Freight orders are reportedly surging despite ongoing tariff-related uncertainty.
\nPresident Donald Trump\u2019s decision to pause tariffs in every country other than China caused importers to relax, CNBC reported Thursday (April 10).
\nAndrew Abbott, CEO of Atlantic Container Line, which handles trade between Europe and North America, said in the report that freight \u201cholds\u201d that followed tariffs have been released and bookings have swelled since the pause.
\n\u201cWe are seeing order[s] in everything from construction equipment, engines, truck parts, dinnerware, cranes, agriculture equipment and booze among a lot [of] others,\u201d Abbott said, per the report. \u201cThe ships are filling up.\u201d
\nThe European Union decided to hold off on introducing retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. goods for 90 days, the report said.
\nPaul Brashier, vice president of global supply chain for ITS Logistics, said bookings were being canceled at origin as the Wednesday (April 9) tariff date approached, per the report. However, now that the tariffs are paused, orders from those regions could be rebooked.
\nStill, shipping executives are worried in places like Mexico, as there was no change on the tariffs already in effect there and in Canada, according to the report.
\nFor import-reliant businesses, tariffs are not only a temporary cost spike but also strategic inflection points.
\nAs global trade becomes more complicated and politically thorny, chief financial officers are moving beyond traditional finance functions to become architects of global supply chain strategy. Their job is no longer just to absorb or pass through costs but to proactively reconfigure their businesses to flourish under new tariffs.
\nAt the same time, the PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cBrewing Storm: Why 1 in 5 Smaller Businesses Without Financing Fear They May Not Survive Tariffs\u201d found that half of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) rely solely on their daily sales or owners\u2019 personal savings to survive.
\n\u201cEven the heads of some of the world\u2019s largest firms are warning of the impact of the new trade landscape,\u201d PYMNTS reported Wednesday. \u201cTariffs may be political tools, but their impacts are intensely operational. By leaning into trade strategy rather than reacting to it, CFOs can help their companies pivot faster, negotiate smarter and ultimately grow stronger.\u201d
\nFor all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter.
\nThe post Report: \u2018Ships Are Filling Up\u2019 Following Trump\u2019s Tariff Pause appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Freight orders are reportedly surging despite ongoing tariff-related uncertainty.\nPresident Donald Trump\u2019s decision to pause tariffs in every country other than China caused importers to relax, CNBC reported Thursday (April 10).\nAndrew Abbott, CEO of Atlantic Container Line, which handles trade between Europe and North America, said in the report that freight \u201cholds\u201d that followed tariffs have been released and bookings have swelled since the pause.\n\u201cWe are seeing order[s] in everything from construction equipment, engines, truck parts, dinnerware, cranes, agriculture equipment and booze among a lot [of] others,\u201d Abbott said, per the report. \u201cThe ships are filling up.\u201d\nThe European Union decided to hold off on introducing retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. goods for 90 days, the report said.\nPaul Brashier, vice president of global supply chain for ITS Logistics, said bookings were being canceled at origin as the Wednesday (April 9) tariff date approached, per the report. However, now that the tariffs are paused, orders from those regions could be rebooked.\nStill, shipping executives are worried in places like Mexico, as there was no change on the tariffs already in effect there and in Canada, according to the report.\nFor import-reliant businesses, tariffs are not only a temporary cost spike but also strategic inflection points.\nAs global trade becomes more complicated and politically thorny, chief financial officers are moving beyond traditional finance functions to become architects of global supply chain strategy. Their job is no longer just to absorb or pass through costs but to proactively reconfigure their businesses to flourish under new tariffs.\nAt the same time, the PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cBrewing Storm: Why 1 in 5 Smaller Businesses Without Financing Fear They May Not Survive Tariffs\u201d found that half of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) rely solely on their daily sales or owners\u2019 personal savings to survive.\n\u201cEven the heads of some of the world\u2019s largest firms are warning of the impact of the new trade landscape,\u201d PYMNTS reported Wednesday. \u201cTariffs may be political tools, but their impacts are intensely operational. By leaning into trade strategy rather than reacting to it, CFOs can help their companies pivot faster, negotiate smarter and ultimately grow stronger.\u201d\nFor all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter.\nThe post Report: \u2018Ships Are Filling Up\u2019 Following Trump\u2019s Tariff Pause appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-10T17:20:24-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-10T17:20:24-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/tariffs-supply-chain-logistics.jpg", "tags": [ "B2B", "B2B Payments", "commercial payments", "economy", "Government", "logistics", "News", "PYMNTS News", "supply chain management", "tariffs", "taxes", "What's Hot", "What's Hot In B2B", "Supply Chain" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2682122", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/supply-chain/2025/warp-launches-consolidated-b2b-and-d2c-freight-solution/", "title": "Warp Launches Consolidated B2B and D2C Freight Solution", "content_html": "Middle-mile logistics provider Warp has launched a freight solution that consolidates all outbound freight, including store, wholesale and consumer deliveries.
\nBy doing so, the new FlowSkip solution offers retailers and brands greater speed, lower costs and improved efficiencies, the company said in a Thursday (April 10) press release.
\nFlowSkip cuts out unnecessary sortation centers, minimizes empty miles and reduces the number of handoffs, making for fewer damaged goods and a more reliable delivery service, according to the release.
\nThe solution enables retailers and brands to streamline D2C shipments, store replenishment and wholesale less-than-truckload (LTL) orders, the release said.
\nIt is now live across Warp\u2019s U.S. and Canadian network and is being adopted by retail, consumer packaged goods and apparel brands, per the release.
\n\u201cFlowSkip isn\u2019t just about consolidating freight; it\u2019s about aligning logistics with how modern operators run their business,\u201d Warp Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Founder Troy Lester said in the release. \u201cWhether you\u2019re shipping to stores, wholesale partners or end customers, FlowSkip simplifies routing, reduces damage and delivers tighter control across the network.\u201d
\nThe transportation and logistics industry faces unprecedented financial pressures, including rising costs, increased regulatory scrutiny and shifting consumer demands, according to the PYMNTS Intelligence and Citi collaboration, \u201cThe Impact of Misunderstood Treasurers in the Transportation Sector.\u201d
\nThe report found that for the companies in the transportation sector, the treasury department \u201ccan be a secret weapon worth deploying,\u201d as it can drive stronger cash flow predictability, reduce debt and enhance operational efficiency.
\nWarp said in March that it launched a program that is specifically designed to help apparel retailers streamline their store replenishment processes and better control their store economics. The program, Store Skips, enables deliveries directly from fulfillment centers to store docks.
\nDuring the same month, the company introduced a program that leverages pallet-level data shared by customers to unlock opportunities to streamline shipments, maximize efficiency and lower costs. This program, Pilot Path, identifies underused capacity and consolidates compatible shipments into full truckloads or expedites critical deliveries through dedicated routes.
\n\u201cThis approach ensures that every available pallet position is used effectively \u2014 offering cost savings while maintaining speed and reliability,\u201d the company said.
