Opinion: Page 2

The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders


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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Inflation is a lot worse than it seems, as companies do not always pass on the costs

    A small food manufacturer's experience in Texas outlines the difficult choices it takes to absorb rising costs, write three professors.

    Travis Tokar, Andrew Balthrop, Ron Gordon • Sept. 12, 2022
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    Megan Quinn/Supply Chain Dive
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    US supply chains need visibility and resiliency. Congress still hasn’t acted.

    The baby formula shortage should have been reason enough to advance policy. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, writes Tom Madrecki of the Consumer Brands Association.

    Tom Madrecki • Aug. 9, 2022
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    peterschreiber.media via Getty Images
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    Procurement deserves C-suite credence as supply shocks persist

    Supply chain disruptions have shown why procurement managers should have a seat at the executive’s table. Here’s how they can get there. 

    Ajith Gopinath • July 14, 2022
  • People at work in a large warehouse full of boxes.
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    kupicoo via Getty Images
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    The myth of supply chain management

    Managers should be focused not only on minimizing costs, but securing the resiliency and elasticity of their supply chains.

    John Frechette and Dr. Ralph Sonenshine • July 11, 2022
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    George Frey via Getty Images
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    Stronger rail oversight needed as decaying service threatens food security

    Old industry weaknesses are causing major problems, particularly for shippers who have no competitive alternative.

    Robb MacKie and John Bode • June 3, 2022
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    1933bkk via Getty Images
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    Disruption has fundamentally altered the shipper-3PL relationship

    Adaptation and bold sourcing strategies are key for logistics leaders to ensure they're getting the best value. 

    Matthew Beckett • April 27, 2022
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    Courtesy of O-I
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    Breaking the 'glass shortage' myth

    No, there isn't a lack of 'brown glass' — or of any other color for that matter. 

    Scott DeFife • March 17, 2022
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    Courtesy of CMA CGM
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    The problem with chartering a ship: Break bulk is a lost art

    Break bulk is doable for large, well-capitalized companies, but there's no guarantee they'll achieve lower freight costs than using carriers, a Xeneta executive writes. 

    Katherine Barrios • Dec. 1, 2021
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    piranka/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Want to minimize supply chain risk? Become a disruption shaper.

    Businesses have figured out how to reduce the rate of disruption to their supply chains — something most leaders dismiss as even a possibility, Gartner's director of supply chain research writes. 

    Suzie Petrusic • Nov. 23, 2021
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    Wang He via Getty Images
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    Now is the time to shockproof supply chains, with a 3-pronged approach

    Congested ports and empty car lots are a loud wake-up call to the shortcomings of just-in-time, the authors write.

    Kim Doyle and Tim Weed • Nov. 15, 2021
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    Supply chain visibility is now more important than ever

    Manufacturers that put traceability, sustainability in business are edging out competitors, writes Parsable's Yasmin Zarabi.

    Yasmin Zarabi • Oct. 27, 2021
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Supply chain challenges aren't going away anytime soon

    Businesses and consumers should prepare for continued disruption and increased costs, writes a supply chain expert at CBRE.

    Joe Dunlap • Sept. 21, 2021
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    Morris MacMatzen / Stringer via Getty Images
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    Stress tests: The right tool for strengthening supply chains.

    Simulations of potential disruptions — large economic shifts, trade wars, climate change or even cyberattacks — can yield forward-looking assessments of risk.

    Jonathan Welburn • Aug. 9, 2021
  • Home Depot Home Depot flatbed delivery center in Dallas
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    Permission granted by Home Depot
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    Want to improve supply chain performance? Start by defining OTIF

    Nothing hinders supply chain performance more than low on-time and in-full rates. Tom Kieley, CEO of SourceDay, suggests three steps to improve it.

    Tom Kieley • July 27, 2021
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    Mark Wilson / Staff via Getty Images
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    Supplier diversity and inclusion is a business imperative

    As with all successful transformation programs, getting to the multifaceted benefits of supplier diversity and inclusion will require commitment.

    Jaideep Sen • July 21, 2021
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    Courtesy of DHL
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    Using a new supplier can be risky. Traceability can help.

    The supply chain is its own complex ecosystem that requires tracking and documenting products from raw materials to finished goods, writes Brian McCaffrey, production operations manager at Rockwell Automation.

    Brian McCaffrey • July 8, 2021
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Biden administration needs to broaden supply chain focus to all 'essential' products

    The pandemic experience has clarified that personal care and cleaning products are just as important as a stocked pantry to everyday life, writes Tom Madrecki of the Consumer Brands Association.

    Tom Madrecki • June 25, 2021
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    Photo by Alexander Suhorucov from Pexels

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    Supply chains that don't prioritize DEI risk losing out

    Organizations that don’t "walk the talk" will lag competitors in business performance, employment value proposition and meeting their defined purpose, write ASCM's Abe Eshkenazi and Gartner's Dana Stiffler. 

    Abe Eshkenazi and Dana Stiffler • June 22, 2021
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    Morris MacMatzen / Stringer via Getty Images
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    It's time to use a wealth of available data to push sustainability forward

    The data from digitization efforts can be used to find opportunities to accelerate progress on key sustainability targets.

    Lisa Wee • June 15, 2021
  • Procurement can't ignore market intel — especially now

    The turbulence in the paperboard market is just one area that pushed companies to consider creative alternatives over the last year.

    Praveen Kumar Soni • June 3, 2021
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    Permission granted by the American Logistics Aid Network, courtesy of The Home Depot. Edited by Adeline Kon/Supply Chain Dive

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    Logistics firms can make a dent in climate change. I know from experience.

    The last year has shown that supply chains are amazingly resilient, but even resilience has its limits, writes Kathy Fulton, executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network.

    Kathy Fulton • June 1, 2021
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Inventory accuracy is a must-have to cut waste in supply chains

    The hard cost of wasted inventory in the grocery industry — known as shrink — is critical in addressing today's weighty climate change and food insecurity issues, the author writes. 

    Stefan Kalb • May 18, 2021
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    Courtesy of 3M
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    Responsible sourcing is key to rid labor abuse from PPE supply chain

    Legislation and governmental sanctions can help, but businesses must commit to ethical sourcing standards.

    Steve Ardagh • May 6, 2021
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    Emma Cosgrove/Supply Chain Dive
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    Postal Service does more harm than good by prioritizing package delivery

    The timely and efficient delivery of mail is essential for keeping the U.S. economy humming and supply chains efficient, the author writes.

    Paul Steidler • March 30, 2021
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    Yujin Kim/Supply Chain Dive
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    Avoiding supplier fraud requires shipment analysis and an educated workforce

    Agility is important for survival, now more than ever, but agility without risk management for procurement will not be enough.

    Gina Govojdean • March 25, 2021