CSCMP’s “State of Logistics Report®” Reveals U.S. Logistics Industry Poised for Rebound

An annual benchmark report released today shows the continued impact of the economic slowdown on the U.S. logistics industry. The 21st Annual “State of Logistics Report ®,” released by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and presented by Penske Logistics, reveals that, continuing the decline reported in 2008, business logistics costs fell to 7.7 percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009, as compared to 9.3 percent the previous year. Total U.S. logistics costs dropped again last year showing a significant decrease from 2008. Interest rates remained historically low, and this, combined with lower inventory levels, pushed the interest paid on inventories down over 89 percent from 2008 levels.

Since 1988, the “State of Logistics Report®” has tracked and measured all costs associated with moving goods through the U.S. supply chain. The report benchmarks key metrics in U.S. logistics such as transportation and inventory-carrying costs, freight volumes, and revenues, giving practitioners a big-picture view of the performance of the U.S. supply chain process. Continue reading CSCMP’s “State of Logistics Report®” Reveals U.S. Logistics Industry Poised for Rebound

The Haiti Quake: Supply Chain as a Matter of Life or Death

From Supply Chain Brain: “Dr. Paul S. Auerbach is no stranger to human suffering. As professor of surgery at Stanford University’s Division of Emergency Medicine, he’s seen more than his share of crises. But he wasn’t entirely prepared for the devastation from the 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12 of this year.

Auerbach was part of an eight-person medical team from Stanford, working under the auspices of the International Medical Corps, that responded within hours of the disaster. The group’s mission was reach to Haiti as quickly as possible, then do whatever it could to treat the wounded and the dying.” The Haiti Quake: Supply Chain as a Matter of Life or Death

Four Soft responds in real time to Volcanic disruption

As an immediate response to the impact of the Icelandic volcano on the supply chains of our customers, Four Soft global freight management systems communicated and immediately enabled rapid re-routing and re-prioritization of freight. We continue to effectively assist our 3PL and Forwarder clients in rapidly reacting to their customers changing demands and the dynamic closure of airspace.

As the market leader in Freight Forwarding, supporting 17 of the world’s largest 25 Freight Forwarders, at 4S the magnitude of this disruption was both clear and immediate. This is especially true as our customers are now using Four Soft systems to move more than 20% of Global Freight volumes. One of 4S’s key applications, Visilog, delivers the benefit of full global visibility to shippers, which has been instrumental in the rapid response in this case, and by using InfoTips, tracking of KPI’s and service levels has also been maintained throughout the disruption.

If you are shipper and having problems in these uncertain times, we have the applications and a 24/7 global support team to provide you with delivery and immediate BPO support. Whether you are having challenges getting your containers out of China – or have disruptions in your supply chain from natural disasters – we can provide you with immediate support to get the capacity and visibility you need through our global network of providers and real time web enabled systems. Regardless of the transport mode, we can assist shippers, customs agents, shipping lines, and freight forwarders as We are the Global Leader in this market niche and look forward to the opportunity of assisting you through supporting your dynamic supply chain needs.

Supply Chain Intelligence: Adopt Role-Based Operational Business Intelligence and Improve Visibility

Leveraging the data from 209 recently surveyed companies, this report investigates the impact of supply chain intelligence on performance and the use of business intelligence (BI) tools by the top-performing study participants.

Specific focus is put on the enablement of supply chain processes by advanced BI technologies that are pervasive and role based, i.e. the technologies that are embedded into the specific supply chain processes and can provide immediate intelligence to the process owners. Supply Chain Intelligence: Adopt Role-Based Operational Business Intelligence and Improve Visibility

Echo Global Logistics Announces Opening of New Office in Atlanta, Georgia

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECHO), a leading provider of technology enabled transportation and supply chain management services, today announced that it will open a new office in Atlanta, Georgia on March 15, 2010. Building on its already impressive growth in 2009, Echo is excited to expand its service area and continue to strengthen existing relationships. Continue reading Echo Global Logistics Announces Opening of New Office in Atlanta, Georgia

Aberdeen Group Confirms Expert Speaker Line-up for Annual Supply Chain Management Summit

Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), announces the confirmed speaker lineup for its annual Supply Chain Management Summit on April 13-14 in San Francisco, CA. In partnership with Logistics Management, SCM World, and Supply Chain Management Review, the theme of this year’s Summit is Proactive Supply Chain Strategies for 2010 and Beyond.