\nThe post Warp Launches Consolidated B2B and D2C Freight Solution appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Middle-mile logistics provider Warp has launched a freight solution that consolidates all outbound freight, including store, wholesale and consumer deliveries.\nBy doing so, the new FlowSkip solution offers retailers and brands greater speed, lower costs and improved efficiencies, the company said in a Thursday (April 10) press release.\nFlowSkip cuts out unnecessary sortation centers, minimizes empty miles and reduces the number of handoffs, making for fewer damaged goods and a more reliable delivery service, according to the release.\nThe solution enables retailers and brands to streamline D2C shipments, store replenishment and wholesale less-than-truckload (LTL) orders, the release said.\nIt is now live across Warp\u2019s U.S. and Canadian network and is being adopted by retail, consumer packaged goods and apparel brands, per the release.\n\u201cFlowSkip isn\u2019t just about consolidating freight; it\u2019s about aligning logistics with how modern operators run their business,\u201d Warp Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Founder Troy Lester said in the release. \u201cWhether you\u2019re shipping to stores, wholesale partners or end customers, FlowSkip simplifies routing, reduces damage and delivers tighter control across the network.\u201d\nThe transportation and logistics industry faces unprecedented financial pressures, including rising costs, increased regulatory scrutiny and shifting consumer demands, according to the PYMNTS Intelligence and Citi collaboration, \u201cThe Impact of Misunderstood Treasurers in the Transportation Sector.\u201d\nThe report found that for the companies in the transportation sector, the treasury department \u201ccan be a secret weapon worth deploying,\u201d as it can drive stronger cash flow predictability, reduce debt and enhance operational efficiency.\nWarp said in March that it launched a program that is specifically designed to help apparel retailers streamline their store replenishment processes and better control their store economics. The program, Store Skips, enables deliveries directly from fulfillment centers to store docks.\nDuring the same month, the company introduced a program that leverages pallet-level data shared by customers to unlock opportunities to streamline shipments, maximize efficiency and lower costs. This program, Pilot Path, identifies underused capacity and consolidates compatible shipments into full truckloads or expedites critical deliveries through dedicated routes.\n\u201cThis approach ensures that every available pallet position is used effectively \u2014 offering cost savings while maintaining speed and reliability,\u201d the company said.\nThe post Warp Launches Consolidated B2B and D2C Freight Solution appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-10T15:36:01-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-10T15:36:01-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Warp-freight-supply-chain.jpg", "tags": [ "B2B", "B2B Payments", "commercial payments", "FlowSkip", "freight", "logistics", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Supply Chain", "transportation", "Troy Lester", "Warp", "What's Hot", "What's Hot In B2B" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2540816", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/supply-chain/2025/know-your-business-is-key-to-stability-as-trumps-tariffs-shake-up-supply-chains/", "title": "Know-Your-Business Is Key to Stability as Trump\u2019s Tariffs Shake Up Supply Chains", "content_html": "There\u2019s a trade war happening. Governments around the world are imposing and adjusting tariffs to address shifting geopolitical and economic realities.
\nThe corresponding supply chain uncertainty has thrown many enterprise back offices into turmoil.
\nOn Wednesday (April 2), at an event entitled the \u201cMake America Wealthy Again Event\u201d during what the administration has termed \u201cLiberation Day,\u201d President Donald Trump announced his sweeping reciprocal, country-based tariffs, clarifying that the White House executive order means, \u201cThey do it to us, we do it to them.\u201d
\nDisplaying a posterboard to outline the new measures, the president explained that his concept of reciprocal\u00a0tariffs wouldn\u2019t necessarily mean parity. Many of the tariffs on U.S. trading partners settled at around half, or less, with China being levied duties of 34%, the EU 20%, India 26%, Switzerland 31%, Japan 24%, among many others.
\nTrump also announced a 10% blanket tariff on imports.
\nIn advance of the Rose Garden event, the U.S. government also let it be known earlier Wednesday that, effective at midnight April 3, the U.S. will impose 25% tariffs on automobile imports. A similar tax on auto parts will go into effect a month later.
\nThe tariffs announced Wednesday join the tariffs Trump has already imposed on Canada, Mexico and China, and on\u00a0automobiles, steel and aluminum.
\nThe implications are as vast as they are immediate. From global supply chains to financial transactions, the recalibration of tariffs could have far-reaching consequences. As enterprises grapple with new realities, the relationship between tariffs and know-your-business (KYB) compliance has become intertwined.
\nTariffs can incentivize companies to shift suppliers or partners, particularly when seeking to avoid higher costs. At the same time, when tariffs are imposed or adjusted, businesses must ensure compliance not only with customs regulations but also with broader compliance frameworks, including KYB.
\nRushing to onboard new suppliers without thorough KYB checks increases the risk of engaging with disreputable or noncompliant entities. Tariff changes often indicate broader geopolitical shifts that can result in sanctioned entities or heightened scrutiny of specific business relationships.
\nRead more: How CFOs Can Manage for Today\u2019s Supply Chain Choke Points
\nTariffs are taxes or duties levied on imported or exported goods. Often used as instruments of economic protectionism or as responses to unfair trade practices, tariffs are also tools for revenue generation and political leverage. Their application can vary significantly depending on the industry, the origin of goods, and the political relations between trading nations.
\nKYB refers to the due diligence businesses must undertake to verify the legitimacy, structure, ownership and operational integrity of their partners, suppliers or clients. KYB has become a critical element of corporate compliance, particularly for financial institutions and multinational corporations managing complex supply chains.
\nIncreasing tariffs can create incentives for businesses to resort to fraudulent practices such as transshipment, undervaluation, or misclassification of goods. Robust KYB protocols are instrumental in helping to detect these schemes and safeguard corporate compliance and reputation.
\nRead more:\u00a0Tariff Turmoil Puts Supplier Risk, Supply Chain Management Under Microscope
\nThe global supply chain has always been intricate, but recent developments have added layers of complexity atop the multitude of dependencies many industries have on their supplier bases.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s technology that can help,\u201d Matt Carey, senior vice president, Office of the CFO at FIS, told PYMNTS. \u201cBut it really depends on the industry. If I\u2019m a computer manufacturer and I have a bunch of chips on order from my suppliers, I can\u2019t just change my chip supplier overnight.\u201d
\n\u201cIf I have visibility into my working capital, I can negotiate better agreements and pre-buy materials like aluminum or steel,\u201d Carey added. \u201cIf you don\u2019t have a centralized view of your financials, it\u2019s tough to negotiate with an upper hand.\u201d
\nPYMNTS covered Monday (April 1) how Walmart is reportedly pushing suppliers in China to reduce prices to mitigate new tariffs.
\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS on Wednesday examined how the tariffs \u2014 and other economic pressures \u2014 are\u00a0impacting consumer spending. And as PYMNTS Intelligence data in the\u00a0March 2025 Certainty Project reveals, escalating trade tensions marked by the recent imposition of tariffs have introduced a wave of uncertainty across various sectors, notably impacting mid-sized companies.
\nFortunately, the marketplace is responding.\u00a0Zip on Tuesday added a solution for supplier risk management to its procurement orchestration platform; while Clearco, a provider of growth capital for eCommerce, on Wednesday teamed with\u00a0Cavela to allow access to Clearco\u2019s capital to pay manufacturers and suppliers more efficiently, with the goal of improving vendor relationships and managing costs, particularly in light of tariffs.
