FOR STARTERS BY MARINA MAYER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HOW OUR AWARDS PUT IT ON THE BOARD

For years, Food Logistics has awarded several companies and professionals with different industry awards. These awards are designed to recognize and celebrate the many achievements of the cold food chain–both on and off the field.

They’re designed to provide an avenue for companies and executives to showcase their wins and the MVPs behind those wins.

That’s why this year, we revamped our awards and the awards process, so that companies and their industry executives could better hone in on the home runs and focus on the stats that matter.

For starters, this year’s Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers award, page 18, showcases how adopting and adapting are key to success within the supply chain. Here, you’ll find a breakdown of the Top 5 services provided by third-party logistics (3PL) providers and by cold storage providers, and discover the top technologies these winners are investing in. This information has never before been collected and/or shared with our readers; but it’s indicative of the future of the 3PL and cold storage space and how technology keeps the cold chain moving.

Also brand new to the Food Logistics audience is the ability to participate in our Women in Supply Chain award, which honors those female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples continue to set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network (submissions close July 14). Think co-workers, bosses, partners, customers, clients, drivers, managers and more from providers, manufacturers, associations, organizations, non-profits, universities, consulting firms and more.

Also new this year is the overhaul of our Top Software & Technology award (submissions close Sept 22). What previously was an award honoring the providers of the top supply chain software and technology is now a new product award, focusing more on the actual new software and technology solutions. This award is open to all categories/ markets within the Food Logistics audience and will feature a breakdown of sub-categories to better outline and showcase the different markets to our readers.

What better way to put it on the board than to be recognized by your peers, vendors and co-workers for yours and your company’s hard work and successes?! Now is the time to get involved with our many awards programs and help recognize and celebrate the wins and the MVPs within your company as well as with your vendors, partners and more.

Go to https://www.foodlogistics. com/awards to learn more.

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Marina Mayer mmayer@ACBusinessMedia.com

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Food Logistics (USPS 015-667; ISSN 1094-7450 print; ISSN 19307527 online) is published 6 times per year in January/February, March/ April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/ December by AC Business Media, 201 N. Main Street, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 and additional mailing offices.

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AI-Powered Accident Prevention Software

CompScience Insurance Services released its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Intelligent Safety Platform, an accident prevention program for the logistics, supply chain, warehousing and manufacturing industries. The risk assessment generates actionable analytics using any workplace video source. To initiate a risk assessment, a company shares a combination of prior injury data, video and other relevant information. CompScience then uses its $100 billion in U.S. injury data and 1 million hours of video data to provide benchmarks against similar companies within the same industry and location.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/a3pbl1

Merging IT, OT to Improve Food Safety

To ensure the successful implementation of informationenabled manufacturing in the future, manufacturers must eliminate the disconnected networks and isolated automation systems. By merging their operations technology (OT) and information technology (IT) into a single network architecture, manufacturers can establish a seamless connection and enhance collaboration among all processes, people and technologies that impact product safety and quality. Todd Gilliam, Americas industry manager and CPG of Rockwell Automation, explains how modernization can improve food safety practices.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/bdytmq

U.S. eGrocery Sales Rise to $8.8B

The U.S. online grocery market finished in April with $8.8 billion in total sales, up 1.5% compared to last year, according to the monthly Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey. The year-overyear growth in e-grocery sales was partly driven by an increase in monthly active users, which climbed more than 5% in February compared to the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, cross-format shopping between grocery and mass remained near 30% for the month and was up 300 basis points vs. a year ago.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/ofg5wv

Workforce, Risk Mitigation Still Top Priorities for Supply Chains

A new report released by MHI and Deloitte finds that 74% of supply chain leaders are increasing their supply chain technology and innovation investments, with 90% saying they are planning to spend over $1 million, an increase of 24% over last year. Meanwhile, 36% plan to spend over $10 million, up 19%. Hiring and retaining qualified workers (57%) and the talent shortage (56%) were the top supply chain challenges cited by survey respondents. And, 41% of respondents are reskilling/upskilling workers for emerging technologies, 34% are recruiting for skillsets for future needs and 27% are working to create a culture of innovation.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/xk72cw

Micro-Fulfillment Centers Achieve Supply Chain Stability

2022 saw a lot of instability within the supply chain. From port strikes and rail strikes to inflation, driver shortage and more, industry experts predict it may take supply chains close to 2-3 years to turn around. Glenn Koepke, GM of network collaboration at FourKites, details the importance of micro-fulfillment centers and supply chain tools in achieving a more stable supply chain.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/89mjbx

How Discounting Cuts Waste

Supply chains are the backbone of the economy; they’re designed to move goods efficiently, from raw material or finished product in a way that is both timely and ensures profitable unit economics along the way. External factors can play a large role in disrupting the supply chain and cause delays, ingredient shortages, waste and financial losses. Ricky Ashenfelten, CEO and co-founder of Spoiler Alert, explains why it’s necessary to ensure that transportation of food isn’t wasteful.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/rpczmd

How Collaboration Can Reduce Environmental Impact

Competition is everywhere. From choosing between electric, hybrid and traditional gas cars to determining if a sugar cone, cake cone or waffle cone should hold that next scoop of ice cream. Dennis Raffa, senior program manager of Zero Waste World for CHEP, gives reasons for how collaboration within supply chains can lessen their impact on the environment.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/steawk

Same-, Next-Day Direct-Store Delivery

WARP launched DirectFresh, a service enabling perishable shippers with same-day and next-day direct-store delivery. DirectFresh enables shippers to transfer product from cold storage directly to a store or a WARP station (cross dock) within the same day without needing to work with a last-mile delivery service. The service offers shippers an end-to-end solution for their fresh freight, including manufacturer to cold storage transfers and high touch, in-store deliveries.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/n2yc2j

Shippers Increasing Spend with Outsourced Providers

A vast majority of survey respondents agree that their corporate leadership has a good understanding of how their supply chain works, and is investing in improving supply chain capabilities, according to a Coyote Logistics survey. In fact, 82% of shippers rely on third-party providers to procure capacity for at least some of their freight, with 38% using 3PLs for a majority of their shipments. What’s more, over the past two years, 50% of shippers increased their spend with outsourced providers, compared to only 12% that decreased spend.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/xg1ho3

The Evolution of the Gig Economy

The gig economy is exploding. In the United States alone, it is projected to generate $455.2 billion by the end of 2023. Gaurav Deshpande, VP of marketing at HyperTrack, describes how gig work has undergone substantial change in the last few years and what this means for the future of food delivery.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/iucgc3

Dropping Fuel Prices Make for Stronger Shippers Conditions

The Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) outlook is a bit stronger than the prior forecast with uninterrupted positive readings well into 2024, according to new stats by FTR. “Declining active truck utilization, lower truck rates and improving rail service should all help shippers experience more favorable conditions going forward. These factors are expected to remain in place through 2023 before starting to swing back toward carriers next year. The improvement will be a welcome respite for shippers who faced higher rates and capacity shortfalls coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021,” says Todd Tranausky, VP of rail and intermodal at FTR. Scan the QR code to learn more.

https://foodl.me/fr98zn

Early Bird Rate Ends July 31, 2023