Tag: Supply Chain

The Port Strike Ended — Now What? | Entrepreneur

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In October, ports across the U.S. shut down as the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) went on strike for the first time since 1977. The port strike shut down 14 major ports and threatened to disrupt more than half of the U.S.’s global trade.

The ILA represents about 45,000 dockworkers, and the union went on strike to demand higher wages and a ban on automation. Fortunately, the shutdown only lasted for three days, and the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance extended their contract until January 15, 2025.

However, if they can’t reach an agreement in the new year, the dockworkers could go on strike again. It’s a good idea for small businesses to start diversifying their supply chain and getting ahead of overseas orders now, just in case we find ourselves in a repeat situation.

Related: 5 Ways of Effectively Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions

The economic impacts of a port strike

How a port strike would affect the U.S. economy depends largely on how long it lasts, but shipping delays would likely be the first and most noticeable sign. Over $2 billion worth of goods flow through these ports daily, and a strike would affect everyday items like perishable food, different types of alcohol, durable goods and raw commodities.

Delays could hurt small businesses that rely on shipments from overseas suppliers, causing low inventory and lost revenue. If a shutdown lasted more than a month, it could cause the cost of imported goods to rise and contribute to inflation. Transportation costs could also rise due to the increased delays.

An extended port strike would hurt retail, agricultural and manufacturing businesses, and over time, this could force businesses to lay off workers to cut their expenses. A prolonged strike could also hurt the U.S.’s relationship with its global partners and cause other countries to look for alternative trade partners.

Related: 7 Strategies for Growing Your Business When Supply Chain Disruptions Are Everywhere

How businesses can mitigate future risk

A port strike poses numerous challenges, but businesses do have time to prepare so they aren’t caught off-guard. January through March tends to be a slower period for retail sales, so businesses will have more capacity to keep their supply chain moving. Let’s look at five ways small businesses can prepare for another port strike.

Stock up on inventory

Businesses have until January 15 to begin building up their inventory and preparing for another shutdown. Start reviewing your inventory levels to accurately forecast demand and determine what you’d need to get through a strike. Prioritize high-margin products and items that are essential to your business operations.

Diversify your supply chain

Another way small businesses can protect themselves is by diversifying across several different suppliers. Begin establishing relationships with suppliers in different locations or countries and look for opportunities to source these items locally. Domestic suppliers may be more expensive, but they’ll reduce your dependence on international ports.

Use inventory management software

If you aren’t already using inventory management software, now is a good time to start. This software gives you real-time visibility into your inventory levels, making it easier to forecast demand and make informed purchasing decisions.

Inventory management software uses AI to analyze historical data and external factors to predict future demand. It can also help you determine which items are the most popular and should be prioritized.

Communicate with your customers

Since an ongoing port strike can cause delays and inventory shortages, it’s important to communicate with your customers. Let them know about potential delays and increased costs before these problems occur. Being upfront about these challenges will help you build trust with your customers and let them know you’re doing everything you can to manage the situation.

Set clear expectations for how long delays could last and recommend alternative products that are available. Make sure your customer service team is prepared to handle customer questions and that it’s easy for customers to get in touch with your business.

Prepare for additional costs

If another shutdown occurs, small businesses should expect inventory, storage and transportation costs to increase. Coming up with cash flow solutions now will ensure your business can absorb these costs without any major disruptions.

If you don’t already have one, establishing a line of credit can help you cover the cost of extra inventory and additional storage space. You can also negotiate with your suppliers to extend your payment terms and free up your cash flow.

Related: How to Secure the Inventory You Need During a Supply Chain Nightmare

According to the Conference Board, a nonprofit think tank, a one-week shutdown could cost the U.S. economy $3.78 billion. Hopefully, the ILA and U.S. Maritime Alliance will reach an agreement before January, but business owners should be proactive and plan for the worst-case scenario.

Take the time to assess your supply chain now and look for ways you can strengthen it. Diversifying your supply chain and stockpiling inventory now will help you minimize the fallout if another strike happens. It’ll also help you preserve your relationships with your customers.

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Joseph Camberato

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October 28, 2024
The Mystery of Hezbollah’s Deadly Exploding Pagers

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The AP-900 runs on two AAA batteries, which, like any battery, could be induced to explode, but likely not with such force and scale as the explosions depicted in alleged videos of the blasts. If the pagers used by Hezbollah are the AR-924 or another model that runs on lithium-ion batteries, which can cause more dangerous explosions, it’s still unlikely that a regular pager battery alone could produce blasts that could injure multiple people.

“Those explosions aren’t just batteries,” says Jake Williams, vice president of research and development at Hunter Strategy who formerly worked for the US National Security Agency. “Based on the reporting, these pagers were likely interdicted by Israeli authorities and modified with explosives. This highlights the risks of supply chain security, especially in places where technology is harder to ship to.”

Gold Apollo did not immediately respond to WIRED’s request for comment.

Williams points out that such an operation would likely involve operatives on both the tech distribution side and the Hezbollah procurement side. “You compromise the supply chain, but you don’t want thousands of explosive pagers running around Lebanon,” he says. “The mole gets them to exactly the right people.”

Some reports on Tuesday indicate that Hezbollah recently expanded its use of pagers in an attempt to secure communications after other channels had been infiltrated by Israeli intelligence. The Associated Press reported that an anonymous “Hezbollah official” said the group had recently adopted a “new brand” of pagers that “first heated up, then exploded.”

“It’s unlikely that hacking was involved, as it’s likely that explosive material had to be inside the pagers to cause such an effect,” says Lukasz Olejnik, an independent consultant and visiting senior research fellow at King’s College London’s Department of War Studies. “Reports mention the delivery of new pagers recently, so perhaps the delivery was compromised.”

