Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a method of using small tags and transponders to enable remote, automatic identification of objects that transmit information to a reader. These tags can easily be attached to products, pallets, equipment, and vehicles, making them an ideal technology for logistics and supply chain management.

Another new year is almost upon us, meaning food and beverage distributors will be taking a look at their results and the trends that will influence the industry in the coming year. For businesses to operate as effectively as possible, it’s important to take a close look at the conditions shaping the industry, including the various challenges. Here are some of the challenges still facing this industry and three technology trends food distributors are likely to embrace in 2023.

It's one of the most magical days of the year for many families and their young children. As the holiday season approaches, Santa Claus needs to figure out how to get gifts to hundreds of millions of households in a matter of hours. That's a hefty responsibility, and the consequence of not meeting his deadlines is countless disappointed children. No one wants that!

Many thought that the pandemic was going to be a small dot on the timeline of history. But now, nearly three years later, we see that everything has been touched by the pandemic, and we will never return to “normal.”

Supply chain bottlenecks aren’t uncommon. Earthquakes, fires, and ships getting stuck in major canals are events that happen, causing temporary setbacks. But there has never been a disruption as widespread, severe, and unpredictable from a supply chain standpoint as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly overnight, factories were shuttered, ports closed, and inventory was cut off.

Environmental protection and sustainability have been hot-button issues for some time. Driven largely by consumers who want healthier options that don’t cause damage to the planet, sustainability is having a significant impact on the global food supply chain.

The supply chain is the flow of materials from suppliers to manufacturers to warehouses to consumers. Each company has a unique supply chain, and this is something that businesses are constantly working to improve in terms of accuracy and efficiency. 

Accurate and real-time data is vital to an effective supply chain. To manage their inventory properly, businesses must be able to track their goods at all stages of the supply chain process. This can now be accomplished using RFID technology. Here is what you need to know about RFID and the ways it is transforming the supply chain.

What are your consumers looking for from their deliveries? With so much competition in the delivery industry, it's easy to forget about who's at the other end of your deliveries: the customer.

These past several years have revealed that more and more consumers are turning to eCommerce for their shopping needs. In fact, it's estimated that up to 95 percent of all purchases will take place online by 2040. 

Consumers have found that they have ever-increasing options, so fulfilling their expectations has become an ongoing challenge. While many supply chain issues may be tough to tackle, businesses can build trust and loyalty with customers by focusing on transparency and living up to delivery promises.

Whatever the nature of the business — from consumer packaged goods to online products to pharmaceuticals — the ultimate success of the enterprise hinges on the efficiency of its supply chain. Increasingly complex supply chains can not only be distracting but also costly and a disaster for businesses in competitive industries.

The recent pandemic has impacted every part of the global supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to getting products into the hands of consumers. Businesses continue to struggle with a variety of supply chain disruptions, prompting many to invest in innovation initiatives to improve visibility and efficiency. 

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Florida's west coast on September 28. The hurricane-related wind and rain and the subsequent flooding destroyed property, displaced homeowners and businesses, and claimed a still unknown number of lives. The storm also disrupted an already troubled supply chain. 

While the Tampa Bay area dodged dire predictions of historic flooding, the storm led to the highest storm surge levels ever recorded in the Ft. Myers and Naples areas to the south. Major inland flooding was also experienced throughout Florida.