I’m Jay Kent, managing director of SLB Performance, a consulting firm that helps companies reduce supply chain costs, implement BI tools, and improve in-stock and customer service. After 25 years of leading some of the most complex supply chains in the industry, I began advising companies in multiple industries and verticals.
It’s important to understand the market to mitigate costs and improve efficiencies. So, twice a month, I’ll share parcel news and thoughts. Be sure to hit the subscribe button to receive the latest newsletter in your LinkedIn notifications.
In addition, on those weeks that Parcel Notes does not go out, we send a market update and analysis email to subscribers. ***If you would like to be added, please DM me***.
Diversification at work – I ran across an interesting LinkedIn post the other day in which Target added The Frontdoor Collective to its list of last-mile delivery options. According to Freightwaves, The Frontdoor Collective is providing Target Inc. dedicated last-mile delivery service in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in a trial designed to show that electric vehicles can be used at scale to reduce tailpipe emissions and provide reliable parcel delivery.
For the past week or so, UPS has been in the news in a not so good way. According to NBC News, UPS is ‘disposing of’ U.S.-bound packages over customs paperwork problems. The Loadstar reported today that Cynthia Allen Schenk noted in a LinkedIn post over the weekend that US Customs is authorized to destroy or abandon shipments that cannot be cleared, “but only through specific supervised processes.”
Check out the rest of the parcel news…
- Freightwaves– FedEx Corp. recently expanded its facility at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport, more than doubling the number of freighter aircraft that can be handled at one time and significantly increasing parcel sorting efficiency.
- Supply Chain Digital– Why FedEx is Expanding its Logistics Capabilities in Spain
- Post & Parcel– In response to recent U.S. de minimis exemption rule changes, FedEx hosted a series of country‑level webinars across nine Asia Pacific markets. These sessions provided guidance on maintaining operational efficiencies, customs clearance, avoiding unexpected costs, and enhanced shipping automation.
- Supply Chain Dive– With de minimis gone, UPS halts money-back guarantee on US imports. The suspension of UPS’ “Service Guarantee,” which took effect Oct. 2, is due to a heightened risk of import delays stemming from the United States’ elimination of the de minimis exemption, the company said.
- UPS Press Release– UPS opened a new package center in Penang in a move that enhances services for its customers across the city. The company has also increased the size of its existing hub at Penang Airport to boost processing capacity and provide businesses in Penang with even more access to the global UPS network.
- Fox News– Many people use online shopping to snag good deals. However, new tariffs and reciprocal tariffs on many imports into the United States may have shoppers double-checking their orders.
- Fox News– Amazon is expanding its operations in Missouri with four new facilities set to open across the state later this fall.
- Fast Company– Amazon opened the warehouse of the future in rural Indiana in which it will serve as a laboratory for more than 40 sustainability initiatives that will influence hundreds of future Amazon logistics buildings.
- MSN– Amazon launched a new feature on its app called “Add to Delivery,” a button that allows customers to add additional items to a delivery for an order that has already been placed.
- Amazon Press Release– Amazon plans to hire 250,000 people this holiday season, including in rural communities across America.
That’s it for now. Stay tuned for the next newsletter Oct 29. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to ensure you receive it in your LinkedIn notices. In addition, if you like what you’re reading, sign up to receive additional insights and analysis via emails twice a month – DM me for more info. In addition, be sure to check out our growing number of videos on our YouTube channel and our website for more information.
Most important though, reach out if you’d like to learn how to lower or even possibly eliminate any parcel fees. 📦
-Jay.