Supply Chain

Supply Chain

ADB lends $50M to boost Bangladesh polyester chips to 407 t/day

The Asian Development Bank has approved a $50 million loan to support MSL’s expansion of polyester chips production in Bangladesh, increasing daily capacity from 107 tonnes to 407 tonnes. The project aims to reduce import dependence, shorten lead times, and improve efficiency for textile manufacturers. It will save 4,840 megawatt-hours of electricity and cut 2,222 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually. The facility targets LEED Platinum certification and will create about 100 new jobs with inclusive recruitment. ADB country director Qingfeng Zhang emphasized the project’s role in deepening backward linkages and supporting higher-value textile manufacturing.

2026-10-06

Supply Chain

Nike, India Ink Pact to Boost Manufacturing, Jobs, Local Sourcing

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on October 5, 2026 that the India-Nike partnership — which began with Sunil Gavaskar’s 1980s endorsement — is expanding into manufacturing, job creation, and local sourcing. Nike plans to establish a new campus in India as part of its global restructuring. The initiative aligns with India’s Make in India campaign and aims to strengthen domestic production and global supply chain integration. Goyal emphasized youth opportunity and local sourcing as core pillars.

2026-10-06

Supply Chain

C.H. Robinson acquires RXO for $5.8B to expand logistics network

C.H. Robinson plans to acquire RXO for $5.8 billion in a stock-and-cash deal announced on Oct. 5, 2026. Expected to close in the first half of 2027, the merger will create a $25-billion third-party logistics provider serving ~93,000 shippers and ~600,000 carriers. The combination integrates C.H. Robinson’s global multimodal services with RXO’s North American brokerage, expedited, and last-mile capabilities. CEO Dave Bozeman highlighted increased network density and a broader supply chain solution portfolio.

2026-10-06

Supply Chain

Puma taps Maersk to manage 2.3M-sq-ft North America network

Puma has partnered with Maersk to manage its North America distribution network, entrusting Maersk with three AutoStore-equipped facilities in Torrance, California; Phoenix; and Whitestown, Indiana. Together, these sites cover approximately 2.3 million square feet. The agreement, announced October 2, 2026, expands Maersk’s existing services for Puma — including ocean shipping, air freight, customs, inland transport, and fulfillment — to include full distribution center management. Available capacity across the three locations will also serve other Maersk customers.

2026-10-05

Supply Chain

Mexico Customs Payment Fraud Rises 213%; LEGO Invests $400M

Mexican trade officials warn that identity thieves are spoofing domains and hijacking customs payment flows in cross-border freight. Fraud attempts rose 213% from 2023–2024 and another 30% in 2025, reaching 2.15% of transactions. Javier Cendejas of COMCE Noreste cited urgent cargo-release demands as a key vulnerability. Separately, LEGO Group announced a $400 million expansion in Nuevo León, adding 1,300 jobs by 2029. Authorities now require customs agents to retain electronic customer files per a May 14, 2026 mandate.

2026-10-05

Supply Chain

Service Robots for Logistics Hit 49% of 2025 Sales

According to www.thescxchange.com, service robots used for transportation and logistics represented 49% of all global service robot sales in 2025. Total shipments rose 24% to nearly 250,000 units that year. Healthcare accounted for 20% of deployments, cleaning for 13%, and other professional services for 26%. The report provides no company-specific or regional breakdowns beyond these aggregate functional percentages and the 2025 timeframe.

2026-10-03

Supply Chain

PlusAI to close $800M SPAC merger by year-end

PlusAI expects to close its $800 million SPAC merger with Texas Ventures Acquisition III Corp. by year-end, securing up to $300 million in proceeds—including $60 million in committed financing and a $236 million SPAC trust—to fund operations through 2027. Its HyperFoundry platform generated $25 million in revenue this year and targets $40–$50 million in contracted revenue for 2026. Commercial pilots run daily in Texas with International and Ryder, while OEM partnerships with TRATON, Hyundai, and IVECO pave the way for SuperDrive deployment. Driverless truck commercialization is slated for 2027.

2026-10-02

Supply Chain

CMA CGM acquires FedEx Supply Chain for $1.4 billion

CMA CGM has completed its $1.4 billion acquisition of FedEx Supply Chain, gaining control of more than 20 U.S. distribution centers and 13,000 employees. The deal, approved by U.S. antitrust regulators in August 2026, expands CMA CGM’s logistics footprint across North America. FedEx Supply Chain reported $2.1 billion in revenue in its most recent fiscal year. CMA CGM plans to invest $180 million over two years to upgrade automation and IT systems. Integration is scheduled for completion by end-2026.

2026-10-02

Supply Chain

CMA CGM acquires FedEx Supply Chain for $1.4bn

The CMA CGM Group has completed its $1.4bn acquisition of FedEx Supply Chain, unlocking multi-year air and ocean freight agreements with FedEx. The deal triples CEVA Logistics’ North American footprint, adding ~34 million sq ft of warehouse space and expanding operations to over 240 locations with ~20,000 employees. As of 31 May 2025, FedEx operated 698 freighters, while CMA CGM Air Cargo flew five Boeing 777Fs and one Airbus A330-200F. The integration accelerates automation deployment and deepens sector expertise in healthcare, tech, and retail across the US and Canada.

2026-10-02

Supply Chain

Pandora opens $150M Vietnam factory to boost capacity by 50%

Pandora has opened a $150 million manufacturing facility in Vietnam — its first outside Thailand — aiming to boost global capacity by 50% and achieve 33% output share by 2030. The Ho Chi Minh City plant will employ 7,000 workers and produce up to 60 million jewellery pieces annually. It follows a record 2025 with 112 million items sold and builds on Pandora’s existing Thai operations, which employ 13,000 people across three factories. The facility runs on 100% renewable electricity and meets LEED standards.

2026-10-02

Supply Chain

Walmart to build $300M Ohio fulfillment center for oversized goods

Walmart plans a $300 million fulfillment center in Turtlecreek Township, Ohio, to handle oversized goods like televisions and furniture. Announced Oct. 1, 2026, the facility will create over 300 jobs and complement Walmart’s existing Monroe, Ohio, site — which employs more than 200 associates. The project follows Walmart’s purchase of nearly 100 acres in Warren County and forms part of its broader warehouse network adjustments in 2026.

2026-10-02

Supply Chain

India’s Tea Exports Drop 20% Amid Freight Surge, Logistics Disruptions

India’s tea exports are expected to fall 20% year-on-year in 2026 due to soaring freight rates and logistics disruptions linked to the West Asia crisis. Total exports dropped 16.11% to 128.56 million kgs in January–July 2026. Freight costs to key markets like Iran and Iraq rose more than 10-fold, prompting Bhansali & Co. to forecast a 30%+ export decline. Though exports reached 285.53 million kgs in 2025—up from 256.11 million kgs in 2024—regulatory hurdles in Europe and pricing constraints in the Middle East compound the pressure. Demand resilience has helped sustain prices despite lower volumes.

2026-10-02