Our guest on this week's episode is Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos. The deadline is Monday to avert a dockworkers strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. That is when the current labor contract is expiring. A strike of even short duration could wreck a lot of supply chains. Our guest gives us the latest update on the negotiations and what effects a strike might have.

Wreaths Across America is seeking carriers and drivers to join the nonprofit’s Honor Fleet, delivering wreaths this holiday season to cemeteries across the country in honor of U.S. military veterans. We share about the organization's mission and how volunteer drivers can help.

One of the biggest impacts of pollution is from airplanes that pump out their emissions right into the upper atmosphere. We heard this week about a plan from Honeywell, the big industrial technology provider, to create a special kind of fuel mix called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for both passengers and freight planes.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Freightos
• Truckers honor vets as part of Wreaths Across America Day
• Wreaths Across America
• trucking@wreathsacrossamerica.org
• Honeywell technology will support sustainable aviation fuel plant
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Podcast is sponsored by: Werner

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Our guest on this week's episode is Dana Stiffler, distinguished VP analyst at Gartner, an industry research and consulting firm. Women continue to be leaders in our industry throughout the world and their impacts are immeasurable. Recently Gartner teamed with the women's supply chain organization AWESOME to complete the ninth annual Women in Supply Chain survey that looks at the work of the female gender in supply chains. Our guest shares the results of the survey and offers insights into growing the number of women in leadership positions.

Many supply chain managers are keeping a careful eye on the ongoing negotiations with dock workers at the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports – and we are getting much closer now to the September 30th deadline. We have the latest on the negotiations and what supply chain executives are doing to prepare for potential shutdowns at those key ports.

Truck drivers nationwide have a mixed outlook on the future of the trucking industry, according to a survey by freight marketplace Truckstop. The study was released this week in conjunction with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which runs through this Saturday, September 21. Truckstop surveyed 850 of its carrier customers to learn more about their lives and experiences on the road. We share highlights of their findings.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Gartner
• Gartner webinar on Women in Supply Chain survey
• Ports see import rush as dockworker strike looms
• Survey reveals mixed outlook on future of trucking
• National Truck Driver Appreciation Week information
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2024

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Our guest on this week's episode is Andrew Billings, vice president and supply chain capability lead at North Highland. The retail world has already survived this year’s Prime Day and now we are heading into the peak holiday shopping season. Are retailers prepared and are there any clues as to what consumers will be snapping up this year? Our guest has some insights.

With an eye on assuring it has the raw materials it needs, lift truck manufacturing company Raymond Corp. has opened a new production plant in Binghamton, New York to manufacture batteries to power its line of electric forklifts. The new facility expands on and replaces a former operation by its assembly plant.

While electric vehicles are gaining popularity, the transition to EVs is not happening as fast as earlier market predictions. J.D. Power, the automotive industry analyst firm, says it is cutting back on earlier forecasts for EV market share as sales of battery-powered cars cool off. They cited drivers’ concerns about finding enough public charging ports and also the rising popularity of hybrid cars such as plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)—which combine battery power with gasoline engines.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• North Highland
• Raymond Corp. boosts energy solutions with new battery plant
• Sales of battery-powered EVs sputtered in first half of 2024
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2024

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• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY

Our guest on this week's episode is Michael Sadowski, a researcher and author who just completed a study on sustainability in the apparel industry. Released by the Apparel Impact Institute, the study looks at the apparel industry's use of available resources. Of course, there are the fabrics that are grown and harvested or man-made materials that consume water and power. Most of our clothing is also made overseas, so the industry also needs to be aware of its carbon footprint to deliver all of those new goods to our closets and dresser drawers.

This week we saw a report about truck driver salaries. This came from a survey done every other year by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), and they found that truckload drivers in the U.S. earned a median annual amount of $76,420 in 2023, posting an increase of 10% over the survey done two years ago. We break down which modes of trucking earn the best salaries.

Data from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) show that a quarter of all industrial accidents happen at loading docks. That makes this vital, high-activity area within a distribution center a place for vigilant attention to detail. We look at how technologies and better awareness are making a difference to reduce injuries around the docks.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Apparel Impact Institute
• Taking Stock of Progress Against the Roadmap to Net Zero - 2024 report
• ATA Survey: Truckload drivers earn median salary of $74,420
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Podcast is sponsored by: CSCMP EDGE 2024

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Dawn Andre, chief product officer at Jaggaer. New supply chain talent is on the way, as college programs continue to mold new entrants for the industry. But what are some of the best ways to make use of these new recruits? Our guest has some ideas.

Victoria Kickham is off this week, so filling her seat is Susan Lacefield, the executive editor of Supply Chain Xchange. Susan shares about the newly released issue of Supply Chain Xchange that features articles on the latest in supply chain technologies. We also preview the upcoming CSCMP EDGE conference starting at the end of September in Nashville.

