2017

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Mike Rother: The Toyota Kata Practice Guide

The Lean Thinker

When I landed in Detroit last week to visit Menlo Innovations , Mike Rother picked me up at the airport. As soon as I settled in to the passenger’s seat, he handed me my long-anticipated copy of his new book The Toyota Kata Practice Guide. That is the first disclaimer here. The second disclaimer is that last winter he asked if I would do him a favor and take a look through the manuscript with a red pencil.

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Warehouse Operations: Optimizing the Picking Process

Cyzerg

When optimizing the picking process in a warehouse, it is important to recognize two key concepts. First, no one strategy or technology fits every case. Second, effectively improving warehouse operations requires a combination of data collection, process improvement, and technology.

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Intro to APU Weight Exemption

The Logistics of Logistics

Auxiliary power units (APUs) are one of the best tools that you can supply your truck drivers with to combat wasting fuel. The APU makes it possible to power a truck’s heating, air conditioning and other comfort systems without the need to keep the engine idling during rest stops. They help drivers avoid wasting fuel, but they present a different problem because of their weight.

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Bombas Relies on Outsourced Order Fulfillment to Handle Demand

Amware Logistics and Fulfillment

Lights. Camera. Avalanche. This past October, sock company Bombas , experienced a Black Friday-like business peak after a highly-positive segment on Good Morning America. The TV coverage sparked an immediate 1,600% increase in orders that needed to be fulfilled by Bombas’s outsourced order fulfillment partner, Amware, from its Northeast fulfillment center in Cranbury, NJ.

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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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New Paper Published

Supply Chain and Logistics

We just published an article in Research in Transportation Business and Management (RTBM). It’s called Fleet management for rail car transport of ethanol. The “we” is Khalid Bachkar, Idrissu Aminu, Atif Osmani, and me.

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The Growing Complexities and Requirements of Customs Management

Talking Logistics

We talk a lot about globalization in supply chain management, but when you peel back the onion on it, you realize how enormously complex and risky it is to move goods across borders — and if you don’t have the right people, processes, and technologies to effectively manage the process, your ability to move goods across borders can literally come to a halt.

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How a 3PL Can Benefit Your Business During Disastrous Times

Blue Grace Logistics

Running your Supply Chain can be stressful, especially in times where unforeseen circumstances arise. When working with a 3PL such as BlueGrace during a logistics service disaster, we are able to offer solutions that many businesses don’t have access to. During an emergency, having a 3PL who you trust, with the full tool set of carriers, technology, people and solutions is crucial.

3PL 113
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How Five Digital Experts at Top Logistics Providers Are Preparing For The Future

Freightos

How Five Digital Experts at Top Logistics Providers Are Preparing For The Future. By Eytan Buchman, VP Marketing, Freightos. I’ve been writing about freight digitization for years. For much of that time, a debate raged about whether the freight industry was actually embracing digitization or if it was all just hype. Last week, I realized that this has already been settled.

Digital 106
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The “First Five” Industrial Manufacturing Trends of 2017

GlobalTranz

Where and how manufacturers make products for Americans will change in 2017. Current industrial manufacturing trends show the new administration is pushing for reshoring among the nation’s biggest manufacturers, and new technologies are revolutionizing how companies respond to growing skepticism and scrutiny by the public and government oversight as well.

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Staying Ahead of UFLPA Enforcement: Best Practices for Retail Supply Chains

Speaker: Ethan Woolley, Director at Kharon

This webinar will explore how companies can proactively address compliance risks–rather than reactively responding to–UFLPA enforcement actions. Ethan Woolley will provide insights into the latest CBP enforcement trends, entity list updates, and industries under increased scrutiny, with a look at potential shifts under the Trump administration. Ethan will also explore how predictive data and strategic due diligence can help organizations stay ahead of regulatory challenges and strengthen complia

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Dedicated Milkrun v. Shared Milkrun

Carter Logistics

Dedicated Milkrun v. Shared Milkrun. Having a well-planned and executed network of customers, suppliers, and daily routes is key to a successful supply chain operation. Analyzing the way freight is transported from one location to another is a crucial part of any company’s business plan and can also significantly impact a company’s financials.

