It’s been 50 years since supply chain pioneers Harvey Shycon and Richard Maffei used a primitive computer to complete their first-of-a-kind “physical distribution optimization” plan for the H. J. Heinz Co.

A leader in organic agriculture, the state of Washington says it has opened an eco-industrial park at the Port of Columbia in Dayton, Wash.

Supply chains are the lifeblood of retailers, distributors and manufacturers. However, threats abound all over the world and – with globalization making supply chains longer and more complex – the risks keep increasing.

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: Please describe your products or services related to track-and-trace procedures.

Tom Kozenski:   We provide a comprehensive suite of supply chain applications that efficiently manage the end-to-end flow of inventory from the supplier, through manufacturing, distribution, retail stores, and all the way to the consumer’s home.

My first inclination was to title this piece, “Surviving the slump.” But I realized, perhaps, it should be amended to say we’re “surviving a continued slump” - considering that we have seen a steady climb in logistics costs during the past four years.

R&FF:  What has Tyson been doing with third-party carriers?

Keene: We’ve worked toward joint value creation with our common carrier partners for consistent lanes and volumes. We recognize that this allows them to better plan their business.

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side, of course. Then again, every day finds Tyson Foods’ chicken (and beef and pork) products crossing the nation and the globe en route to supermarket shelves and foodservice operators.

Why does Tyson do it? Naturally, it’s to grow and satisfy retail and foodservice customers and consumers. 

RFID, Web and mobile technologies strengthen plant floor production monitoring.

Merchants Terminal Corp., Baltimore, said it has purchased land to build a 12 million-cubic-feet temperature-controlled distribution center adjacent to the Port of Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal.