Hershey Leans on Cocoa Sourcing Resilience to Blunt Price Shocks
Hershey is bolstering its cocoa supply chain by diversifying origins beyond the Ivory Coast and Ghana to include Ecuador and Brazil, while using sophisticated hedging tools to lock in prices. The company couples these financial safeguards with farmer‑focused programs like the Income Accelerator and R&D on drought‑resistant cacao trees. A $1 billion, digitally integrated North American facility upgrade adds 13 new production lines, reinforcing both resilience and growth capacity. Together, these moves aim to blunt price shocks and sustain margins amid volatile cocoa markets.
Vertical Hits Major eVTOL Milestone With Two-Way Flight
Vertical Aerospace announced that its VX4 prototype achieved the first piloted two‑way transition flight outside the United States. On 14 April 2026 at Cotswold Airport, chief test pilot Simon Davies switched the eVTOL from helicopter mode to fixed‑wing flight and back again....
Why Good Supply Chains Still Suffer From Recurring Stockouts
Even mature supply chains with modern ERP systems continue to experience recurring stockouts because small operational failures compound across planning, sourcing, transportation, inventory, and execution. The article argues that these outages are less about isolated forecast errors and more about...
A Couple of Days on the Road
Union Pacific executives rode a specially‑configured business train on Norfolk Southern’s Pittsburgh Line, inspecting key routes as part of the proposed UP‑NS merger. The two‑day trip, captured in striking photos, included a crossing of the 124‑year‑old Rockville Bridge near Harrisburg,...
“World’s First Dedicated eVTOL Commercial Vertiport Is Now Completed – in Dubai”
Joby Aviation announced the completion of the world’s first dedicated eVTOL commercial vertiport adjacent to Dubai International Airport. The four‑story, 3,100 sqm facility includes two landing pads, a two‑level car park, climate‑controlled passenger areas and charging infrastructure, designed to handle up...
Redefining Airport Interiors at Passenger Terminal World Exhibition 2026
Derlot used the Passenger Terminal World Exhibition 2026 in London to launch three new furniture collections—Trio, Gateway, and Platform—targeting high‑traffic airport interiors. The Trio line highlights circular, sustainable materials, while Gateway builds on its 2025 debut as a favored seating...
Containers Don’t Lie, neither Should Its Narrative – Lori Ann LaRocco
Lori Ann LaRocco’s "Containers Don’t Lie" symposium transforms raw container data into a candid, actionable forum for global‑trade leaders. Held under Chatham House Rules, the event replaces traditional panels with one‑on‑one dialogues that surface unvarnished supply‑chain truths. Attendees—including CEOs, CFOs, policymakers, and...
The Automotive Update: Contrasting Fortunes for Europe’s Major New-Car Markets
Europe’s five largest new‑car markets posted mixed Q1 2026 results. Germany’s registrations rose 5.2% with battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) capturing 22.8% of sales, overtaking petrol for the first time. The UK saw a 5.9% YoY increase and a 14.5% jump in BEV...
USMC Tests TRV-150C Resupply Aircraft System Aboard Amphibious Ship
The U.S. Marine Corps has finished shipboard trials of the TRV‑150C tactical resupply uncrewed aircraft system aboard an amphibious transport dock. Over two weeks at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Marines launched and recovered the drone multiple times, proving cargo...
Delivering Reliable Connectivity And Cybersecurity On The High Seas: Inside MSP Marlink’s Approach
Marlink, a maritime‑focused managed services provider, delivers satellite connectivity and cybersecurity to oceangoing vessels despite tight budgets that often hover around $100‑$200 per month. The company leverages an "exchange platform" that aggregates Inmarsat, OneWeb, Starlink, SES and Iridium links, providing...
Repairs to Rhinecliff, N.Y. Amtrak Station Halted by Trump Administration
The Trump administration has halted $28.2 million in federal funding for repairs at the Rhinecliff, N.Y., Amtrak station, a key component of a broader $233 million Biden rail‑modernization initiative. The pause was ordered for “further evaluation” by the U.S. Department of Transportation...
How China’s Arctic Ambitions Inflate Russia’s Geopolitical Leverage
Russia’s Northern Sea Route is framed by law as a historic national artery, not an open international corridor. While China promotes the route as a "Polar Silk Road" and anticipates commercial growth, Russian statutes require prior authorization, routing, and reporting,...