\nThe post Know-Your-Business Is Key to Stability as Trump\u2019s Tariffs Shake Up Supply Chains appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "There\u2019s a trade war happening. Governments around the world are imposing and adjusting tariffs to address shifting geopolitical and economic realities. \nThe corresponding supply chain uncertainty has thrown many enterprise back offices into turmoil. \nOn Wednesday (April 2), at an event entitled the \u201cMake America Wealthy Again Event\u201d during what the administration has termed \u201cLiberation Day,\u201d President Donald Trump announced his sweeping reciprocal, country-based tariffs, clarifying that the White House executive order means, \u201cThey do it to us, we do it to them.\u201d \nDisplaying a posterboard to outline the new measures, the president explained that his concept of reciprocal\u00a0tariffs wouldn\u2019t necessarily mean parity. Many of the tariffs on U.S. trading partners settled at around half, or less, with China being levied duties of 34%, the EU 20%, India 26%, Switzerland 31%, Japan 24%, among many others. \nTrump also announced a 10% blanket tariff on imports. \nIn advance of the Rose Garden event, the U.S. government also let it be known earlier Wednesday that, effective at midnight April 3, the U.S. will impose 25% tariffs on automobile imports. A similar tax on auto parts will go into effect a month later. \nThe tariffs announced Wednesday join the tariffs Trump has already imposed on Canada, Mexico and China, and on\u00a0automobiles, steel and aluminum.\nThe implications are as vast as they are immediate. From global supply chains to financial transactions, the recalibration of tariffs could have far-reaching consequences. As enterprises grapple with new realities, the relationship between tariffs and know-your-business (KYB) compliance has become intertwined.\nTariffs can incentivize companies to shift suppliers or partners, particularly when seeking to avoid higher costs. At the same time, when tariffs are imposed or adjusted, businesses must ensure compliance not only with customs regulations but also with broader compliance frameworks, including KYB.\nRushing to onboard new suppliers without thorough KYB checks increases the risk of engaging with disreputable or noncompliant entities. Tariff changes often indicate broader geopolitical shifts that can result in sanctioned entities or heightened scrutiny of specific business relationships.\nRead more: How CFOs Can Manage for Today\u2019s Supply Chain Choke Points\nTariffs and KYB\nTariffs are taxes or duties levied on imported or exported goods. Often used as instruments of economic protectionism or as responses to unfair trade practices, tariffs are also tools for revenue generation and political leverage. Their application can vary significantly depending on the industry, the origin of goods, and the political relations between trading nations.\nKYB refers to the due diligence businesses must undertake to verify the legitimacy, structure, ownership and operational integrity of their partners, suppliers or clients. KYB has become a critical element of corporate compliance, particularly for financial institutions and multinational corporations managing complex supply chains.\nIncreasing tariffs can create incentives for businesses to resort to fraudulent practices such as transshipment, undervaluation, or misclassification of goods. Robust KYB protocols are instrumental in helping to detect these schemes and safeguard corporate compliance and reputation.\nRead more:\u00a0Tariff Turmoil Puts Supplier Risk, Supply Chain Management Under Microscope\nKYB as Compass\nThe global supply chain has always been intricate, but recent developments have added layers of complexity atop the multitude of dependencies many industries have on their supplier bases. \n\u201cThere\u2019s technology that can help,\u201d Matt Carey, senior vice president, Office of the CFO at FIS, told PYMNTS. \u201cBut it really depends on the industry. If I\u2019m a computer manufacturer and I have a bunch of chips on order from my suppliers, I can\u2019t just change my chip supplier overnight.\u201d\n\u201cIf I have visibility into my working capital, I can negotiate better agreements and pre-buy materials like aluminum or steel,\u201d Carey added. \u201cIf you don\u2019t have a centralized view of your financials, it\u2019s tough to negotiate with an upper hand.\u201d\nPYMNTS covered Monday (April 1) how Walmart is reportedly pushing suppliers in China to reduce prices to mitigate new tariffs.\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS on Wednesday examined how the tariffs \u2014 and other economic pressures \u2014 are\u00a0impacting consumer spending. And as PYMNTS Intelligence data in the\u00a0March 2025 Certainty Project reveals, escalating trade tensions marked by the recent imposition of tariffs have introduced a wave of uncertainty across various sectors, notably impacting mid-sized companies. \nFortunately, the marketplace is responding.\u00a0Zip on Tuesday added a solution for supplier risk management to its procurement orchestration platform; while Clearco, a provider of growth capital for eCommerce, on Wednesday teamed with\u00a0Cavela to allow access to Clearco\u2019s capital to pay manufacturers and suppliers more efficiently, with the goal of improving vendor relationships and managing costs, particularly in light of tariffs.\nThe post Know-Your-Business Is Key to Stability as Trump\u2019s Tariffs Shake Up Supply Chains appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-02T19:29:50-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-02T19:29:50-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Supply-chain-1.jpg", "tags": [ "B2B", "B2B Payments", "commercial payments", "compliance", "Donald Trump", "Featured News", "Know Your Business", "KYB", "Liberation Day", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Supply Chain", "tariffs" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2539252", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/supply-chain/2025/how-cfos-can-manage-for-todays-supply-chain-choke-points/", "title": "How CFOs Can Manage for Today\u2019s Supply Chain Choke Points", "content_html": "As large as the world is, the intricacies of global trade and commerce are channeled through a surprisingly small number of critical arteries.
\nChokepoints like the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, the Strait of Malacca and a short list of major ports, like Los Angeles and Shanghai, function as both lifelines and liabilities for businesses worldwide, particularly B2B firms.
\nWhen these critical supply chain on-and-off-ramps falter, the ripple effects are frequently devastating. Despite ongoing inroads being made in supply chain risk mitigation by logistics technology and the maturation of predictive analytic solutions, global businesses remain vulnerable to disruptions.
\nBut not all sectors face the same risks. Industries heavily dependent on just-in-time (JIT) delivery, like automotive manufacturing and retail, are particularly vulnerable.
\nFor example, when it comes to the automotive sector, major seaports like Shanghai, Rotterdam, Los Angeles and Long Beach are critical for transporting parts and finished vehicles, while the refinement of electric vehicle (EV) battery materials is heavily concentrated in China.
\nSimilarly, the retail supply chain is heavily globalized, particularly for fast fashion, electronics, household goods and food products, resulting in risk across key trade corridors and shipping lanes where congestion, strikes or even natural disasters can cripple supply chains.
\nAgainst this backdrop, the time for leaders to prepare for supply chain disruption is, ultimately, long before any failure sparks its far-reaching procedural and operational impact.
\nRead more: Tariff Turmoil Puts Supplier Risk, Supply Chain Management Under Microscope
\nSingle points of failure are, by definition, preventable, but the contemporary supply chain and logistics landscape can contain a surprising number of them.
\nManaging chokepoints may require a combination of predictive technologies, strategic sourcing and a mindset oriented toward resilience and flexibility. Failure to adapt can expose deeper enterprise vulnerabilities such as issues in production capacity, logistics and demand forecasting.
\nAs PYMNTS Intelligence data in the\u00a0March 2025 Certainty Project reveals, escalating trade tensions marked by the recent imposition of tariffs have introduced a wave of uncertainty across various sectors, notably impacting mid-sized companies. These firms, often operating with intricate global supply chains, now face challenges that demand strategic recalibrations to maintain resilience.
\nThese challenges, which include navigating complex global supply chains,\u00a0digital transformation and\u00a0market unpredictability, are increasingly falling under the purview of the 21st century CFO.
\nAfter all, despite the best-laid plans, disruptions are inevitable. What separates resilient organizations from reactive ones is the ability to quickly pivot. Scenario planning around everything from port blockages to cyberattacks and natural disasters has become a critical tool for businesses seeking to prepare for the worst.
\nStill, as PYMNTS Intelligence found in the report, \u201cData-Driven Advantage: How Grocery and Retail Merchants Can Accelerate Growth,\u201d a collaboration with\u00a0Carat from Fiserv, 65% of grocery retailers lack real-time supply chain data.
\nSee also: This Week in B2B: Embracing Complexity Is Transforming Back Offices
\nAs the operating environment becomes increasingly dynamic, B2B businesses are leaning on back-office innovations to mitigate risk in their supply chains. While conventional risk assessment remains foundational, companies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to forecast disruptions before they metastasize.
\nTraditional supply chain visibility often stops at tier-one suppliers, but new technologies can enable firms to go deeper to tier-two or tier-three suppliers. At the end of the day, the more granular the visibility into the supply chain a business has, the better its resiliency planning can be built out.
\nPredictive analytics, bolstered by real-time data from IoT devices, can allow companies to anticipate everything from geopolitical risks to sudden shifts in demand. For instance, knowing when a supplier is nearing capacity or when a shipment is delayed at a critical juncture can enable rerouting before the issue cascades into a broader crisis.
\nPlus, as supply chains stretch across continents, technology becomes indispensable in managing cross-border risk. Yet while front-line logistics and supply chain operations draw most of the attention during crises, the real battle often begins in the back-office. Enterprises with rigid, antiquated systems are less able to respond swiftly to disruptions, particularly when operating across borders.
\nTo adapt to new realities, companies are rethinking their enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and integrating them with AI-powered platforms that provide real-time insights. In many cases, this means moving from monolithic systems to modular, cloud-based architectures that can be quickly adapted to changing conditions.
\nIn today\u2019s shifting environment, the automation of procurement processes is becoming a necessity rather than a luxury.
\nFor all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter.
