Lean Supply Chains – OM in the News

Retail Inventory Levels: Stabilized In Time for the Holidays

Retailers over the last few years can relate to the fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Over the past few years, retail companies such as Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and Abercrombie & Fitch battled inventory levels that were too low, too high, and now (hopefully) just right.

They faced multiple years of lower inventory levels driven by pandemic challenges including reduced production, port congestion, driver shortages, and labor constraints.

Those low-inventory years were followed by higher inventory levels due to reduced […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2023-12-01T19:33:02+00:00December 1, 2023|Tags: allocation, cargo container, inventory management, lean, logistics, pandemic, supply and demand, supply chain disruption, transportation|

Chocolatier Uncovers Sweet Savings with Supply Chain Optimization

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is implementing a range of supply chain optimization initiatives, leading to sweet cost savings for the company known for cheesecake caramel apples, gourmet truffles, English toffee, and assorted dark mints.

Reducing inventory levels on raw materials and finished goods of underperforming chocolate products has enabled the company to eliminate multiple traditional warehouses. RMCF now relies heavily on cross-docking facilities for faster inventory throughput and more efficient out-bound loads. These factors are enormously important in streamlining online orders […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2023-08-20T07:09:30+00:00August 23, 2023|Tags: cold chain, efficiency, inventory management, lean management, logistics, optimization, waste|

Walmart Using Custom-Sized Boxes

Walmart, Staples, Amazon and others are implementing an on-demand custom-sized cardboard box system. In addition to custom-sized boxes, the equipment will package the item.

This approach, which offers savings in terms of labor and material, will replace the store and retrieve, pre-sized boxes that are commonly used. Less material is helpful for the environment, reducing the amount of cardboard that goes to the landfill.

Video Spotlight:

Customized boxes | ECO9 (May 29, 2023, WUSA9)

This post is based on […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2023-07-13T05:05:34+00:00July 13, 2023|Tags: automation, inventory management, logistics, packaging, product design, shipping, sustainability|

Betting on ‘Made in America’

FutureStitch is reshoring its operations.

It is moving its sock production from China to the West Coast. A host of factors have contributed to the decision, and the founder and CEO believes that the benefits will outweigh the costs. Specifically, the ‘Made in America’ label is expected to be aligned with current political, economic, and societal trends that enhance the company’s image in the US. Its workforce includes formerly incarcerated women who appreciate the second chance and empower each other.

Video […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2023-04-07T19:22:19+00:00April 9, 2023|Tags: carbon footprint, productivity, reshoring, strategy, supply chain management, sustainability|