Resources to help keep your world moving

Numerous documents facilitate the flow of goods across borders and continents. Among these crucial pieces of paperwork, the bill of lading is the cornerstone of efficient and secure freight shipping.  But what exactly is a bill of lading, and why does it hold such importance in the supply chain? This comprehensive guide delves into the details of this shipping document including its purpose, uses, and key features. What is a Bill of Lading? A bill of lading is a legal document issued by a carrier (such as a shipping line, trucking company, or airline) to a shipper. It acts as a receipt for the goods received, a contract of the transportation agreement, and a document of title for the goods.  The versatile document plays a pivotal role in various aspects of the shipping process. It is involved in everything from initiating the transport to facilitating final delivery and ensuring financial...

In today's online store-driven world, efficient third-party logistics management is the backbone of seamless supply chain operations. Outsourcing your logistics services to a skilled third-party logistics (3PL) provider can unlock unparalleled efficiency, cost savings and scalability.  However, navigating the intricate landscape of 3PL management isn't without its challenges. Making the wrong decision can throw your logistics operations into disarray. It can harm customer satisfaction and profitability. By avoiding these three common 3PL management pitfalls, you can pave the way for thriving logistics operations: Mistake #1: Chasing the Lowest Price Tag While cost shouldn't be ignored, opting for the cheapest 3PL management can be a recipe for disaster. Remember, you're entrusting a critical piece of your business to this partner. Instead of focusing solely on the bottom line, prioritize finding a 3PL management whose expertise and capabilities align with your specific needs.  Consider factors like management capabilities, technology integration, and experience...

In 2013, B.R. Distilling Company set their roots in Memphis, TN as the oldest licensed distillery with their two award-winning flagship brands, Blue Note Bourbon and Riverset Rye. President and Chief Operating Officer Logan Welk joined the company in 2019, working toward sustained growth and passion with every step. When it came to the logistics of getting his bourbons from creation to distribution, he knew he would need a reliable, spirit industry-seasoned partner he could trust. Welk and the Blue Note Bourbon team turned to Armstrong for their transportation and warehousing needs.  The Story Memphis-based Blue Note Bourbon offers a lineup of six specialty straight bourbon whiskeys described as “each having its own unique twist on a perfectly smooth straight whiskey”. Blue Note’s choice of location was chosen thoughtfully, as temperature plays a critical role in the process of aging whiskey to perfection. Their warehousing facilities are located east of the Mississippi, where the environment creates a “heat island effect” and provides the perfect...

Entrepreneur, McCauley Williams, is not shy when it comes to starting new business ventures. Along with creating this brand new, premium tequila company, Alma del Jaguar, McCauley has also created its parent company, Morningside Brands, Inc. When it comes to the entrepreneurial scene, he knows what it takes to be successful. When it comes to the logistics of getting his product from creation to distribution, he knew he would need a partner he could trust. McCauley and the Alma del Jaguar team turned to Armstrong for their supply chain needs.  The Story In February 2022 McCauley Williams took the first steps in crafting Alma del Jaguar, a premium tequila brand. This tequila is made and sourced out of Mexico. Their production partners there, the Vivanco family, have been growing agave since 1929. Alma Del Jaguar’s mantra is “true flavor comes from the earth” and can be seen in the ingredients...

The retail apocalypse may not be over just yet. Retailers have survived several years of shifting demand, excess inventory, inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions. After beginning to rebound in 2022, the retail industry is heading into 2023 with slowing momentum and disappointing holiday sales. The new year will bring new challenges that will test the industry’s resilience. For retail and wholesale companies, careful preparation and strategic planning will be critical to expanding while others contract. Here are five retail industry trends and predictions for 2023. 1. Driven by social media shopping, e-commerce will reign supreme. E-commerce has quickly grown, becoming the preferred shopping experience for the younger generations. E-commerce will continue to grow in 2023 as more consumers trade in-person shopping for online stores. According to a recent Hootsuite report, 58.4% of global internet users make an online purchase every week, and 30.6% of people make that purchase on...

