Hi Tech

Analysis: ORBCOMM buyout – short odds on a bidding war?

The track and trace of a satellite firm (and why it matters to logistics)?
‘Detour risk’
Well, first off, the de-listing of Internet-of-Things firm ORBCOMM via a buyout may take a detour.
It received a $1.1bn bid, including net debt, on 7 April – the deal was disclosed the following day – from private equity house GI Partners. But so far that’s where the good news for its shareholders may end if the …

The post Analysis: ORBCOMM buyout – short odds on a bidding war? appeared first on The Loadstar.

https://theloadstar.com/analysis-orbcomm-buyout-short-odds-on-a-bidding-war/

Logistics investment goes on hold as US supply chain review looms

US companies are unlikely to make significant moves in global sourcing strategy over the coming three months as the government conducts a strategic review of the nation’s supply chains.
On 24 February, President Biden signed an executive order for a 100-day review of critical supply chains to identify vulnerabilities, following the shortage of semiconductors that has disrupted car production. The review targets four groups of critical goods as well as six …

The post Logistics investment goes on...

https://theloadstar.com/logistics-investment-goes-on-hold-as-us-supply-chain-review-looms/

UK freeports could have a ‘catalytic impact’ – but now the hard work begins

A tranche of newly awarded freeports presents an opportunity to regenerate both the UK’s logistics sector and some of its poorest regions – but the “hard work” is only just beginning.
Speaking on Multimodal’s Freeports panel, Vivid Economics cities and infrastructure head James Patterson-Waterston said the scale of the bids suggested freeports “could become a transformational vehicle”, but success was dependent on getting the “hard part done”.
“Strategic growth, regeneration and innovation …

The...

https://theloadstar.com/uk-freeports-could-have-a-catalytic-impact-but-now-the-hard-work-begins/

When the chips are down, logistics players must find new strategies

Chip manufacturers are scrambling to ramp up output, but a global shortage of semiconductors is expected to affect several industries, including automotive and consumer electronics, for months – possibly all year.
And for some supply chains, a re-evaluation of fundamental strategy is on the cards.
Major chip producers have announced steps to boost production: SMI, China’s largest producer, is to increase its monthly output of eight-inch chips by 45,000; Taiwanese chip giant …

The post When the...

https://theloadstar.com/when-the-chips-are-down-logistics-players-must-find-new-strategies/

Vaccines: a shot in the arm for economies – and retail forwarders

The UK is among those countries looking forward to an economic rebound when lockdown finally comes to an end – alongside expected newfound consumer confidence following a (literal) jab in the arm. With an extra £125bn holed up in bank accounts, as consumers have been unable to consume much, the Bank of England is expecting a nice fillip for the economy. And forwarders are gearing up for an influx of …

The post Vaccines: a shot in the arm for economies – and retail forwarders appeared first on The...

https://theloadstar.com/vaccines-a-shot-in-the-arm-for-economies-and-retail-forwarders/

UK shippers demand parliamentary inquiry into port congestion

Some of the UK’s largest shippers have written to MPs demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the port congestion crippling the country’s container supply chains.
A letter from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Food and Drink Federation (FDF) to Lilian Greenwood MP, chair of the Commons Transport Select Committee, and Angus Brendan MacNeil MP, chair of the Commons International Trade Committee, describes importers as facing “major challenges in building up stock …

The post UK shippers...

https://theloadstar.com/uk-shippers-demand-parliamentary-inquiry-into-port-congestion/

Cainiao launches open tender for 2021 logistics services – but be quick

Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, the logistics arm of Chinese-e-commerce platform Alibaba, today launched an open tender for logistics services for next year.
It is calling on logistics providers in key markets including North Asia, South-east Asia, Europe, the Middle East, ANZ and the US.
However, those interested in bidding for the company’s business have just five days, as the deadline for submissions is 15 December.
The tender is segmented into B2C and B2B …

The post Cainiao launches open...

https://theloadstar.com/cainiao-launches-open-tender-for-2021-logistics-services-but-be-quick/

TT Club weighs in to help supply chain players with online guidance

Following calls that the supply chain sector needs to take Brexit preparations into its own hands, TT Club has announced the launch of a webpage offering “a wide variety of information that is likely to be of importance”.
The MD of loss prevention at the international freight transport insurer, Mike Yarwood, said: “There will be significant changes to the current processes of moving goods between the UK and the EU.
“All stakeholders involved …

The post TT Club weighs in to help supply chain...

https://theloadstar.com/tt-club-weighs-in-to-help-supply-chain-players-with-online-brexit-guidance/

Retailers eye online sales boom in ‘the first truly digital Christmas’

Peak season 2020 will prove a boon for online retailers, who expect an all-time high in e-commerce sales across the globe.
DHL Express has already reported a 35% spike in online volume growth over the course of the year and is now forecasting shipping volumes will be up 50% on 2019 as the pandemic drives more consumers online.
“Covid-19 and its impacts such as curfews or distancing led to massive changes in the retail sector all …

The post Retailers eye online sales boom in ‘the first truly...

https://theloadstar.com/retailers-eye-online-sales-boom-in-the-first-truly-digital-christmas/

Disruption and price rise alert to shippers as the peak season looms

Shippers – particularly those in e-commerce – have been advised to begin planning for potential supply chain disruption and rising prices as the peak season looms.
Speaking on Reuters webinar yesterday, on the upcoming peak season, Canada Post chief operating officer Charles Brewer warned that supply chains had undergone a transformation due to Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns which had had a  huge impact on retail supply chains – most notably …

The post Disruption and price rise alert to...

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