Latest news with #ChainReaction
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chain Reaction: Asendia's Hendrick Kummeling on Why Strategic Flexibility is the Best Defense Against the Uncontrollable
Chain Reaction is Sourcing Journal's discussion series with industry executives to get their take on today's logistics challenges and learn about ways their company is working to keep the flow of goods moving. Here, Hendrik Kummeling, chief growth officer at Asendia, discusses how the transportation company is helping brands turn logistics into a competitive advantage through cross-border expertise and flexible shipping models. Name: Hendrik Kummeling More from Sourcing Journal Material World: Decathlon Runs with Rheon, Spiber Goes Dutch in Paris Is Warehouse Robotics' Future Shaped Like a Human? Adobe Projects 3,200% Increase in Gen AI Traffic During Amazon Prime Day Event Title: Chief growth officer Company: Asendia What is Asendia? Co-owned by Swiss Post and La Poste, Asendia is a global logistics provider specializing in cross-border e-commerce. Our strength is optimizing international shipping and returns for brands of all sizes—from giants like Amazon, Zara, Temu, Next, Asos and eBay, to thousands of emerging businesses looking to grow beyond their home markets. In the regions, we have strong final-mile partnerships. For example, Asendia USA partners with DPDgroup to facilitate e-commerce deliveries to Europe from the USA. What industries do you primarily serve? Our core client base is rooted in the fashion and footwear industries—fast-moving, trend-driven sectors where timing is everything. Beyond fashion, we've seen significant growth in demand from health and beauty brands, outdoor gear retailers and businesses in categories like books, toys and homewares. These sectors are increasingly embracing direct-to-consumer models and global reach, and they require agile, transparent shipping solutions to meet rising customer expectations. Which industries do you think have the most to teach fashion about improving their supply chain logistics? We believe food and pharmaceuticals stand out. These are two of the most time-sensitive industries, where shelf life, safety and compliance are non-negotiable. Both sectors rely heavily on end-to-end visibility, real-time tracking and demand forecasting technologies to minimize waste and ensure timely delivery. For example, pharmaceutical supply chains routinely use temperature-controlled packaging and GPS-enabled tracking to ensure medications reach patients safely and on time, even across borders. Applying that same level of precision and predictability to international fashion shipments would be powerful, especially during peak seasons or when new ranges drop. What are the main things brands and retailers could do (or stop doing) right now that would immediately improve logistics? Stop thinking of e-commerce logistics as a problem. Think of it as a business tool. In e-commerce, when executed well, logistics will help you win new customers and earn their long-term loyalty. For example, by offering international shoppers a choice of familiar, convenient and affordable delivery options, they are much more likely to hit the checkout button and repeat purchase. They should also focus on trust. When the end customer sees local last-mile companies come to their door, they become confident to re-order again. Many cross-border shipping firms, including Asendia, have well-established relationships with last-mile companies and overseas postal operators, so brands entering new territories can hit the ground running. When it comes to supply chain logistics challenges, there are things companies can fix, and things that are beyond their control. How can the former help the latter? In fashion supply chain logistics, not everything is within your control, but how you respond absolutely is. The best way to manage uncertainty is by designing your operations around flexibility from the start. Our e-commerce shipping model is built to allow last-minute switches between carriers, routes and even destination handling partners. That means when external factors—like extreme weather or industrial action—disrupt the usual flow, parcels keep moving. I think of it like air traffic control: If one runway is closed, having other flight paths ready avoids costly delays. For our clients, that means fewer missed delivery windows, happier customers and stronger brand trust, even in unpredictable scenarios. What is the one thing brands and retailers could be doing to make better use of technology to improve logistics? While artificial intelligence (AI) often dominates the conversation, many brands and retailers are still overlooking the tangible benefits of physical automation in warehouses and fulfilment centers. In today's fast-paced e-commerce logistics market, automation—often enhanced by AI—is increasingly essential for improving productivity, speed and consistency. At Asendia, we've seen firsthand the impact of automation. Since March 2022, our London Heathrow parcel processing center has integrated automated sorting systems and six advanced robots. This $3.4 million investment has significantly increased parcel throughput for e-commerce retailers, delivered strong return on investment (ROI), reduced staff strain during peak periods and helped us win new business thanks to improved service levels and reliability. Are you optimistic about the state of supply chains in the next few years? Yes, I am. We need to work harder on sustainability and efficiencies, but technology promises to fast-track greener, less wasteful ways of making and transporting goods. Lastly, I believe there's an obsession with speed in our sector. The future of the e-commerce supply chain is undoubtedly more accelerated. But I hope it will also be smarter, leaner, greener and more resilient, driven by tech that turns today's challenges into tomorrow's competitive edge. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chain Reaction: RXO's Brian Dean on the Power of Real-Time Data for a Leaner Supply Chain
