Supply Chain Management – OM in the News

Black Powder Is a Single Source Issue for the US Military

The sole domestic source for black powder, a key ingredient in the production of many military explosives such as bullets, mortar shells, and artillery rounds, was shut down nearly two years ago after an explosion destroyed much of the plant in Minden, Louisiana.

The mill is set to reopen in Summer 2023 under new ownership.

This scenario highlights a problem that has become far too common. Supply chains related to national security can be brought to a halt by […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2023-06-02T04:44:29+00:00June 4, 2023|Tags: inventory management, location planning, maintenance, supply chain|

Amazon’s Anti-Counterfeiting Exchange

Amazon launched a program called Anti-Counterfeiting Exchange (ACX) to keep counterfeiters off its e-commerce platforms and fake goods from entering its warehouses.

Retailers and others who are interested in stopping counterfeiting can share and receive information about counterfeiters on a database maintained by an independent third party. ACX’s collaborative data sharing helps to fight counterfeit crime in the online marketplace.

Video Spotlight:

What is Amazon Transparency and How to Use it as a Seller (Jan 8, 2021, AMZ […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2023-05-14T06:07:01+00:00May 14, 2023|Tags: counterfeit products, data mining, supply chain security, supply chain transparency|

Big Changes for Krispy Kreme’s Logistics Model

Beloved doughnut maker Krispy Kreme is making big changes in how it services customers.

Customers currently have two ways to enjoy Krispy Kreme doughnuts: a trip to a local Krispy Kreme shop for “Hot Now” doughnuts, which is referred to as DFD—delivered fresh daily. Or a trip to a grocery store for pre-made / pre-packaged doughnuts, which is referred to as CPG—consumer packaged goods.

However, Krispy Kreme executives just announced the planned closing of the CPG facility in Concord, North Carolina, as […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2023-04-22T22:46:57+00:00April 23, 2023|Tags: customer service, hub and spoke, logistics, market share, strategy|

Another Self-Operating Warehouse in California

JD.com is adding a third self-operating warehouse and distribution center in California.

Automated warehouses provide merchants with improved logistics infrastructure that allows JD.com to extend its order cut-off time by an hour. This will be the company’s fifth US warehouse; the Chinese e-commerce giant is working to achieve two-day delivery for the entire US.

Video Spotlight:

JD.com’s Automated Warehouse in California (Mar 1, 2023, JD.com, Inc.)

This post is based on the Supply Chain Dive article,

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2023-04-21T03:40:07+00:00April 21, 2023|Tags: distribution centers, logistics, warehouse|