How Kansas City Is Preparing Roads and Transit for the 2026 World Cup
Kansas City will host several 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at GEHA Field, prompting a coordinated effort by Missouri and Kansas transportation agencies to mitigate congestion. MoDOT and KDOT are pausing 14 road projects and enhancing signage, litter removal, and...
First Look: Also's Upcoming E-Bike Disconnects the Pedals and Wheels
Also, an electric‑bike startup backed by Rivian, is gearing up to launch the TM‑B, a bike that disconnects the rider’s pedals from the wheels. Pedaling drives a generator, whose electricity—augmented by a battery—powers a separate motor, while software controls crank...
November Takeoff: PAL Adds Chicago to US Network
Philippine Airlines (PAL) will launch nonstop Manila‑Chicago service on Nov. 9, operating three times weekly with Airbus A350‑900 aircraft. The route marks PAL’s eighth US destination, expanding its trans‑Pacific footprint and adding direct access to the Midwest. Introductory economy fares start at...
Mercedes C-Class EV Interior Revealed with 39.1in Hyperscreen
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the interior of its upcoming C‑Class EV, featuring a 39.1‑inch MBUX Hyperscreen that stretches across the dashboard. The model shares the 800‑volt MB.EA platform with the electric GLC, delivering a claimed range of more than 450 miles. Luxury...
Renfe Withdrawal From France Puts Talgo’s €350m Le Train Deal at Risk
Talgo’s €350 million (about $381 million) contract to supply up to ten Avril high‑speed trains to French private operator Le Train is now in jeopardy after Renfe scrapped its planned expansion into France. The deal depended on the Avril units being homologated on...
Amtrak Issues RFP for Long-Distance Fleet
Amtrak has released an RFP for over 800 single‑deck long‑distance coaches to replace aging equipment on 14 routes. The new fleet will standardize cars, improve amenities, and is slated for award by the end of 2027. The move follows a...
Rio Tinto Commissions New Alumina Conveyor at British Columbia Smelter
Rio Tinto has commissioned a new 1.1‑kilometre alumina conveyor at its BC Works smelter in Kitimat, British Columbia, as part of a C$135 million (≈ US$100 million) upgrade. The system will transport up to 800,000 tonnes of alumina per year and is built to...
DHL Staff at Jaguar Land Rover Vote to Strike
Up to 300 DHL logistics workers at Jaguar Land Rover have voted for an indefinite strike starting May 7, citing the absence of a 2026 pay offer. The strike will affect staff delivering parts and finished cars to the Solihull factory,...
POLA, POLB Close Out Q1 on Strong Footing as Tariffs and Global Tensions Cloud Outlook
The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) handled 752,250 TEU in March, a 3% year‑over‑year decline, while its first‑quarter total of 2.39 million TEU was flat with the five‑year average. The Port of Long Beach (POLB) saw a larger 5.2% drop to...
Spirit Airlines Could Shut Down Imminently, Reports Say — Here's What to Do if You're Scheduled to Fly with Them
Spirit Airlines faces imminent liquidation, with reports suggesting it could cease operations within days as jet fuel costs surge. The ultra‑low‑cost carrier has been cash‑strapped since the pandemic and filed for bankruptcy twice since late 2024, most recently in August....
Transit and Rail Funding Cuts in Trump Budget ‘a Dramatic Step Backward,’ Advocates Say
President Donald Trump’s FY 2027 budget proposal would slash public‑transit funding by 23% and passenger‑rail support by 82%, according to the American Public Transportation Association. The cuts amount to roughly $4.8 billion for transit and $13 billion for rail compared with FY 2026 levels,...
Tesla Makes Signature Edition Buyers Sign No-Resale Agreement with $50,000 Penalty
Tesla is requiring buyers of its limited‑run Signature Edition Model S and Model X to sign a one‑year no‑resale agreement that imposes a $50,000 liquidated‑damages penalty—or the full resale price—if the vehicle is flipped. Only 350 units (250 S, 100 X) will be produced,...