The Third Party Logistics (3PL) Market Size has increased steadily over the last five years by a pace of over 5% per year. GlobeNewswire predicts over 8% growth in the next five years, driven by increases in trading and a growing e-Commerce industry.  With consumer demand for selection and speedy delivery driving some industries to need more goods available at the ready, it’s no wonder there’s growth in demand for warehousing and logistics. Businesses needing better inventory management and same-day or one-day delivery can benefit from a 3PL partnership.  According to the Dallas Regional Chamber, over 200 companies have moved their corporate headquarters to the region since 2010. This business boom in the Dallas region is fueled by rapid growth in certain industry sectors, namely transportation, construction, food service, health services, retail and technology. 3PL solutions are critical to these industries, providing stability and agility to global businesses. Changing consumer...

After several slow years, the United States hotel industry is finally picking up steam. The U.S. had 621,268 hotel rooms under construction by the end of the second quarter of 2022, according to Lodging Econometrics. The country’s 5,220 new hotel projects accounted for 37% of the global construction pipeline. As hotel developers resume their long-awaited projects from coast to coast, competition is steep for materials, labor and space. With ongoing supply-chain disruptions and a war for talent, the hospitality industry is calling on third-party logistics (3PL) providers to help them keep up the pace. A 3PL is a one-stop shop for any logistics, warehousing or fulfillment needs, providing insights on how to make supply chain processes more effective and efficient. For hospitality companies, 3PL partners are a critical resource before, during and after new construction. Here are five reasons why your hotel project needs a 3PL expert. 1. Protect your...

Key Takeaways: Supply chain disruptions are now recurring business risks, not rare events. Industry-specific supply chain solutions improve resilience and responsiveness. Automotive companies benefit from just-in-case inventory models supported by 3PLs. Electronics brands rely on flexible fulfillment and value-added services to meet fast-changing demand. Retail & e-commerce businesses use 3PLs to improve inventory visibility and regional distribution. Armstrong provides scalable, end-to-end supply chain solutions across top industries. Over the past several years, the global supply chain has become increasingly fragmented and complex, interrupted by recessions, cyberattacks, natural disasters, terrorism, labor shortages and pandemics. Businesses can expect more disruptions as vulnerabilities in the supply chain become more exposed. McKinsey predicts that companies across industries should now expect supply chain disruptions lasting a month or more to happen at least every 3.7 years, with the most significant events having a lasting impact on finances. Now more than ever, building structural agility into...

As Atlanta expands its influence as a leading transportation hub, more national companies are outsourcing parts of their operations to local third-party logistics (3PL) providers. The Metro Atlanta Chamber nicknamed Atlanta “Supply Chain City” because of its prime geographic location, strong infrastructure network and collection of corporate headquarters. Atlanta is only a two-hour flight or two-day drive away from roughly 80 percent of the United States, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. It’s home to the most expansive rail system in the Southeast, the third-busiest container gateway in the country and the world’s busiest airport. As a result, the 3PL sector in Atlanta has exploded. The Atlanta Business Chronicle reported that the logistics and parcel delivery industry has been up 90.3 percent year over year since 2019. The city’s 3PL leaders continue to revolutionize the sector, making Atlanta the second-best metro area for digital supply chain in the...

For decades, industries have been perfecting “just-in-time” inventory management models, ordering products and materials on an as-needed basis to prevent unsold stock. On average, United States companies reduced their inventories by two percent every year from 1981 to 2000, according to a study in Management Science. By keeping inventories as lean as possible, businesses could reduce their warehousing presence and significantly cut costs. Then, COVID-19 upended the global supply chain, leaving corporations with massive stockouts, heightened consumer demand and no safety nets. Instead of waiting for the supply chain to straighten out, most companies are increasing their buffer inventories to minimize the effects of ongoing delays on their buying cycles. Nearly 60 percent of companies told McKinsey they had adopted new supply-chain risk management practices over the past year. The new approach is called the “just-in-case” model, a balance between the conventional just-in-time system and the panicked stockpile mentality. Here’s...