technologies that promote social distancing within facilities. As we continue through the pandemic, it is important to safeguard our workers while still remaining productive. These new technologies alert workers whenever they get within six feet of distance with another co-worker. They also provide data for contact tracing.

We knew that shipping volumes would be extremely high this holiday season, but they have reached levels higher than expected. Carriers are hitting their capacity limits and beginning to turn away business. What does this mean for the industry in  assuring on-time deliveries, and are ther- any good alternatives left in the short window of time available until Christmas?

Technologies continue to impact our lives daily. What are some of the emerging technologies that will make a lasting impact on our supply chains in coming years? How soon will they become realities?

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Yale Materials Handling Corporation
• Carriers hit breaking point as package volume soars
• Self-driving cars top list of transformative technologies for the coming decade
• Port Logistics Group rolls out 150 fulfillment robots in California warehouse
• FedEx taps latest tech to handle e-com surge
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Yale Materials Handling

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• About DC VELOCITY
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• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, guest Phil Rich, chief supply chain officer and senior VP of Sweetwater, talks about being an online retailer during a very different holiday season. Sweetwater is the nation's largest e-tailer for musical instruments and audio equipment. Increasing inventories and gaining better visibility with suppliers were key steps the company has taken. He also is preparing for a higher level of returns in January.

Transportation continues to be a very volatile sector of the supply chain. There is a huge demand for logistics services at a time when it is difficult to even find available containers. On top of that, some parcel carriers are refusing additional volumes. We also discuss key company moves this week, such as  XPO's decision to split its operations into two companies and new acquisitions from some major transportation players that further shake up the market.

Is the world ready for Brexit? The deadline for the United Kingdom to sever economic ties with the European Union looms large at the end of the month. How can American companies prepare for new ways of trading in the UK and the EU?  We discuss how many are taking a two-pronged approach to reach European customers.

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Sweetwater.com
• Empty shipping containers face delayed returns
•  XPO to split into two companies
• Penske Logistics acquires Black Horse Carriers
• J.B. Hunt expands last-mile network with latest acquisition
• CSX expands East Coast rail network with Pan Am acquisition
• Logistics takes center stage in Europe as Brexit deadline looms
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Yale Materials Handling

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• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, guest Kevin Doucette, North American Director of Trade Policy and Compliance for C.H. Robinson, discusses global trade in light of tariffs, the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. presidential election, and the stagnant worldwide economy. What areas should supply chain managers focus on when looking at global markets?

Industrial real estate continues to be in demand, especially in urban markets, as companies look to move their supply chains closer to end customers. Automation is making some of that possible. We explore this trend and what types of automation companies are looking to add.

The truckload freight sector continues its roller coaster ride as we experience the heavier volumes of peak season. What happens to that market sector once peak is over?

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• C. H. Robinson
• Automation spurs opportunity in logistics real estate
• Freight boomed in October as retailers restocked shelves
• Truck fleets order new trailers in record numbers as Covid recovery strains capacity
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Podcast sponsored by Yale Materials Handling

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• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
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• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, guest Colin Yankee, chief supply chain officer at Tractor Supply, shares how his company has been able to thrive in the midst of the pandemic. As an essential business, this retailer offers the goods that people need. But beyond that, the company made some strategic changes in its supply chains to meet changing customer requirements and the different ways goods are sold and distributed today.

There is a lot looming for the new Biden administration once the president-elect takes office. A key part of that will be distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine when it is ready. However, there are significant logistical challenges that still have to be worked out. We also discuss tariffs and infrastructure and how those areas will be affected by the new administration.

And there is a building boom with the new  logistics facilities. What is driving the increased activity in a down economy, and will it be sustainable through 2021?

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Tractor Supply
• Covid-19 will continue to dominate legislative agenda.
• Warehouse  construction leads business recovery as e-commerce booms.
• 9th Annual State of Retail Supply Chain Report
• 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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• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
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• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, guest Rebecca Brewster, president and COO of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), shares the findings of her organization's recent study, the 16th Top Industry Issues Report. This report from the trucking industry's research association shows that executives are concerned about driver shortages, insurance rates, parking availability, and more. Listen to find out what issues impact the industry the most.

Prop 22 passed in California on Tuesday. It defines the role of gig drivers, such as those who use their own vehicles to provide rides for Lyft and Uber. But will this also have an impact on gig delivery drivers of parcels and meals?

And new logistics numbers just out show a steady resurgence of transportation in most sectors. What do the latest numbers mean?

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• American Transportation Research Institute
• ATRI's 16th Top Industry Issues Report
• California voters pass Prop 22 in win for employers of gig-economy workers
• Rapid recovery continues in logistics
• Demand for air freight improves in September
• 9th Annual State of Retail Supply Chain Report
• 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

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