MHI Blog — The MHI Young Professionals Network (YPN) of MHI is holding a panel on April 5 on diversity in supply chain titled "The Changing Faces in Workforce".



This panel will examine the challenges, dynamics and trends in today's increasingly diverse supply chain industry.

The Wall Street Journal — Container shipping lines need to shrink or merge to weather one of the worst downturns in decades, industry experts say. 



Marine carriers face "gale force headwinds" this year, with the global container fleet expected to grow at twice the rate of demand, consultants AlixPartners LLP said in a report. The expansion comes despite deep declines in revenues and profits at most major shipping lines, AlixPartners said. 

MHL News — More than 80% of domestic Fortune 500 companies outsource their logistics operations and most expect to use third party logistics (3PL) providers more in the coming years, according to the University of Tennessee (UT) study sponsored by Kenco.  



The study-Selecting and Managing a Third Party Logistics Provider-finds that companies are still struggling to optimize their use of 3PLs despite growth in every sector of the supply chain over the last quarter century.

Fortune — The expansion of the Panama Canal has overcome labor disputes, legal battles, and technical hurdles, and is now on the verge of completion. Infrastructure projects of such massive scale almost inevitably face big delays and cost overruns-but backers have a way of finding the money and resolve to finish what they've started.

ABC News — Target has tapped an Amazon heavyweight to lead the overhaul of its supply chain that has been stretched by the demands of online shopping.The discounter has named Arthur Valdez as executive vice president, chief supply chain and logistics officer whose duties will include overseeing planning, distribution and transportation.

Ebnonline — Industry pundits and consumers alike agree that connected cars are just plain cool. Here's a look at the market, and what consumers are saying they want. EBN sat down with Mike Thornton, director of technical services & support, at Loftware, a maker of enterprise labeling solutions, to get a handle on the best practices around labeling that have emerged.

Supplychain247 — We are living in an era of unprecedented and ever increasing consumer expectations, with immediacy and seamless user experiences the new normal.But for most legacy brands and businesses, this level of execution is a bar very tough to clear.

MHL News — Our decision (first made in 2007) to annually survey our warehouse employees, experienced job applicants and our clients' workers was an easy one. Why? Because we know that most strategic workforce recommendations, decisions and actions have a significant impact on overall productivity. Insight into the workforce is critical in order to make informed and positive decisions-but not just questions like, "What is most important to you?"

Logistics Viewpoints — The ocean shipping industry has traditionally used EDI for shipment tendering, booking and milestone tracking. A new solution has emerged that leverages near real time vessel tracking data to improve shipment planning and tracking.



The Internet of Things (IoT) is nothing new in logistics. In the logistics space, for example, we've been taking RF scans and using that data to improve warehouse processes since at least 1975. Internet protocols make it easier to communicate sensor data to applications, which has led to better and cheaper applications. And, in ocean shipping, IoT data that has long existed. However, it was not being leveraged to improve visibility and carrier scheduling.

www.theferrarigroup.com — There is little question that supply chain talent development and retention has become a top of mind multi-industry challenge. Supply chain leaders express frustration in their efforts to find talent with correct skills. Desired skills include embracing the flood of new technologies making their way into supply chain business processes, understanding of global business cultures and facilitating organizational change. The reality is that business, technology and supply chain business challenges are out-distancing current skill and talent needs.

Industryweek — Theory of Constraints. Quick Response Manufacturing. Six Sigma. Lean. Total Productive Maintenance. Total Quality Management. The lexicon, tools and methods around improving manufacturing these days seems to be endless. A quick Amazon.com book search reveals some impressive numbers. We, being the continuous improvement community, make it more complicated than it really needs to be sometimes to the point of confusing and frustrating those very people we are trying to help. 

Ebnonline — By creating a holistic approach that stretches from supply chain and procurement through legal, human resources, and IT, electronics companies can get ahead of the contract curve. The North American Toy Fair was abuzz with new toys that teach engineering and electronics or incorporate the latest technology.

MHI’s new Career Forum  enables manufacturing and supply chain professionals to view current job postings of MHI member companies. Go to http://www.mhi.org/careers to find the perfect opportunity for you.

Modern Materials Handling — Veterans offer an untapped resource for materials handling positions, especially given the U.S. military is built on logistics.

Ebnonline — Many companies mistakenly believe holding off on investments equals saving money when, in fact, it can become a costly strategy down the line. Many companies mistakenly believe holding off on investments equals saving money when, in fact, it can become a costly strategy down the line. The college graduates of 2015 were the most indebted ever - until the next round of grads wave their diplomas in the spring.