Michael Horowitz, head of intelligence at Middle East and North Africa risk management company Le Beck International, says if the attack is supply-chain-based, then it could have taken years to prepare and involved infiltrating a supplier and placing explosives inside new pagers.

“This is a major security breach, particularly if we’re talking about a charge that was placed inside the devices—which, in my opinion, is the most likely scenario,” Horowitz says. “This would mean that Israel has managed to infiltrate Hezbollah providers to the point of delivering hundreds (if not thousands) of devices used for secured communication.”

The incident comes amid escalations of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in recent months, raising fears of a full-blown war. In the hours before the explosions on Tuesday, Israel said its war goals would include allowing 60,000 people to return to Northern Israel after they were evacuated following Hezbollah attacks, and it would not rule out military action.

Horowitz says the incident could be a “prelude to a broader offensive” and possibly meant to disrupt Hezbollah’s communications networks. It is likely that replacing a large number of pagers would take some time to organize. Alternatively, Horowitz says, the attack could also have been conducted to show the “scale of Israel’s intelligence penetration.”

“This is a high-value operation that you wouldn’t use just to cause injuries,” Horowitz says.

Even if the blasts were not caused by a cyber-physical attack that induced the pager batteries to explode, it’s still possible that explosives planted in the pagers were detonated using a remote command, possibly even a specially crafted pager message. Some footage appeared to show users checking their pagers right as the explosions occurred, though this could have been coincidental.

The operation could have a psychological impact on Hezbollah given that bombs may have been lurking undetected in such an unassuming device. And though Tuesday’s attacks were notably aggressive, it would not be the first time Israeli intelligence has reportedly planted explosives in electronics.

Updated at 3:25 pm ET, September 17, 2024: Added additional details about potential ways the attack could have been carried out.

Updated at 3:40 pm ET, September 17, 2024: Added additional details about the pager model that may have been used in the attack.

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September 17, 2024
Metrc CEO Michael Johnson Talks Retail ID and Securing the Cannabis Supply Chain – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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Metrc CEO Michael Johnson Talks Retail ID and Securing the Cannabis Supply Chain – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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Tom Hymes

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September 3, 2024
Grand Island Express Achieves Record-Breaking Efficiency and Revenue Gains With Optimal Dynamics’ Software
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Artificial Decision Intelligence swiftly drives significant increases in revenue, load count, and operational efficiency
NEW YORK, August 12, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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Optimal Dynamics, the pioneer in Artificial Decision Intelligence for trucking companies, is proud to announce the outstanding success achieved by their customer, Grand Island Express, one of America’s most recognized and respected refrigerated carriers. Grand Island Express has achieved significant operational efficiencies and record-breaking results within weeks of deploying the Optimal Dynamics’ platform.

Grand Island Express, based in Grand Island, Nebraska, and operating in 38 states, faced the challenge of managing precisely-timed deliveries on irregular routes, especially for high-volume fresh and frozen boxed meat shipments. Traditional manual dispatching methods were proving inadequate, leading the company to invest in Optimal Dynamics to solve their challenges. The platform automates load allocation and dispatching decisions to maximize network utilization and profitability. The integration with their LoadMaster TMS system from McLeod Software ensures seamless data flow, allowing for rapid implementation and immediate results.

The implementation of Optimal Dynamics yielded swift and substantial improvements via decision automation. Comparing year-over-year results for May, the first full month on the platform, Grand Island Express achieved:
- 5.7% increase in linehaul revenue
- 9.3% increase in load count
- 13.6% increase in loaded miles
- Reduction in empty miles from 13.5% to 10.6%
“During the past two years, we squeezed everything we could out of our network, but there are limits to what humans can bring into their decision-making process,” said Deen Albert, VP of Operations at Grand Island Express. “This need to automate and optimize operations made us look into Optimal Dynamics. The real-time dispatching tool within the Optimal Dynamics platform is built for speed. It acts as a supercharger to McLeod.”

Automation has allowed Grand Island Express to handle more volume with the same amount of office staff and drivers. The platform’s ability to automate routine planning decisions has freed up 80% of fleet managers to focus on high-value activities such as managing driver relationships and handling exceptions.

“At Optimal Dynamics, we believe in the transformative power of automation to drive operational efficiencies and deliver outstanding results for our customers,” said Daniel Powell, Co-founder and CEO of Optimal Dynamics. “The success of Grand Island Express is a testament to how our platform can revolutionize logistics, optimizing every decision and enabling companies to achieve new heights in performance and profitability.”

The trend of breaking records continues for Grand Island Express as they topped three revenue records and two loaded mile records since implementing Optimal Dynamics just two months ago. Furthermore, the correlation between the adoption rate of Optimal Dynamics’ recommendations and positive outcomes was clear. By week two, Grand Island Express achieved an 84% adoption rate, which ultimately led to a 13.4% increase in revenue per truck per week over the pre-Optimal Dynamics baseline average.

For a detailed look at the Grand Island Express transformation, download the full case study at https://info.optimaldynamics.com/rapid-transformation-and-record-breaking-results-at-grand-island-express.

About Grand Island Express

Grand Island Express is one of America’s most recognized and respected small refrigerated carriers. Serving more than 38 states in the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., Grand Island Express specializes in irregular route, temperature-controlled transportation focused on customers that require high-level, time-sensitive performance. Grand Island Express is an eleven-time “Best Fleets to Drive For” awarded company.