First Mass-Production Deployment of WeRide’s WRD 3.0 ADAS Solution in Co-Developed GAX Aion N60
GAC Aion has opened pre‑sales for the Aion N60, a smart urban SUV equipped with WeRide’s WRD 3.0 ADAS platform, formerly known as WePilot. The vehicle marks the first mass‑produced passenger car jointly developed by WeRide and GAC Aion and the...
“Robots and Drones Will Soon Replace Food Delivery Drivers”
Barclays’ new report predicts autonomous robots and drones will soon dominate the food‑delivery last mile, offering a cheaper and greener alternative to human couriers. The analysis shows robot delivery could cost as little as $1 per order, dramatically lower than...
Advisory: Economy Parking Rate Changes at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Go Into Effect May 12, 2026
Austin‑Bergstrom International Airport announced that its Economy Parking daily fee will increase from $12 to $14 effective May 12, 2026. The higher rate applies to vehicles entering after 11:59 p.m. on May 11, while cars parked before that cutoff retain the...
Airline CEOs Urged by Lawmaker to Lower Fares if Fuel Prices Come Down
U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres wrote to the CEOs of Delta, United, JetBlue and Southwest urging them to lower fares if jet‑fuel prices retreat from recent highs. Jet fuel has surged to $4.88 per gallon, about a 95% increase since the...
Delta Expands Green Bay Service Ahead of Major College Football Weekend
Delta Air Lines is adding nonstop service from New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport to Green Bay’s Austin Straubel International Airport for September 5‑7, 2026. The flights are timed to accommodate the high‑profile Wisconsin‑Notre Dame matchup at Lambeau Field...
IATA Calls on Regulators to Suspend Airport Slot Rules During Middle East Crisis
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging governments to temporarily suspend the 80/20 airport slot utilisation rule by invoking the Justified Non‑Use of Slots (JNUS) exemption. The request targets a rolling six‑week period to accommodate airlines unable to meet...
Optical Fiber Networks Can Keep Rail Networks Safe
Chinese researchers demonstrated that distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) on existing underground fiber‑optic cables can continuously monitor railway safety. AI models achieved 98.75% accuracy detecting faulty train wheels, 99.6% for broken sound barriers, and 97% for intrusions or debris. The approach...
Simulation Tool Tests Assembly Processes Upfront
Keysight Assembly simulation software lets automotive manufacturers virtually test shop‑floor processes, catching issues before physical production. The tool replicates part positioning, clamping and spot‑welding without requiring finite‑element expertise, giving early visibility into distortion and dimensional risk. Integration with Keysight’s stamping...
Autocar Great Women 2026: Ford's Lisa Brankin Takes Top Award
Lisa Brankin, Ford’s UK chair and managing director of Ford of Britain and Ireland, was named the overall winner of the Autocar Great Women Awards 2026. The ceremony in Coventry recognized 108 female leaders across 11 automotive categories, with Brankin...
Wolfsburg Charging Parks: Ionity Fires Back at Tesla’s Jab
Tesla marked its new Supercharger site in Volkswagen’s hometown of Wolfsburg with ground signage reading “I.D. CHARGE HERE,” a cheeky nod to VW’s ID series. In response, VW’s charging partner Ionity installed its own message – “Y settle for less?”...
Iowa City's Free Bus Program Made Ridership Spike by 68%. Now, It Could Go Away.
Iowa City’s fare‑free bus pilot sparked a 68% jump in ridership during its first two years and delivered about $3 million in savings for riders. The program, initially funded by the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan,...
Goods Delivery Innovator Boosts Productivity for Cycle Couriers
British tech firm SLANT unveiled an electric cargo trailer that raises a cycle courier’s payload from roughly 80 kg to 250 kg, slashing required trips by up to 60%. Backed by a £109,000 (≈$138,000) grant from the Department for Transport’s Freight Innovation...
I Flew 40 JetBlue Flights in 3 Months—Here's What I've Learned About the Loyalty Program
Travel writer Katherine Fan flew 40 JetBlue flights in three months to complete the airline’s 2025 “25 for 25” challenge, earning 350,000 TrueBlue points and 25 years of Mosaic 1 elite status. The promotion attracted 2,370 participants with a 90% completion...
ACN Awards: Enter the Air Cargo Pharma Category
The Air Cargo News (ACN) Awards have launched a new Air Cargo Pharma category, sponsored by Hong Kong handler Hactl, inviting entries from any air‑cargo stakeholder that introduced an innovative pharmaceutical transport solution in the past year. The competition, part of...
