Tag: Management of Cross-Functional Drivers in a Supply Chain

Abstract Containers are the primary mode of transportation for maritime import and export flows, with 75% of total cargo carried by containers in developed areas of a global shipping network. Containerization allows for efficient distribution processes, and transshipment activities, such as warehousing, are integrated with production, distribution, and competitive supply chain strategies. Global Production Networks (GPNs) have become essential for […]

The American Messenger Company, founded in 1907, primarily focused on package delivery to retail stores and special delivery mail for the U.S. Post Office. In 1913, it acquired a Model T Ford as its first delivery vehicle. In 1919, the company expanded to Oakland, California, changing its name to United Parcel Service. UPS became one of the only companies in the United States to offer common carrier service, expanding to areas up to 125 miles outside the city. UPS faced direct competition with USPS and the Interstate Commerce Commission, but the common carrier service was applied in cities where UPS could use the service without the authority of the ICC and state commerce commissions. In 1953, UPS resumed air service called UPS Blue Label Air. UPS expanded its operations to serve all 48 contiguous states in the United States, Canada, and West Germany. In 1991, UPS relocated its headquarters to Sandy Springs, Georgia, and acquired Haulfast and Carryfast, rebranding them UPS Supply Chain Solutions. UPS offers international package services to over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company faces competition from major domestic carriers like the United States Postal Service (USPS) and FedEx, as well as regional carriers like OnTrac and LSO. UPS has partnered with the US Postal Service to offer UPS Mail Innovations and “SurePost,” which use the UPS Ground network to deliver packages weighing under 10 pounds to the nearest UPS Package Center. UPS has received a “striding” environmental scorecard and received the Clean Air Excellence Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

  Abstract Amazon’s digital supply chain is a technological marvel, integrating software and hardware to connect every link of the chain, from suppliers to customers. It uses advanced algorithms and machine learning to predict stock needs with precision, ensuring products are available when customers want them. Amazon’s fulfillment centers feature robots and human workers, enhancing efficiency and reducing mistakes. Amazon […]

Abstract In a case study, based on US-based companies, first-level management is of about 0-4 years. To understand the supply chain management job and career we can remind ourselves about the example of leaf cutter ants. APICS, founded in 1957 as American Production and Inventory Control Society and re-branded as The Association for Supply Chain Management in 2018, launched their […]

Abstract Supply chain managers are crucial in connecting different parts of a business’s supply chain, ensuring the value of the supply chain increases through effective management of supplier support, transportation, and distribution practices. They manage manufacturing and distribution processes, work with procurement managers, buyers, and vendors, negotiate contracts, use software to track goods, use data analytics to forecast demand, cut […]

The Red Sea, a major sea route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf, and East Asia, is facing increased attacks by Houthi insurgents in Yemen since mid-November 2023. The US has announced a maritime coalition to defend shipping in the area. The Eastern shore includes Saudi Arabia and Yemen, while the Western shore includes Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Maersk has halted all transits through the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden until further notice, while Hapag-Lloyd has extended its rerouting around Africa. CMA CGM has announced rate increases from Asia to North Europe, and carriers are redirecting Asia to US East Coast services via Panama.

Existing amenities not enough to store, deliver large volume of vaccines within a short time, say experts The governments are considering banking on the existing cold chain for storing, transporting and distributing coronavirus vaccines while some professionals say the main challenge will be to manage such a large volume with the existing capacity. On November 5,2020 the Bangladesh government signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Serum Institute of India and Bangladesh’s Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd to get three crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines from Serum, keeping in mind the existing cold chain. In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines being developed may need ultra-cold storage and transportation temperatures as cold as −70 °C (−94 °F), requiring what has been referred to as a “colder chain” infrastructure. Disruption of a cold chain due to war may produce consequences similar to the smallpox outbreaks in the Philippines during the Spanish–American War, during which the distributed vaccines were inert due to lack of temperature control in transport. There are no uniform global practices to follow, customs, legal, and compliance issues, effects on the environment, supplier-related risks, issues with cold chain delivery — packaging, hardware issues, vehicle breakdown, etc. Besides the usual elements of risk that plague normal supply chains, cold chain logistics has its own exclusive set of problems such as product sensitivity, the increasing cost of freight, and growing regulatory hurdles.
Keywords: Cold Chain, Supply chain management, Vaccines, food.