As retailers struggle with re-opening strategies it’s clear the new normal will be something we have never experienced.  Consumers in many areas of the world have tightened their wallets and eliminated discretionary spending because of lost jobs, lower wages, and uncertainty about when a significant number of vaccinations will be completed and how long the recovery might take.

Clearly domestic manufacturing is reviving slowly but surely from the aftermath of Covid-19.  A significant percentage of the country is vaccinated with the vast majority expected to be immunized by summer. Although we may still have Covid related restrictions in place for some time to come we can still get back to work…or can we. It’s interesting to consider the effects of the past year on everyone. It depends on how you spent the time. Some stayed in game shape, some didn’t. Some worked from home as effectively as possible. Some went on a year long vacation. The generous, and necessary, government assistance was critical during the pandemic but at what cost. Those who were on vacation may have a difficult time when the unemployment is exhausted and rental and mortgage forbearance programs run their course. It’s going to come down to who stayed in game shape during the break. Another consideration is how many jobs will rebound. And of those, how many will remain a remote location position.

It is expected the logistics industry will adopt self-driving vehicles much faster than most other industries. The primary concern for automated motorized vehicles is personnel and property damage liability. Secure areas and minimal personnel mitigate liability risks creating ideal conditions for an automated environment. Also, the grid design of a typical warehouse makes for generally simplified navigation of an automated forklift, for example. The limited and repetitive tasks required to stack and transport pallets does not require complicated programming and sophisticated hardware. With these considerations in mind, it’s possible that a warehouse may be the ideal environment for a completely automated storage and distribution facility. Most high-volume warehouse facilities today have some degree of autonomous technology in use. It may require a leap of faith to go to 100% automation. 

We’re all painfully aware that the last 14 months have been devastating to the U.S. economy. But things are looking up. We have several vaccines, hospitalizations are trending down as are Covid deaths. Already grappling with truck driver shortages, rising freight rates, and intermittent capacity issues, the domestic transportation sector experienced major shifts when the global pandemic disrupted supply chains around the world and shippers were sent scrambling for solutions. Trucking has always been a reliable barometer of domestic GDP. Most indices point to a strong 2021. So, what will the future of motor freight look like?

The effects of the Covid-19 virus are yet to be accurately measured in terms of human life and global economic impact.  Hospitalizations have begun to level out in parts of the country with the vaccine rollout. It is the universal expectation that the U.S. economy and the world will slowly recover from this pandemic.  Perhaps as early as Mid-2021. Now is the time to formulate your organizations recovery plan. 

Given the turmoil of 2020, with the pandemic, the tense election cycle and public protests, we are all clamoring for a surer sense of what is to come. The real issue is not whether the economy will be strong, but rather how strong. We’re all cautiously optimistic that things are going to return to some semblance of normal some time In 2021. We may be wearing masks and social distancing for some time to come but the American economy is resilient. We will find a way to adapt and prosper in our new environment.

In today’s Logistics business time and performance are key to success. Now more than ever analytics, metrics and key performance indicators are critical components in planning and execution protocols. Today’s logistics market is more demanding than it’s ever been. Businesses across the supply chain are now expected to easily adjust to shipment patterns, predict customers’ buying behaviors, provide on-time deliveries through the most efficient routes possible, and reduce the risks of cargo inventory errors and miscalculations. Predictive analysis allows for advanced planning for future demand based upon historical data. This movement towards anticipatory logistics is already widely accepted among industry decision-makers: A study by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals revealed that 93% of shippers and 98% of third-party logistics firms feel like data-driven decision-making is crucial to supply chain activities, and 71% of them believe that big data improves quality and performance. 

As we struggle to combat Covid-19 and other mutant strains of the virus, through this year and beyond, logistics planners may want to keep their eye on some key factors affecting the supply chain. You may find some of these topics affecting your logistics planning in the coming years.

Everyone is anxious to turn the calendar page next month. Industries have transformed dramatically as companies across the world rethink business models, restructure organizations, and adapt to ever-changing rules and regulations.

There is significant concern over whether or not to get the Corona vaccine. Indeed, the virus is frightening but there is similar concern over the safety of the vaccine. Health care workers are expected to get a COVID-19 vaccine first. But the speed of vaccine development, and the politicization of the process, has left some doctors and nurses skeptical and reluctant. In fact, nearly 40% of healthcare workers say it's 'not likely' they will get a coronavirus vaccine because they are afraid the vaccine was developed too quickly to be safe.