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August 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:

• A personal reflection: the importance of reconnecting along the journey

• Everstream Analytics: Supply chain cybersecurity threats during election years

• The latest Logistics Manager’s Index Report reveals industry trends in July

• Cargo thefts peak on Labor Day Weekend: how to keep your cargo safe

• Top 10 cost reduction strategies in supply chain

• New RCK Consulting partnership with G2RL to improve reverse logistics

INSIGHTS

The importance of staying in touch

A personal reflection inspired by the loss of a dear friend

By Robert C. Kennedy

I lost a good friend a few days ago. We first met in sixth grade as basketball rivals. Well, I probably can’t call it a rivalry because Sacred Heart beat us every year. After one of those losses, he and one of his teammates came over to where I was watching the varsity game and he asked me if I wanted to come with them to the corner drug store to get a can of pop (or soda, for you non-Pittsburghers).

I was blown away by that. We were supposed to be enemies, yet here he was with an invitation. At that moment, he may have become my first friend that wasn’t from Saint Bede (my school) or from the neighborhood.

In this month’s blog post, I’m sharing my memories of a decades-long friendship. Why am I sharing this in a supply chain newsletter? Let it be a reminder to stay in touch with the people who have shared your journey, professional or personal, however long ago your paths ran together.

FEATURED RESOURCE
Supply chain cybersecurity threats this election year

Supply chain cybersecurity risk in countries amid 2024 national elections (source: Everstream Analytics). 

Cybercriminals increasingly ramp up activities during national elections to wield influence across borders and destabilize societies they consider hostile. Critical infrastructures and industries are likely to become tempting targets for cyber threats. An article from the Everstream Analytics team, published in May 2024, provides a summary of attempted attacks on communications, manufacturing, utilities, and transportation assets in recent history, as well as many countries’ elections in 2024 that have already seen related disruptions.

NEWS AND EVENTS

Featured Stories
The news you don’t want to miss.

Interested in deterring criminal activity at your warehouse or property site? As a member of our network, it takes just one call for us to connect you with Remote Security Solutions. First, let’s discuss whether RSS is the right fit for your business. Reply to this email or contact us at info@rcksc.com.

Headline Roundup

Delivery costs continue to drive shopper preferences (Supply Chain Management Review)

Canadian rail workers ordered back on the job (National Post)

Kraft Heinz is using AI to make more autonomous supply-chain decisions (Business Insider)

Top 10: Cost reduction strategies in supply chain (Supply Chain Digital)

NEW FROM OUR PARTNERS
RC Kennedy Consulting announces partnership with G2RL

RC Kennedy Consulting is excited to announce a new business partnership with G2RL to support their work designing and improving reverse logistic networks. RC Kennedy Consulting, along with our network of supply chain expert partners, will represent G2RL in selling, marketing, and implementing their tools and solutions.

Reverse logistics has become a fact of life for most businesses, all thanks to the explosion of eCommerce. Today, if a company wants to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat business, it needs to have a hassle-free reverse logistics process.

With a commitment to innovation, operational excellence and exceptional customer experience, the G2RL team has been designing and improving reverse logistics networks for over 30 years. G2RL’s unique approach adds value to businesses by optimizing the flow and recovery of returns, enhancing their bottom line. Powered by proprietary technology, G2RL minimizes costs by constantly analyzing and optimizing returns in real time.