Amazon’s expanded air fleet, IBM AI-powered intelligent SCM platform, and new partnerships from Nuro and Lineage Logistic – all you need to know this week in SCM and Logistics
Here’s what’s trending in the latest supply chain and logistics related news this week:
1. Amazon expands aircraft fleet
Wanting to make the most of current market opportunities, AmazonOpens a new window is investing in faster and free delivery. Amazon has announced the lease of 12 Boeing 767-300 converted cargo aircraft from Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) in addition to its present fleet of 70 aircraft.
The current pandemic situation has shifted customer’s choices to receiving their goods at their doorstep rather than having to go in-store. This has led to an increase in business for amazon and other eCommerce retailers who have been able to get their supply chain and logistics act together in these challenging times. To address this increasing demand, Amazon Air has had to play a crucial role.
Amazon has also participated in the COVID-19 pandemic by transporting essential PPE supplies for Amazon associates, frontline health workers, and relief organizations across the U.S., all while maintaining the capacity for regular cargo operations to ensure customers continue to receive the items they need.
The company has been expanding its on-ground as well as in air operations. Recently the company strengthened its shipping game with its electric vehiclesOpens a new window .
Tech News: Amazon’s 100,000 Electric Vehicle Order Changes the Game for ShippersOpens a new window
2. IBM launches advanced Sterling Business Transaction Intelligence (BTI) platform for AI powered supply chains
IBMOpens a new window is all set to enhance the supply chain by delivering insights and acting upon them using Artificial IntelligenceOpens a new window with the help of new IBM Sterling Business Transaction Intelligence (BTI) EnterpriseOpens a new window and Multi-EnterpriseOpens a new window Editions. These offerings include natural language search and anomaly detection to deliver service visibility of transaction data in real-time and in context to businesses and IT users.
The new IBM Sterling Business Transaction Intelligence (BTI) is designed to detect discrepancies with the help of Artificial Intelligence. It will keep users a step ahead of all the possible disruptions that might happen so that the issues are resolved or communicated while there is still time.
It further leverages IBM blockchain for creating a secure, shared, single version of the truth for B2B transactions, increasing transparency and trust in transactions. The data is shared only with concerned partners, and each partner maintains control of what data is shared with whom in the relationship.
The platform also delivers discrepancy alerts so that businesses can predict completion of events to get ahead of potential issues ahead of time and prevent disruptions.
Tech News: AI Robotics Startup Raises $40M in Series B FundingOpens a new window
3. Lineage Logistics Bolsters Global Presence With Henningsen Cold Storage Acquisition
Lineage LogisticsOpens a new window , provider of temperature-controlled logistics solutions has acquired Henningsen Cold Storage Co. The acquisition has expanded Lineage’s U.S. facility network and bolsters its leading presence in the Pacific Northwest, with the addition of 14 facilities across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and Oklahoma.
The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the transactions. Greg Lehmkuhl, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lineage, said, “Our organizations share a commitment to excellence, doing business with integrity and finding sustainable ways to run our businesses, and I look forward to seeing how our strong operational and cultural foundations will propel us into the future.â€
Credit Suisse and Latham & Watkins are acting as financial and legal advisors to Lineage. While BofA Securities and Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt are acting as exclusive financial advisor and legal advisor to Henningsen.
Tech News: Target Buys Deliv Technology to Ramp Up Last Mile DeliveryOpens a new window
4. Nuro CVS Partner to provide Autonomous Prescription Deliveries
NuroOpens a new window and CVS pharmacy have joined hands to make prescription medicine delivery easier in these times of crisis. The CVS partnership marked Nuro’s entry into the Healthcare market. Nuro will be leveraging its fleet of autonomous vehicles to deliver prescriptions and essentials across three locations in Houston, Texas.
CVS has a wide user base of over 4.5 million customers. The partnership has opened a new market and presented a wide user base to Nuro. Users can log their prescription and non-prescription items that they want to be delivered on the company website and have a choice of choosing autonomous vehicle delivery. On delivery, the users will have to confirm their identity to unlock their delivery. This will enhance security and offer users more peace of mind.
Nuro plans to further expand from prescription delivery into delivering all kinds of goods, beyond food and groceries.
Let us know if you liked this news on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We would love to hear from you!