Art of Supply

30/09/2025

Why did the Internet explode over rumors that Werner Enterprises was hiring truck drivers from Kenya to work in the United States?

After digging into the details, this story looks like a misunderstanding - where 2+2 quickly became 5.

It isn't hard to see why this happened. People are more likely to look at pictures than read, so it was easy to infer something that there were no publicly-available facts to support.

In fact... it may all have come down to one beautifully branded conference room in Omaha, Nebraska.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-trade-mission-fueled-trucking-firestorm-kelly-barner-z8vbe

25/09/2025

“Werner Enterprises wishes to clarify that we are not involved in any agreements of discussions regarding the recruitment of Kenyan truck drivers to the United States. Any claims suggesting otherwise are just false.” - Werner Enterprises on X, September 9, 2025

🚚 https://artofprocurement.com/blog/supply-target-steps-back-from-stores-as-hubs-digital-fulfillment-clone

In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner pulls together the facts behind the rumors that Werner Enterprises had a plan to hire Kenyan truck drivers to work for them in the United States.

23/09/2025

Omnichannel retail is hard to get right - just ask Target. Their digital sales are growing as overall sales fall... something's got to give.

Last month, they announced a decision to pull back the 'stores as hubs' program, an approach to ecommerce fulfillment launched with great fanfare (and a $7 Billion investment) starting in 2017.

A change in direction can signal a mistake, but it also highlights the courage and awareness to get back on track, and with Michael Fiddelke moving from COO to CEO in February, they are (hopefully) positioned to do just that.

In this edition of the Art of Supply newsletter, Kelly Barner examines the 'stores as hubs' program, considers why omnichannel retail is so hard to get right, and looks at what Target plans to do next.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/target-backs-off-stores-hubs-fulfillment-kelly-barner-xqgve

18/09/2025

Target has said that they need to focus more on the in-store shopping experience, and will be pulling back on their ‘stores as hubs’ digital order fulfillment as a result.

📦 https://artofprocurement.com/blog/supply-target-steps-back-from-stores-as-hubs-digital-fulfillment

The program was rolled out with huge fanfare… and a massive $7 Billion investment… so why has Target changed their mind?

In this episode of Art of Supply, Kelly Barner considers the rollout and then rollback of Target’s ‘stores as hubs’ program.

Target reevaluates its 'stores as hubs' digital fulfillment strategy, addressing employee dissatisfaction and operational challenges to improve both in-store and online customer experiences.

16/09/2025

A class 8 truck is a powerful vehicle. In the right hands, it moves goods, helps communities, and drives the economy forward. In the wrong hands it poses a serious threat to people and property.

There are 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States. Making sure they get credit for being essential, hardworking members of the supply chain by ensuring only qualified individuals join their ranks is more than an administrative effort. It is a public safety concern.

In this edition of the Art of Supply newsletter, Kelly Barner looks into how CDLs are administered and what can go wrong when that responsibility isn't taken seriously.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hidden-costs-dangers-cdl-fraud-kelly-barner-98jee/

11/09/2025

Commercial Driver’s Licenses are so valuable that sometimes people are willing to break the rules to get one - while having unqualified drivers on the road is a danger to everyone.

🚛 https://artofprocurement.com/blog/supply-honk-if-youre-qualified-understanding-cdl-safety

In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner covers the right way and the wrong way to get a CDL, recent safety statistics associated with large trucks and their drivers, and recent news stories that illustrate what can go wrong when CDLs are not administered properly.

Understand the importance of CDL safety, training, and qualifications for truck drivers and the impact on public safety and the supply chain.

09/09/2025

Where there is a will, there is a way, although it helps to have deep pockets.

Before Apple can reshore iPhone production, they must unwind a carefully constructed global network of partnerships and production processes.

There will have to be strong forces in favor of change, and very serious downsides to failure. In other words, it is going to take carrots and sticks.

In this edition of the Art of Supply newsletter, Kelly Barner looks at the pressure, problems, and potential upside associated with reshoring production of the iPhone.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/carrots-sticks-future-apple-iphone-kelly-barner-ybl7e

04/09/2025

In April, President Trump said that he wants the Apple iPhone to be manufactured in the United States. Tim Cook seems willing to try, but can it be done?

📱 https://artofprocurement.com/blog/supply-can-apple-reshore-the-iphone

In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner looks into Apple’s large, global, coordinated effort to reshore production of the iPhone.

Apple

Apple is investing heavily in U.S. manufacturing to reshore iPhone production, focusing on supply chain, talent, and rare earths to mitigate global risks.

02/09/2025

Cargo theft is a huge and growing problem. Approximately $35 Billion dollars is lost to these crimes annually. Some thieves operate the 'old fashioned way' while others are taking advantage of the latest technology.

Either way, cargo theft is getting out of hand.

In the latest edition of the Art of Supply newsletter, Kelly Barner shares statistics that capture the scale of the problem, digs into some of the root causes, and looks at how digital capabilities are coming into play on both sides of the battle.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cargo-theft-averages-one-truckload-per-hour-us-kelly-barner-1x5qe

28/08/2025

Geopolitical unpredictability, tariff uncertainty, the end of de minimis, and constantly changing regulations worldwide… supply chains don’t need one more problem - but they have one anyway: cargo theft.

🚛 https://artofprocurement.com/blog/supply-shipments-under-siege-the-growing-problem-of-cargo-theft

In this episode of Art of Supply, Kelly Barner looks into the massive and growing problem of cargo theft, including its different forms, the role technology is playing on both sides, and copper as a case example.

Cargo theft is skyrocketing, impacting businesses and consumers. Discover the alarming statistics and trends behind this growing threat to the supply chain.

26/08/2025

As the expression goes, "Having a friend with a boat is better than owning a boat." But what if you and your friend are not getting along?
🚢 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/china-built-1000-ships-last-year-us-8-kelly-barner-mlabe

The U.S. learned this lesson the hard way.

After decades of declining investment in military and commercial shipbuilding, the world is waking up to the fact that China dominates worldwide production of ships, ship-to-shore cranes, and shipping containers.

In this edition of the Art of Supply newsletter, Kelly Barner tracks how this problem festered, examines China's Military-Civil Fusion strategy, and reflects on the fact that Democrats and Republicans AGREE we need a solution - and fast.

21/08/2025

The Trump Administration is on a mission to make shipbuilding great again… a bipartisan effort that started during the Biden Administration.

When both sides of the aisle agree, the problem must be huge… and in the case of U.S. shipbuilding capabilities, it is gargantuan.

🚢 https://artofprocurement.com/blog/supply-lost-at-sea-can-the-u.s.-regain-maritime-dominance

In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner tracks the downfall of U.S. shipbuilding and examines China’s strategy for combining military and commercial shipbuilding capabilities to build a dominant global position.

Can the U.S. regain its maritime dominance amidst rising competition from China? Explore the current challenges and potential solutions in revitalizing American shipbuilding.