Boeing's Plans To Improve Manufacturing Processes

If an airplane manufacturer like Boeing is after making their assembly operation better, it goes to show that faster part replenishment will have something to do with it. Boeing recently made the move of hiring a former expert in auto manufacturer, Walter Odisho, to assist in its' standardizing of production approaches.

Reuters recently reported how Boeing found new ways to create better manufacturing efficiencies when building the new 777X jetliner, due to be in service in 2020. "I think the 777X will be our first opportunity to show the ideas that we have to date," said Walter Odisho, Boeing's vice president of manufacturing and safety. The article also talks about how in the automaker industry, standardized production approaches are common, but not in the aerospace industry. Odisho has been brought on board to implement more of the automaker process deeper within the manufacturing plants.

Airbus, its' competitor, applies the same manufacturing methods that automakers do, which has led to its' effectiveness. Both companies had records sales last year, and it probably won't slow down. Making the decisions that ultimately result in reducing costs will end up giving one of them more of an edge in the market. "If you look at aerospace with market demand rising, we need to start thinking differently and move efficiencies from the auto industry into this arena," Odisho stated. `

"Could the buffer of several days for holding parts in aircraft plants ever hit auto-industry levels of as low as two hours?" Odisho's response was, "Ultimately I think we will see that day". Boeing can hold parts for less time with an automaker model. It can also implement same-day delivery for parts, as many companies are turning to. Same-day delivery is more feasible now to cut costs then ever before, as technology has aided in quicker delivery methods that actually save money.

Odisho also talks about the flow of parts in the report, which falls in lines with fast deliveries for parts, just as within the auto industry. "If we can develop a system where we have direct deliveries to our lines and in an orientation which our operators will use to simply secure instead of handling parts, we have tremendous opportunities," he said in regards to the flow of parts. Same-day delivery of parts is what a number of companies have made an integral aspect of their inventory management, especially when it comes to replenishment.

Boeing found the same techniques for the jetliner, produced cost savings as well. Applying other innovative processes will work for Boeing also, such as utilizing a same-day courier like A-1 Express to perform part deliveries from its' suppliers. The New York Courier has a national footprint and delivers parts throughout major US cities. A-1 Express also creates courier logistic solutions that will reduce costs, lower inventory and promote better replenish systems.

Reference: 4.28.15, www.reuters.com, Tim Helpher and Alwyn Scott, Boeing looks to car industry expert for jet production savings

Amazon's Limits One-Hour Delivery Service Due To Storm

As a big storm approaches the northeastern coast of the US, companies that provide same-day delivery are informing customers of service limitations. Amazon has announced its' Prime Now service will be on a "limited schedule" due to the massive storm headed towards New York and other nearby states. Prime Now is Amazon's new one-hour delivery service that just rolled out last month in Manhattan. The storm is being stated by the National Weather Service to be historic and government officials are admonishing residents to stay home.

“We are seeing a great response from customers who want to stay inside during the wintry conditions and get the items they need delivered right to their door,” stated Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Cheeseman. She went on to say, “We’re watching the storm also, and will be operating on a limited schedule. Customers can get updates through the Prime Now app on delivery availability.” Airports are being shut down as well.

Prime Now program covers shipments of tens of thousands of household goods, including shampoo and paper towels. It is available to Amazon Prime members who pay $99 annually for fast delivery and they pay an additional $7.99 for one-hour service. This is the fastest delivery option Amazon has deployed since it began its' steady implementation of same-day delivery throughout the US. Last year before the holiday shopping season began, Amazon launched it in 7 major US cities along with New York City, including Baltimore, Dallas, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Dallas, Washington DC, and Atlanta.

Other competitors offer fast last-minute deliveries, like Google Express, which charges $4.99 per order or customers can pay $10 per month and $95 per year. Same-day delivery newcomer Macy's has fees of $5 for orders over $99 and shoppers with smaller orders pay standard shipping rates plus $5. Macy's has it's landmark store right in the heart of New York and will be affected by the storm also. Wal-Mart offers same-day delivery in multiple US cities, even in Canada. Walmart To Go is a flat $10 fee, regardless of the customer's order size.

Amazon opened its very first physical store location in Manhattan, New York. The store was said to serve as a small hub for same-day delivery from its' inventory, and at the same time, a location for customers to pick up online orders. With the blizzard in affect, it will no doubt have an impact on Amazon's physical store and online retail.

