Reach More of the US Population Faster Using Distribution Centers in Central Texas When it comes to freight, few states move as much as Texas. Texas moves an estimated 3.3 billion tons of freight per year and has been America’s top exporter for 21 years running. It has more miles of rail and road than any other state, has the largest Gulf Coast container port (Port of Houston), and offers low operating costs with few land restrictions. If Texas were a country, it would be listed as one of the world’s top 10 largest economies. Maybe the adage holds true that everything is bigger and better in ..read more

When researching logistics providers, it is important to learn more about the quality of operations and management of each company. When it comes to distribution and fulfillment services, warehouse facilities can be a telling sign of what is going on behind the scenes. Warehouses are essentially the center of the commercial world, but not every warehouse is operated or maintained to the same standards. “When I walk through our warehouse facilities, I find myself asking: What would my dad say? Our general campus manager, Todd Huber, plays the role of ‘Dad’ at our Northern Nevada facilities ..read more

Top 10 winter driving tips for truck drivers The winter months can be brutal for many, and winter driving can be difficult and stressful—especially for CDL A semi-truck drivers. Annually there are 156,164 crashes and 1,800 fatalities due to snowy and icy road conditions. Considering these statistics, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. There are a variety of things you can do to make driving in inclement weather less dangerous and difficult. Here are some of our winter driving safety tips to keep in mind. 1. Pre-trip inspections are crucial to your safety! A pre-trip inspection is import ..read more

Outsourcing supply chain operations to a third-party logistics provider (3PL) can help businesses scale, save money, increase efficiency, and provide a better level of customer service. Most importantly, outsourcing to a logistics provider frees businesses up to focus on their own development and goals without getting bogged down by the day-to-day challenges of running a supply chain. Choosing a 3PL isn’t an easy decision. It’s also a very important decision to get right. A 3PL partnership is a major investment that can take months to implement, so it’s worth putting in the research to ensu ..read more

Supply Chain Management and Data Dependency The supply chain industry is heavily reliant on timely and accurate data interchange, so the goods can be moved from and to correct destinations safely. An effective supply chain must have date interchange in place for container tracking to inventory management and everything in-between. There are two primary technologies that are used to exchange these massive quantities of data: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Application Programming Interface (API). As APIs have become more prevalent in the supply chain industry, business leaders find them ..read more

There are a lot of ways to measure the characteristics of a good workplace – employee retention rate, average starting salary, engagement. These metrics do matter, but they only show half of the picture and do little to color in the actual day-to-day experience, which can’t be fit into a spreadsheet. Experience is more like weather, felt but not always seen. And the ITS experience is about the culture, the people, and the community. During our world-class Logistics Management Training Program, you’ll be equipped with everything you need to succeed while being paid along the way. You’ll lear ..read more

What is drayage and why is it so vital for an efficient supply chain? Drayage is a crucial step and a niche service in the multibillion-dollar supply chain and logistics industry. While it may seem like a small step of the process, drayage is an integral part of the domestic supply chain and vital to overall container management. The term drayage refers to the transportation of a container over a short distance of 50 miles or less, typically between ports and rail yards to distribution centers or storage yards. The drayage services market in the US has been expanding as more exports enter t ..read more

What does it mean to be a Food Grade Warehouse? The term “food grade” refers to materials, supplies, and equipment that are safe to come into contact with food. This means that they are non-toxic and will not leach harmful chemicals into food products. They are also designed and constructed to prevent contamination of food. Any food storage facility that houses food products must follow strict Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. These standards require a higher level of cleanliness both inside and outside the facility. These precautions must be taken to avoid cross-contamination. T ..read more

Supply Chain Conferences 2023: Get to Know the ITS Logistics Team It takes a village of subject matter experts to keep everyone engaged in best practices across the supply chain. Industry events play an essential role in providing specific knowledge and access to expertise, market fluctuations, forecasts, and any other vital evolutions. The educational value that is gained by attending these conferences is well worth the investment of time and resources. Read on for all the trade shows that the team at ITS Logistics will be attending this fall. JOC Inland This September 25 – 27, the Jour ..read more

The Complexities of Apparel Fulfillment The apparel industry is fast paced, which makes apparel fulfillment a challenging task. Apparel supply chains must be agile and adaptable to the following: Bracket buying: This is when the customer orders multiple sizes or colors of an item to try on at home and return the ones that don’t fit, or they don’t like. Seasonal fluctuations in demand: Apparel demand typically peaks during the holiday season and during other seasonal events, such as back-to-school which directly impacts inventory levels. This can strain supply chains, as businesses need to q ..read more