Source: Optimal Dynamics
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August 12, 2024
An Inside Look at Germany’s Cannabis Supply Chain With The Grünhorn Group – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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An Inside Look at Germany’s Cannabis Supply Chain With The Grünhorn Group – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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Pam Chmiel

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August 6, 2024
Announcement by Venture Solutions: New Warehouse Completed in Laredo, Texas, and Offices Expanded in Saltillo, Mexico

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ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., July 30, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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Venture Solutions, a leader in customized logistics networks and supply chain optimization, proudly announces the completion of its new warehouse in Laredo, Texas. Along with this milestone, the company is also expanding its office in Saltillo, Mexico, further cementing its commitment to providing comprehensive supply chain solutions across North America.

The new Laredo warehouse, a 150,000 sq. ft. facility with 30 dock doors and space for 100 trailers, displays Venture Solutions’ dedication to constantly enhancing its supply chain capabilities. The facility offers comprehensive cross-border services, including consolidation, warehousing, and vendor-managed inventory. Additionally, the warehouse is CTPAT and ISO-certified, reflecting Venture Solutions’ commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security and quality.

“The opening of our Laredo facility marks a significant step in our mission to provide full supply chain optimizations,” said Justin Weber, Chief Operating Officer of Venture. “This new warehouse allows us to better serve our clients across North America, particularly those in the automotive and heavy industrial sectors, who rely on the robust and full-scale capabilities we offer in this key location.”

Along with the new warehouse in Laredo, Venture Solutions is expanding its office in Saltillo, Mexico. This growth is designed to support customers requiring both cross-border services and intra-Mexico freight solutions. The enhanced Saltillo office will provide comprehensive coverage for core manufacturing regions in Mexico and national transportation services, strengthening Venture Solutions’ ability to serve its diverse client base.

“Our expansion in Saltillo is truly about Mexico becoming more centralized in supply chain management and decision making,” Weber said. “With this increased presence, we can offer our customers seamless service across borders and within Mexico, boosting their operational efficiency and supply chain performance.”

Venture Solutions manages more than 10,000 border crossings annually, highlighting its expertise in navigating complex logistics environments. With over one million sq. ft. of warehouse space across five consolidation centers and cross docks, Venture Solutions continues to lead the industry in delivering strategic, optimized logistics solutions.

Venture Solutions, headquartered in Rochester Hills, Mich., provides strategic guidance for developing customized and optimized logistics networks. Specializing in supply chain optimization, consolidation, and warehousing, Venture Solutions serves automotive OEMs, heavy industrial customers, and consumer products. As a business unit within the broader Venture umbrella, Venture Solutions works alongside Venture Transport, asset-based transportation, and Venture Connect, brokerage, to deliver comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions.

For more information about Venture Solutions and its services, please visit www.venturelogistics.com.

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Source: Venture Logistics

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July 30, 2024
Completion of New Warehouse in Laredo, Texas, and Expansion of Office in Saltillo, Mexico Announced by Venture Solutions

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ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., July 30, 2024 (Newswire.com)
–
Venture Solutions, a leader in customized logistics networks and supply chain optimization, proudly announces the completion of its new warehouse in Laredo, Texas. Along with this milestone, the company is also expanding its office in Saltillo, Mexico, further cementing its commitment to providing comprehensive supply chain solutions across North America.

The new Laredo warehouse, a 150,000 sq. ft. facility with 30 dock doors and space for 100 trailers, displays Venture Solutions’ dedication to constantly enhancing its supply chain capabilities. The facility offers comprehensive cross-border services, including consolidation, warehousing, and vendor-managed inventory. Additionally, the warehouse is CTPAT and ISO-certified, reflecting Venture Solutions’ commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security and quality.

“The opening of our Laredo facility marks a significant step in our mission to provide full supply chain optimizations,” said Justin Weber, Chief Operating Officer of Venture. “This new warehouse allows us to better serve our clients across North America, particularly those in the automotive and heavy industrial sectors, who rely on the robust and full-scale capabilities we offer in this key location.”

Along with the new warehouse in Laredo, Venture Solutions is expanding its office in Saltillo, Mexico. This growth is designed to support customers requiring both cross-border services and intra-Mexico freight solutions. The enhanced Saltillo office will provide comprehensive coverage for core manufacturing regions in Mexico and national transportation services, strengthening Venture Solutions’ ability to serve its diverse client base.

“Our expansion in Saltillo is truly about Mexico becoming more centralized in supply chain management and decision making,” Weber said. “With this increased presence, we can offer our customers seamless service across borders and within Mexico, boosting their operational efficiency and supply chain performance.”

Venture Solutions manages more than 10,000 border crossings annually, highlighting its expertise in navigating complex logistics environments. With over one million sq. ft. of warehouse space across five consolidation centers and cross docks, Venture Solutions continues to lead the industry in delivering strategic, optimized logistics solutions.

Venture Solutions, headquartered in Rochester Hills, Mich., provides strategic guidance for developing customized and optimized logistics networks. Specializing in supply chain optimization, consolidation, and warehousing, Venture Solutions serves automotive OEMs, heavy industrial customers, and consumer products. As a business unit within the broader Venture umbrella, Venture Solutions works alongside Venture Transport, asset-based transportation, and Venture Connect, brokerage, to deliver comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions.

For more information about Venture Solutions and its services, please visit www.venturelogistics.com.

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Source: Venture Logistics

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July 30, 2024
Venture Solutions Announces Completion of New Warehouse in Laredo, Texas, and Expansion of Office in Saltillo, Mexico

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ROCHESTER, Mich., July 30, 2024 (Newswire.com)
–
Venture Solutions, a leader in customized logistics networks and supply chain optimization, proudly announces the completion of its new warehouse in Laredo, Texas. Along with this milestone, the company is also expanding its office in Saltillo, Mexico, further cementing its commitment to providing comprehensive supply chain solutions across North America.

