Chain Links: What We’re Reading This Week
What is RFID’s value in the warehouse, why automation isn’t a job killer, and it’s time to buy candy.
Boeing posts time-lapse video of 787-9 Dreamliner construction
Dependable air freight relies on strong airplane construction, and now Boeing has released a four-minute time-lapse video showing just how the company builds its 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, a similar plane to one scheduled for delivery to the Luxembourg carrier Cargolux Airlines International S.A.
Source: Boeing
What Is RFID's Value in the Warehouse?
We don't really know, since it has never been accurately quantified—and that should change.
Source: RFID Journal
Amazon Dashes In With 'Fresh' UK Launch Dealing Blow To Supermarket Sector
Amazon.com. has launched its one-hour groceries online business Amazon Fresh in Birmingham, with its London launch later this October. The launch of Fresh also paves the way for Amazon to introduce the “Internet of Things” into Britain, according to e-commerce fulfillment specialist Parcel Hero. But it warns “hard-pressed” supermarkets better watch out.
Source: Forbes.com
Megaships are worsening overcapacity in the container market
Container shipping lines are poised to take delivery of a new generation of "megaships" over the next two years, just as the growth of world trade is slowing down, contributing to massive overcapacity in the market. The trend towards larger vessels is not without problems especially for other businesses in the transport system, and the trend could be nearing its limit as the economies of scale associated with megaships decline.
Source: Reuters.com
Supply Chain Insights releases its 2015 “Supply Chains to Admire” list
“Supply Chain Shaman” Lora Cecere, founder of the research and analysis firm Supply Chain Insights, has announced the companies that have made its second annual “Supply Chains to Admire” list. Winners were chosen based on improvement on such metrics as growth, inventory turns, operating margin, and return on invested capital (ROIC), as measured over the period 2006 through 2014. Only eight of the companies studied made the list for two consecutive years: Audi, Cisco Systems, Eastman Chemical, EMC, General Mills, AB Inbev, Intel, and Nike.
Source: Supply Chain Insights LLC
U.K. warehouse demand exceeds supply
A survey by a British warehousing group said demand for space is rapidly growing and is outstripping the country’s limited supply.
Source: Transport Intelligence
4 Reasons Why Automation Isn’t a Job Killer
Many people fear that as technology advances, our jobs will fall by the wayside. But technology is actually helping us to do our jobs better. Here are four reasons why automation isn’t taking over for humans.
Source: PAS
Survey: U.S. households to spend $11.3 billion on Halloween
The holiday shopping season covers more than just Christmas and Hanukkah, with a new survey showing that 74 percent of U.S. households plan to spend money on Halloween-related items, spending an estimated $11.3 billion on candy, costumes, and decorations.
Source: International Council of Shopping Centers