We cover a lot about self-driving vehicles in the magazine, but now autonomous transport is taking to the skies. We report on testing by the U.S. Air Force earlier this month of new autonomous cargo planes. The planes use smaller commercially-available Cessna planes equipped with tech that will allow them to take off, fly, and land without a pilot. These airplanes are much cheaper to operate than traditional military cargo planes.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes has dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jaggaer
• How digital twins can transform trucking operations
• How 3D prototyping can compress new product development
• Building trust in touchless planning
• Why AI will transform procurement and how it is already doing so
• Air Force runs military exercise with autonomous cargo planes
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster Company

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Jim Bunsey, director of commercial business development at the Propane Education & Research Council, better known in the industry as PERC. With the goal of reducing carbon footprints and clearing the air, supply chain managers are seeking cleaner technologies to power their operations. Our guest shares that the full energy cycle should be considered when choosing power for material handling equipment and transportation vehicles, including the carbon footprint of the energy creation, such as power produced by fossil-burning power plants.

The big news in North American supply chains this week has been the Canadian rail stoppage. This has been a real whirlwind of huge potential damage to retail and manufacturing operations at a time when supply chains were already in somewhat vulnerable positions. Yesterday, the railroads were locked down over a labor dispute. But last night, the Canadian government stepped in to order workers to report and to resolve their labor issues with binding arbitration. How fast can the railroads get back on track and what does this mean for supply chains?

Companies running large warehouses are looking for ways to improve performance and increase efficiency, all while dealing with persistent market pressures like labor shortages and space constraints. For many companies, warehouse automation is the answer to those problems. We look at two examples where automation is making a difference in warehouse operations.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Propane Education and Research Council
• Canadian rail strike sends tremors through supply chains
• Designed for efficiency
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster Company

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Scott Walker, vice president of Supply Chain Product Management for Powerfleet. Last month the U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposed rule to regulate how employers manage and protect workers in extreme heat conditions – both for indoor work, such as in factories and warehouses, and outdoor work, like in trucking, docks and in yards. The proposals would require each employer with more than 10 workers to have a program in place to address heat-related issues with measures to reduce the chance of heat-related stress and illnesses in the workplace. Our guest explains some of the details of the proposed rules and how employers can prepare now to promote safer workplaces.

The total cost of ownership for battery-electric versions of cargo-handling equipment used in our world's maritime ports is about 1.3 times higher than that of diesel-powered equipment, according to industry estimates, Until those costs come down, battery-electric container handling equipment is likely to remain a small portion of the equipment operating at ports around the world. However, research and testing are underway. We look at two examples of where electric systems are being piloted for port operations.

The adoption of electric vehicles in the United States has been slowed by the lack of a sufficient public charging infrastructure, but that shortcoming is showing small signs of improvement. A survey of almost 10,000 EV drivers found that satisfaction in the nation’s EV charging network increased for a second consecutive quarter. We discuss what is hindering more EV adoptions and the difficulty in finding suitable places to charge them.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Powerfleet
• In pursuit of sustainable ports
• Survey shows small rise in satisfaction with EV charging networks
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster Company

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply <

Our guest on this week's episode is Kathy Fulton, executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). This week Hurricane Debby made landfall on the East Coast, bringing with it lots of rain, flooding, and damage to Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. It is now making its way up the coast. What are the effects on supply chains and how is the industry responding to help those in need?

It is always good for us to track the health of the supply chain industry. This week the latest data show that economic activity in the logistics industry expanded in July, marking the eighth straight month of moderate growth across warehousing and transportation markets; that’s according to the latest monthly Logistics Managers Index (LMI) report, which was released this week.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is calling on the Biden administration to engage the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) which represents dock workers, and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents port operators to come to a new labor agreement to avoid a possible strike at East Coast and Gulf Coasts ports. The two sides are far apart on a new agreement as the current pact is set to expire on September 30. A strike could have widespread impacts on the flow of goods during peak season.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A brand new series of ten episodes just dropped on the "State of Logistics." The episodes provide in-depth looks into the current states of key transportation modes, such as trucking, rail, air, and ocean. It also looks at inventory management, 3PLs and more. All ten episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes.


Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN)
• Report: Logistics industry expanded in July
• Retailers grow nervous about East and Gulf Coast port strike
• Get episode transcripts
• Visit Supply Chain Xchange
• Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
• Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com

Podcast is sponsored by: Hyster Company

Other links

• About DC VELOCITY
• Subscribe to DC VELOCITY
• Sign up for our FREE newsletters
• Advertise with DC VELOCITY
• Top 10 Supply <