The new Laredo warehouse, a 150,000 sq. ft. facility with 30 dock doors and space for 100 trailers, displays Venture Solutions’ dedication to constantly enhancing its supply chain capabilities. The facility offers comprehensive cross-border services, including consolidation, warehousing, and vendor-managed inventory. Additionally, the warehouse is CTPAT and ISO-certified, reflecting Venture Solutions’ commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security and quality.

“The opening of our Laredo facility marks a significant step in our mission to provide full supply chain optimizations,” said Justin Weber, Chief Operating Officer of Venture. “This new warehouse allows us to better serve our clients across North America, particularly those in the automotive and heavy industrial sectors, who rely on the robust and full-scale capabilities we offer in this key location.”

Along with the new warehouse in Laredo, Venture Solutions is expanding its office in Saltillo, Mexico. This growth is designed to support customers requiring both cross-border services and intra-Mexico freight solutions. The enhanced Saltillo office will provide comprehensive coverage for core manufacturing regions in Mexico and national transportation services, strengthening Venture Solutions’ ability to serve its diverse client base.

“Our expansion in Saltillo is truly about Mexico becoming more centralized in supply chain management and decision making,” Weber said. “With this increased presence, we can offer our customers seamless service across borders and within Mexico, boosting their operational efficiency and supply chain performance.”

Venture Solutions manages more than 10,000 border crossings annually, highlighting its expertise in navigating complex logistics environments. With over one million sq. ft. of warehouse space across five consolidation centers and cross docks, Venture Solutions continues to lead the industry in delivering strategic, optimized logistics solutions.

Venture Solutions, headquartered in Rochester Hills, Mich., provides strategic guidance for developing customized and optimized logistics networks. Specializing in supply chain optimization, consolidation, and warehousing, Venture Solutions serves automotive OEMs, heavy industrial customers, and consumer products. As a business unit within the broader Venture umbrella, Venture Solutions works alongside Venture Transport, asset-based transportation, and Venture Connect, brokerage, to deliver comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions.

For more information about Venture Solutions and its services, please visit www.venturelogistics.com.

Source: Venture Logistics

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July 30, 2024
Driving global supply chain innovation and resilience

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A fast and resilient global supply chain is vital for businesses to meet customer demands and ensure operational efficiency. However, achieving this requires more than just logistical expertise; it demands innovative solutions and digital tools to navigate today’s complex business landscape.

To deliver a great customer experience and empower employees to work safely and efficiently, companies are looking for repeatable, agile, and reliable solutions. They are increasingly turning to AI, connected devices, and other digital tools to enhance insights from supply chain data. While each industry has its specific needs, there is so much to be gained by sharing knowledge across sectors to build the most resilient supply chain possible.

Monitoring the global supply chain with AI

In industries like pharmaceuticals, where timely and accurate deliveries are critical, data-driven insights are indispensable. Reacting to in-progress supply chain issues isn’t enough; a transformative improvement is avoiding them altogether. That’s where data—along with the AI tools that can analyze it—is critical.

Better connectivity helps companies make faster decisions, monitor the entire supply chain from anywhere, and understand the global effects of an issue immediately. Allen Jacques, Industry Thought Leader at Kinaxis, remembers a time when shipping problems took an entire week to solve through meetings and phone calls with potentially dozens of people. “Today, with the digital supply chain, I could’ve gotten that answer in minutes,” says Jacques.

With flexible tools and repeatable solutions, companies are making the pharmaceutical supply chain more resilient. Businesses are also gaining insights from AI that improve their ability to navigate the complexities of the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

Innovation is critical in all industries, and the industrial metaverse is becoming an essential tool to accelerate development and boost resilience, training, and cost efficiency.

Using the industrial metaverse, businesses can do repeatable experiments with lower costs and higher speeds than they can with real materials. Engineers and designers can collaborate in digital environments in real time to create prototypes of products and quickly explore many options. They can also simulate supply chain scenarios to practice responding to potential issues, such as equipment failures or transportation delays. Furthermore, digitalization gives workers the option to control machinery remotely to avoid the risk of injuries from hazardous locations. And they can train in the digital metaverse to gain more experience faster.

Because failure is a key part of innovation, failing fast is important—it leads to faster development. “One of the biggest advantages of the metaverse is that you can make mistakes without lasting results,” says Kevin L. Jackson, Founder of the Cloud Musings blog.

Increasing connectivity with an omnichannel mindset

How can an organization use all its assets—from supply chain to transportation—to deliver complete customer service? Retail business leaders need to adopt an omnichannel mindset and repeatable digital solutions that improve connectivity and operational efficiency.

Jennifer McKeehan, Senior Vice President of End-to-End Delivery at Walmart, explains how Walmart is investing billions of dollars into automation to create capacity and increase fulfillment speed and accuracy. “One of the things we’re focused on is helping customers shop when they want, where they want, and how they want,” says McKeehan. “Doing that requires mass transformation and innovation.”

Connectivity is the key to this transformation. A connected supply chain helps get products to shelves faster and improves how associates do their jobs. “With increased connectivity, we’re making really good end-to-end decisions that then unlock cost and value for the customer,” says McKeehan.

Avoiding supply chain disruptions on multiple fronts

A stable supply chain must be resilient enough to withstand potential disruptions from natural disasters, geopolitical developments, economic trends, and more. For example, droughts in canals can affect both the distribution of products and energy, which has rippling effects for everything from transportation to the AI being used in the supply chain that requires energy.

