Australia’s $2.1B Battery Recycling Sector Pushes for National Stewardship Framework
Australia’s battery recycling industry contributes about $2.1 billion annually and supports nearly 20 000 jobs across 45 facilities. The Battery Stewardship Council projects the sector could grow to $6.9 billion and 34 600 jobs by 2050, highlighting its strategic role in domestic critical‑minerals supply. Council chief Libby Chaplin urged the federal government to adopt a mandatory, nationally aligned stewardship framework to avoid regulatory fragmentation and unlock further investment. The push aligns with the Future Made in Australia agenda and broader energy‑transition goals.
Despite ‘Economic Bullying,’ Xinjiang’s Textile Industry Is Growing
Chinese officials announced that Xinjiang’s textile sector added 46,800 jobs and saw yarn output rise over 20% and fabric production jump 36% in 2025, despite U.S. sanctions targeting the region’s cotton. Investment in the industry climbed 35%, and value‑added output...
Supply Chain Leadership Has Become Essential to the CIO Role
Manufacturers facing supply‑chain volatility and rising costs are redefining the CIO role to combine traditional IT oversight with direct responsibility for supply‑chain transformation. Modern supply‑chain CIOs must master emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, digital twins, and analytics while aligning...
U.S. Tariffs Impacted Yue Yuen’s 2025 Profits and Revenue
Yue Yuen Industrial Ltd. reported a 1.8% drop in 2025 revenue to $8.03 billion, while shoe shipments fell 1.2% to 252.2 million pairs. Manufacturing revenue rose modestly, and the average selling price increased 3.7% to $21 per pair. Overall profit slipped 2.9%...
Firms Plan to Boost Supply-Chain Agility as Tariff Turmoil Persists
U.S. Supreme Court invalidated sweeping tariffs imposed under the 1977 IEEPA, reigniting policy uncertainty for import‑heavy firms. A KPMG survey finds that 40% of U.S. companies will increase spending on supply‑chain agility, while nearly half are already modeling tariff‑mitigation strategies...
AI Has Created ‘Almost Infinite Demand’ for Memory Components, Dell Execs Say
Dell Technologies executives warned that artificial intelligence has generated an "almost infinite" demand for computer memory, creating a critical supply‑chain bottleneck in the United States. The shortage of DRAM and other memory chips is driving prices higher and limiting the...
Medline Expands Distribution with New Texas Center
Medline announced a new 1.2‑million‑square‑foot distribution center in Midlothian, Texas, slated to become operational in the second quarter of 2027. The facility adds to the company’s network of 45 centers and marks its second hub in the Dallas‑Fort Worth market. Equipped...
Electrified Materials Adds Processing Capacity
American Resources Corp.'s subsidiary Electrified Materials Corp. (EMCO) has added a new preprocessing line at its Indiana plant, expanding capacity to aggregate and condition magnet, copper, aluminum, ferrous metals and rare‑earth/critical‑mineral feedstocks. The conditioned materials are shipped to sister company...
NIDEC MACHINE TOOL AMERICA Expands Advanced Manufacturing Portfolio, Rebrands Division to Reflect Broader Capabilities
NIDEC MACHINE TOOL AMERICA rebranded its Additive Manufacturing division as Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, consolidating the LAMDA metal additive system, ABLASER laser micromachining, and BOND MEISTER wafer bonding under one brand. LAMDA’s AI‑driven DED printers feature a local shield nozzle for reactive...
Volatile Shipping Market Drags Down OOCL’s 2025 Financial Results
OOCL’s 2025 results were hit by a volatile shipping market, heightened trade tensions and new US tariffs. Revenue slipped 9.3% year‑over‑year to $9.7 billion, while EBIT and net profit plunged 42% and 41% respectively, each landing at $1.5 billion. Despite the earnings...
The Rise of AI in Supply Chain: Our Interview with Supply Chain Leader Corey Weekes
The interview with supply‑chain leader Corey Weekes highlights how artificial intelligence is reshaping governance across the sector in 2026. Weekes notes that AI‑driven automation is accelerating procurement decisions while demanding new oversight frameworks. He also discusses the tightening talent market,...