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Toyota Kata and The Menlo Way

The Lean Thinker

I have been telling everyone who will listen to read Rich Sheridan’s book Joy, Inc. ever since I came across and read it in the fall of 2015. Fast forward to earlier this year when Lean Frontiers sent out their request for suggested keynote speakers for KataCon. I wrote to Mike Rother and asked him “Do you think we could get Rich Sheridan?”. Skip ahead a bit more, and I spent four days last week at Menlo Innovations in Ann Arbor – two days “ in the chalk circle ” paying close attention to the ac

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9 Scary Challenges a Warehouse Manager Faces Every Day

Cyzerg

I came across a rather interesting fact about warehouse managers in a study by Intermec. It said that 1 out of 6 managers who were in charge of a warehouse were not likely to review their workflow processes unless a customer complaint is raised. And, it’s not hard to believe. However, contrary to what one may be led to believe, it is not always their fault.

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Do People Skills Matter in the World of Logistics?

The Logistics of Logistics

How you develop your sales team has a big impact on your logistics business. Even as the industry is becoming more data driven than ever before and cutting-edge software is increasingly used to manage freight from start to finish, the development of your sales team is still important. People skills do matter. According to Supply Chain Quarterly , Quarter 4, 2011 issue: “Supply chain scorecards typically focus on operational metrics.

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The 2025 Annual ProcureCon CPO Report

Procurement leaders are at a pivotal moment. With CPOs playing an increasingly strategic role, it’s time to leverage innovation and technology to drive resilience and efficiency. Download The 2025 Annual ProcureCon CPO Report to uncover key insights to thrive in a dynamic procurement landscape. What’s Inside: How CPOs are driving strategic decision-making and technology adoption The top priorities and challenges for procurement in 2025 Why AI, sustainability, and data analytics are essential for

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Fulfillment Year In Review: Most Popular Blogs Of 2017

Amware Logistics and Fulfillment

As a father of four, I’ve learned never to play favorites, especially at this time of year. But I’ll make an exception in this case. Following are the three most popular Amware blog posts on warehousing and fulfillment for 2017, based on readership. If you missed them the first time around, give them a read.

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American Airlines glitch leaves 15,000 Christmas flights without a captain

Supply Chain and Logistics

Got this story by way of the Loadstar. Reading the story I am impressed by the level of incompetence management showed. But in the view of the traveler (customer) the union will be blamed.

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6 Key Supply Chain and Logistics Trends to Watch in 2017

Logistics Bureau

Call it a cop-out if you like, but seriously, predicting which logistics and supply chain trends will make a difference to businesses in any given year has become notoriously difficult, given the speed at which technology in particular can suddenly disrupt the way things are done. At the same time, technological advances such as the Internet of Things, automated transportation and similar futuristic innovations , have been offering the promise of disruption for the last few years without really

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Research in Focus: Sourcing Trends and Concerns

Talking Logistics

Editor’s Note: Our “ Research in Focus ” series highlights research conducted by select partners on timely and important trends impacting supply chain and logistics professionals today. Below is an excerpt from a report published recently by Amber Road and the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) titled “ The Trade Trends Report: 2017 Report on Sourcing, Trade, and e-commerce.

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How to Prepare for Proposed New Tariffs in 2025

The global trade landscape is shifting. If President Trump’s proposed tariffs come into effect, they will impact your logistics in significant ways. Our free guide provides essential insights for consumer brands and manufacturers. It is crucial to understand what these challenges mean for your logistics operations, and more importantly, how to prepare.

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BlueGrace Helps Houston With Truckloads Of Clothing

Blue Grace Logistics

We are all aware of the damage inflicted on the Houston area from Hurricane Harvey. The amount of homes and lives destroyed was beyond what any of us could imagine. As a 3PL freight provider, there are many ways we can help; by utilizing our carriers we have had the ability to assist in tragedies like Hurricane Harvey. Trucks can bring the necessary items that people need in times like this and they can do it quickly.

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Freightos International Freight Index Update March 5-12 2017 (W10)

Freightos

Freightos Freight Index Update. March 5-12 2017 (W10). By Noam Fraenkel, VP Data & Analytics, Freightos. Weekly insights from the Freightos International Freight Index. Despite talks of a seller’s market, China-US spot rate import prices for 40’ containers have continued to drop ever since peaking prior to the Chinese New Year in January. This continued drop represents a potential market correction and return to 2016 prices.

