Supply Chain

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

Supply Chain

Port Houston container volumes edge higher as steel imports surge 54%

Port Houston container volumes edged higher as steel imports surged 54% year on year, lifting total TEU throughput to 1.2 million. Steel now comprises 14.7% of import tonnage, up from 9.8% a year earlier. The port expanded its steel staging area by 28 acres in June 2026 and deployed new cranes and rail siding for 10,000-ton unit trains. Its digital cargo tracking system processes 42,000 steel-related container movements monthly — a 39% rise since January 2026. CEO Ricardo S. Maldonado credited the growth to 18 months of targeted infrastructure and software investments.

2026-10-01

Supply Chain

National cargo theft blitz leads to arrests, $635K in recovered freight

A nationwide cargo theft enforcement operation led to 14 arrests and the recovery of $635,000 in stolen freight. Conducted in October 2026, the initiative involved federal and state agencies across seven U.S. states. Cargo theft incidents rose 22% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2026, per NICB data. The operation coincided with the F3: Future of Freight Festival on October 27–28, 2026. Industry groups cited enhanced coordination and real-time risk tools like SONAR as vital to prevention efforts.

2026-10-01

Supply Chain

Cargo thieves ‘launder freight’ through supply chain, Cornell warns

Cornell University researchers warn that cargo thieves are increasingly 'laundering freight' by embedding stolen goods into legitimate supply chain operations. The warning appears in a FreightWaves article promoting its F3: Future of Freight Festival, set for October 27–28, 2026. The platform highlights specialized industry resources including SONAR, Modern Shipper, and American Shipper, alongside coverage of fraud, global supply chains, and cross-border logistics. Events such as the Cross Border Logistics Summit 2026 and Fraud Fighters Awards underscore ongoing industry focus on security and resilience.

2026-10-01

Supply Chain

Ross to build $500M, 1.75M-sq-ft CA distribution center

Ross Stores is building a 1.75 million-square-foot distribution center in Bakersfield, California, backed by a $500 million investment set to break ground in 2027. The facility will be the retailer’s 10th distribution center and is expected to create nearly 1,000 jobs. Ross currently operates three other distribution centers in California, plus facilities in Buckeye, Arizona; Brookshire, Texas; Pennsylvania; and two in South Carolina. The project supports Ross’ broader brick-and-mortar expansion, which includes plans for 47 new stores in 2026.

2026-10-01

Supply Chain

Global Air Cargo Demand Rises 4.4% in August as Yields Rebound

Global air cargo demand rose 4.4% year-on-year in August, with North American carriers leading at 6.6% growth and capacity falling 0.1% globally. The cargo load factor climbed 2.0 percentage points to 46.0%. Yields rose month-on-month for the first time since April, aided by strong demand and tighter capacity. Global trade expanded 6.0% year-on-year in July — marking 33 consecutive months of growth — while manufacturing PMI reached 53.0. Jet fuel prices jumped 8.3% month-on-month and were 79.2% higher year-on-year.

2026-10-01