Inventory Management

Hyundai Focuses on Domestic Sourcing to Fuel Growth Plans

Auto manufacturer Hyundai is undertaking a variety of supply chain initiatives as part of its overall plan to increase North America production.

The company is planning to expand local sourcing to stabilize supply for its growing portfolio of vehicles. Hyundai is seeking to domestically source 80% of the parts used in vehicle production, compared to 60% today. Hyundai expects the increase in local sourcing to help secure supply stability, reduce logistics costs and also help mitigate regulatory exposure, leading to an […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2026-09-29T06:55:23+00:00October 2, 2026|Tags: domestic sourcing, logistics, material cost, material management, optimization, system design|

Blanked Sailings Impact Supply Chains

Ocean shipping has become very difficult to plan in recent years.

Various disruptions have occurred, including COVID-related port closures, wars such as the Iran war impacting the Strait of Hormuz, and weather events such as reduced ship traffic through the Panama Canal due to droughts.

To further complicate ocean shipments, many shippers have increased blanked sailings. This happens when ocean carriers cancel a port stop or even an entire ship’s route. Shippers cite several reasons for blanked sailings, including bypassing a port […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2026-09-27T03:33:06+00:00September 27, 2026|Tags: blanked sailings, inventory management, logistics, scheduling, shipping, supply chain management|

Clorox Expecting Major Supply Chain Improvements with ERP Implementation

Clorox expects to begin realizing gains from migrating its U.S. supply chain to a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system with expected productivity improvements through more efficient planning and lower inventory levels.

An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a software platform that integrates core business processes like finance, HR, manufacturing, supply chain, and sales into a single centralized hub for shared access and streamlined decision making, lessening the need for departmental spreadsheets.

Clorox

By James Kirby Easterling|2026-09-27T03:28:56+00:00September 25, 2026|Tags: cost management, digitization upgrades, efficiencies, ERP, optimization|

WD-40 Faces Middle Eastern Supply Constraints

Prices continue to rise on everyday products that are made—at least partially—with raw materials and components sourced from Iran and neighboring countries.

Americans are feeling a pinch in their wallets as the US-Iranian War continues. WD-40, the globally known manufacturer of lubricating products, is experiencing increases in costs due to chemicals sourced from Middle Eastern countries and associated shipping constraints in the Strait of Hormuz. Gas prices are affected given the Middle East has long been […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2026-08-19T06:58:30+00:00August 23, 2026|Tags: chemicals, constraints, cost increases, petroleum, sourcing|