Chain Reaction is Sourcing Journal's discussion series with industry executives to get their take on today's logistics challenges and learn about ways their company is working to keep the flow of goods moving. Here, Brian Dean, president of managed transportation at transportation provider RXO, discusses how brands can optimize performance and build more resilient supply chains through technology and a data-driven strategy. Name: Brian DeanTitle: President of managed transportation Company: RXO What is RXO? More from Sourcing Journal Global Contract Logistics Growth Slows as Asia Leads and US Trade Policies Weigh Footwear Firms Rejiggering Supply Chains Will See Long-Term Benefits GXO Cleared to Acquire Wincanton, Taps DHL Vet as New CEO RXO is a leading provider of asset-light transportation solutions and is the third-largest provider of brokered transportation in North America. The company offers tech-enabled truck brokerage services together with complementary solutions, including managed transportation and last-mile delivery. RXO combines massive capacity and cutting-edge technology to move freight efficiently through supply chains across North America. In 2024, RXO acquired Coyote Logistics. The newly combined company's expanded market position and technology integration increased capacity for customers and access to freight for carriers. What industries do you primarily serve? RXO serves a range of industries, including automotive, industrial manufacturing, food and beverage, retail and e-commerce. Which industry do you think has the most to teach others about improving their supply chain logistics? The pharmaceutical industry has the most mature supply chain operations by necessity and has a lot to teach others. This industry faces stringent requirements on traceability, quality control, handling sensitive goods and managing recalls, on top of a list of nuanced complexities with global regulations. Succeeding in this industry requires a strong and adaptable supply chain that ensures traceability and visibility throughout the network. What is the main thing brands and retailers could do right now that would immediately improve logistics? One action brands can take is to improve data visibility and analytics across the entire supply chain. In a traditional supply chain, teams work from demand forecasts, which can lead to various stakeholders being disconnected throughout. This can cause the end consumer data—such as consumer behavior—to get lost or not make its way back to earlier stages in the supply chain that could improve processes to maximize opportunity and revenue. Access to real-time data is a critical area of opportunity for improvement and will help companies achieve a lean supply chain. Sharing data across the network based on customer demand makes demand consumable within all nodes of the supply chain and allows companies to rapidly and accurately adjust to demand patterns fueled by analytics, boosting collaboration with stakeholders. When it comes to creating efficiencies, there are quick wins and longer plays. What are a few things your company is doing to help its partners succeed on both fronts? From a long-term perspective, RXO helps our customers forecast, determine long-term transportation priorities for their organizations and then identify the kind of infrastructure or capabilities they need to address those priorities. We then conduct current-state assessments on a regular basis, which helps shippers take smaller steps needed to reach long-term goals. This involves building out the infrastructure and capabilities that help them achieve their ideal future state. From there, we also work closely with shippers on scenario planning to help them prepare for and respond to supply chain disruptions to minimize risk. To help partners succeed, striving for continuous improvement is critical to short- and long-term success. Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) effectively can help the team identify where they may be missing the mark, what's driving that and ultimately determine corrective action that drives improvement. What is your company doing to make the movement of goods more sustainable? We are…prioritizing transportation efficiency through route and network optimization strategies that reduce miles and carbon emissions. RXO was recognized as a SmartWay High Performer by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2024. We're honored to be among a select group of carriers who demonstrate significant reductions in carbon emissions, as the SmartWay program focuses on enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of supply chain transportation. What is the one thing brands and retailers could be doing to make better use of technology to improve logistics? Companies can maximize the benefits of leveraging technology in their supply chain by first ensuring they have strong process discipline in place to build the robust data sets required to drive valuable artificial intelligence (AI) outputs. Data collected across the supply chain will not add value unless it is integrated into the entire end-to-end process. Are you optimistic about the state of supply chains in the next few years? I am optimistic. The past few years have been turbulent, but they've also driven meaningful change. Massive national and global events forced supply chains to become more agile, resilient and data driven. Time and time again, the industry has shown it can adapt quickly under pressure—and that adaptability is exactly why I'm facing the future with a glass-half-full mentality.
