Chain links: What we're reading this week
GE’s big bet on data and analytics. FedEx, UPS face dual threats to B2C delivery share, investment firm says. And a review and ratings site for truckers and brokers.
The danger of fatigue cracks on container cranes
The Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) has published an information paper on the structural examination of container handling cranes in ports and terminals. The paper is designed to increase understanding of the risks posed by fatigue failure, highlight the importance of structural examination and give practical guidance to help terminal personnel to detect cracks through visual examination of ship-to-shore (STS), rail mounted gantry (RMG) and rubber tyred gantry (RTG) container handling cranes.
Source: PEMA
GE’s big bet on data and analytics
GE has bet big on the Industrial Internet — the convergence of industrial machines, data, and the Internet. The company is putting sensors on gas turbines, jet engines, and other machines; connecting them to the cloud; and analyzing the resulting flow of data. The goal: identify ways to improve machine productivity and reliability. This MIT Sloan Management Review case study looks at how this traditional manufacturer is remaking itself into a modern digital business.
Source: MIT
Evaluating three identification technologies
Laser, Camera, RFID? How can you ensure the best match between your needs and the available AIDC technologies? This white paper provides a concise overview of their benefits and limitations.
Source: SICK
Ralph Lauren boots XPO from North Carolina warehouse
XPO has been on a roll in recent months, consolidating the logistics sector through takeovers of large firms like Con-Way Inc. and Norbert Dentressangle. But the firm got a rare piece of bad news last week when fashion retailer Ralph Lauren announced it would dismiss XPO and assume control of its own warehousing and inventory management in a North Carolina facility.
Source: Retail Dive
Iran buys 5,000 train cars from Russian firm
Iran continued to rapidly rebuild its logistics infrastructure after agreeing to strict nuclear enrichment caps in a deal allowing it to rejoin the global economic community. In the latest move, the country said it planned to take delivery of 5,000 freight cars from a Russian train equipment firm.
Source: Tasnim News Agency
FedEx, UPS face twin threats to delivery business: Morgan Stanley
Investment firm Morgan Stanley & Co. says UPS Inc. and FedEx Corp. face two major threats to their ground shipping business: selective insourcing from e-commerce giants like Amazon (AMZN) on one end, and last-mile delivery competition on the other.
Source: Barron’s
AAR gets visual in touting value of rail industry
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has debuted the latest version of its nine-year-old “Freight Rail Works” campaign, which goes heavy on the visuals to describe freight rail’s ongoing private investments in building, growing and maintaining the nation's network, and to demonstrate the railroads’ “unique and integral role” in moving 54 tons for every American each year.
Source: Railway Age
Company forms Yelp-like model for trucking reviews
A Richmond, Va.-based company called “ScoopMonkey” wants to be the trucking industry’s version of Yelp, the wildly popular review and ratings app. ScoopMonkey offers The website offers a way for industry pros to post reviews and ratings of carriers and brokers. ScoopMonkey CEO Eddie Peloke and Richmond entrepreneur Pat Hull said the rating system will help make the trucking industry safer and more efficient
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch
Three “Aerotropolises” powering the global economy
This blog post from UPS identifies three logistics hubs that play an important role in international air cargo routes: Zhengzhou, China; Dubai World Central, and Panama City.
Source: UPS Longitudes