As the economy plods on at a sluggish pace, online retailers are seeking to prompt people to part with their money more readily by dangling incentives such as cheap same day delivery services. Most of the major online giants are in on the action, each seeking to outdo the others with their services, convenience, and…
The U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index released by Markit, a financial data and analysis firm, indicates a slight dip in the manufacturing sector for January. However, analysts and economists do not fear it is cause for concern. According to reports, the manufacturing sector remains strong and growing, and the latest numbers indicated some temporary blips in the areas…
The American Trucking Associations’ seasonally adjusted Truck Tonnage Index in the for-hire sector increased by 0.6 percent following a 4.7 percent gain in November. This last bump pushed the year 6.2 percent higher for the best performance since 1998. December’s index was 131.7, compared to its level of 130.9 in November. Without the seasonal adjustments, the index…
The Federal Reserve Board announced the year-end growth numbers for the manufacturing sector this week. They reported positive gains for the industry overall, as well as many specific sectors within the industry. Manufacturing production rose .4 percent in December, following .6 percent gains for the months of October and November, marking the fifth straight month with positive…
In a growing list of almost inconceivable forward-thinking marketing concepts, the online merchant giant Amazon has applied for a patent for a technology dubbed “anticipatory shipping.” As the name suggests, this patent involves a method of shipping that would allow Amazon to ship products to areas or customers before the customer actually clicks to buy…
Federal regulators met with representatives from the railroad industry, oil industry, pipeline industry, and other interested parties last week to discuss possible solutions to the growing concerns over railway safety. In the past several months, four major accidents involving trains filled with crude oil have endangered lives and property. Since the pipeline infrastructure in North America is…
A study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a poll of long haul truck drivers at 32 truck stops along both high and low traffic routes in 20 states across the United States. They interviewed 3,759 truck drivers, 1,670 of which qualified as long haul truck drivers and had been…
According to researcher Anupam Agrawal, a professor of business administration for the University of Illinois, there are several benefits in establishing relationships with suppliers beyond the first tier. However, most companies are neglecting to reach out to such companies. Agrawal recommends companies establishing such relationships by initiating a “sourcing hub” through which manufacturers and their lower tier suppliers…
On Friday, Ohio Governor John Kasich, along with Jobs Ohio managing director Kristi Tanner and Fuyao chairman Cao Dewang, announced that the Chinese auto parts maker plans to purchase about one million square feet of the old General Motors plant in Moraine, Ohio. The new plant is expected to bring about 800 new jobs to…
The United Kingdom faces many of the same challenges as food chain managers do in the United States, with their weather patterns. Due to unpredictable and widely fluctuating weather conditions, it is difficult to plan for packaging that will accommodate large, plump fruits and vegetables one year as well as shrunken, undersized produce the next….