BITE SIZED SUPPLY CHAIN/LOGISTICS INFORMATION Info SNACKS
CUTTINGEDGE MOVE Gillette is relocating its razor and blade manufacturing operations from South Boston to a new 200,000-square-foot facility in Andover. Construction started in April 2025, and the new facility will also handle packaging, shave-prep manufacturing, and direct- to-consumer fulfillment. This Andover manufacturing expansion, combined with the new Boston headquarters, accounts for Gillette’s approximately $1.5 billion in total investment across Massachusetts.
BUT WILL IT BE ON TIME?
Amtrak unveiled its first Airo trainset, beginning a comprehensive fleet overhaul to modernize the national rail network. This new generation of equipment, manufactured by Siemens Mobility in California, aims to address rising passenger demand by improving reliability and expanding capacity. Initial deployment is scheduled for the Pacific Northwest on the Amtrak Cascades route, with service for the Northeast Regional route projected to begin in 2027. These trainsets are engineered for speeds up to 125 mph and feature propulsion systems that produce 90% less particulate emissions in diesel operations.
A 100 TRILLION DATA POINT ADVANTAGE
C.H. Robinson expanded its AI capabilities, which use 100 trillion+ proprietary data points collected across decades of global operations. The 3PL developed an AI engine designed to support decision-making and action within complex supply chains. Its in-house “Lean AI” operating system integrates intelligence directly into logistics workflows for its 75,000 customers. This system utilizes hundreds of connected AI agents, which are supported by the company’s data on 37 million annual shipments and enriched by operational context.
FROM THE LAB TO THE WAREHOUSE Hyundai Motor Group Robotics LAB unveiled MobED, an autonomous mobility robot platform they say is production-ready for diverse applications, including industrial and everyday use. First unveiled as a concept in 2022, the platform leverages AI-based navigation, LiDAR,
CHARACTER LICENSING GETS SUPPLY CHAIN SCRUTINY TrusTrace and Rights & Brands, the licensing agency for brands including Pippi Longstocking, have partnered to strengthen supply chain transparency and compliance for licensed consumer
products worldwide. Rights & Brands selected TrusTrace’s platform to centralize compliance documentation, strengthen supplier oversight, and create greater visibility across its complex global network.
and a control mechanism for adjustments on the fly, making the device stable and adaptive even on inclined or uneven terrain. Mounting rails and APIs allow for easy integration of task-oriented attachments, suggesting MobED could serve diverse applications from video production to logistics and delivery. BUY A HOUSE BUT MAKE IT 3D Here are 5 of the coolest and craziest things ever 3D-printed: Houses: Large concrete-extrusion printers can build the walls of a full-size home in 24-48 hours. Robot Skin: Researchers are studying stretchy, human-like robot skin with embedded electronic sensors for bionics. Real Skin: A custom handheld 3D printer was used to apply a pig’s skin cells onto a wound, a method that could replace skin grafts for burn victims. Food: Gourmet pop-up Food Ink printed dishes and furniture; other companies now print structured plant-based steaks. Rocket Engines: Companies like SpaceX and NASA 3D print major engine components.
YOU WANT SURVEILLANCE WITH THAT? Burger King is expanding a new AI-powered assistant named Patty that listens to employee headset interactions and tracks how sta speak with customers. Patty also flags inventory shortages and alerts managers when machines stop
working. It even tracks how often employees tell customers an item is unavailable, which can highlight supply gaps.
March 2026 • Inbound Logistics 1
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