SCM Tutorials

May 29, 2018

The Lowly Wooden Pallet is a Critical Conveyance in the Supply Chain

In a recent interview, discussions with Patrick Atagi, VP for Advocacy & External Affairs at the National Wooden Pallet and Contain Association (NWPCA) helped to educate me on just how…

Apr 28, 2018

SCRC Executive Panel Discussion: “Relational Contracting in an Uncertain Ecosystem”

A panel of industry practitioners offered their views on how market trends and technologies are impacting contract management and relational contracting at the latest SCRC meeting on April 19. Thank…

Apr 9, 2018

Excess and Obsolete Inventory: An Outcome of a Series of Unfortunate Events!

Inventory continues to be a problem for many companies. In particular, inventory that is considered “Excess and Obsolete” often accumulates and has to be dealt with – often at the end…

Apr 22, 2017

Navigating the Future in an Uncertain Political and Regulatory Environment

The Supply Chain Resource Cooperative held its bi-annual Industry Partner Meeting in the Talley Student Center at North Carolina State University this past week. The theme, Navigating the Future…

Jan 13, 2017

Post-mortem on Christmas Logistics Chaos: On Customer Commitments and Transparency

As we look back on the chaos that erupted during the pre-Christmas rush, discussions with executives suggest that there is still a long way to go. Most logistics companies are…

Dec 1, 2016

Reflections on the LIVING Supply Chain SCRC Meeting

The SCRC meeting was a huge success yesterday. I led off the discussion and took this opportunity to share some of the highlights of my new book, The LIVING Supply…

Oct 12, 2016

A "Swiss Army Knife" of Supply Chain Talent Requirements: Views from a Former Wolfpack Student

Stuart William was in one of my former MBA classes at NC State in 2008, and graduated into one of the worst economies ever in May of 2009. Upon graduation,…

Aug 25, 2016

Nike’s Global E-Commerce Distribution Center in Leuven Belgium

I had the opportunity to accompany a group of executives from Anheuser Busch Inbev on a tour of Nike’s global distribution facility in Leuven Belgium this week. Shipments arrive from Nike’s…

Jan 21, 2016

Nike partnership with Flex producing innovation coupled with digitization

I spent the last two days meeting with members of the Global Supply Chain and Manufacturing team at Nike, in Beaverton, Oregon. Nike has developed a partnership with NC State’s…

Nov 26, 2015

Black Friday isn't What it Used to Be…E-Commerce has Changed the Landscape

As retailers prepare for “Black Friday”, what used to be the “biggest shopping day of the year” (the day after Thanksgiving), expectations are actually rather low. A reporter on CNN…