Scotsman
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Diana Ross & the RSNO, Glasgow review: 'her sweet tone shone through'
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Diana Ross, Hydro, Glasgow ★★★★ It's a big week for pop concerts in Glasgow but Diana Ross pips the lot for legendary status. As is the diva prerogative, she made her expectant audience wait for her appearance – but only a little, as she was also the consummate professional, poised to deliver a bumper set of songs from right across her remarkably varied catalogue of soul, pop, disco and jazz standards. Diana Ross | Getty Images Her own ample band was supplemented by a swooning RSNO who followed a potted profile film with an easy listening overture. Keyboards teased her arrival to I'm Coming Out, uttered as words of reassurance. Ms Ross was onstage for the next two hours, save for a couple of speedy costume changes, paying tribute to all corners of her career, from deep cuts such as More Today Than Yesterday to crowd favourite Chain Reaction. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A run of Supremes classics from Baby Love to Stop! In the Name of Love was followed by the Seventies easy listening rapture of Touch Me In the Morning, a soft focus perfume ad of a song, and the yearning I'm Still Waiting. Despite her professed struggles with her in-ear monitors, her sweet tone shone through. Belting ballad Home proved more challenging and Do You Know Where You're Going To was downright wobbly but, elsewhere, Ross was imperious on the super sultry Love Hangover. The smooth classic jazz of Billie Holiday cover Don't Explain exposed her voice like no other song in the set, revealing only that she sounded far younger than her 81 years.
Scotsman
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Diana Ross Hydro Stage Times: Glasgow gig set times, setlist, support, tickets, age restrictions
Diana Ross has a date with Glasgow. | Getty Images The star has sold over 100 million records in a glittering musical career - and she's in town tonight. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... First rising to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes, Diana Ross became known at the 'Queen of Motown Records'. The vocal group remain the best-charting female group in history, with a total of 12 number-one US singles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She left the group in 1970 and went on to a similarly successful solo career, releasing 26 studio albums containing a string of classic songs such as I'm Coming Out, Chain Reaction, Upside Down and Endless Love. The diva is currently on a UK tour playing all of her hits and there's good news for Scottish fans - with a date in Glasgow. Here's everything you need to know if you're going to the gig. When is Diana Ross playing Glasgow? Diana Ross plays Glasgow's OVO Hydro on her UK tour on Wednesday, June 25. Who is supporting Diana Ross at her Glasgow gig? There will be no support at the Diana Ross gig. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the stage times for Diana Ross' Hydro gig? Doors open at 6.30pm, with Diana Ross on stage at 7.30pm. The show finishes at 9.30pm. Are tickets still available for Diana Ross? If you've decided at the last minute that you'd like to go to the gig then you're in luck - it was previously sold out but some tickets, priced from £55.30 are available here. Are there any age restrictions at the Diana Ross gig? Under-14s must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18 at the gig. What is the likely Diana Ross setlist? Expect to hear most of - if not all - the following in Glasgow, taken from her setlist in Nottingham.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chain Reaction: Michael Goldman of Caru Containers on Why ‘Sourcing Diversity is Paramount'