Chinese OEM Windrose Brings Its Electric Semi-Trucks to the US
Chinese electric truck maker Windrose has made its US debut, delivering a Class 8 R700 semi‑tractor to Texas logistics firm Allogic for $285,000. The R700 runs on an 800 V, 729 kWh LFP battery, delivering roughly 640 km of range and 1,400 hp, and supports...
House Approves Aviation Safety Bill Based on Deadly Midair Collision
The U.S. House approved the Alert Act, an aviation safety bill aimed at preventing another tragedy like the 2025 midair collision that killed 67 people. The legislation now requires all aircraft operating near busy airports to carry ADS‑B In locator systems...
Oxford PV’s Perovskite Expertise to Help Advance Solar-Powered EVs
Oxford PV, a specialist in perovskite photovoltaics, has joined the UK‑led Smart Use of Integrated Technology for EV (SUITE) research consortium. The project, backed by the Advanced Propulsion Centre and the UK government, brings together Nissan’s Technical Centre UK, engineering...
ETA Green Power Launches ETA-MODEL 20, a 13.5 Kg Integrated Motor, Controller and Charger for Light EVs
ETA Green Power unveiled the ETA‑MODEL 20, a 3‑in‑1 electric powertrain that merges motor, controller and onboard charger into a single 13.5 kg unit. The integrated system is 32.5% lighter and 20% smaller than conventional setups, delivering 92% peak efficiency, 10,000 rpm motor...
Hershey Projects $100M Inventory Cut From Supply Chain Tech
Hershey announced at its 2026 Investor Day that its decision‑intelligence platform will drive a $50 million productivity lift and trim inventory by $100 million over the next two years. The initiative builds on a $250 million supply‑chain and manufacturing digitization program launched in...
Finland Says Long-Delayed Cross-Border Rail Link to Sweden Set for ‘Summer Launch’
Finland’s Transport Minister announced that the long‑delayed Tornio‑Haparanda cross‑border rail link aims to launch in the summer, after a bilateral agreement lets Finnish and Swedish rolling stock operate under each other’s permits. The project, funded with €37 million (≈$41 million) EU TEN‑T...
Walmart Is Rolling Out Its In-House DC Fast Charging Network at a Rapid Pace
Walmart has accelerated its own DC fast‑charging rollout, now operating 31 stations with 112 dispensers across the United States. The network uses 400‑kilowatt chargers from Alpitronic and ABB, each equipped with NACS and CCS1 connectors. Texas leads with 15 locations,...
Key Factors Businesses Should Consider When Expanding Distribution and Logistics Operations
Expanding distribution and logistics operations hinges on selecting the right warehouse location, navigating urban zoning, and ensuring adequate transportation infrastructure. The guide outlines how access to highways, labor pools, and flexible facility designs can cut costs and improve delivery times....
10 Supply Chain Trends to Watch in 2026
A new MHI‑Deloitte report released at MODEX outlines the ten biggest supply‑chain trends for 2026, from lingering economic uncertainty to rapid AI adoption. Executives from Disney, Gallo, Carvana and academia discussed how these forces are manifesting in real‑world operations. While...
4R Battery Alliance Calls for EV Battery Testing to Be Part of the UK’s MOT Testing Regime
The 4R Battery Alliance, backed by recell.store, is urging the UK government to add EV battery testing to the mandatory MOT inspection. While recent MOT updates introduced visual checks of high‑voltage components, they still omit performance diagnostics. The alliance argues...
Unsexy yet Vital: Why Tyres Are Worth Obsessing Over
The article argues that tyres, though often overlooked, are crucial to a car’s performance, influencing grip, comfort, noise, fuel economy, acceleration and braking. It highlights how tyre selection offers enthusiasts a chance to act like development engineers, shaping driving dynamics....
BMW Targets 2028 Hydrogen Car Launch, Cites Infrastructure and Cost Hurdles
BMW announced that its iX5 Hydrogen fuel‑cell electric vehicle will enter series production in 2028, featuring a third‑generation fuel cell system co‑developed with Toyota. The model promises up to 750 km of range and refueling in under five minutes thanks to...