The Power of a Supply Chain Strategy

by George Muha on September 1, 2010

I recently finished a book called The New Supply Chain Agenda (2010 Slone, Dittmann & Mentzer) which was written by former big box supply chain managers and University of Tennessee professors.  The book sites a direct linkage to supply chain excellence and shareholder value/profits.  It also outlines five steps companies can take to achieve supply [...]

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Using Your Email Signature to Bring Value to Your Supply Chain

by George Muha July 8, 2010
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I want to share a little secret that has brought a tremendous amount of value to my business.  But before I tell you what it is, I want to see if you can find it.  It’s hidden in my email signature.  Below is a signature I often use.  Can you spot what my secret might [...]

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Industry Update: Flatbed Rates Are Rising Sharply

by George Muha June 14, 2010

Just a quick update from the front lines of the truckload/flatbed industry.  Word on the street is that flatbed rates are rising very fast.  The combination of capacity shrinking and business picking up has given flatbed companies the opportunity to charge more.  I have read an article that says a shipper has noticed some rates [...]

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Using Cost Per Pound to Reduce Freight Costs

by George Muha June 11, 2010

The metric of all metrics when it comes to drilling down freight costs is (drum roll please) cost-per-pound!  End of article.  Thank you!  I’ll be signing autographs at the table outside the conference room in five minutes.  
 
All kidding aside, let me further explain about how cost-per-pound is the mother of everything to a well run [...]

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Top 10 Google Search Tools That Will Help Your Supply Chain

by George Muha May 7, 2010
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The people at Google are truly amazing!  They are evolving their search engine into something that can be incredibly powerful tool for business.  There are a zillion things that Google can do for different parts of your business and in this post, I will highlight the Top 10 Google Search Tools That Will HelpYour Supply Chain. 
Since Google is just a click [...]

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What You Should Know about Motor Carrier Rebates, Freight Allowances and Off Bill Discounts

by George Muha May 3, 2010
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Rebates, freight allowances and off bill discounts, huh, yeah, what are they good for?  Absolutely nothing, say it again!  Rebates, freight allowances and off bill discounts, huh, yeah, what are they good for – okay, okay, okay, I’ll stop.  I am not going to bore you to death by singing a whole song about freight [...]

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Concealed Damages; Asking Customers to Help Reduce Them

by George Muha April 25, 2010
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Concealed damage is a huge topic amongst customers I visit.  Manufacturers and distributors whose product line is susceptible to damage seem to be obsessed with it.  Their biggest gripe is how they feel they are defenseless against freight claims because the hidden damage was not discovered until after the consignee received the freight. 
“Complain away!” I [...]

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How to Calculate Freight Density

by George Muha April 1, 2010
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With carrier dock workers scrutinizing shipments more and more to add weight & inspection revenue, it is becoming imperative for shippers to understand what the exact density of their shipments is. 
Carriers are chomping at the bit for the opportunity to find that a shipments density is at a higher class than a shipper put on [...]

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Industry Update: Truckload Capacity Tightening Up!!!

by George Muha March 22, 2010

News From the Front Lines of the Truckload Sector
Word on the street is the truckload sector starting to notice capacity really starting to tighten up.  It’s getting harder and harder for shippers to find trucks and many truckload carriers are taking increases. 
Even the big national brokers are loosening the noose on rates to carriers.  Just [...]

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How to Avoid Carrier Weight & Inspections

by George Muha March 19, 2010
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As posted in the October 31st, 2008 edition of Manufacturing.net by George Muha. 
It used to seem like motor carriers would “look the other way” when it came to the way shippers filled out their bill of ladings. As long as the class going along with the description was close to what they were shipping, no [...]

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