Chain links: What we're reading this week
India’s civil unrest and the supply chain impact. Chinese logistics firm readies U.S. IPO. And WIT announces finalists for `distinguished woman in logistics’ award
Used Phones are Full of Previous Owners’ Data
Recycling of consumer electronics and other high-tech products is big business, and there are a number of third-party logistics companies (3PLs) that are involved in that particular segment of reverse logistics. Cell phones, of course, represent a significant portion of returned consumer electronics. According to findings by researchers working for a technology security firm, some companies that are handling returns, repairs, and refurbishing of cell phones may be skipping a step or two.
Source: The Atlantic.com
Unrest in India and the Impact on the Global Supply Chain
This might not be on your radar, but if you do business in South Asia, it should be. C.H. Robinson’s Harpreet Singh, ocean product head for South Asia, reports in the company’s “Transportfolio” blog that civil unrest in India is having a notable effect on cargo movements in the northern part of that country. Protests in Delhi and neighboring states have led to blockades of roads, highways, and rail lines. Since the protests began, Singh writes, more than 1,000 trains have been canceled, train stations and cargo trains have been burned, and movements of containers to and from northern India have been restricted. “The widespread nature of the protests have made it difficult to connect cargo to their designated vessels, and congestion will be experienced at both inland depots and ports for some time, even after the situation is resolved,” he writes.
Source: C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.
Barnes & Noble merges online and physical traits with hybrid bookstore plan
Barnes & Noble is designing a bookstore model to combine elements of online and traditional brick and mortar shopping experiences. Following in the strategy of rival Amazon.com, which recently opened its first-ever physical store in Seattle, Barnes & Noble will launch the new shop sometime in 2016, company CEO Ron Boire told an e-commerce conference.
Source: Internet Retailer
Whole Foods invests in Instacart food delivery upstart
Specialty grocery chain Whole Foods market usually relies on sumptuous layouts of fresh produce and premium deli top attract its shoppers, but the food retailer opened a new front in the competition for Americans’ grocery dollars last week when it reportedly launched plans to invest in Instacart, the same-day, food home delivery startup.
Source: Re/Code
Head of North Carolina’s global logistics center resigns
Charles Edwards, head of North Carolina’s Center for Global Logistic since 2012, resigned this week to take a job as director of strategic planning for the state’s Department of Transportation.
Source: Triad Business Journal
Chinese logistics firm readies US IPO: Report
Chinese logistics firm ZTO Express is planning a U.S. initial public offering later this year or early 2017, according to a report. The listing, which could raise up to $2 billion, could be the largest in the U.S. from a Chinese company since Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s $25 billion IPO.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Finalists named for `distinguished woman in logistics' award
Women in Trucking Inc. announced the three finalists for its “Distinguished Woman in Logistics” award. They are Elizabeth Fretheim, director, logistics sustainability, Walmart, Inc;
Liz Lasater, chief executive officer, Red Arrow Logistics, and Shelley Simpson, chief marketing officer, executive vice president and president, integrated capacity solutions and truck, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. The winner will be announced at next month’s Transportation Intermediaries Association’s (TIA) annual meeting in San Antonio.
Source: Heavy-Duty Trucking