🆠GXO's comeback, Houthi Pirates, and more.
Supply Chain Radar
Keep up with the happenings of global supply chains in the most fun ways possible.
This week, supply chain leaders discuss the new Trump presidency, freight rates hike, houthi pirates at the red sea, and more.
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Leaders reflect on the next Trump presidency ☑ï¸
With Donald Trump re-elected, supply chain leaders voice concerns and optimism. Some fear tariff hikes could drive inflation, but manufacturers and trucking groups welcome potential boosts to domestic production. Industry leaders urge balanced trade policies to support American jobs while avoiding cost spikes for consumers.
Read their thoughts here .
Freight rates up like holiday spirits 🎄
As holiday shopping heats up, freight rates surge due to strong consumer demand, limited vessel space, and air freight capacity challenges. Congestion on US East Coast ports and a recent strike add pressure.
Dimerco Express recommends early bookings and multimodal solutions to navigate this peak season’s logistical hurdles. Flexibility and proactive planning will be key for shippers to manage timely deliveries during this busy period.
Learn more about Dimerco’s expectations for the season here .
New year, new survey 🥳
2025 is fast approaching, and marketing and PR are evolving just as fast!
Want a sneak peek at the strategies, budgets, and trends everyone will be talking about?
Take our quick survey to gain exclusive early access to insights on digital dominance, customer-centric strategies, and what’s shaking up the industry next year.
Your responses help shape this essential report, giving you—and the entire marketing community—a head start on 2025’s biggest moves!
Join the survey here .
Back to freight’s future
GXO Logistics sees a positive shift in the freight market, with Q3 revenue reaching $3.16 billion, beating forecasts.
CEO Malcolm Wilson notes a recovery from last year’s lows, with new business contracts and a robust e-commerce demand fueling growth. GXO’s expanded logistics network, including a new facility in France, positions it well for a stronger 2025 as the e-commerce sector continues to surge.
Learn more about their Q3 results here .
Red Sea ransom 🤯
Houthi rebels are extorting up to $2 billion annually from shipping lines in the Red Sea, demanding protection "tolls" in exchange for not attacking vessels.
Since November 2023, they’ve carried out over 130 attacks, including drone and missile strikes, making the region increasingly dangerous. Major carriers are rerouting, but local ships still navigate the Red Sea, fueling the Houthis' expansion and collaboration with terrorist groups.
Learn more about the region's current state of affairs here .
Locked up and left behind ðŸ”
A recent survey reveals that 27% of shoppers will abandon their purchase or switch retailers if they encounter locked-up merchandise.
With retail shrink and theft on the rise, more products are being secured behind glass, leading to frustrated consumers. While some are willing to wait for assistance, many are opting for online shopping instead.
The increase in locked-up goods impacts sales and customer satisfaction. Learn more about the survey results here .
The SCR’s Egg-O-Meter 🥚
Here’s the scoop on the SCR Egg-O-Meter: It’s a brand-new rating tool that checks out what the media said about business and supply chain execs in the past 30 days and scores them based on the tonality of mentions from a natural language processing algorithm.
Staale Gjervik, SC President at ExxonMobil - 67.00%
ExxonMobil is making strides in its supply chain, led by Staale Gjervik, with a series of strategic initiatives and partnerships aimed at efficiency and sustainability. In collaboration with Kinaxis, ExxonMobil is developing advanced solutions to enhance supply-demand planning.
This partnership seeks to modernize ExxonMobil’s supply chain, shifting from manual processes to integrated systems that optimize refinery-to-customer planning, reduce costs, and enable better supply scenario planning.
In response to recent scrutiny, ExxonMobil is also defending its recycling initiatives amidst a California lawsuit that claims the company misled the public on plastic recycling efforts.
Although ExxonMobil states it has converted over 60 million pounds of plastic into reusable raw materials, the lawsuit challenges the effectiveness and transparency of its recycling processes, particularly its use of pyrolysis technology to process plastic waste.
Check out past Egg-O-Meter mentions and past newsletters here .
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