\nThe post How CFOs Can Manage for Today\u2019s Supply Chain Choke Points appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "As large as the world is, the intricacies of global trade and commerce are channeled through a surprisingly small number of critical arteries.\nChokepoints like the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, the Strait of Malacca and a short list of major ports, like Los Angeles and Shanghai, function as both lifelines and liabilities for businesses worldwide, particularly B2B firms.\nWhen these critical supply chain on-and-off-ramps falter, the ripple effects are frequently devastating. Despite ongoing inroads being made in supply chain risk mitigation by logistics technology and the maturation of predictive analytic solutions, global businesses remain vulnerable to disruptions.\nBut not all sectors face the same risks. Industries heavily dependent on just-in-time (JIT) delivery, like automotive manufacturing and retail, are particularly vulnerable.\nFor example, when it comes to the automotive sector, major seaports like Shanghai, Rotterdam, Los Angeles and Long Beach are critical for transporting parts and finished vehicles, while the refinement of electric vehicle (EV) battery materials is heavily concentrated in China.\nSimilarly, the retail supply chain is heavily globalized, particularly for fast fashion, electronics, household goods and food products, resulting in risk across key trade corridors and shipping lanes where congestion, strikes or even natural disasters can cripple supply chains.\nAgainst this backdrop, the time for leaders to prepare for supply chain disruption is, ultimately, long before any failure sparks its far-reaching procedural and operational impact.\nRead more: Tariff Turmoil Puts Supplier Risk, Supply Chain Management Under Microscope\nIdentifying Vulnerabilities Before They Become Failures\nSingle points of failure are, by definition, preventable, but the contemporary supply chain and logistics landscape can contain a surprising number of them.\nManaging chokepoints may require a combination of predictive technologies, strategic sourcing and a mindset oriented toward resilience and flexibility. Failure to adapt can expose deeper enterprise vulnerabilities such as issues in production capacity, logistics and demand forecasting.\nAs PYMNTS Intelligence data in the\u00a0March 2025 Certainty Project reveals, escalating trade tensions marked by the recent imposition of tariffs have introduced a wave of uncertainty across various sectors, notably impacting mid-sized companies. These firms, often operating with intricate global supply chains, now face challenges that demand strategic recalibrations to maintain resilience.\nThese challenges, which include navigating complex global supply chains,\u00a0digital transformation and\u00a0market unpredictability, are increasingly falling under the purview of the 21st century CFO.\nAfter all, despite the best-laid plans, disruptions are inevitable. What separates resilient organizations from reactive ones is the ability to quickly pivot. Scenario planning around everything from port blockages to cyberattacks and natural disasters has become a critical tool for businesses seeking to prepare for the worst.\nStill, as PYMNTS Intelligence found in the report, \u201cData-Driven Advantage: How Grocery and Retail Merchants Can Accelerate Growth,\u201d a collaboration with\u00a0Carat from Fiserv, 65% of grocery retailers lack real-time supply chain data.\nSee also: This Week in B2B: Embracing Complexity Is Transforming Back Offices\nTechnology\u2019s Role in Mitigating Supply Chain Risk\nAs the operating environment becomes increasingly dynamic, B2B businesses are leaning on back-office innovations to mitigate risk in their supply chains. While conventional risk assessment remains foundational, companies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to forecast disruptions before they metastasize.\nTraditional supply chain visibility often stops at tier-one suppliers, but new technologies can enable firms to go deeper to tier-two or tier-three suppliers. At the end of the day, the more granular the visibility into the supply chain a business has, the better its resiliency planning can be built out.\nPredictive analytics, bolstered by real-time data from IoT devices, can allow companies to anticipate everything from geopolitical risks to sudden shifts in demand. For instance, knowing when a supplier is nearing capacity or when a shipment is delayed at a critical juncture can enable rerouting before the issue cascades into a broader crisis.\nPlus, as supply chains stretch across continents, technology becomes indispensable in managing cross-border risk. Yet while front-line logistics and supply chain operations draw most of the attention during crises, the real battle often begins in the back-office. Enterprises with rigid, antiquated systems are less able to respond swiftly to disruptions, particularly when operating across borders.\nTo adapt to new realities, companies are rethinking their enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and integrating them with AI-powered platforms that provide real-time insights. In many cases, this means moving from monolithic systems to modular, cloud-based architectures that can be quickly adapted to changing conditions.\nIn today\u2019s shifting environment, the automation of procurement processes is becoming a necessity rather than a luxury.\nFor all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter.\nThe post How CFOs Can Manage for Today\u2019s Supply Chain Choke Points appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-03-31T15:26:31-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-03-31T15:26:31-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Strait-of-Malacca-shipping-cross-border-commerce.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "artificial intelligence", "B2B", "B2B Payments", "commercial payments", "cross-border commerce", "digital transformation", "enterprise resource planning", "ERP", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Shipping", "Supply Chain", "supply chain management", "tariffs" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2539206", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/supply-chain/2025/inspectorio-teams-with-os-hub-promote-supply-chain-transparency/", "title": "Inspectorio Teams With OS Hub to Promote Supply Chain Transparency", "content_html": "Supply chain-focused software-as-a-service platform Inspectorio teamed with supply chain data provider Open Supply Hub.
\nThe partnership is designed to promote transparency, traceability and responsible sourcing in global supply chains, with Inspectorio gaining access to Open Supply (OS) Hub\u2019s open datasets, according to a Monday (March 31) press release.
\nBusinesses employing Inspectorio\u2019s artificial intelligence-driven capabilities alongside OS Hub\u2019s transparent data will be in a stronger position to prevent risks, ensure compliance and show accountability across their supply chain operations, the release said.
\n\u201cThe combination of Inspectorio\u2019s AI-driven platform and insights with OS Hub\u2019s open data approach is a great example of how service providers can come together to accelerate positive change and foster greater transparency across industries,\u201d OS Hub CEO and Executive Director Natalie Grillon said in the release.
\nInspectorio CEO Chirag Patel said in the release that the collaboration sets \u201ca new standard in supply chain accountability.\u201d
\n\u201cThis integration underscores Inspectorio\u2019s mission to empower brands, retailers and suppliers with holistic, actionable intelligence,\u201d he said.
\nThe PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cData-Driven Advantage: How Grocery and Retail Merchants Can Accelerate Growth\u201d found that there is a lack of real-time supply chain data among retailers in the grocery sector. More than 65% of grocery and retail merchants lack access to real-time supply chain data, but over 70% of these retailers said that supply chain data is critical for business decisions, underlining a major blind spot in their operations.
\nIn addition to the main findings on revenue growth and data access, the report also explored the negative consequences reported by retailers who lack access to timely and usable data, with 99% of surveyed executives saying they suffered issues such as errors, delays and missed business opportunities.
\n\u201cThe lack of data readiness also impacts a retailer\u2019s ability to innovate, expand their customer base and even manage their supply chains efficiently, leading to potential issues like excess inventory costs,\u201d PYMNTS wrote last week.
\nRetailers must address organizational silos and technical limitations to become data-ready.
\nFor all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter.
\nThe post Inspectorio Teams With OS Hub to Promote Supply Chain Transparency appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Supply chain-focused software-as-a-service platform Inspectorio teamed with supply chain data provider Open Supply Hub.\nThe partnership is designed to promote transparency, traceability and responsible sourcing in global supply chains, with Inspectorio gaining access to Open Supply (OS) Hub\u2019s open datasets, according to a Monday (March 31) press release.\nBusinesses employing Inspectorio\u2019s artificial intelligence-driven capabilities alongside OS Hub\u2019s transparent data will be in a stronger position to prevent risks, ensure compliance and show accountability across their supply chain operations, the release said.\n\u201cThe combination of Inspectorio\u2019s AI-driven platform and insights with OS Hub\u2019s open data approach is a great example of how service providers can come together to accelerate positive change and foster greater transparency across industries,\u201d OS Hub CEO and Executive Director Natalie Grillon said in the release.\nInspectorio CEO Chirag Patel said in the release that the collaboration sets \u201ca new standard in supply chain accountability.\u201d\n\u201cThis integration underscores Inspectorio\u2019s mission to empower brands, retailers and suppliers with holistic, actionable intelligence,\u201d he said.\nThe PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cData-Driven Advantage: How Grocery and Retail Merchants Can Accelerate Growth\u201d found that there is a lack of real-time supply chain data among retailers in the grocery sector. More than 65% of grocery and retail merchants lack access to real-time supply chain data, but over 70% of these retailers said that supply chain data is critical for business decisions, underlining a major blind spot in their operations.\nIn addition to the main findings on revenue growth and data access, the report also explored the negative consequences reported by retailers who lack access to timely and usable data, with 99% of surveyed executives saying they suffered issues such as errors, delays and missed business opportunities.\n\u201cThe lack of data readiness also impacts a retailer\u2019s ability to innovate, expand their customer base and even manage their supply chains efficiently, leading to potential issues like excess inventory costs,\u201d PYMNTS wrote last week.\nRetailers must address organizational silos and technical limitations to become data-ready.\nFor all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter.\nThe post Inspectorio Teams With OS Hub to Promote Supply Chain Transparency appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-03-31T14:53:12-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-03-31T14:53:12-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Inspectorio.png", "tags": [ "B2B", "B2B Payments", "commercial payments", "Inspectorio", "News", "Open Supply Hub", "partnerships", "PYMNTS News", "supply chain management", "What's Hot", "What's Hot In B2B", "Supply Chain" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2507291", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/supply-chain/2025/toy-makers-consider-moving-production-to-avoid-tariffs/", "title": "Toy Makers Consider Moving Production to Avoid Tariffs", "content_html": "Toy companies of all sizes are reportedly bracing themselves for the impact of the tariffs that have been imposed on China, Canada and Mexico.