Featuring Aberdeen’s Nari Viswanathan, Vice President & Principal Analyst, Supply Chain Management and Bob Heaney, Sr. Research Analyst, Supply Chain Management, the comprehensive agenda will feature the latest research and case studies demonstrating the SCM strategies that are reducing costs across the enterprise and driving business growth. Continue reading Aberdeen Group Confirms Expert Speaker Line-up for Annual Supply Chain Management Summit

Dr. John Mentzer dies; was renowned supply chain educator, author

Dr. John T. (Tom) Mentzer, one of the nation’s most prominent supply chain educators and authors, died Friday after a long illness. Dr. Mentzer was the Harry J. and Vivienne R. Bruce Chair of Excellence in Business in the Department of Marketing and Logistics at the University of Tennessee. He wrote eight books as well as more than 190 papers and articles. Dr. Mentzer was recognized in 1996 as one of the five most prolific authors in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, and in 1999 as the most prolific author in the Journal of Business Logistics. He was awarded the Academy of Marketing Science Outstanding Marketing Teacher Award in 2001. Dr. John Mentzer dies; was renowned supply chain educator, author

Four Soft Participating in Leading Retail & Consumer Products Event RILA Logistics 2010

Four Soft Limited, (NSE: “FOURSOFT”, BSE 532521), a global leader offering software solutions for Logistics and transportation, is participating in the Logistics 2010 event organized by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) in Orlando, Florida, between the 21st and 23rd of February 2010. Retail logistics represents one of the largest and most complex global logistics networks with most retailers having thousands of vendors from every corner of the globe. In addition with the global expansion of many retailers, they now also have stores across many countries and continents. Managing all of the related complexities of such diverse and expanding networks, many operating older legacy, third party providers and 1.0 systems, requires a specialized solution to bring all of these parts together giving retailers full visibility, transparency and control. Four Soft delivers all of this and more with our 4S VisiLog plus product which integrates social media SCM communications support as shown in the Social Media in the Supply Chain breakout session on Feb 23rd at 9:15 am. Four Soft Participating in Leading Retail & Consumer Products Event RILA Logistics 2010

Retail Industry Leaders Association’s (RILA) Logistics Conference 2010 promises to deliver exceptional value

The Retail Industry Leaders Association’s (RILA) Logistics Conference is the undisputed leader for retail and consumer product executives in logistics distribution and supply chain management. The conference brings together representatives of all major retail and consumer product segments, along with relevant solutions providers. Top supply chain executives and their teams from the largest, fastest growing and most innovative retailers attend RILA’s Logistics Conference. Retail Industry Leaders Association’s (RILA) Logistics Conference 2010

FFIFA ~ Alliance for global standards & best practices

Four Soft Limited, India (NSE: “FOURSOFT”, BSE 532521), a global leader offering software solutions for transportation and logistics, today announced that it is bringing top players of the logistics industry on a single platform to form a strategic initiative – FFIFA(Freight Forwarding Industry & Four Soft Alliance). The objective of FFIFA is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas where the resultant “Industry best practices” will save the industry time, energy and money in providing better services to its customers. Continue reading FFIFA ~ Alliance for global standards & best practices

Walmart forms strategic alliance with Li & Fung

From LM: “When Walmart Stores, Inc. announced yesterday that it formed a strategic alliance with Li & Fung, both sides declared victory. Besides this deal, Walmart’s new sourcing strategy involves the creation of Global Merchandising Centers, and a change in leadership and structure. “The newly-established Global Merchandising Centers represent the largest and most important element of our new sourcing strategy,” said Eduardo Castro-Wright, the company’s vice chairman. “These centers will create alignment between sourcing and merchandising and drive efficiencies across various merchandise categories.” Supply chain: Walmart forms strategic alliance with Li & Fung

