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FedEx Express Rates to Rise 4.9%
By: By Tim Parry
FedEx Express announced at the end of October it would raise its net average shipping rate by 4.9%-- the carrier's largest increase in seven years. The rate hike is composed of a 6.9% increase in standard list rates offset by a 2% reduction in the fuel surcharge....
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Fulfillment Doctor: The Real Cost of Employee Turnover
By: By Curt Barry
Turnover costs range from $3,000 to $10,000 in people time, training, testing, and the ramp-up to full production. This does not include expenses for agencies, ads, etc. which must be added on.
As you research your turnover rate, here are some points to consider. ...
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IWLA Starts C-TPAT Compliance Program
The International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) recently announced a C-TPAT compliance program for third-party warehouses. The IWLA says its program is based on security best practices guidelines it has developed; the guidelines have earned endorsement of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). ...
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DC Locations: Why Midwest is Best
By: By Tod Yazdi
For most merchants, it geographically makes sense to distribute goods from a Midwest-based distribution center. The central states are quickly becoming distribution hubs for companies all across the country. ...
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Talking Operations With A Touch of Class
Rick MacDonald is facility manager for Huntingburg, IN-based home decor and cataloger Touch of Class, responsible for warehouse operations and maintenance, among other duties. MacDonald--also the son-in-law of Touch of Class president/CEO Fred Bell—took a few minutes out of his busy day to chat with O+F Advisor’s former editor Mark Del Franco....
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The Fulfillment Doctor on… The Price of Free Holiday Shipping
By: By Curt Barry
What are the underlying reasons behind offering free shipping and processing to customers? Is this common practice in other companies in the multichannel industry? Can anything positive come from giving free shipping to our customers? ...
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The Case for Global Sourcing, Part II
By: By John Brockwell
Last week we asked, "Is global sourcing really worth it?" given that many executives are reconsidering whether or not they should be buying products from international sources. ...
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Customer Intimacy: Getting Past the First 15 Seconds
By: By Kathryn Jackson
Most call centers these days are tailoring their opening by balancing the requirements of their strategy and what their customers prefer. The best-in-class standard is not so much "agent first and last name" or "first name only" but rather what fits into the company strategy and customer segment. ...
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Ebay had the right idea but the wrong execution
By: By John Federman
Ebay recently announced that it would be taking a $1.43 billion loss this year because they overvalued Skype in its 2005 acquisition of the company – to the shock of few in the financial world. When announced two years ago, the move initially left many people scratching their heads because there were few obvious synergies between the two businesses. Not me, though. ...
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The Case for Global Sourcing
By: By John Brockwell
"Is global sourcing really worth it?" For a variety of reasons, executives at many companies are reconsidering whether or not they should be buying products from international sources. ...
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Developing an Effective Fulfillment Labor Budget
By: By Gary Conrad
The conversion from sales forecast to operations budget is not difficult, but it does require a strong understanding of your operations. You also need to know and measured performance standards or reasonable expectancies for each labor activity performed within your warehouse. ...
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Dark Days for Offshore Service?
By: By Kathryn Jackson
Have you off-shored any of your customer contact operation? If so, how do you ensure there are no “dark and stormy” nights in your agents’ or customers’ experience?...
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10 Steps for Better Returns
Whether a returned item was the wrong size or was defective, you need a set of procedures for handling the product once it arrives in your warehouse. Fulfillment pro Curt Barry has a simple 10-step reverse logistics strategy. These tips can help you refurbish returns and get them back on the shelf for sale....
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Measure for measure
By: By Dan Graville
The road to developing a successful metrics, measurement and benchmarking program starts very much like any successful plan in
that it has to have a champion...
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A Few Thoughts about WMS Integration
By: By Ernie Schell
Every distribution center requires the functions provided by a warehouse management mystem (WMS) to control inventory movements, from receiving and put-away to picking and packing well as the management of returns. ...
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Are You Ready for a Third Party Logistics Provider?
By: By Ron Cain
One area where successful companies are increasingly applying their adaptability is in their logistics and supply chain operations by outsourcing to a third-party logistics provider (3PL)....
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Are Two Carriers Better Than One?
By: By Jeff Jolin
When it comes to striking a balance between controlling costs and maintaining service levels, is it better to use multiple carriers or a single carrier? That question is becoming increasingly relevant, thanks to dramatic rate hikes and frequent changes in the parcel industry. Both approaches have merit, but to determine what’s best for your business, you must first evaluate your objectives. ...
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Bombay Co. Files Chapter 11
By: By Larry Riggs
(Direct Newsline) The Bombay Co., Inc. and five affiliated companies have filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code....
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Live From NEMOA: Experience This
By: By Mark Del Franco
Portland, ME--Ever thought about repurposing last year's photography in a time crunch, or reducing your catalog’s paper quality to cut costs? If so, your catalog is in trouble, according to Lois Boyle, president of consultancy J. Schmid & Associates....
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