Chain Reaction is Sourcing Journal's discussion series with industry executives to get their take on today's logistics challenges and learn about ways their company is working to keep the flow of goods moving. Here, Michael Goldman, general manager of North America at Caru Containers, discusses how the global transportation company supports its partners in building more resilient and diversified supply chains amid ongoing disruptions and what the U.S. can learn from China. Name: Michael Goldman More from Sourcing Journal $10B Trump-Approved 'Green Corridors' Project to Drive Efficiency in US-Mexico Trade Forward Air Chairman Ousted, Potential Sale Appears in View Byte-Sized AI: Perfect Corp. and Nvidia Team Up; LuminX Gets Seed Round Title: General manager, North America Company: Caru Containers What is Caru Containers? Caru Containers is a global company with Dutch roots. Operating from 10 offices and active in over 70 countries, we trade new and used shipping containers worldwide. We lease containers to major shipping lines and purchase decommissioned fleets from some of the industry's largest players. These containers are then resold through various distribution channels for reuse in domestic commercial storage What industries do you primarily serve? We serve multiple industries including ocean shipping, international freight forwarding and domestic container storage. What is the main thing brands and retailers could do right now that would immediately improve logistics? Sourcing diversity is paramount. Business thrives on stability and predictability, but those qualities are often absent in today's post Covid-19 logistics landscape. Since the steady rise of globalization, we've entered an era shaped by disruption. Whether caused by extreme weather, labor strikes, war or self-inflicted geopolitical tensions, disruption comes in many forms. Even a summer intern will hear the phrase 'Let's not put all our eggs in one basket' within their first week. A cliché, yes, but never more relevant to strengthening international logistics resilience than it is today. When it comes to supply chain logistics challenges, there are things companies can fix, and things that are beyond their control. How can the former help the latter? First and foremost, companies need a diverse supplier portfolio. Relying on a single vendor for a specific product or service all but guarantees vulnerability to unexpected market disruptions beyond a business's control. The globally connected companies best positioned to navigate the next decade will be those with agile supply chains capable of quickly pivoting in response to disruption. What area of logistics isn't receiving the industry attention it deserves? Limited access to rail transport for small and midsized U.S. businesses—due to high pricing and volume thresholds—harms both the domestic economy and overall quality of life. Our freight rail system is largely designed to serve massive corporations, leaving smaller players reliant on trucking. The result? More congestion on our roads, higher emissions and worsening urban gridlock. Meanwhile, China's Belt and Road initiative enables goods to move by rail across two continents—from China to Europe—at costs lower than many long-haul domestic trucking routes in the U.S. As global businesses take advantage of this infrastructure, American companies should be asking both public and private sectors why similar supply chain capabilities aren't available here. What is your company doing to make the movement of goods more sustainable? As a sustainability-minded company, we understand the lack of efficiency in shipping an empty container. We have recently invested significantly in scaling our One-Way Lease capabilities, which focus on matching our empty containers to cargo destined for the same location. Combining what would have been two containers traveling the same route into one container reduces our carbon footprint. Are you optimistic about the state of supply chains in the next few years? Despite ongoing global political shifts and the resulting supply chain disruptions, I'm impressed by how swiftly businesses pivot and adapt with smarter solutions. For years, the shipping and logistics industries lagged behind in adopting digital tools, even as commercial internet use surged over the past three decades. But that's changed. Today, we see global positioning system (GPS) trackers on containers, reefer data delivered straight to beneficial cargo owners' (BCO) phones, blockchain adoption by major carriers and major strides in reducing emissions to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards. Though slow to start, the industry is catching up fast. And because of that, I'm more optimistic than ever about the future of global supply chains. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
