Supply Chain News
Happy Birthday Interstate!
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Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Eisenhower Interstate System. Since its initiation on June 29, 1956, the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways has had a tremendous impact on our nation. Visit our anniversary Web site to explore the history of the interstate system - the backbone of the American economy. Visit the online exhibit: |
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Report Finds State Deck Truss Bridges Are Safe
Immediately following the tragic collapse of a deck truss bridge in Minneapolis on August 1st, Governor Spitzer ordered all 49 bridges of similar design in New York State to be inspected within 30 days and a report to be issued by the task force to his office.
The New York State Bridge Task Force, chaired by the State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), has submitted a report finding that deck truss bridges throughout the state generally are structurally sound.
After completing visual inspections on all 49 deck truss bridges in New York State, the report verified that there are no serious problems; however, five of the bridges had structural issues that require further investigation, including one that requires action within the next six weeks.
Crossdocking -- moving product directly from inbound to outbound -- can be a strategic weapon in a successful supply chain design
In the right setting, cross docking has more positives than negatives. Dave Gealy, systems consultant with Forte Industries, a distribution operations improvement firm, suggests cross docking can mean reduced handling costs in a company’s facility because it minimizes the number of touches. Also, as a company increases the amount of goods it cross docks, it reduces inventory carrying costs and reduces the need to put away inventory and pick orders. Cycle time is reduced if an order is already in the information system, ready to process as soon as goods get to the receiving dock.
America's trade deficit with Canada narrowed in July, but remained larger than $5 billion. That's according to a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Monthly trade figures are closely watched in Western New York, since Canada is far and away the top foreign market for goods produced in the Buffalo area.
U.S. firms exported $18.78 billion of goods to Canada in July. But American consumers purchased $24.47 billion of Canadian merchandise, resulting in the month's deficit of $5.69 billion.