logistics

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|

Panama Canal Restricts Daily Transits

The Panama Canal is backing away from its pledge not to restrict the number of ships traveling through it.

Restrictions started September 4, 2026, with the number of vessels capped at 34, and will be further reduced to 32 on September 15th. In spring 2026, the Canal was averaging 35 vessels per day, with a capacity of 40.

A drought reduced rainfall to 34% below the historical average and watershed inflows to 44% below normal. […]

By Ross Fink|2026-09-09T04:12:39+00:00September 11, 2026|Tags: capacity, global supply chain management, logistics, risk, shipping, supply chain disruption, transportation|

Mondelēz International Focuses on AI to Optimize US Operations

American multinational confectionery and food giant Mondelēz International is using AI tools as part of an insourcing initiative to boost its overall financial performance.

Based in Chicago, with annual revenues exceeding $38 billion, the company owns global brands including Oreo, Cadbury, Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins, and Sour Patch Kids.

Mondelēz plans to deploy automation and AI tools and techniques at a host of distribution centers serving its direct-store-delivery network while revamping a portion of its U.S. manufacturing operations, enabling the company to […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2026-07-27T06:57:39+00:00July 22, 2026|Tags: artificial intelligence, distribution centers, insourcing, logistics, manufacturing, optimization, packaging|