Companies can take friction out of the global supply chain by using AI to automate and optimize critical aspects of distribution and transportation. “We’ve got a lot of trucks that are half empty. The more we can concentrate on that and get better load optimization, the better,” says Greg Buzek, President and Chief AI Officer at IHL Group. AI could also be the key to protecting shipments at sea. AI-powered autonomous vehicles protecting container ships can help lower the cost of shipping and reduce the risk of lost cargo.

Benefiting workers and customers with digital solutions

Keeping up with supply chain trends is important for businesses looking to make order fulfillment fast and accurate. A trusted partner can help businesses adopt innovative technologies and repeatable, reliable solutions to build resiliency into every point of their supply chains. “You need folks who have been tried and true,” says McKeehan. “You need folks who are going to help you think differently about where to go tomorrow.”

Learn more by checking out the full interviews with these industry experts, or talk to a Microsoft representative to discover more about Microsoft supply chain management solutions.

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July 25, 2024
It Will Soon Be Easier for Americans to Recycle Batteries

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Do you have a collection of old cell phones in a desk drawer somewhere because you don’t know what to do with them? A new US initiative aims to make it easier for people to recycle phones, computers, and other battery-powered electronics.

This month, the US Department of Energy announced a $14 million program that will fund more than 1,000 consumer battery collection sites across the country at Staples and Battery Plus stores. It’s part of a larger $62 million effort announced by the Biden administration in April to boost battery recycling.

The average lifespan of a smartphone is just two to three years, resulting in billions of discarded phones every year that are adding to the world’s alarming electronic waste problem.

Smartphones can’t be discarded in household garbage or recycling bins. They contain lithium-ion batteries that can leak toxic chemicals into the environment or spark dangerous fires if damaged, punctured, or exposed to excessive heat.

And disposing of batteries improperly isn’t just an environmental problem. The Department of Energy sees it as an economic problem as well. Many rechargeable batteries contain lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and manganese—critical materials needed to make clean energy technologies, including wind turbines and electric vehicles. With EV sales growing in the US, more of these materials will be needed.

“Up to now, China has largely cornered the market on processing those, and in many cases on extracting them as well,” US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm told WIRED in an interview. “We want to be able to create multiple ways for us to access those critical materials in the United States, and recycling is one component of that.” She added that US battery recycling capacity has been “very underutilized.”

When batteries are thrown away, those materials can’t be recovered. If they’re recycled, these resources can be used over and over again—and research has found that recycled battery materials can work as well as new ones.

“What we don’t want is to be losing critical minerals from the supply chain,” says Martin Bazant, a professor of chemical engineering at MIT who leads the Center for Battery Sustainability, a joint effort of MIT and Northeastern University. “We have to be able to recycle them.”

Bazant says it makes sense for the government to work with retail stores that sell consumer electronics and batteries to increase the recovery of these materials. “These companies are very visible,” he says. But he acknowledges that it could be a challenge to get people to recognize not only the importance of preserving these materials, but also the environmental damage they can do if not disposed of properly.

Even if the collection sites are successful, there’s still a question of who’s going to process the batteries, says Doug Kobold, executive director of the California Product Stewardship Council, which has sponsored legislation on battery recycling. The problem, he says, is that extracting critical materials from recycled batteries is complex and costly. In fact, processing these materials can be more expensive than mining them fresh. And lithium is especially dangerous to handle because of its reactive properties. Only about 5 percent of lithium-ion batteries are thought to be recycled, according to the American Chemical Society.

“Every facility that is processing those is taking them at a cost,” Kobold says. “We need to figure out how to fund the cost of processing.”

California tacks on a visible fee to certain electronic devices to help fund recycling them. It’s similar to how states charge a tire recycling fee up front when you purchase a new set of tires. “Propping up collection networks in other states may still be problematic, because once you collect it, who’s paying for it to be processed?” Kobold says.

Scientists are working on ways to recycle lithium-ion batteries more sustainably and cost-effectively, but those methods could take years to become profitable.

James Tour, a chemist at Rice University who studies methods to recycle batteries, says one way the US could improve its battery recycling ecosystem is to standardize battery designs with new regulations, which could help streamline processing. “These metals are infinitely recyclable,” he says. “We need better designs that make it easier to get into the batteries.”

Rechargeable batteries, cell phones, laptops, vacuums, and smartwatches are among the items that will be collected at the new sites. EV batteries will not be accepted.

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Emily Mullin

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July 15, 2024
Why is the global supply chain so fragile and how can it be fixed?

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Why is the global supply chain so fragile and how can it be fixed? – CBS News

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The COVID-19 pandemic dislodged the global supply chain, but the vulnerabilities in the system had already been building up for decades. A new book titled “How the World Ran Out of Everything” examines how the health crisis exposed the fragility of a system that was always at risk of collapse. Author Peter Goodman joins to discuss.

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June 10, 2024
Venture Logistics Honored by PECO Pallet With Carrier of the Year Award

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Company named Linehaul Carrier of the Year wins accolades as key supplier-partner providing superior quality truckload transportation services for PECO’s North American pooled rental pallet network.

INDIANAPOLIS, April 2, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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Venture Logistics, a full-service logistics company with a deep portfolio of specialized transportation, supply chain and freight management services, has been recognized by PECO Pallet as its Linehaul Carrier of the Year.

PECO Pallet is one of North America’s largest providers of rental pallet services to the beverage, grocery, and consumer products industries. The company works with third-party trucking firms that provide time-definite transportation of PECO’s signature red, highly engineered nine-block pallets to thousands of customer locations across North America and return of pallets to PECO depots.

PECO reviewed dozens of trucking service providers in its annual supplier performance evaluation program. Venture Logistics won top honors in the Linehaul Carrier category.

