The need to develop sustainable distribution systems is driving new interest in collaboration, but companies still need to learn that logistics need not be a competitive issue, argues DEAN WYATT

Retailers and manufacturers are under immense pressure to increase the performance of their supply chains, so it is not surprising that many resort to tough tactics in response to growing competition.

For an older generation, ”collaboration” has a sinister sound. But in the modern, dispersed and globalised supply chain, collaboration, up and down the chain, or even with apparent competitors, may be desirable or even essential

Two major humanitarian disasters – the Burmese cyclone and the Chinese earthquake – provided a sombre backdrop to ”Supply Chain Standard”s Roundtable discussion on supply chain risk. But as Dave Food, business development director from the meeting’s

FKI Logistex has launched three new products at CeMAT 2008.

Swisslog has launched its new modular conveyor technology ProMove at CeMAT 2008.

Beauty and skincare company Beiersdorf CEE Holding has appointed Kuehne + Nagel to take over its central and eastern European logistics centre in Vienna.

Zoom Airlines has appointed British Airways World Cargo to provide full cargo ground handling services for its 42 Gatwick flights a week, in a three-year contract.

Briggs Equipment has invested £8 million in more than 500 new machines for its short term rental fleet.

Total freight traffic through UK ports was 581.1 million tonnes last year, according to figures from the Department for Transport – little changed from 2006.