\nCompanies are concerned about where they will source their products, how they will manage higher costs and how consumers will respond to higher prices, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Wednesday (March 5).
\nInterviewing toy makers at the Toy Fair event in New York, WSJ found that larger toy companies are renegotiating with vendors and moving production to other countries.
\nSmaller companies have fewer options and may end up having to absorb the added costs if they cannot pass them along to consumers in the form of higher prices, according to the report.
\nEighty percent of toys are made in China \u2014 one of the countries targeted by the tariffs \u2014 though companies have been working to diversify their production beyond that country for a few years, the report said.
\nToy makers are also challenged by the fact that more than half of the industry\u2019s sales come from toys that are priced at $20 or less, per the report.
\nThe Toy Association, the industry trade group that hosts Toy Fair, is lobbying to get the industry an exemption from the tariffs, as it received during President Donald Trump\u2019s first term in office, according to the report.
\nIt was reported Thursday that some cars from Canada and Mexico imported into the United States will be exempted from the new tariffs for one month, and that Trump will consider similar exemptions in other cases in which tariffs cause economic disruptions.
\nAmerican companies are racing to retool their business playbooks now that the tariffs are in full force, PYMNTS reported Tuesday (March 4). PYMNTS Intelligence found that 8 in 10 executives in the retail and goods segments said that higher costs for supplies and potential shortages of essentials would have an impact on their bottom line.
\nConsumer electronics retailer Best Buy said Tuesday that tariffs make price increases for American consumers \u201chighly likely\u201d and that the tariffs on China could cut the company\u2019s comparable sales by one point.
\nFashion wholesale platform JOOR expects tariffs on China to disrupt the manufacturing and sourcing relationships of brands of all sizes.
\nThe post Toy Makers Consider Moving Production to Avoid Tariffs appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Toy companies of all sizes are reportedly bracing themselves for the impact of the tariffs that have been imposed on China, Canada and Mexico.\nCompanies are concerned about where they will source their products, how they will manage higher costs and how consumers will respond to higher prices, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Wednesday (March 5).\nInterviewing toy makers at the Toy Fair event in New York, WSJ found that larger toy companies are renegotiating with vendors and moving production to other countries.\nSmaller companies have fewer options and may end up having to absorb the added costs if they cannot pass them along to consumers in the form of higher prices, according to the report.\nEighty percent of toys are made in China \u2014 one of the countries targeted by the tariffs \u2014 though companies have been working to diversify their production beyond that country for a few years, the report said.\nToy makers are also challenged by the fact that more than half of the industry\u2019s sales come from toys that are priced at $20 or less, per the report.\nThe Toy Association, the industry trade group that hosts Toy Fair, is lobbying to get the industry an exemption from the tariffs, as it received during President Donald Trump\u2019s first term in office, according to the report.\nIt was reported Thursday that some cars from Canada and Mexico imported into the United States will be exempted from the new tariffs for one month, and that Trump will consider similar exemptions in other cases in which tariffs cause economic disruptions.\nAmerican companies are racing to retool their business playbooks now that the tariffs are in full force, PYMNTS reported Tuesday (March 4). PYMNTS Intelligence found that 8 in 10 executives in the retail and goods segments said that higher costs for supplies and potential shortages of essentials would have an impact on their bottom line.\nConsumer electronics retailer Best Buy said Tuesday that tariffs make price increases for American consumers \u201chighly likely\u201d and that the tariffs on China could cut the company\u2019s comparable sales by one point.\nFashion wholesale platform JOOR expects tariffs on China to disrupt the manufacturing and sourcing relationships of brands of all sizes.\nThe post Toy Makers Consider Moving Production to Avoid Tariffs appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-03-05T19:54:45-05:00", "date_modified": "2025-03-05T19:54:45-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/toys-tariffs.jpg", "tags": [ "Donald Trump", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Supply Chain", "tariffs", "The Toy Association", "Toy Fair", "Toy Makers", "trump administration", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2489571", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/supply-chain/2025/imperia-raises-10-5-million-to-expand-supply-chain-management-software/", "title": "Imperia Raises $10.5 Million to Expand Supply Chain Management Software", "content_html": "Spanish company Imperia raised over \u20ac10 million (about $10.5 million) in a Series A funding round to fuel the international expansion of its supply chain management software.
\nThe company will use the new funding to enhance its software\u2019s predictive capabilities with artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics; grow its international team; and expand to the U.K., Italy and France, Imperia said in a Tuesday (Feb. 18) press release.
\nThe enhanced predictive capabilities will allow clients to \u201coptimize costs and manage risks more effectively,\u201d the release said.
\nImperia\u2019s supply chain management (SCM) solution is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering designed for both small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and large enterprises, according to the company\u2019s website. It encompasses demand, procurement and production planning.
\nThe company\u2019s funding round was co-led by Burda Principal Investments and Samaipata, according to the release.
\nBurda Principal Investments said in a Tuesday press release that Imperia\u2019s modular SaaS platform enables businesses of all sizes to improve their efficiency and resilience by replacing outdated manual processes with fully digital, AI-powered workflows.
\n\u201cImperia\u2019s ability to adapt to the evolving needs of businesses and deliver increasing value at every stage of their supply chain maturity truly sets them apart in the SCM SaaS market,\u201d Burda Principal Investments CEO Christian Teichmann said in the release. \u201cWe see tremendous potential in its European expansion and role as a category leader in the SCM SaaS market.\u201d
\nSamaipata said in a Tuesday post on LinkedIn that this funding round came just one year after Imperia announced its seed round and that the company has \u201ccommercial momentum.\u201d
\nIn the Imperia press release, Samaipata Partner Luis Garay said: \u201cTheir rapid traction in the local market and strong validation of product-market fit in Europe make this round a key inflection point. We are incredibly proud to continue supporting Imperia in its international expansion and its consolidation as a sector leader.\u201d
\nAfter seeing pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, both retail and manufacturing companies are investing in digital technology to improve procurement operations and limit business disruptions caused by future supply chain breakdowns, according to the PYMNTS Intelligence and Corcentric collaboration, \u201cDigital Payments: Modernizing Procurement Processes.\u201d
\nThe post Imperia Raises $10.5 Million to Expand Supply Chain Management Software appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Spanish company Imperia raised over \u20ac10 million (about $10.5 million) in a Series A funding round to fuel the international expansion of its supply chain management software.\nThe company will use the new funding to enhance its software\u2019s predictive capabilities with artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics; grow its international team; and expand to the U.K., Italy and France, Imperia said in a Tuesday (Feb. 18) press release.\nThe enhanced predictive capabilities will allow clients to \u201coptimize costs and manage risks more effectively,\u201d the release said.\nImperia\u2019s supply chain management (SCM) solution is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering designed for both small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and large enterprises, according to the company\u2019s website. It encompasses demand, procurement and production planning.\nThe company\u2019s funding round was co-led by Burda Principal Investments and Samaipata, according to the release.\nBurda Principal Investments said in a Tuesday press release that Imperia\u2019s modular SaaS platform enables businesses of all sizes to improve their efficiency and resilience by replacing outdated manual processes with fully digital, AI-powered workflows.\n\u201cImperia\u2019s ability to adapt to the evolving needs of businesses and deliver increasing value at every stage of their supply chain maturity truly sets them apart in the SCM SaaS market,\u201d Burda Principal Investments CEO Christian Teichmann said in the release. \u201cWe see tremendous potential in its European expansion and role as a category leader in the SCM SaaS market.\u201d\nSamaipata said in a Tuesday post on LinkedIn that this funding round came just one year after Imperia announced its seed round and that the company has \u201ccommercial momentum.\u201d\nIn the Imperia press release, Samaipata Partner Luis Garay said: \u201cTheir rapid traction in the local market and strong validation of product-market fit in Europe make this round a key inflection point. We are incredibly proud to continue supporting Imperia in its international expansion and its consolidation as a sector leader.\u201d\nAfter seeing pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, both retail and manufacturing companies are investing in digital technology to improve procurement operations and limit business disruptions caused by future supply chain breakdowns, according to the PYMNTS Intelligence and Corcentric collaboration, \u201cDigital Payments: Modernizing Procurement Processes.\u201d\nThe post Imperia Raises $10.5 Million to Expand Supply Chain Management Software appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-02-18T17:59:51-05:00", "date_modified": "2025-02-19T22:34:43-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/supply-chain-Imperia.jpg", "tags": [ "B2B", "B2B Payments", "Burda Principal Investments", "Christian Teichmann", "commercial payments", "Imperia", "Luis Garay", "News", "PYMNTS News", "SaaS", "Samaipata", "small business", "SMBs", "Software-as-a-Service", "Supply Chain", "supply chain management", "What's Hot", "What's Hot In B2B" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2452122", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/supply-chain/2025/cleo-debuts-shipper-relationship-manager-to-reduce-supply-chain-risk/", "title": "Cleo Debuts Shipper Relationship Manager to Reduce Supply Chain Risk", "content_html": "Cleo\u00a0has launched a tool for freight brokers, carriers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs).
