Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Gartner: invest in wider visibility today, before forecasted disruptions hit home

Analyst quotes Ted Lasso show at Manhattan Associates conference, saying “Don’t flip out until you find out,” as severe business impacts are slow to materialize in 2023.

gartner IMG_3165.jpg

As 2023 has developed to be a year of apprehension more than impact of potential supply chain disruptions, transportation professionals would be wise to take proactive steps now to boost their resilience against eventual stormy weather by expanding the reach of their visibility tools, a Gartner analyst said today.

A Gartner survey of CEOs and senior business executives shows that leaders are concerned about inflation (69%), talent scarcity (78%), and overly brittle and complex supply chains (79%), Brock Johns, Gartner’s senior principal analyst for supply chain technology, said in a session at Manhattan Associates’ annual user conference in Phoenix.


Those threats are real, but the survey also showed that levels of concern about them have dropped or nearly plateaued since 2022 as some forecasters begin to show cautious optimism that economic conditions may improve by year’s end, he said. Johns illustrated that point by citing a quote from the Ted Lasso TV series, declaring “Don’t flip out until you find out.” 

In fact, periodic logistics impacts are here to stay, headlined by possible 2024 events such as: disruptions that increase the need for visibility tools, sustainability demands that affect all aspects of operations, and increasingly challenging funding terms for business investments, he said in a session titled “The Road Ahead: What to expect for transportation and TMS in 2023 and beyond.”

So the most effective stance for companies today is to strengthen their capability for edge to edge (E2E) supply chain visibility and management by expanding the view of their business network from tier-one suppliers, factories, and warehouses to a wider circle of influence. That visibility should also include nodes beyond tier one, such as: co-manufacturing facilities, warehouses operated by third party logistics (3PL) partners, vulnerable logistics infrastructure, and congestion at maritime ports and airports.

That could be challenging in an economic environment stressed by rising inflation and interest rates, since companies will increasingly have to create a stronger business case to justify the expanded view. But a wider range of visibility could also create its own return on investment (ROI), Johns said. For example, adopting a view of Scope Three greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions both upstream and downstream of the company itself could open up chances to attract new business partners, reduce costs, and boost employee engagement.

 

 

The Latest

More Stories

Logistics economy grew in October

Logistics Managers' Index

Logistics economy grew in October

Economic activity in the logistics industry continued its expansion streak in October, growing for the 11th straight month and reaching its highest level in two years, according to the most recent Logistics Managers’ Index report (LMI), released this week.

The LMI registered 58.9, up from 58.6 in September, and continued a run of moderate growth that began late in 2023. The LMI is a monthly measure of business activity across warehousing and transportation markets. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, and a reading below 50 indicates contraction.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

port of vancouver

West coast dockworker strike could dent Canadian economy

The port worker strike that began yesterday on Canada’s west coast could cost that country $765 million a day in lost trade, according to the ALPS Marine analysis by Russell Group, a British data and analytics company.

Specifically, the labor strike at the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Fraser-Surrey will hurt the commodities of furniture, metal products, meat products, aluminum, and clothing. But since the strike action is focused on stopping containers and general cargo, it will not slow operations in grain vessels or cruise ships, the firm said.

Keep ReadingShow less
allitix supply chain planning

Accenture acquires supply chain consulting firm

Consulting firm Accenture has taken another step to bulk up its supply chain advisory capabilities, announcing Monday that it has acquired Allitix, a California-based consulting and technology company specializing in Anaplan solutions with capabilities across financial planning and analysis, sales performance management, and supply chain.

Anaplan is a Florida provider of corporate performance management (CPM) systems, which it defines as enterprise cloud software that empowers organizations to see, plan, and lead better business outcomes by aligning their strategic objectives and resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
trucks used by jillamy 3PL

Texas 3PL Mode Global acquires Jillamy’s freight brokerage arm

The Texas third-party logistics firm (3PL) Mode Global has acquired the freight brokerage business of supply chain service provider Jillamy, saying on Monday that the deal advances its strategy of expanding its national footprint.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but Mode Global said it will now assume Jillamy's comprehensive logistics and freight management solutions, while Jillamy's warehousing, packaging and fulfillment services remain unchanged. Under the agreement, Mode Global will gain more than 200 employees and add facilities in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Illinois, South Carolina, Maryland, and Ontario to its existing national footprint.

Keep ReadingShow less
Clorox partnership helps suppliers meet carbon reduction targets

Clorox partnership helps suppliers meet carbon reduction targets

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) provider The Clorox Co. has partnered with Manufacture 2030 (M2030) to help Clorox's suppliers meet their carbon reduction targets and advance the company's long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

In addition to its flagship Clorox bleach product, Oakland, California-based Clorox manages a diverse catalog of brands including Hidden Valley Ranch, Glad, Pine-Sol, Burt’s Bees, Kingsford, Scoop Away, Fresh Step, 409, Brita, Liquid Plumr, and Tilex.

Keep ReadingShow less