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July 2024

This month’s top stories in the supply chain world

Welcome to INBOX! The vision of our INBOX monthly series is to highlight articles for you that we think are timely and important. The articles put forth come from a wide variety of industry sources, as well as popular media. Some articles are original, written by the RCK staff and our community of friends and partners.

In this issue:

• Public speaking: What separates the pros from the rookies?

• UPS rolls out new peak demand-based surcharges

• Companies lean into SKU simplification

• Sustainable packaging comes on strong

• Case study: PorterLogic helps AmeriLux capture the true value of their ERP

• A look into the Olympic-sized operations and logistics behind the Games

Hello again,

We’re back this month after a quick hiatus in June. For the first time in forever, I did two consecutive weeks of vacation at the beach. At 66, working as a consultant and with two grandkids I don’t get to see as often as I would like, I figured it was time.

Any HR person will tell you vacation is designed for mental and physical health. You are a better employee if you get time away from the stresses of the job. You get to recharge; to reassess.

But, with two weeks away, the need to check in on things at work is strong.  It's easy to fall into a work routine instead of play. A philosopher friend of mine once said, while interrupted on his vacation by my phone call, “It’s fine, vacation is simply working from a nicer place.” Well, hopefully it’s more than that. Hopefully we can strike a balance between rest and work. I hope all of you are finding that balance this summer.  — RCK

INSIGHTS

Public speaking: What separates the pros from the rookies?

A few quick tips to help you knock it out of the park.

By Robert C. Kennedy

When I attend presentations at conferences, I like to observe the speaker themselves, separate from their message. It’s pretty easy to tell the pros from the rookies. You can hear it in their slightly quivering voice. They are a little less comfortable in their shoes. I root for them.

For many people, public speaking is one of their biggest sources of anxiety. The thought of being in front of other people, and being judged, and possibly screwing up, creates fear. I have to say, even after doing it a hundred times, I still share the fear sometimes. But there are a few things I have learned that make it easier. 

NEWS AND EVENTS

Headline Roundup
The news you don’t want to miss.

USMX says there is ‘forward movement’ to resolving ILA issues (Supply Chain Dive)

Sustainable packaging comes on strong (Modern Materials Handling)

Companies lean into SKU simplification (Supply Chain Dive)

Watchdog sees reverse logistics potential for Postal Service (FreightWaves)

12th Annual Pallet Report: Wood pallets continue to reign (Modern Materials Handling)

UPS rolls out new peak demand-based surcharges (Logistics Management)

Which ‘green’ fuel type will ship operators adopt? Time will tell (SupplyChainBrain)

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NEW FROM OUR PARTNERS
PorterLogic helps AmeriLux capture the true value of their ERP

AmeriLux is a leading value-added distributor and fabricator of building materials specializing in plastic sheeting products. The company was transitioning from a legacy ERP to NetSuite. Deep into the implementation, the team realized NetSuite lacked the robust work order management, labor tracking and timecard approval capabilities critical to their value-added distribution operation.

‍To solve the problem, AmeriLux partnered with PorterLogic to implement a composable operational solution that tracks employee time against specific work orders, sequences and indirect activities, with data syncing back with NetSuite. And all in just 3 weeks!

Read the full case study at the link below.

As a member of our network, it takes just one call for us to connect you with

PorterLogic. Let’s chat about whether it’s the right solution for your operation’s specific needs. Simply reply to this email or write to us at info@rcksc.com.

OLYMPICS

A look into the logistics behind the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris

CEVA Logistics was named the official partner for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. This article from GlobalTrailerMag.com covers the massive effort that spanned ocean, air, road, rail, and even river transport. The project also required building three new logistics platforms to move goods and equipment from the Games’ Organizing Committee and staff.

Olympic Logistics by the Numbers

• Delivered 900,000+ pieces of sporting including trampolines, boats and weapons.

• Transported 1.3 million items of furniture, fixtures and fittings.

• Moved 115,000+ pallets.

• Managed 60,000+ pieces of airport luggage.

• Organized 250 containers of bleachers and mobile seating.

• Driven more than 300 various sized vehicles.

• Assembled 17,000 athlete beds.

• Supported 180,000 staff members including 700 event specific hires.

Dig deeper into the behind the scenes of Olympic operations with these interesting reads:

The Logistics Backbone of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Villages (CEVA Logistics)

Winning logistics gold: Olympic Games Paris 2024 (Global Trailer)
3 Information Management Lessons from the Seine River Cleanup (#shifthappens)

Paris Olympics will be a true test of supply chains (FreightWaves)