“I want to commend the Venture Logistics team on a level of performance in 2023 that earned the highest evaluation score among our line-haul service partners,” said Mike Greene, PECO’s Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Transportation. “Their consistently superior service played a key role in supporting PECO’s quality and service commitment to our customers.”

PECO’s inaugural Carrier of the Year program objectively assesses carriers on key performance metrics, including equipment quality and availability, on-time performance, delivery updates, invoicing timeliness, safety, data quality, proactive communications, and overall customer support. Evaluation criteria also include cost-reduction initiatives, FMCSA CSA scores, and continuous improvement efforts.

“We are deeply honored to have been chosen as Carrier of the Year by PECO. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Venture team,” said TJ Lehnertz, Business Unit President at Venture Logistics. “At Venture, we strive to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional service to our partners every day. PECO has been a great longstanding partner of Venture and we are truly grateful for their continued support.”

PECO Pallet operates North America’s second-largest pallet rental network with some 90 pallet depots deploying and managing an inventory of over 20 million of its signature red, high-quality pallets.

Source: Venture Logistics

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April 2, 2024
LeafLink Refocused – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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December 11, 2023
Where the Cannabis C-Suite is Missing The Mark on Automation – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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November 2, 2023
Orsted Books $4 Bln Impairments, Walks Away From Two US Offshore Projects

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Updated Nov. 1, 2023 3:33 am ET

Orsted booked a 28.4 billion Danish kroner ($4.02 billion) impairment charge in the third quarter related to its U.S. offshore wind portfolio and said it will stop development of two wind farm projects off the coast of New Jersey amid spiraling costs and supplier delays.

The Danish renewable-energy company had previously warned of up to DKK16 billion of impairments after flagging increasing supply-chain risks at U.S. projects, while a lack of favorable progress on U.S. tax credits and higher interest rates were also sending project costs higher.

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November 1, 2023
The Real Reason You Should Get an E-bike

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Today’s happiness and personal-finance gurus have no shortage of advice for living a good life. Meditate daily. Sleep for eight hours a night. Don’t forget to save for retirement. They’re not wrong, but few of these experts will tell you one of the best ways to improve your life: Ditch your car.

A year ago, my wife and I sold one of our cars and replaced it with an e-bike. As someone who writes about climate change, I knew that I was doing something good for the planet. I knew that passenger vehicles are responsible for much of our greenhouse-gas emissions—16 percent in the U.S., to be exact—and that the pollution spewing from gas-powered cars doesn’t just heat up the planet; it could increase the risk of premature death. I also knew that electric cars were an imperfect fix: Though they’re responsible for less carbon pollution than gas cars, even when powered by today’s dirty electric grid, their supply chain is carbon intensive, and many of the materials needed to produce their batteries are, in some cases, mined via a process that brutally exploits workers and harms ecosystems and sacred Indigenous lands. An e-bike’s comparatively tiny battery means less electricity, fewer emissions, fewer resources. They are clearly better for the planet than cars of any kind.

Read: America is missing out on the biggest EV boom of all

I knew all of this. But I also viewed getting rid of my car as a sacrifice—something for the militant and reckless, something that Greenpeace volunteers did to make the world better. I live in Colorado; e-biking would mean freezing in the winter and sweating in the summer. It was the right thing to do, I thought, but it was not going to be fun.

I was very wrong. The first thing I noticed was the savings. Between car payments, insurance, maintenance, and gas, a car-centered lifestyle is expensive. According to AAA, after fuel, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and the like, owning and driving a new car in America costs $10,728 a year. My e-bike, by comparison, cost $2,000 off the rack and has near-negligible recurring charges. After factoring in maintenance and a few bucks a month in electricity costs, I estimate that we’ll save about $50,000 over the next five years by ditching our car.

The actual experience of riding to work each day over the past year has been equally surprising. Before selling our car, I worried most about riding in the cold winter months. But I quickly learned that, as the saying goes, there is no bad weather, only bad gear. I wear gloves, warm socks, a balaclava, and a ski jacket when I ride, and am almost never too cold.

Sara Hastings-Simon is a professor at the University of Calgary, where she studies low-carbon transportation systems. She’s also a native Californian who now bikes to work in a city where temperatures tend to hover around freezing from December through March. She told me that with the right equipment, she’s able to do it on all but the snowiest days—days when she wouldn’t want to be in a car, either. “Those days are honestly a mess even on the roads,” she said.

And though I, like many would-be cyclists, was worried about arriving at the office sweaty in hotter months, the e-bike solved my problem. Even when it was 90 degrees outside, I didn’t break a sweat, thanks to my bike’s pedal-assist mode. If I’m honest, sometimes I didn’t even pedal; I just used the throttle, sat back, and enjoyed my ride.

Indeed, a big part of the appeal here is in the e part of the bike: “E-bikes aren’t just a traditional bike with a motor. They are an entirely new technology,” Hastings-Simon told me. Riding them is a radically different experience from riding a normal bike, at least when it comes to the hard parts of cycling. “It’s so much easier to take a bike over a bridge or in a hilly neighborhood,” Laura Fox, the former general manager of New York City’s bike-share program, told me. “I’ve had countless people come up to me and say, ‘I never thought that I could bike to work before, and now that I have an option where you don’t have to show up sweaty, it’s possible.’” (When New York introduced e-bikes to its fleet, ridership tripled, she told me, from 500,000 to 1.5 million people.)