\nThe Shipper Relationship Manager is designed to help clients \u201cmanage their own performance against shippers\u2019 expectations,\u201d the ecosystem integration software company announced in a\u00a0news release\u00a0Monday (Feb. 10).
\n\u201cCleo\u2019s solution is both welcome and timely given recent pressures in the logistics industry,\u201d the news release said.
\n\u201cFor example, if freight-order responses are late or missing, shippers can suffer inventory shortages, production delays, or higher warehousing costs, thereby introducing unnecessary risk to their supply chain \u2014 causing them to look for a new 3PL or carrier to run their business.\u201d
\nThese delays, the company added, force shippers to book costlier last-minute transportation, with costs jumping by 50% per shipment in some cases, damaging relationships with preferred 3PLs and/or carriers.
\nThe Shipper Relationship Manager, the release added, can prevent these \u201ccostly and unwelcome\u201d scenarios from ever coming to pass.
\n\u201cBy leveraging scorecarding, proactive alerts, and real-time intelligence, 3PLs and carriers can optimize their processes to ensure they meet shipper commitments, requirements, and expectations \u2014 from freight-order capture to invoicing,\u201d said\u00a0Mahesh Rajasekharan, president and CEO of Cleo.
\n\u201cWith real-time visibility and improved cash-flow predictability, supply chains run far more smoothly. The result is stronger shipper relationships, which are the foundations of most logistics businesses.\u201d
\nThe news comes one week after Cleo announced it had acquired\u00a0DataTrans Solutions\u00a0(DTS), a deal that allows it to add DTS\u2019 procurement automation capabilities to Cleo\u2019s supply chain orchestration solution, the Cleo Integration Cloud.
\nAs\u00a0noted here\u00a0at the time, these developments are happening as retailers and manufacturers are investing in digital tech to improve procurement operations and limit business disruptions caused by future supply chain breakdowns.
\nResearch from the PYMNTS Intelligence and Corcentric collaboration,\u00a0\u201cDigital Payments: Modernizing Procurement Processes,\u201d\u00a0found that 31% of retailers and 42% of manufacturers were already investing in procurement systems, while another 53% of retailers and 44% of manufacturers were planning to follow suit.
\nIn other logistics news, PYMNTS spoke recently with\u00a0Serve Robotics\u00a0CEO\u00a0Ali Kashani\u00a0about the future of robot delivery.
\n\u201cThere are a lot of things you can deliver,\u201d he told PYMNTS. \u201cImagine medications, pharmacy [items], parcels, groceries.\u201d
\nHe also foresees offering\u00a0\u201creverse logistics\u201d\u00a0services, using the delivery robots to return products for customers, as well as for local commerce as well, with robots picking up clothing or shoes from local stores and bringing them to shoppers to try them on.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of other things we can do with these robots once they\u2019re out there,\u201d Kashani said. \u201cThey\u2019re making the cost of the last mile substantially lowered.\u201d
\nFor all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0B2B Newsletter.
\nThe post Cleo Debuts Shipper Relationship Manager to Reduce Supply Chain Risk appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Cleo\u00a0has launched a tool for freight brokers, carriers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs).\nThe Shipper Relationship Manager is designed to help clients \u201cmanage their own performance against shippers\u2019 expectations,\u201d the ecosystem integration software company announced in a\u00a0news release\u00a0Monday (Feb. 10).\n\u201cCleo\u2019s solution is both welcome and timely given recent pressures in the logistics industry,\u201d the news release said.\n\u201cFor example, if freight-order responses are late or missing, shippers can suffer inventory shortages, production delays, or higher warehousing costs, thereby introducing unnecessary risk to their supply chain \u2014 causing them to look for a new 3PL or carrier to run their business.\u201d\nThese delays, the company added, force shippers to book costlier last-minute transportation, with costs jumping by 50% per shipment in some cases, damaging relationships with preferred 3PLs and/or carriers.\nThe Shipper Relationship Manager, the release added, can prevent these \u201ccostly and unwelcome\u201d scenarios from ever coming to pass.\n\u201cBy leveraging scorecarding, proactive alerts, and real-time intelligence, 3PLs and carriers can optimize their processes to ensure they meet shipper commitments, requirements, and expectations \u2014 from freight-order capture to invoicing,\u201d said\u00a0Mahesh Rajasekharan, president and CEO of Cleo.\n\u201cWith real-time visibility and improved cash-flow predictability, supply chains run far more smoothly. The result is stronger shipper relationships, which are the foundations of most logistics businesses.\u201d\nThe news comes one week after Cleo announced it had acquired\u00a0DataTrans Solutions\u00a0(DTS), a deal that allows it to add DTS\u2019 procurement automation capabilities to Cleo\u2019s supply chain orchestration solution, the Cleo Integration Cloud.\nAs\u00a0noted here\u00a0at the time, these developments are happening as retailers and manufacturers are investing in digital tech to improve procurement operations and limit business disruptions caused by future supply chain breakdowns.\nResearch from the PYMNTS Intelligence and Corcentric collaboration,\u00a0\u201cDigital Payments: Modernizing Procurement Processes,\u201d\u00a0found that 31% of retailers and 42% of manufacturers were already investing in procurement systems, while another 53% of retailers and 44% of manufacturers were planning to follow suit.\nIn other logistics news, PYMNTS spoke recently with\u00a0Serve Robotics\u00a0CEO\u00a0Ali Kashani\u00a0about the future of robot delivery.\n\u201cThere are a lot of things you can deliver,\u201d he told PYMNTS. \u201cImagine medications, pharmacy [items], parcels, groceries.\u201d\nHe also foresees offering\u00a0\u201creverse logistics\u201d\u00a0services, using the delivery robots to return products for customers, as well as for local commerce as well, with robots picking up clothing or shoes from local stores and bringing them to shoppers to try them on.\n\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of other things we can do with these robots once they\u2019re out there,\u201d Kashani said. \u201cThey\u2019re making the cost of the last mile substantially lowered.\u201d\nFor all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily\u00a0B2B Newsletter.\nThe post Cleo Debuts Shipper Relationship Manager to Reduce Supply Chain Risk appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-02-10T14:31:54-05:00", "date_modified": "2025-02-10T21:59:56-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Cleo-supply-chain.png", "tags": [ "B2B", "B2B Payments", "Cleo", "commercial payments", "freight brokers", "logistics", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Shipping", "software", "Supply Chain", "supply chain management", "supply chain risk", "What's Hot", "What's Hot In B2B" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2438121", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/supply-chain/2025/tariff-turmoil-puts-supplier-risk-supply-chain-management-under-microscope/", "title": "Tariff Turmoil Puts Supplier Risk, Supply Chain Management Under Microscope", "content_html": "Without logistics, commerce stops.