H&M and EY Call for Decarbonisation Financing Boost
H&M Group and EY have published a white paper urging a surge in financing for supply‑chain decarbonisation across the fashion and textile sector. The report outlines a structured framework that directs capital toward Scope 3 emissions reductions while protecting long‑term margins...
Addressing Planning and Forecasting Challenges in Business Central
A webinar on March 25, 2026 will tackle planning and forecasting hurdles in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, highlighting the platform’s native demand‑forecasting limits and complex vendor‑driven purchasing workflows. Attendees will see how to interpret supply‑demand data, adjust forecasting parameters, and leverage popular...
How the Shutdown Endangers America’s ‘Arsenal of Freedom’ Behind the Scenes
The ongoing partial government shutdown has sharply reduced demand for small defense sustainment suppliers, with one Texas OEM reporting a 76% drop in orders and a 44% workforce cut. Over 115 funded delivery orders worth millions sit idle, creating a...
From Strategy to Speed, Modex 2026 Keynotes Set the Pace
Modex 2026, the premier manufacturing and supply‑chain conference, featured a high‑profile keynote lineup that blended corporate strategy with cutting‑edge technology. Home Depot CFO Richard McPhail discussed nearshoring and digitization as critical levers for supply‑chain resilience. Exponential strategist Salim Ismail illustrated...
Middle East Conflict Might Create Supply Constraints, Raise in Aluminium Premiums in Mexico
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, choking the primary aluminium supply chain that relies on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) smelters. Force‑majeure notices from Qatalum and Aluminium of Bahrain have driven premiums higher, with...
USITC Probes USMCA Auto Rules’ Impact on Industry Competitiveness
The U.S. International Trade Commission has opened a fact‑finding investigation into how the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement’s automotive rules of origin affect U.S. competitiveness, especially for advanced and electric vehicles. The probe follows two earlier biennial reports that highlighted mismatches between...
How to Optimize Warehouse Storage Design for Maximum Efficiency
Optimizing warehouse storage design hinges on maximizing vertical space, selecting the right layout, and integrating advanced material‑handling technologies. Extending rack heights, adding mezzanines, and complying with NFPA 13 clearance rules can double usable floor area. Choosing a U‑shaped or I‑shaped floor...
Reverse Logistics - the Key To Parcel And E-Commerce Deliveries
Reverse logistics has become as vital as forward delivery amid the surge in e‑commerce shipments. Handling returns now demands specialized processes to manage cost, legal exposure, and brand reputation. Retailers and logistics providers must strengthen compliance with data‑privacy, intellectual‑property, and...
Daimler Truck Vs. Traton: The Trough Reveals It All
Daimler Truck and Traton SE are grappling with a steep contraction in global heavy‑truck demand, especially across Europe. Despite the downturn, Traton posted a 32% surge in orders, driven by aging fleets and high utilization, while Daimler Truck is concentrating...
LPG Shortage: Wadi Surgicals’ Operations Shut in Vizag
Wadi Surgicals’ Visakhapatnam plant has been idle for four days after Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited failed to deliver its daily 4,500 kg LPG requirement. The shortage halted production of nitrile examination gloves, a vital PPE item for hospitals and labs. Management...
Blue Yonder Expands Agentic AI and Mobile Experiences for Industry-Specific Supply Chain Execution
Blue Yonder unveiled an expanded suite of agentic AI tools and role‑specific mobile applications for its end‑to‑end planning and execution platform. The release adds AI agents for retail, manufacturing, transportation, warehouse and customer service functions, plus mobile allocation, operator and...
Stadler to Supply 7 More Battery Trains to ÖBB to Phase Out Diesel in Regional Austrian Rail
ÖBB has placed an order for seven additional FLIRT Akku battery‑electric trains from Stadler, slated for delivery in 2028. The units will replace diesel‑powered services on the Kamptalbahn and Erlauftalbahn lines in Lower Austria starting in 2029. Each train combines...
Avianca Cargo Introduces A330F Link Between Bogota and Caracas
Avianca Cargo launched a weekly Airbus A330F freighter between Bogotá and Caracas on March 7, providing up to 60 tonnes of maindeck capacity. The service adds 7 tonnes of belly cargo on passenger flights, creating a combined 67‑tonne weekly offering. The airline also...