New agreement for global supply chain models at Nestlé

Barloworld Supply Chain Software wins contract for global CAST implementation 12 January 2010 РNestl̩ has selected Barloworld Supply Chain Software for supply chain modelling, network design and optimisation. Barloworld Supply Chain Software will implement its CAST software on a global scale Рa powerful, desktop based application to evaluate and identify different supply chain strategies, leading to cost savings and service improvements. Businesses using CAST typically achieve a 10-15% saving on their supply chain costs through the application of network optimisation. Continue reading New agreement for global supply chain models at Nestl̩

Four Soft wins contract from Mondial Logistics

Four Soft (4S), a global leader offering software solutions for transportation and logistics, announced today that Mondial Logistics has selected 4S eLog® to automate the management of its warehouses throughout its locations in the Netherlands. The contract was executed through Four Soft Netherlands BV, a subsidiary of Four Soft Limited, India.
Continue reading Four Soft wins contract from Mondial Logistics

6th Annual CSCMP European Conference March 24-26 Rotterdam

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) will hold its sixth annual European conference and research seminar in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, March 24-26, 2010.

“We have created a truly unique event with a keynote address by one of Europe’s leading supply chain executives, cutting edge supply chain education, the release of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) research, and a European-focused research seminar,” said Rick Blasgen, president and CEO of CSCMP. The event, Preparing for the Future: Getting Your Supply Ready for Tomorrow, will be held at Beurs—World Trade Center Rotterdam. Continue reading 6th Annual CSCMP European Conference March 24-26 Rotterdam

Three Certainties in Life: Death, Taxes, and the Forecast is Wrong

We all know demand variability and predictability are a daily reality for high tech manufacturers. The up-coming holiday season brings its own challenges for the manufacturers of consumer electronics. This year, it looks like it may be compounded by an earlier than expected uptick in underlying demand across most high tech sectors. Just this Monday Suzanne Deffree of EDN commented on Gartner’s revised report saying that semiconductor revenues would grow 13% in 2010, back to 2008 levels Continue reading Three Certainties in Life: Death, Taxes, and the Forecast is Wrong

Johnny Thøgersen appointed as Managing Director of Four Soft Nordic

Four Soft (4S) (NSE: “FOURSOFT”, BSE: 532521), a global leader offering software solutions for transportation and logistics, announced the appointment of Mr. Johnny Thøgersen as Business head of its Nordic Operations. Mr. Thøgersen will oversee Business Development, BPO and Services space to further strengthen the company’s position as the Global leader in providing software solutions to the Transportation and Logistics Industry. Continue reading Johnny Thøgersen appointed as Managing Director of Four Soft Nordic

Supply Chain Industry Veteran Greg Cronin Joins Quiet Logistics

Quiet Logistics today announced that Greg Cronin, a veteran supply chain industry entrepreneur and executive, has joined the company as vice chairman and executive vice president. In this role, Cronin will be responsible for sales, marketing, business development and customer care. In addition, Cronin will oversee Quiet Logistics’ Advisory Board focused on creating new innovative technology solutions for the fast growing Fulfillment to Consumer (F2C) services company. Continue reading Supply Chain Industry Veteran Greg Cronin Joins Quiet Logistics

MetLife Names John M. Vazquez Head Of Vendor Sourcing and Corporate Services

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) announced today that John M. Vazquez has been named vice president of vendor sourcing and corporate services as well as chief procurement officer, effective immediately. In this new role, Vazquez will lead the IT vendor management and sourcing and global procurement teams at MetLife in addition to his current duties as head of corporate real estate and services. Continue reading MetLife Names John M. Vazquez Head Of Vendor Sourcing and Corporate Services