\nAs global, and domestic, trade undergoes seismic shifts driven by Donald Trump\u2019s new tariffs, chief financial officers (CFOs) are being tasked with far more than managing financial performance. They must take a proactive, strategic approach to risk management to ensure long-term resilience and competitiveness.
\nDespite having navigated significant disruptions in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, CFOs are faced now with a new challenge and must navigate a landscape filled with economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and increased fraud risks that threaten to undermine corporate stability.
\nWhile Trump\u2019s administration agreed to delay tariffs on Mexico and Canada, the 10% levies on China went live Tuesday (Feb. 4), with China striking back in turn with taxes on certain American goods as well as a new antitrust probe into Google. The Chinese tariffs will go into effect Feb. 10.
\nWith these new tariffs poised to impact international trade, companies are reassessing supply chain strategies to minimize disruptions and optimize costs.
\n\u201cMany companies are reshoring manufacturing, expanding U.S. manufacturing capabilities, and searching for reshoring and friendshoring opportunities with countries less likely to experience tariffs. At a minimum, proactive companies are moving a portion of their supply chains to address these risks,\u201d Lisa Anderson, founder and president of\u00a0LMA Consulting Group, told PYMNTS in an interview.
\nRead more: Trump\u2019s Trade War Shocks Markets and Back Offices
\nThe market reaction to the burgeoning trade wars between America, China, Mexico and Canada has been relatively benign \u2014 with certain observers holding that Trump\u2019s bluster is more negotiating tactic than bite.
\nStill, many businesses are shifting from a \u201cjust-in-time\u201d to a \u201cjust-in-case\u201d model, emphasizing supplier diversification to hedge against geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty. This shift, however, requires real-time, data-driven risk intelligence to ensure its effectiveness.
\nJenna Wells, chief operating officer at Supply Wisdom, told PYMNTS in an interview that one of the biggest blind spots for many organizations is not just the suppliers themselves but the key locations in which those critical suppliers operate. By continuously monitoring risk conditions in these locations \u2014 including economic instability, regulatory shifts, climate risks, and geopolitical tensions \u2014 businesses can anticipate disruptions before they impact operations. This enables companies to take proactive steps such as securing alternative suppliers or adjusting logistics strategies, avoiding costly delays and revenue loss.
\nWhile reshoring manufacturing and expanding domestic capabilities may lessen supplier risk in some respects, it introduces new logistical, regulatory and financial hurdles. Companies that fail to balance supplier diversification with real-time risk management may end up exacerbating supply chain vulnerabilities rather than mitigating them.
\nAs companies diversify their supplier base and adjust sourcing strategies, they open themselves up to new fraud risks. Fraudulent suppliers, counterfeit goods and payment fraud are growing threats in a rapidly evolving trade environment. CFOs must remain vigilant, ensuring robust due diligence in onboarding new suppliers and continuously monitoring transactions to detect anomalies.
\nLMA Consulting Group\u2019s Anderson told PYMNTS that organizations proactively revamping supply chains will need to ensure they are working closely with trusted partners. Otherwise, they risk falling prey to fraudulent vendors who exploit the urgency of supply chain realignment.
\n\u201cOn one hand, supplier risk will be lessened as geopolitical and regulatory risks are addressed as part of the forward-thinking process. On the other hand, if these shifts are not closely managed, misalignment in demand and supply can increase overall supplier risk,\u201d she said.
\nRead more:\u00a05 Ways 2024 Kicked Off a New Era for CFOs and Treasury Pros
\nTo combat fraud, CFOs should look to leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance supplier vetting and financial transaction monitoring. AI-powered tools can detect inconsistencies in supplier behavior, flag high-risk transactions, and automate compliance checks to mitigate fraud risks before they materialize.
\n\u201cPlacing this responsibility in the CFO\u2019s hands gives them the impetus to take another look at their supply chain and also open up and renegotiate existing agreements. Here, we touch on something all CFO\u2019s love \u2014 finding a justifiable reason for all expenses,\u201d Pimberly CEO and Co-founder Martin Balaam told PYMNTS.
\n\u201cPerhaps the greatest tool companies can leverage to navigate this new terrain is AI. AI can efficiently identify alternative sourcing options, optimize inventory management, and provide advanced analytics to reduce costs and enhance resilience against economic and political uncertainties, including tariffs,\u201d Balaam said.
\nAfter all, in an era where financial stability is increasingly becoming intertwined with supply chain agility, CFOs must themselves evolve into strategic risk managers. Those who embrace real-time intelligence, AI-driven fraud prevention and proactive compliance strategies could find themselves best positioned to navigate the complexities of global trade, as well as to ensure sustained growth relative to peers in an uncertain economic landscape.
\nThe post Tariff Turmoil Puts Supplier Risk, Supply Chain Management Under Microscope appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Without logistics, commerce stops.\nAs global, and domestic, trade undergoes seismic shifts driven by Donald Trump\u2019s new tariffs, chief financial officers (CFOs) are being tasked with far more than managing financial performance. They must take a proactive, strategic approach to risk management to ensure long-term resilience and competitiveness.\nDespite having navigated significant disruptions in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, CFOs are faced now with a new challenge and must navigate a landscape filled with economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and increased fraud risks that threaten to undermine corporate stability.\nWhile Trump\u2019s administration agreed to delay tariffs on Mexico and Canada, the 10% levies on China went live Tuesday (Feb. 4), with China striking back in turn with taxes on certain American goods as well as a new antitrust probe into Google. The Chinese tariffs will go into effect Feb. 10.\nWith these new tariffs poised to impact international trade, companies are reassessing supply chain strategies to minimize disruptions and optimize costs.\n\u201cMany companies are reshoring manufacturing, expanding U.S. manufacturing capabilities, and searching for reshoring and friendshoring opportunities with countries less likely to experience tariffs. At a minimum, proactive companies are moving a portion of their supply chains to address these risks,\u201d Lisa Anderson, founder and president of\u00a0LMA Consulting Group, told PYMNTS in an interview.\nRead more: Trump\u2019s Trade War Shocks Markets and Back Offices\nFraud Risks Escalate Amid Supply Chain Shifts\nThe market reaction to the burgeoning trade wars between America, China, Mexico and Canada has been relatively benign \u2014 with certain observers holding that Trump\u2019s bluster is more negotiating tactic than bite.\nStill, many businesses are shifting from a \u201cjust-in-time\u201d to a \u201cjust-in-case\u201d model, emphasizing supplier diversification to hedge against geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty. This shift, however, requires real-time, data-driven risk intelligence to ensure its effectiveness.\nJenna Wells, chief operating officer at Supply Wisdom, told PYMNTS in an interview that one of the biggest blind spots for many organizations is not just the suppliers themselves but the key locations in which those critical suppliers operate. By continuously monitoring risk conditions in these locations \u2014 including economic instability, regulatory shifts, climate risks, and geopolitical tensions \u2014 businesses can anticipate disruptions before they impact operations. This enables companies to take proactive steps such as securing alternative suppliers or adjusting logistics strategies, avoiding costly delays and revenue loss.\nWhile reshoring manufacturing and expanding domestic capabilities may lessen supplier risk in some respects, it introduces new logistical, regulatory and financial hurdles. Companies that fail to balance supplier diversification with real-time risk management may end up exacerbating supply chain vulnerabilities rather than mitigating them.\nAs companies diversify their supplier base and adjust sourcing strategies, they open themselves up to new fraud risks. Fraudulent suppliers, counterfeit goods and payment fraud are growing threats in a rapidly evolving trade environment. CFOs must remain vigilant, ensuring robust due diligence in onboarding new suppliers and continuously monitoring transactions to detect anomalies.\nLMA Consulting Group\u2019s Anderson told PYMNTS that organizations proactively revamping supply chains will need to ensure they are working closely with trusted partners. Otherwise, they risk falling prey to fraudulent vendors who exploit the urgency of supply chain realignment.\n\u201cOn one hand, supplier risk will be lessened as geopolitical and regulatory risks are addressed as part of the forward-thinking process. On the other hand, if these shifts are not closely managed, misalignment in demand and supply can increase overall supplier risk,\u201d she said.\nRead more:\u00a05 Ways 2024 Kicked Off a New Era for CFOs and Treasury Pros\nThe Compliance Imperative\nTo combat fraud, CFOs should look to leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance supplier vetting and financial transaction monitoring. AI-powered tools can detect inconsistencies in supplier behavior, flag high-risk transactions, and automate compliance checks to mitigate fraud risks before they materialize.\n\u201cPlacing this responsibility in the CFO\u2019s hands gives them the impetus to take another look at their supply chain and also open up and renegotiate existing agreements. Here, we touch on something all CFO\u2019s love \u2014 finding a justifiable reason for all expenses,\u201d Pimberly CEO and Co-founder Martin Balaam told PYMNTS.\n\u201cPerhaps the greatest tool companies can leverage to navigate this new terrain is AI. AI can efficiently identify alternative sourcing options, optimize inventory management, and provide advanced analytics to reduce costs and enhance resilience against economic and political uncertainties, including tariffs,\u201d Balaam said.\nAfter all, in an era where financial stability is increasingly becoming intertwined with supply chain agility, CFOs must themselves evolve into strategic risk managers. Those who embrace real-time intelligence, AI-driven fraud prevention and proactive compliance strategies could find themselves best positioned to navigate the complexities of global trade, as well as to ensure sustained growth relative to peers in an uncertain economic landscape.\nThe post Tariff Turmoil Puts Supplier Risk, Supply Chain Management Under Microscope appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-02-04T11:27:41-05:00", "date_modified": "2025-02-05T21:23:32-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/tariff-risk-supply-chain.png", "tags": [ "B2B", "B2B Payments", "canada", "CFOs", "Chief Financial Officers", "china", "commercial payments", "domestic trade", "Donald Trump", "global trade", "logistics", "mexico", "News", "PYMNTS News", "risk management", "supplier risk", "Supply Chain", "supply chain management", "tariffs", "Technology", "trade", "What's Hot In B2B" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2301319", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/supply-chain/2024/santander-and-pemberton-launch-supply-chain-solution-invensa/", "title": "Santander and Pemberton Launch Supply Chain Solution Invensa", "content_html": "Santander has teamed with\u00a0Pemberton Asset Management\u00a0on a new supply chain solution.
