This Week on Supply Chain Now: November 30th – December 4th

Warehousing historically hasn’t been a particularly exciting topic. But times have changed. Thanks to technological innovations, warehouse automation has made the receiving, housing, and distributing of goods truly fascinating stuff. At Supply Chain Now, we spotlight companies doing exciting things throughout the industry. In modern warehousing, the innovations garnering attention include systems integrations involving robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI); the use of optical character recognition (OCR) technology in yard management; an “elegant” automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS); and a solution called Chuck. Warehousing at a Crossroads: Innovation for Efficiency “The warehousing industry is experiencing a technological revolution, with advancements in automation, robotics, IoT, AI, and data analytics transforming operations and driving efficiency. These innovations are not just enhancing operational capabilities but are also paving the way for smarter, more connected, and efficient warehouse environments,” an October report by Taiwan-based logistics property developer ALP said. ALP said AS/RSs, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and robotics “are at the forefront of the smart warehousing revolution. These systems enhance efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve accuracy.” AI and Robotics: A New Frontier for Modern Warehousing A Forbes Council post in November said that “one of the most visible impacts of AI and…

Change is certainly going to come, and a number of developments are expected to impact the supply chain in 2025. That includes the increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, investment growth in renewable energy, and momentum gains for nearshoring. No matter what happens in 2025, Supply Chain Now will be there every day to serve as the voice of the industry and keep supply chain podcast listeners informed about the big ideas as well as the little changes that could make a big impact. Ongoing Disruptions Are Set to Impact Industry The question isn’t whether there will be supply chain disruptions in 2025. It’s a matter of when, where, and the cause of the disruption. The International Longshoremen’s Association could go on strike again in January if a contract agreement is not reached. The Houthi could stage more attacks on containerships in the Red Sea at any time. And weather-related disasters could range from deadly ice storms to floods to hurricanes anywhere in the country. “Looking ahead to 2025, we can predict some major shifts and challenges for supply chains. Right now, businesses around the world are facing increasing pressure to adapt to new technologies, environmental impacts, and…