With Amazon not being in action, customers may have to resort to another viable option for same-day delivery after the storm. A same-day courier like A-1 Express could be operating in various areas with a wide range of vehicle fleets to perform deliveries. The blizzard could affect the New York courier as well, however, service may not be as limited and/or will begin providing deliveries sooner than Amazon. A number of businesses and corporations may be at a stand still, yet A-1 Express may be a plan B alternative.

Reference: 1.26.15, Internet Retailer, Bloomberg News, Amazon.com limits one-hour delivery in New York as big storm approaches

Amazon Tests Same-Day Delivery By Bike In New York

There are many retailers looking at same-day delivery a variety of ways, turning it and twisting it, in hot pursuit of what will get it to work. Retail leader Amazon has implemented 50 distribution centers nationwide to support its' same-day delivery services. CEO Jeff Bezos announced last year about its' desire to perform the service using drones. A month ago, Amazon opened its' very first physical store location in Manhattan, right in the heart of busy New York. Now as the holiday shopping season heightens, there is another same-day vehicle Amazon is seeking to test and see if maybe it will generate the delivery solution it is after.

Yahoo News has recently reported via the Wall Street Journal that Amazon is testing delivery via bike in New York City. With a same-day delivery service like this, Amazon customers could receive their orders as fast as one hour, which will make for the fastest option Amazon offers. The WSJ found that bike messengers are utilizing Amazon's new physical location in Manhattan, which was announced last month as the first of its' kind for the retail leader. The web-based platform only for retail could be a thing of the past, as having one physical location will probably lead to more in other cities, if it thrives.

The WSJ stated that the new bike service may be called Amazon Prime Now, costing members only $5 to get a bike messenger to deliver fast. This falls right in line with its' other Prime products; Amazon offer its' Prime members same-day delivery for $5.99. Non-Prime members pay $9.99 for the first item and $.99 cents for each additional item. A huge difference with the same-day bike service is customers will pay $0 if they are willing to waiting several hours for their order, and Amazon will promote tipping bike messengers for their services.

This pricing stacks up with the benchmark for same-day delivery, as other retailers have relatively the same structure. Google Express charges $4.99 per order or customers can pay $10 per month and $95 per year. Wal-Mart offers same-day delivery in multiple cities and its' service Walmart To Go costs $10, regardless of the order size. Same-day delivery newcomer Macy's set its' pricing at flat rate of $5 for orders over $99 and shoppers with smaller orders pay standard shipping rates plus $5.

Amazon isn't aggressively pursuing faster deliveries for no reason. Retail e-commerce in the US is estimated to increase nearly $500 billion by 2018, which is over $200 billion more than sales last year. This is why Google, Wal-Mart, Macy's, Barnes & Noble and more are all racing to make same-day delivery work. Technology is reshaping the why we do business, and online shopping will have a greater market share in the coming years than ever. More and more shoppers are utilizing their mobile devices and like the convenience of not having to leaving their homes to make purchases. The savings of time and gas in their cars will prove to be worth the extra $5 bucks.

The report also stated that Amazon is performing time trials from bike messenger companies to determine who their partner will be. Amazon is making a wise move to partner with an experienced bike courier. Amazon and other retailers that are after same-day delivery can partner with a same-day courier like A-1 Express which offers local bike messenger services in New York also. The New York courier also has a national footprint and provides same-day delivery throughout the US, positioning itself with the capability to handle high volume at lower costs needed by large retailers like Amazon.

Reference: 12.8.14, Yahoo News, Anthony Jones, Amazon Bike Delivery Service Coming To Manhattan, Offering One-Hour Delivery Time

Amazon To Open First Brick-And-Mortar Store, Will Offer Same-Day Delivery

When it comes to Amazon and the moves that it is making right now, some say it is beyond far-fetched and others are saying it is sheer determination to be the retailer that perfects same-day delivery. It has gone to great lengths to get to the plateau that the company is at now and from Amazon's recent announcement, the company is only getting better.

Amazon has announced the opening of its very first brick-and-mortar store location. The Wall Street Journal reported that the retailer will be opening a store location right in the heart of New York City. The outlet is said to be able to provide Amazon with the face-to-face experience that only traditional retailers have. This is the first step in this direction by the e-retailer in its 20-year history. A company that has been web-based for such a considerable amount of years is officially a physical store retailer as well.

Amazon’s location will be at 7 West 34th Street, which is across from the Empire State Building in Midtown. It will operate as a mini-warehouse and have limited inventory for same-day delivery within New York, exchanges, product returns, and pickups of online orders. The primary purpose for the Manhattan location is a source for customers to pick up their online orders. It will also serve as a distribution point for a same-day courier like A-1 Express to pick up and delivery items. The article stated eventually this warehouse will feature Amazon devices like Kindle e-readers, Fire smartphones and Fire TV set-top boxes.

