Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

ALAN continues long-term recovery efforts after Maui fire

Logistics aid group transitions from immediate response to rebuilding over months or years.

ALAN Maui-Banyan-Tree.jpeg

Disaster recovery efforts are still continuing on Hawaii’s island of Maui some two weeks after hurricane winds fanned a wildfire that torched the city of Lahaina, killing dozens of people and destroying the community, according to the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN).

As it typically does after disaster strikes, ALAN quickly reached out to non-profit partners on the ground in Hawaii to get a handle on what types of logistics services and equipment they needed, ALAN Executive Director ALAN Kathy Fulton said Wednesday in a release. 


Following that initial step, ALAN created a logistics workgroup for Hawaii’s Voluntary Organizations Active In Disasters (VOAD), leading the group to identify short- and long term-needs and capabilities (and those willing to meet them) in order to reduce confusion, eliminate gaps, and minimize duplication of effort.

ALAN is also working directly with the state of Hawaii’s donations task force to assist with two start-up warehousing operations (one on Oahu, the other in California) to help handle the mountains of unsolicited product donations it has received, ensuring they are securely stored, sorted, and put to use at the right time, place, and location.

However, while residents are now having their immediate needs met, subsequent steps could take a sustained effort over a longer period of time, Fulton says. “Please know that even though you may not have a chance to send direct assistance yet, the island’s fire survivors are currently getting the food, water, medical care, and other assistance they need. And don’t be surprised if your opportunity to help comes many weeks, months, or even years down the line – including many opportunities from ALAN, because supply chain services are often some of the most critical resources that disaster relief organizations need.”

As that process unfolds, ALAN will make frequent updates to its disaster micro-site, where it details ongoing needs for logistics assets such as warehouse space, trucks, equipment, or supplies.


 

 

 

Recent

More Stories

photos of grocery supply chain workers

ReposiTrak and Upshop link platforms to enable food traceability

ReposiTrak, a global food traceability network operator, will partner with Upshop, a provider of store operations technology for food retailers, to create an end-to-end grocery traceability solution that reaches from the supply chain to the retail store, the firms said today.

The partnership creates a data connection between suppliers and the retail store. It works by integrating Salt Lake City-based ReposiTrak’s network of thousands of suppliers and their traceability shipment data with Austin, Texas-based Upshop’s network of more than 450 retailers and their retail stores.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

minority woman with charts of business progress

Study: Inclusive procurement can fuel economic growth

Inclusive procurement practices can fuel economic growth and create jobs worldwide through increased partnerships with small and diverse suppliers, according to a study from the Illinois firm Supplier.io.

The firm’s “2024 Supplier Diversity Economic Impact Report” found that $168 billion spent directly with those suppliers generated a total economic impact of $303 billion. That analysis can help supplier diversity managers and chief procurement officers implement programs that grow diversity spend, improve supply chain competitiveness, and increase brand value, the firm said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Logistics industry growth slowed in December
Logistics Managers' Index

Logistics industry growth slowed in December

Logistics industry growth slowed in December due to a seasonal wind-down of inventory and following one of the busiest holiday shopping seasons on record, according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, released this week.

The monthly LMI was 57.3 in December, down more than a percentage point from November’s reading of 58.4. Despite the slowdown, economic activity across the industry continued to expand, as an LMI reading above 50 indicates growth and a reading below 50 indicates contraction.

Keep ReadingShow less
pie chart of business challenges in 2025

DHL: small businesses wary of uncertain times in 2025

As U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face an uncertain business landscape in 2025, a substantial majority (67%) expect positive growth in the new year compared to 2024, according to a survey from DHL.

However, the survey also showed that businesses could face a rocky road to reach that goal, as they navigate a complex environment of regulatory/policy shifts and global market volatility. Both those issues were cited as top challenges by 36% of respondents, followed by staffing/talent retention (11%) and digital threats and cyber attacks (2%).

Keep ReadingShow less
cargo ships at port

Strike threat lingers at ports as January 15 deadline nears

Retailers and manufacturers across the country are keeping a watchful eye on negotiations starting tomorrow to draft a new contract for dockworkers at East coast and Gulf coast ports, as the clock ticks down to a potential strike beginning at midnight on January 15.

Representatives from the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) last spoke in October, when they agreed to end a three-day strike by striking a tentative deal on a wage hike for workers, and delayed debate over the thornier issue of port operators’ desire to add increased automation to port operations.

Keep ReadingShow less