UPS transforms New York diesel trucks to electric
This week, UPS announced that it is teaming up with Unique Electric Solutions LLC, a specialist in electrifying commercial transportation, in a project to convert the current fleet of delivery trucks in New York from diesel to electric. This project supports the state’s goal of using clean technology to replace diesel vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. Furthermore, both companies will design, manufacture, trial and make the conversions. If the project is successful, the newly converted electric trucks should be roaming the streets of New York City by spring 2018.
Moreover, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is supporting the scheme by investing $500,000 for the development and testing of the conversion system that will be used. As a result of this project, UPS can develop and deploy these electric delivery vehicles in a more cost and time-efficient manner. Therefore, this could mean up to 1,500 trucks would be transformed and operating in New York City by 2022.
To read more about this transformation, click here.
High-end fashion at Walmart.com
On Monday, it was announced that Walmart and department store Lord & Taylor have formed a partnership to establish a premium fashion platform on Walmart’s e-commerce website. From analyzing the website, Walmart found that consumers were searching for premium products on their website. Therefore, this is an attempt to provide customers with what they want, get into the quickly developing online fashion business and to remain competitive against Amazon. Walmart is classified as the world’s biggest brick-and-mortar clothing retailer and wants to replicate this success online.
Lord & Taylor’s virtual store on Walmart.com, selling premium clothing and accessories, will be launched in the springtime of 2018. As a result, Walmart can reach a wider audience and increase the amount of online customers. Furthermore, with this partnership, Walmart’s online range will be extended and hopefully this will help the multinational retail company attract new millennial customers. This partnership scheme is part of a larger business strategy to establish a new modern Walmart.com. Walmart isn’t the only one to benefit from this collaboration; Lord & Taylor will have the opportunity to have access to more shoppers than it currently does from its own site.
To find out more about this partnership, click here.
ScanTrust can add QR codes to supply chains thanks to funding
On Tuesday, ScanTrust, the leading provider of cloud-based product verification software and supply chain traceability solutions, announced that it had received $4.2 million in funding from investors including Credit Suisse. This means that the Swiss startup can progress with its objective of placing unique QR codes onto components and finished products to help reduce counterfeits in the market and add some security to supply chains through real-time data. ScanTrust’s software allows companies to track their parts and products throughout the whole supply chain process and discover any weak areas.
The startup creates QR codes by producing and placing a secure graphic inside a 2D QR code using software. This is then sent to the specific customers printing supplier so it can be added to the current packaging and easily integrated into the packaging process. Data relating to the product’s current location and origin, for example, will be provided through the cloud-based software once the code has been scanned on the app or code reader. Therefore, the company’s QR code technology provides a considerable advancement of the traditional anti-counterfeit technologies. The cofounder of ScanTrust wants to target sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and industrial goods.
More information can be found here.
Have a great weekend!
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