Read: How to get fewer people to commute in cars

But biking to work wasn’t just not unpleasant—it was downright enjoyable. It made me feel happier and healthier; I arrived to work a little more buoyant for having spent the morning in fresh air rather than traffic. Study after study shows that people with longer car commutes are more likely to experience poor health outcomes and lower personal well-being—and that cyclists are the happiest commuters. One day, shortly after selling our car, I hopped on my bike after a stressful day at work and rode home down a street edged with changing fall leaves. I felt more connected to the physical environment around me than I had when I’d traveled the same route surrounded by metal and glass. I breathed in the air, my muscles relaxed, and I grinned like a giddy schoolchild.

“E-bikes are like a miracle drug,” David Zipper, a transportation expert and Visiting Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, told me. “They provide so much upside, not just for the riders, but for the people who are living around them too.”

Of course, e-bikes aren’t going to replace every car on every trip. In a country where sprawling suburbs and strip malls, not protected bike lanes, are the norm, it’s unrealistic to expect e-bikes to replace cars in the way that the Model T replaced horses. But we don’t need everyone to ride an e-bike to work to make a big dent in our carbon-pollution problem. A recent study found that if 5 percent of commuters were to switch to e-bikes as their mode of transportation, emissions would fall by 4 percent. As an individual, you don’t even need to sell your car to reduce your carbon footprint significantly. In 2021, half of all trips in the United States were less than three miles, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Making those short trips on an e-bike instead of in a car would likely save people money, cut their emissions, and improve their health and happiness.

E-bikes are such a no-brainer for individuals, and for the collective, that state and local governments are now subsidizing them. In May, I asked Will Toor, the executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, to explain the state’s rationale for a newly passed incentive that offers residents $450 to get an e-bike. He dutifully ticked through the environmental benefits and potential cost savings for low-income people. Then he surprised me: The legislation, he added, was also about “putting more joy into the world.”

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Michael Thomas

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October 20, 2023
Instawork Creates the Largest Professional Network for Hourly Workers

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The flexible work platform provides its global network of users new work opportunities with unique training and certification to further advance their careers

SAN FRANCISCO, October 10, 2023 (Newswire.com)
–
Instawork, the leading platform for connecting businesses with skilled hourly workers across the United States and Canada, announced today that it has over 5 million users, creating the largest professional network for hourly workers.

Over the past year, businesses and workers across the country have requested Instawork in their cities to provide an easy way for them to easily connect. As a result, Instawork has recently announced availability in several new markets, including Buffalo/Rochester, Charleston, Cleveland, Hartford, Milwaukee, Providence, Raleigh-Durham, Savannah, Virginia Beach, and Richmond.

Instawork’s network offers hourly workers the ability to leverage their skills and experience to further advance their careers by verifying credentials on and off the Instawork platform. The platform also reinforces worker and business rating signals and enhances its machine learning capabilities to best match workers with available shifts. Unique training and certification opportunities will also unlock work for millions of users who are not eligible for certain shifts due to a current lack of certification or if they wish to highlight their certifications outside of the Instawork platform.

“Hourly workers are the backbone of the economy, and they deserve better recognition for the critical role they play. The pandemic made it clear that digital transformation is no longer optional, and the growing need for a digital profile of record for hourly workers is a reflection of this trend,” said Sumir Meghani, Co-Founder and CEO of Instawork. “By providing a secure and accessible platform for workers to showcase their skills and experiences, we can help bridge the gap between workers and the businesses they serve, and create a more equitable and inclusive labor market.”

The announcement follows Instawork’s recent $60M Series D funding to accelerate investment in AI-driven capabilities that will help optimize how businesses connect with hourly workers. Fueled by this growth, Instawork is helping staff distribution centers for some of the country’s largest retailers as well as the majority of sports stadiums across the U.S. and Canada.

Instawork was ranked in the top 10% of the country’s fastest-growing companies by Inc. 5000. In 2022, Instawork was included in the Forbes Next Billion Dollar Startup list, received the 2022 ACE Award recipient for “Best Innovation,” and was named one of the “Best Business Apps” by Business Insider. Those interested in learning more about Instawork should visit www.instawork.com or download the app.

About Instawork

Founded in 2016, Instawork is the leading flexible work app for hourly workers. Its platform connects thousands of businesses with over five million workers, filling a critical role in local economies. Instawork has been featured on CBS News, the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and more. Instawork helps businesses in the food & beverage, hospitality, and warehouse/logistics industries fill temporary and permanent job opportunities in more than 40 markets across the U.S. and Canada. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Source: Instawork

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October 10, 2023
How Smart Technologies Are Revolutionizing Supply Chain Management | Entrepreneur
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Supply chain management plays a pivotal role in the success of any enterprise. Entrepreneurs and business owners are constantly seeking innovative ways to optimize their supply chains, reduce operational costs and enhance overall efficiency.

This is where the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technologies step in to revolutionize the field of supply chain management.

Related: Supply Chain Management: The Game-Changing Innovations That Are Shaping the Industry

The role of IoT in supply chain management

IoT refers to the interconnected network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other objects embedded with sensors, software and network connectivity that enables them to collect and exchange data. When integrated into supply chain operations, IoT can bring about a transformational shift in the way businesses manage their logistics and distribution processes.

1. Real-time tracking and visibility:

In the context of supply chain management, real-time tracking and visibility are game-changers. IoT devices, such as GPS sensors and RFID tags, provide continuous data streams that allow entrepreneurs to monitor their goods at every stage of the supply chain journey. This means they can pinpoint the exact location of products, monitor their condition and track their movement from manufacturer to distributor to retailer.

The benefits are twofold. First, this level of visibility significantly reduces the risk of theft and losses since any anomalies or deviations from the planned route can trigger immediate alerts. Second, it offers valuable insights into the overall efficiency of the supply chain. By analyzing data on delivery times, transportation routes and storage conditions, entrepreneurs can identify areas for improvement, optimize routes and ensure that goods reach their destination faster and in better condition.

