Explore supply chain strategies, trends, and insights to optimize operations and enhance efficiency.
Retail
Retail giants Shein and Temu, known for their low-cost, direct-to-consumer goods shipped from overseas, experienced a noticeable sales slowdown following former President Donald Trump's February announcement targeting tariffs and the de minimis import loophole. According to Earnest Analytics, which tracks debit and credit card spending from millions of
Manufacturing
Siemens has officially inaugurated its $190 million, 500,000-square-foot electrical equipment manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The site will produce critical electrical infrastructure to support the growing demand from data centers and AI-driven industries, reinforcing Siemens’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and job creation in the U.S. Scaling Production
Robotics
Brightpick, a leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), has introduced its latest innovation—the Giraffe system. Designed to tackle high-shelf inventory retrieval, Giraffe features a large, retractable platform capable of reaching up to 20 feet (6 meters). This new addition expands warehouse automation possibilities, bridging the gap between standard AMRs
Agriculture
When we imagine the future of technology, it’s often against a backdrop of neon-lit cityscapes, futuristic vehicles, and sprawling urban landscapes. Yet, the true frontier of innovation may lie far from the buzzing metropolises—in the quiet fields of rural farmland. At the heart of this transformation is Greenfield
Semiconductors
In a historic leap for the U.S. semiconductor industry, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) has commenced production of advanced four-nanometer chips at its Phoenix, Arizona facility. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo hailed the development as a transformative milestone for the country’s semiconductor capabilities, marking a pivotal moment
Supply Chain
Global trade is entering a new era of change. For company leaders—especially CEOs and boards—uncertainty and volatility are no longer temporary disruptions; they are now intrinsic characteristics of the system. Navigating this environment requires a dual approach: being opportunistic in the short term, while remaining strategically focused on
Transportation
Trucks Venture Capital, led by co-founder Reilly Brennan and partners Jeffrey Schox, Kathryn Schox, and Puneeth Meruva, has announced its third and largest fund yet—a $70 million investment pool to propel early-stage startups shaping the future of transportation. Since its inception in 2014, Trucks VC has focused on transformative
Supply Chain
Apple Inc. plans to invest $1 billion in a manufacturing plant in Indonesia to produce components for smartphones and other products. This decision follows Indonesia's ban on iPhone 16 sales in October due to non-compliance with local content regulations, which require at least 40% of parts in domestically
Supply Chain
In a recent policy shift, former President Donald Trump announced plans to reintroduce tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, aiming to bolster domestic manufacturing and protect American jobs. However, this move includes specific exemptions for certain countries, reflecting a strategic approach to international trade relations. Background on Tariffs During his
Robotics
Pickle Robot Co., a Massachusetts-based automation provider specializing in truck unloading, has secured $50 million in Series B funding. This investment, led by an undisclosed strategic customer and supported by Teradyne Robotics Ventures, Toyota Ventures, Ranpak, and others, aims to accelerate the development of new features and expand the company&
Transportation
Uber Freight has introduced "Broker Access," a program granting freight brokers direct entry to its carrier network and digital platform. Building upon the 2021 "Market Access" initiative, Broker Access enables brokers to automate load execution without significant technology investments, leveraging Uber Freight's extensive carrier
Supply Chain
China is on the verge of achieving a record-breaking $1 trillion trade surplus, a development that has intensified global trade tensions. This substantial surplus is primarily due to China's robust export growth, particularly in sectors like technology and manufacturing. The United States and the European Union have expressed