TMC Blog

If we could eavesdrop on the freight industry’s water cooler conversations the chances are that we’d hear a lot about traffic congestion. Transportation managers deal with it and talk about it all the time, yet there is one vital aspect of this topic that they tend to overlook: how trucks idled by traffic snarls work against the fuel efficiencies that the industry is working hard to achieve.

More awareness of this conflict and the associated costs might help to persuade the industry to address infrastructure investment needs that are at the root of these delays.  Read More...

The skyrocketing cost of fuel is reason enough to take as many miles out of distribution networks as possible without compromising service levels. But aside from helping to control diesel consumption costs, these efforts yield an environmental payback that transportation practitioners should not overlook.

Shippers and service providers are looking to cut fuel consumption in a number of ways. Here are some examples.  Read More...

As I explained in a previous post (Getting the Most Out of TMS, April 01, 2011), shippers that elevate their transportation management systems (TMS) from tactical to strategic solutions tend to get the most value out of the technology. But making the transition involves more than a mission statement; it requires a level of expertise that tactical personnel often do not possess.  Read More...

A common complaint from time-constrained managers is that they have to comply with too many standards. But an area where there is a strong case for more standardization is in the greening of supply chains.

Supply chain sustainability projects are growing in number and scope. As part of these projects suppliers are expected to provide data on their environmental performance. When multiple customers demand these facts and figures the burden on suppliers can become overwhelming.  Read More...

‘Tis the peak season for predictions, with experts from every quarter reading the runes about what lies ahead in the next year.  So, let's slip into prophesy mode with some thoughts on the future of supply chain over the next decade or so.

The most visible shape of things to come is almost certainly on or near your person right now: a mobile device such as a cell phone. I talked to a senior supply chain executive from a leading fashion apparel firm recently about future trends, and mobile communications is his leading game changer.  Read More...