2. Inventory management:

IoT sensors are capable of automating inventory management with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. These sensors can monitor inventory levels in real time and send automatic alerts when stock is running low or when products are approaching their expiration date.

This proactive approach to inventory management has numerous advantages. It prevents stockouts, ensuring that businesses never run out of essential supplies, which can be especially critical for just-in-time manufacturing processes. It also helps in reducing overstock situations, which can tie up capital and storage space. Ultimately, this level of control not only optimizes storage space but also improves cash flow management by reducing excess inventory costs.

3. Predictive maintenance:

Within the IoT ecosystem, smart technologies can predict when machinery and equipment are likely to fail. IoT sensors on machines can continuously monitor their performance, collecting data on factors such as temperature, vibration and energy consumption. By analyzing this data, predictive maintenance algorithms can identify patterns that indicate when a machine is deviating from its normal operating conditions, suggesting a potential breakdown.

This predictive capability is a game-changer for supply chain operations. Instead of relying on scheduled maintenance, which can be costly and lead to unnecessary downtime, businesses can address maintenance needs proactively. This minimizes downtime, reduces repair costs and ensures smooth operations. In essence, it keeps the supply chain running like a well-oiled machine.

4. Reduced costs:

IoT-enabled supply chains are inherently more efficient. The real-time data provided by IoT devices allows businesses to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies quickly. For example, if goods are consistently delayed at a particular warehouse or if delivery routes are suboptimal, these issues can be promptly addressed.

By optimizing processes and streamlining operations, businesses can significantly reduce costs in various aspects of the supply chain, including transportation, warehousing and labor. For instance, they can minimize fuel consumption by optimizing delivery routes, reduce warehousing costs by better managing inventory levels and enhance labor productivity by automating routine tasks. This cost reduction not only improves profitability but also enables businesses to remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.

Related: IoT: Introduction And Disruption Of Supply Chain Management

The power of data analytics

IoT generates an immense amount of data, but its true potential is unlocked through data analytics. Entrepreneurs can harness this data to gain valuable insights into consumer behavior, demand patterns and supply chain performance. By leveraging advanced analytics tools and machine learning algorithms, businesses can make data-driven decisions that enhance their competitiveness.

Smart technologies beyond IoT

In addition to IoT, several other smart technologies are making waves in supply chain management:

1. Blockchain:

Blockchain technology is revolutionizing supply chain management by offering secure and transparent tracking of products and transactions throughout the entire supply chain journey. Here’s how it works:
- Secure and immutable records: Every transaction or movement of products is recorded in a secure and immutable blockchain ledger. This means that once data is entered, it cannot be altered or tampered with. This inherent security ensures the authenticity of records, reducing the risk of fraudulent or deceptive practices.
- End-to-end transparency: Blockchain provides an unbroken, transparent chain of custody for products. Entrepreneurs can trace the origin of each product, monitor its movement from manufacturer to distributor to retailer and even verify its authenticity. This level of transparency not only reduces the risk of counterfeit goods but also enhances trust among consumers.
- Smart contracts: Blockchain allows for the implementation of smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements with predefined rules. These contracts can automate various supply chain processes, such as payments, quality inspections and compliance checks. This automation reduces administrative overhead and ensures that contractual obligations are met promptly.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI):

AI-driven algorithms are a powerful tool for optimizing supply chain processes. Here’s how AI can transform supply chain management:
- Demand prediction: AI algorithms can analyze historical data, market trends and various external factors to predict demand accurately. This enables businesses to adjust their production and inventory levels accordingly, reducing the risk of overstocking or stockouts.
- Process automation: AI can automate routine and repetitive tasks, such as data entry, order processing and inventory management. This not only reduces labor costs but also minimizes the potential for human errors, improving overall efficiency.
- Enhanced decision-making: AI can analyze vast amounts of data in real time to make informed decisions. For instance, it can optimize delivery routes based on real-time traffic data or recommend the most cost-effective suppliers. This data-driven decision-making leads to more efficient supply chain operations.
- Personalized customer service: AI-powered chatbots and customer service platforms can personalize recommendations and resolve customer issues more efficiently. This enhances the customer experience and fosters brand loyalty.
3. Robotic Process Automation (RPA):

Robotic Process Automation involves the use of robots and automation technologies to streamline various aspects of supply chain management. Here’s how RPA is making a significant impact:
- Warehouse operations: Robots can automate tasks within warehouses, such as picking and packing products. They work with precision and consistency, reducing the potential for errors and increasing order accuracy. This not only speeds up order fulfillment but also reduces labor costs.
- Repetitive Task Automation: RPA can handle repetitive and rule-based tasks, such as data entry, invoice processing and tracking shipments. By automating these tasks, businesses can free up human resources for more strategic activities.
- Enhanced efficiency: RPA can operate around the clock, ensuring that supply chain operations continue without interruptions. This enhances overall efficiency and reduces lead times.
- Cost reduction: By automating routine tasks, RPA reduces labor costs and the potential for errors that can lead to additional expenses. It also optimizes resource utilization, ensuring that operations are cost-effective.
Related: How AI Can Revolutionize Our Broken Supply Chain
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Taiwo Sotikare

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September 20, 2023
How U.S. and China Are Breaking Up, in Charts

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A deepening confrontation between the U.S. and China is eroding trade ties between the world’s two largest economies, with goods from China accounting for the smallest percentage of U.S. imports in 20 years.

Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

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August 11, 2023
China-Founded Rivals Ramp Up War for American Shoppers

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China-Founded Rivals Ramp Up War for American Shoppers

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July 29, 2023