Staying on top of current trends is instrumental for success in many industries. Medical professionals take courses throughout their careers to ensure superior patient care, and educators are required to take part in specialized training for the classroom. But how do you develop employees in fields that don’t necessitate continued education?
What if human error could be eliminated from data management? You’d never have to question revenue numbers or spend time resolving payment disputes, and you’d always know business decisions were based on accurate information. When it came to managing your supply chain, you’d know every step was precisely monitored.
While these situations may sound too good to be true, blockchain technology could make them a reality in the not-so-distant future.
Health, beauty and apparel expos, along with trade shows targeting the construction and home improvement industry, highlight the list of upcoming events for July and August. If you sell products or services catered to those industries and are considering exhibiting at a show this summer, you may benefit from exposing your company to potential new clients, and from the opportunity to evaluate your competitors, survey the market and get new ideas for your business.
Relying on multiple sources for transportation isn’t a new concept. Companies with owned assets often use 3PLs to supplement their equipment, and most businesses will count on several carriers to cover freight. But how often do companies diversify the modes they rely on, not just who covers their current modes?
Ocean shipping services transport more than 80 percent of all globally traded products. In fact, maritime trade is a huge part of what makes the world go round. The clothes you wear, the vehicle you drive (and the fuel), the TV you watch, and the cellphone in your hand likely came from countries like China, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom. But, have you ever thought about the shipping routes ocean vessels take to ensure a quick and safe delivery?
As mentioned in my previous update, the capacity crunch industry experts have been discussing for several years appears to be here. But how do we know this isn’t an issue that eventually will normalize? And why is this time different from other supply chain disruptions?
To better understand what’s going on, we can look at national measures of freight volume and capacity, and see how today’s market compares to previous events.
As the shift to e-commerce shopping grows, consumers are more confident in what they purchase online. It’s become normal to buy large items like mattresses, treadmills, electronics or other home furnishings via the Internet. This way, shoppers can have their order delivered directly to their home instead of handling heavy items themselves.
Thirty-eight years of service, 442 employees, 197 dock doors and a 24/7 operations schedule describes our well-established ABF Freight® distribution center (DC) in Little Rock, Arkansas. With an average of 10,000 inbound and outbound shipments per week, this location plays a critical role in order fulfillment and supply chain management for ArcBest®.
In 2016, the United States-Canada trade market exceeded $600 billion, making Canada the United States’ second-largest trade partner after China. Though trade between these two North American giants is common, for those new to international shipping, the process can seem overwhelming. With regulations to follow and documentation to complete, shippers have a lot to consider. That’s why using a company like ArcBest®, with cross-border shipping certification and relationships with trusted customs brokers, is crucial.
The movement of freight seems simple to a consumer — they order something, and a short time later it arrives. But, those who work in the shipping industry know the process is a little more complex. How one shipment is packaged may not be safe for another, and the type of equipment required for one may differ from another (e.g. an oversized shipment needs a flatbed while pharmaceuticals may need temperature controlled). Understanding basic shipping information can help simplify this multifaceted process.