Automation

Acquired in 2021 and enhanced since, Zebra's mobile robot collaborative order picking solution may be sold off.

A new Gartner survey shows that leadership turnover, outdated development pathways, and unclear career progressions are weakening supply chain performance.

Peak season used to feel like a mad dash, but DHL says the holidays don’t bring the same sense of chaos they once did. Thanks to years of planning, better forecasting, and rapid growth in robotics, the company is heading into the busiest stretch of the year with confidence instead of panic.

Companies worldwide are accelerating their adoption of advanced logistics technologies—from cloud platforms and control towers to generative and agentic AI—as they push toward higher levels of automation, autonomy, and real-time decision-making. Yet with markets, industries, and regulatory environments maturing at different speeds, success hinges on strong data foundations, selective tech investment, and a phased roadmap that builds from analytics and automation toward predictive and fully autonomous logistics capabilities.

Six months into the latest tariff wave, the US faces a widening gap between policy-driven optimism and the real-world challenges of restoring competitive, resilient domestic manufacturing.

In this new Logistics Management podcast, Group Editorial Director Michael Levans sits down with Andy Tryba, CEO of CXT Software, to explore how automation, intelligent dispatching, and digital transformation are redefining the last mile.

AI-driven digital freight matching platforms are transforming the brokerage landscape, helping shippers and carriers automate workflows, boost utilization, and navigate the lingering freight recession. Industry leaders say technology adoption is now table stakes, with consolidation, predictive pricing, and hybrid human-tech models driving the next wave of growth and efficiency.

Data, AI, and automation are transforming motor freight management as shippers, carriers, and brokers use digital tools to cut costs, improve visibility, and manage risk in a volatile market. Experts from Gartner and MIT say the real advantage comes when companies align people, processes, and technology to turn digital investments into lasting performance gains.

As part of the plan, DHL will move its Manhattan service center to a new 92,505-square-foot site in Jersey City, New Jersey, by the end of November 2025. The new building is about five miles from Lower Manhattan and is designed to make deliveries smoother, safer, and more efficient.

Quarterly consolidated revenue, at $21.4 billion, fell 3.7% annually, and basic earnings per share, at $1.74 (topped Wall Street estimates of $1.29), fell $0.24, or 13.4%, annually. Total operating profit, at $1.8 billion, was off 9.1% annually. 

As e-commerce sales surge toward $8 trillion, third-party logistics providers (3PLs) are evolving to handle higher order volumes, tighter delivery windows, and complex returns using automation, AI, and integrated warehouse management systems (WMS). By offering scalable fulfillment, reverse logistics, and real-time visibility, 3PLs help shippers of all sizes optimize operations, cut costs, and enhance customer satisfaction in a rapidly changing digital marketplace.

The Association for Supply Chain Management has released its Top 10 Trends for 2026, highlighting how artificial intelligence, workforce evolution, trade dynamics, resilience, and sustainability will reshape global supply chains.

With keynote presentations, industry awards, and breakout sessions on robotics, AI integration, and supply chain resilience, the event offers actionable insights from leaders at Uber Freight, Dole, Walmart, FedEx Supply Chain, and more.

Mugsy, which operates primarily in direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, struggled with inventory inaccuracies and parcel shipping delays, impacting its growth. After switching to Ryder and its acquired 3PL, Whiplash, Mugsy saw immediate improvements in operational accuracy, shipping cost management, and customer satisfaction.

More companies are adopting robots to improve productivity, reduce physical strain, and offset workforce gaps.