One interesting insight on Amazon's site opening is it is right before the holiday season. Forecasting shows that this year's shopping number in the retail market will be big and Amazon is gearing up for it. The location is on the same street as Macy's New York flagship store. It is probably no coincidence, as Macy's has recently announced its' entry into the same-day delivery market by launching the service in several major US cites.

Amazon already announced a few months ago its' same-day delivery service expanstion into 6 more major US cities. The e-retailer rolled out the service in New York City, Dallas, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Washington DC and Philadelphia. Amazon was already offering same-day delivery Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix, and Indianapolis. Amazon then launched a wider range of same-day delivery in the New York City area. Then, last month the retail giant expanded the service into Atlanta and its' surrounding cities, such as Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, and more. Amazon definitely has something far greater than experts are aware of and only time will tell.

Amazon's Vice president of Amazon Prime, Greg Greeley, stated before to Yahoo, "Imagine how much time you will save now that you can get sunscreen, memory cards, toothpaste, hit movies, text books and HDMI cables all delivered to your home in hours, seven days a week, in one order from Amazon. New convenient pricing also allows Prime members to fill up their same-day shopping cart with everything they may need for one low price. With more than a million eligible items, we aim to offer the largest same-day selection at the lowest price.” This new site is going to play a part in Amazon's goal.

The competition is going to have to go to the next level to beat Amazon at this game. Some e-retailers are opting to partner with a same-day courier like A-1 Express to implement a delivery system that fits their business model. There is no question that the New York courier has all of the components, including a nationwide footprint, to assist any web-based or physical store retailer in offering delivering their products the same day. Amazon utilizes its' own fleet, however, retailers can turn to A-1 Express in this race against Amazon.

References: 8.6.14, Yahoo Finances, Amazon Same-Day Delivery Expanding - “Get It Today” Available in Six More Cities

Uber Announces Launch of New Drug Store Delivery Service

If there is one thing that people will continue to need is to take care of themselves, and drug stores have been strategically placed locally to do just that. No matter how close they are, the reality is some people don't have the means to get there and sometimes, they simply don't have the time. As the buzz for same-day delivery continues to flourish, Uber offers a new same-day delivery service to the drug store industry that appears will help heavily to meet this demand.

Taxi app company Uber has announced the launch of its new drug store on-demand delivery service. The service will pick up and deliver common items from the local drug store such as medicine, toiletries, and other drug store products. The name of Uber's new feature called "Uber Corner Store", is currently being tested in Washington, DC. Last year, Uber started a courier service in Manhattan to deliver flowers, ice cream and Christmas trees. Uber is pulling out all the stops to compete in the same-day delivery market.

The service is simple. A shopper can go on Uber's app, go to the "Corner Store" option and request a driver. Uber then sends a text message to a link with a list of items that they can purchase. An Uber driver then calls the shopper and takes their order, which is charged to the customer's Uber account. "The more you love it, the more likely it will last", said Uber in a blog post. The company just completed a funding round valued at $18.2 billion, which should easily help get the foundation for the service solid and active.

The once only personal transportation company, is looking to branch out from this business sector in hopes to expand into new markets. The delivery and transportation industry, combined with online business, has created an opportunity to create a niche in this area. The company that innovate, will be the e-retailer that thrives, as e-commerce continues to grow itself. By all means, e-retailers are rushing to see how fast they can get their products into a shoppers' hands without them having to lift a finger themselves.

As online retail grows over 16% annually, there is no doubt that same-day delivery is the solution for retailers, especially physical stores. Target, Macy's, BestBuy, Toys-R-Us, and others are all engaging in some form of same-day delivery. Phone provider Verizon Wireless also offers same-day delivery for itstelecommunication products. One of the most notables is Wal-Mart, which has launched same-day delivery from its' stores in a number of US cities. It also is testing "WalMarttoGo" in Denver, involving online customers picking up their orders at participating stores.

Big drug store retailer Wal-Green's has partnered with Google to get their items moving out the door. Uber appears to be doing the same and is entering this sector with high expectations. Retailers can partner with a Same-Day Courier like A-1 Express and get it done. The New York Courier has a national footprint and the ability to implement an optimal delivery system quickly, which is needed in order to keep stride with the growth of online retail innovations.

Reference: 8.19.14, CNN Money, James O'Toole, Uber launches drug store delivery service