Saudia Cargo Moves to Extend Sea – Air Options
Saudia Cargo has broadened its partnership with the Saudi Ports Authority and ZATCA to launch sea‑to‑air logistics corridors from the western‑coast ports, starting with Jeddah Islamic Port. The initiative enables containers to move under a single customs declaration, dramatically cutting...
How Mars, Meta, Patagonia and L’Oréal Are Tackling Scope 3 Emissions: GreenBiz26
At GreenBiz26, sustainability leaders from Mars, Meta, Patagonia and L’Oréal detailed how they are measuring and cutting scope 3 emissions, which account for up to 90% of corporate carbon footprints. Mars reported a 16.4% supply‑chain emissions reduction since 2015 and launched...
FedEx Introduces Reusable Shipping Boxes for B2B Shipments
FedEx has launched a reusable shipping box system for B2B shipments, created with Returnity. The collapsible containers hold up to 50 lb, survive roughly 50 reuse cycles, and fit existing FedEx sorting equipment. FedEx says the solution can slash packaging costs...
5 Top Generative AI Use Cases in Procurement
Generative AI is reshaping procurement by automating document‑heavy tasks such as drafting RFPs, reviewing contracts, analyzing spend, assessing supplier risk, and supporting unusual purchase requisitions. The technology can produce first‑draft texts, flag non‑standard clauses, surface tail‑spend anomalies, and continuously monitor...
Renfe Displays Spanish Trains in Real-Time Map and Unifies Geolocation Systems
Renfe has unveiled a real‑time online platform that maps every high‑speed, long‑distance and medium‑distance train across Spain, displaying punctuality and service details. The system lets users filter by train type, view remaining stops, and see colour‑coded delay indicators. QR codes...
EcoVadis, Watershed Partner to Provide Scope 3 Data Solutions
EcoVadis and climate‑tech firm Watershed announced a strategic partnership to deliver precise Scope 3 emissions data across supply chains. The collaboration embeds EcoVadis’ supplier‑level carbon metrics into Watershed’s AI‑powered accounting platform, moving firms away from generic averages toward verified supplier data....
IATA Launches DG Digital
IATA unveiled DG Digital at its World Cargo Symposium in Lima, a fully electronic Dangerous Goods Declaration tool that integrates with the DG AutoCheck platform. The solution digitises creation and approval for more than 3,800 hazardous items, eliminating the 95%...
How Tariff Early Movers Can Continue to Cement Their Advantage
When the Trump administration imposed tariffs, firms that quickly diversified suppliers and shifted production to near‑shore locations gained a lasting competitive edge. These early movers reduced geopolitical risk, shortened lead times, and improved working‑capital turnover, while companies that delayed faced...
Best Buy Counters Memory Shortage with Inventory, Vendor Tweaks
Best Buy is confronting a sharp rise in memory‑chip costs driven by an AI‑fuelled data‑center boom. The retailer plans to load warehouses with extra stock, extend vendor forecasting windows, and tighten assortments in high‑pressure categories. It also encourages suppliers to highlight...
CTDOT Announces $20MM in Rail Freight Infrastructure Grants
The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced a $20 million rail freight infrastructure grant program, supplemented by $4 million of private railroad investment. Six regional freight carriers—CSO, HRRC, NAUG, NECR, P&W, and PAS—will receive awards ranging from $1.5 million to $4.9 million for bridge repairs,...
Alstom to Deliver CBTC System for Paris Metro Line 8 Modernisation
Alstom has been chosen to supply its I‑CBTC onboard signalling system for Paris Metro Line 8 as part of the OCTYS 2030 modernisation programme. The contract covers an onboard automatic train control solution operating at Grade of Automation 2 and a dedicated radio...
Awery Becomes First Company to Integrate IATA CO2 Connect Tool for Cargo
Awery Aviation Software has become the first digital platform to embed IATA’s CO2 Connect for Cargo into its ERP system, giving users real‑time, flight‑specific emissions data within existing workflows. The calculator draws on operational inputs from over 100 airlines, delivering...
Anglo American Iron Ore Cargoes Diverted by Iran War
Anglo American rerouted three iron‑ore vessels after the Strait of Hormuz became impassable following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The ships—Cape Shangrila, Cape Jasmine and Mineral Zimbabwe—were diverted to Singapore, Vietnam and China respectively. Vale experienced similar disruptions, sending...
