Resources to help keep your world moving

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...

As the economy recovers from the early effects of COVID-19, more CEOs are hoping to create fresh starts for their companies by moving their headquarters across the United States. A recent survey by Chief Executive magazine found that 44 percent of CEOs are more open to considering new locations for their business than before the pandemic. More than one-third are thinking about moving operations to a new state. West Monroe data echoed the findings, reporting that 29 percent of companies were considering moving their headquarters to another state or country. Here are some pros and cons to consider when planning the future of your company headquarters. Pros in moving a business 1. Access to new business opportunities When local markets grow, CEOs should take notice. Being closer to the competition may also mean convenient access to business partners, labor, clients and more. It can also breed greater innovation, products and...

Houston is booming. In 2020, the metro area saw the highest number of new business applications in all of Texas, a more than 35% increase over 2019. In fact, Houston ranks among the top 20 metro areas in the United States for new business applications, outranking both Dallas and Austin. The area is seeing record growth in the service sector, with new hotels and restaurants popping up on seemingly every street corner. If you’re among those businesses looking to open a new location in Houston, or renovating or expanding your existing location, then you are most likely aware of the challenges that come with procuring and installing the furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) you need to get your operation up and running. If you are interested in learning more about what is FF&E and why its procurement is important. FF&E can make up a large portion of your budget, as...

It’s no secret that 2022 has seen its share of challenges for manufacturing operations, and Dallas manufacturers are not immune to these global struggles.  A recent KPMG report found that 67% of CEOs will increase investment in detecting disruptions to their supply chains and will look to process innovation to help alleviate threats to global business operations. Global manufacturers need to become more flexible and resilient to meet the challenges of the current business environment. The New York Fed states, “The [Global Supply Chain Pressure Index]'s year-to-date movements suggest that although global supply chain pressures have been decreasing, they remain at historically high levels.” (August 2022) In fact, the Fed’s estimated pressures on the global supply chain in 2022 are higher than all reported rates since the Fed started this index in 1997 and even higher than the pressures experienced in 2020 during the global pandemic shutdown.  The Issues: Logistics...

Low cost of living, mild climate and quality of life factors such as arts, culture, entertainment and transportation make the Raleigh area highly attractive to retiring seniors.  The recent boom in new and renovated senior living communities is evidence that investment in this economic sector is strong. The Raleigh-Durham area is now home to over 100 senior living communities, ranging from active, independent living to more specialized care like skilled nursing or memory care facilities. Opening a new senior living facility in Raleigh may be more complex and challenging than bringing a standard residential community online. Even if you’re just renovating an existing facility or converting a traditional apartment complex into a senior living community, there are several factors to consider: Regulations Bringing a new senior living facility online comes with a host of red tape. Stay on top of the requirements for your area of specialty. Maximize your access...

Sometimes it happens — a house can sustain major damage with almost no warning, and no way for a homeowner to prevent it. Whether it’s a storm, flooding or burst pipe, these are unlucky and unfortunate circumstances, but you can be prepared for what to do next if it happens to you. If your home has sustained major damage from water, it will likely need some significant repairs. Often water damage will require replacing floors, furniture and even walls. It’s important to know the right steps to take to minimize hassles after damage and to restore your property to its original state as quickly as possible. Immediate Steps to Take After a Pipe Burst 1. Contact Your Insurance Agent Right Away Start the claims process immediately. Your agent should be working alongside you to get you the help you need and to ensure you receive reimbursements for qualified expenses. 2....

between the customer and crew members. Then, they walk through the home, paying careful attention to the state of the building. Depending on the type of hardwood flooring in the home, the van operator may decide to protect the floors before the crew begins work, going the extra mile to ensure they stay spotless. They may also protect carpets, doors and other sensitive parts of the property. Manage the packing, protecting and loading processes As a full-service moving company, Armstrong offers packing services to save customers time and energy. On such a job, the van operator leads the pack-and-protect process, ensuring the crews have enough tape and other materials.  When the crew begins loading items into the van, the van operator also keeps an eye on the weather, double-checking that everyone has enough water when it’s hot out. Depending on the size of the home and the number of belongings...

Key Takeaways: Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Tennessee dominate the list of places people are moving to. Affordability, job growth, and quality of life are the biggest relocation drivers. Suburban cities near major metros continue to attract families and remote workers. Professional moving support helps reduce complexity when relocating long-distance. Texas, Florida and Arizona are the indisputable winners of the United States pandemic migration. The U.S. Census Bureau recently released its list of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and the three states have claimed every spot but one in the top 10. As remote-work flexibility opens new possibilities for corporate employees, more people are moving to areas with strong communities, low costs of living, high-ranked school systems and ample green spaces. The cities on this year’s top 10 list have all that and more, positioning them for continued growth What Are the Top Cities People Are Moving To The top...

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...