\nThe banking giant and the private credit manager have formed Invensa, a company focused on supply chain inventory solutions for larger and mid-sized corporations, according to a Tuesday (Dec. 3) press release.
\n\u201cIn the wake of growing\u00a0supply chain disruptions\u00a0in recent years, triggered by events such as the pandemic, geopolitical tensions and a changing macroeconomic environment, companies of all sizes are increasingly focused on ensuring greater resiliency in the supply of key goods and raw materials,\u201d Santander said in the release.
\nInvensa, the release added, will employ Santander\u2019s trade finance expertise and Pemberton\u2019s non-bank working capital background to \u201csupport the shift from \u2018just-in-time\u2019 to \u2018just-in-case\u2019 supply chain models,\u201d allowing for large-scale \u201coperationally efficient, flexible inventory financing and management.\u201d
\nJose M. Linares, global head of Santander CIB, said the launch is part of the bank\u2019s efforts to provide clients with a range of working capital solutions.
\n\u201cWe have been facilitating third-party leading inventory finance solutions to our clients for more than 10 years and this partnership with Pemberton enables us to serve our clients as a long-term partner and deliver an increasingly business-critical solution,\u201d he said.
\nThe launch comes as many corporations find access to working capital a challenge, as shown in recent PYMNTS Intelligence research into \u201cgrowth corporates\u201d (companies with annual top lines of between $50 million to $1 billion).
\n\u201cTapping into external financing is\u00a0critical for these firms\u00a0as they confront the daily challenges of running a business, executing long-term strategies, dealing with unplanned events and seizing expansion opportunities,\u201d PYMNTS wrote last month.
\nThe latest edition of the PYMNTS Intelligence\u00a0\u201cGrowth Corporates Working Capital Index,\u201d commissioned by Visa, found that companies that leverage external financing are twice as likely to see improvements in working capital ratios and cash conversion cycles.
\nAdded funding like credit lines or loans helps bolster the cash that\u2019s already available in the corporate bank accounts. The research found that the top 20% of performers enjoyed 51% shortened cash conversion cycles and 28% shorter days payable outstanding (DPO) than growth corporates in the bottom 20% of index scores.
\n\u201cThe bottom line impact has been palpable, as the top performers reported saving an average of $11 million in interest, inventory carrying costs and supplier discounts,\u201d that report said.
\n\u201cThe benefits are keenly felt across supply chains, as more than 70% of companies using\u00a0working capital solutions\u00a0said that buyer/supplier dynamics improved as a result, and more than two-thirds said that they were able to meet end-market demand and opportunities for growth.\u201d
\nThe post Santander and Pemberton Launch Supply Chain Solution Invensa appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Santander has teamed with\u00a0Pemberton Asset Management\u00a0on a new supply chain solution.\nThe banking giant and the private credit manager have formed Invensa, a company focused on supply chain inventory solutions for larger and mid-sized corporations, according to a Tuesday (Dec. 3) press release.\n\u201cIn the wake of growing\u00a0supply chain disruptions\u00a0in recent years, triggered by events such as the pandemic, geopolitical tensions and a changing macroeconomic environment, companies of all sizes are increasingly focused on ensuring greater resiliency in the supply of key goods and raw materials,\u201d Santander said in the release.\nInvensa, the release added, will employ Santander\u2019s trade finance expertise and Pemberton\u2019s non-bank working capital background to \u201csupport the shift from \u2018just-in-time\u2019 to \u2018just-in-case\u2019 supply chain models,\u201d allowing for large-scale \u201coperationally efficient, flexible inventory financing and management.\u201d\nJose M. Linares, global head of Santander CIB, said the launch is part of the bank\u2019s efforts to provide clients with a range of working capital solutions.\n\u201cWe have been facilitating third-party leading inventory finance solutions to our clients for more than 10 years and this partnership with Pemberton enables us to serve our clients as a long-term partner and deliver an increasingly business-critical solution,\u201d he said.\nThe launch comes as many corporations find access to working capital a challenge, as shown in recent PYMNTS Intelligence research into \u201cgrowth corporates\u201d (companies with annual top lines of between $50 million to $1 billion).\n\u201cTapping into external financing is\u00a0critical for these firms\u00a0as they confront the daily challenges of running a business, executing long-term strategies, dealing with unplanned events and seizing expansion opportunities,\u201d PYMNTS wrote last month.\nThe latest edition of the PYMNTS Intelligence\u00a0\u201cGrowth Corporates Working Capital Index,\u201d commissioned by Visa, found that companies that leverage external financing are twice as likely to see improvements in working capital ratios and cash conversion cycles.\nAdded funding like credit lines or loans helps bolster the cash that\u2019s already available in the corporate bank accounts. The research found that the top 20% of performers enjoyed 51% shortened cash conversion cycles and 28% shorter days payable outstanding (DPO) than growth corporates in the bottom 20% of index scores.\n\u201cThe bottom line impact has been palpable, as the top performers reported saving an average of $11 million in interest, inventory carrying costs and supplier discounts,\u201d that report said.\n\u201cThe benefits are keenly felt across supply chains, as more than 70% of companies using\u00a0working capital solutions\u00a0said that buyer/supplier dynamics improved as a result, and more than two-thirds said that they were able to meet end-market demand and opportunities for growth.\u201d\nThe post Santander and Pemberton Launch Supply Chain Solution Invensa appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-12-03T12:08:18-05:00", "date_modified": "2024-12-03T22:38:45-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Santander.jpg", "tags": [ "B2B", "B2B Payments", "banking", "Banks", "commercial payments", "Invensa", "inventory finance", "inventory management", "News", "partnerships", "Pemberton Asset Management", "PYMNTS News", "Santander", "Supply Chain", "supply chain management", "Trade finance", "What's Hot", "What's Hot In B2B", "working capital" ] } ] }