What It Really Means: Balancing Demand and Supply
Balancing demand and supply is the cornerstone of effective supply‑chain planning, ensuring forecasts align with production capacity and inventory. When gaps arise, firms resort to costly “heroics” such as overtime, expedited freight, or excess stock, eroding margins. The article outlines...
As War Rages, Multimodal Demand Surges on Asia-Europe Landbridge
Major ocean carriers are rerouting Gulf‑bound cargo to land‑based corridors after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed by the ongoing war. Maersk now ships to Salalah, Khor Fakkan and Jeddah, then secures trucking capacity to move goods into the Persian...
Manz Asia and Epson Form Strategic Partnership to Advance Inkjet Technology for Semiconductor Manufacturing
Manz Asia and Seiko Epson have formed a strategic partnership to develop Lab‑to‑Fab inkjet equipment for semiconductor manufacturing. The collaboration merges Epson’s high‑precision printhead technology with Manz’s equipment engineering and intelligent software, creating a product line that covers R&D, pilot,...
Waberer’s Rail Freight Subsidiary Wins Major Contract with BMW
PSP Rail, the rail freight arm of Hungary’s Waberer’s International, has landed a long‑term contract with BMW to move finished vehicles from the automaker’s Debrecen plant to European seaports for export. The agreement, running through 2031, will initially replace a...
Why Platform Consolidation Pays Off
Manufacturers increasingly recognize that juggling multiple best‑of‑breed automation platforms drives hidden costs far beyond initial equipment spend. Training a single technician on five disparate systems can exceed $50,000, inflating a plant’s training budget to a million dollars. Consolidating onto a...
Facing Heavy Losses, Honda Cancels Its Three US-Made Electric Vehicles
Honda announced the cancellation of its three U.S.-made electric vehicles—the Honda 0 SUV, Honda 0 sedan, and Acura RSX EV—after projecting losses of $5.1 billion to $7 billion for the fiscal year. The decision stems from a mix of trade‑war tariffs, the end of the...
Freight Economy Sees Familiar Uncertainty as New Pressures Emerge
The freight economy faces renewed uncertainty driven by three new pressures: a Supreme Court ruling that struck down the White House’s IEEPA tariffs and introduced a 10‑15% Section 122 duty, the United States and Israel’s joint military operation against Iran,...
IATA Announces New AI Initiatives to Support Air Cargo Operations
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled three AI‑focused initiatives aimed at modernising air cargo operations. The first is AI Subject Matter Expert (AI SME), a mobile and web app that lets users query IATA cargo and safety manuals in...
Power Extension for High-Efficiency Drives - IE5+ Synchronous Motors in a New Size
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has launched an IE5+ permanent‑magnet synchronous motor line that now reaches 11 kW, extending its compact high‑efficiency portfolio. The motors deliver up to 95% efficiency across a wide torque range, cutting energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in industrial applications....
DRM to Showcase Integrated Automation Systems at MAX 2026
DRM, LLC will exhibit at the MAX Manufacturing and Automation Exchange in Nashville from March 24‑26, showcasing its end‑to‑end automation solutions at Booth #515. The company will run a live robotic demonstration cell that highlights precision motion control for dispensing, material...
SAVE THE DATE: Stockholm Customs Day, Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 9:00am
Baker McKenzie will host a Stockholm Customs Day on 25 March 2026 at 9 am, targeting customs, trade compliance professionals and legal counsel. The half‑day, in‑person event features speakers from the firm’s Stockholm office and other global locations. The agenda covers the latest...
On-Demand: How a 3PL Automated to Meet New Productivity Needs for a Global CPG Leader
Howard Tenens Group partnered with Ocado Intelligent Automation to automate a global consumer‑packaged‑goods (CPG) client’s operations within a shared 3PL warehouse. The selective automation deployment was rolled out while other tenants continued unchanged, leveraging software‑driven insights to boost productivity and...
Dnata on Track with New Handling Facility at Zurich
Air services provider dnata announced that construction of its new Cargo Centre at Zurich Airport is well advanced and remains on track for an early‑2027 opening. The facility will raise dnata’s freight handling capacity in Zurich by 50%, from 60,000...