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What Is Last Mile Logistics & Why Are More Shippers Looking at This Transportation Function?

GlobalTranz

Last mile logistics is among the most misunderstood parts of transportation networks. On the surface, last mile may not seem very important, but it can make up 28 percent of a shipments total cost. In addition, growth in e-commerce is radicalizing how shippers view last mile logistics. To understand wide-ranging benefits and key concerns inherent in last mile logistics, your organization needs to understand what constitutes last mile logistics, it’s challenges, how it impacts e-commerce and omni

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Wine Consumption Surges, Creating Opportunity for 3PLs

Food Logistics

People have been drinking wine for 10 millennia. Modern logistics makes it easier to enjoy around the globe.

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The Evolving Retailers Fulfillment Strategy: Meeting Demands with Agility

Speaker: Becky Parisotto and John Vurdelja

Fulfillment is no longer just about getting products from point A to point B – it's about crafting seamless, scalable, customer first experiences. Flexible fulfillment strategies are more important than ever for those aiming to stay ahead and build resilience as retail enters a new era in 2025. Learn how to optimize fulfillment processes, tackle complex, multi-vendor orders, and create seamless customer experiences – from white-glove delivery for high-value items to quick-ship solutions for ever

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Are You Overproducing Improvements?

The Lean Thinker

Imagine a factory with a large monument machine. It takes several days to set up. When it does run, it runs very fast, much faster than you can actually use its output. Therefore, you take the excess output and store it to use later. Actually, you don’t know how many items you need to make, so you make as many as you can while the machine is available to you.

Factories 231
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Warehouse Mobile Solutions: A Path to Operational Efficiency

Cyzerg

In the recent 2017 Promat , show mobile technology took the spotlight once again. This isn’t surprising considering the opportunities that this technology brings to an industry that is always on the move. For companies that have adopted some form of mobile technology, the good news is you’re one step ahead considering that most of the industry is lagging in the adoption of this technology.

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The Opposite of Cold Calling

The Logistics of Logistics

The opposite of cold calling may be the key to growing your sales. I talk to companies every week about their frustration with cold calling. It is a painful and inefficient way to get new sales, but for many the alternatives seem daunting and unattainable. Growing your sales without cold calling is challenging, but very doable. The Problems with Cold Calling.

Picking 150
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Amware Client Spotlight:  All In The Pillow's Comfy Pillow Lap Tray

Amware Logistics and Fulfillment

Amware has a new customer. And a pretty cool one at that. All In The Pillow™ has reinvented the lap tray. You know, those cumbersome, unstable trays for your your electronic devices, newspapers, work documents, and other items. The new twist: combine the tray with a pillow to deliver a stable and comfortable platform to get work done at home or on the go.

Document 149
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Rethinking warehouse work culture: Can automation create better workplaces?

Heico Sandee, CEO of Smart Robotics, explores how automation redefines warehouse culture. By shifting repetitive tasks to skill-based roles, automation improves safety, fosters collaboration, and makes warehousing more appealing to today’s workforce.

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Carter Logistics Extends Lanetix with Robust Driver Retention Program

Carter Logistics

Carter Logistics Extends Lanetix with Robust Driver Retention Program. Using process automation, data and analytics to solve an industry problem San Francisco, California ( PRWEB ) December 6, 2017. After two years of success using Lanetix to manage its commercial operations, Carter Logistics has tapped Lanetix to build a more effective driver retention program.

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Top 10 Logistics Stories of 2017

Logistics Viewpoints

2017 is just about in the books, and it has been a busy year for the supply chain industry. Let’s look back at ten of the top logistics stories of the year. Drones 2017 has been the year of the drone. There’s been a lot of interest in using drones for last mile deliveries. In the US, an easing of FAA regulations could finally make it a reality, which is good news for the likes […].

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Marshmallow in My Beard

Talking Logistics

Author’s note: I wrote this post five years ago, on the eve of my 42nd birthday. Today I turn 47 and tomorrow marks the 9-year anniversary of my father’s death. (Has it been that long already?) In keeping with tradition, I am heading to the beach today with my wife and kids. We usually go on the 3rd to remember my dad who was laid to rest at sea, but the sun is shining and the beach is calling, so why wait?