Chain Reaction is Sourcing Journal’s discussion series with industry executives to get their take on today’s logistics challenges and learn about ways their company is working to keep the flow of goods moving.
Here, Ken O’Brien, president & CEO at Gemini Shippers Association, discusses how the company is helping retailers reevaluate their supply chain to be resilient and flexible in the face of future disruptions, and to also focus more on decarbonization.
Name: Ken O’Brien
Title: President & CEO
Company: Gemini Shippers Association
What is Gemini Shippers Association?
Gemini Shippers Association is a shippers association based in New York City. The company has a history which spans over 100 years, serving over 275 companies that import a wide range of products. However, we maintain a strong emphasis on fashion accessories, apparel and retail.
Additionally, Gemini goes a step further than other shippers associations because we are a technology enabled association that stays engaged throughout the term of a contract. In fact, our platform provides digitized rate management, rate audit, tracking and analytics for our members.
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What area of logistics isn’t receiving the industry attention it deserves?
The path to supply chain decarbonization is not getting enough attention. While the goal to decarbonize supply chains by 2050 sounds a long way off, any chance of meeting these lofty goals requires firms to immediately start incorporating decarbonization planning into their supply chain design, procurement and execution.
Additionally, consumers are starting to consider brands’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals as a factor in purchase decisions. So, it is not only important for the planet, but also as a lever for brand loyalty and customer retention.
What is your company doing to make the movement of goods more sustainable?
As mentioned above, many of Gemini’s members—and our management team—believe more needs to be done to accelerate the decarbonization of the logistics industry.
To maximize sustainable efforts, we recently partnered with the Greenabl Shippers Association—an association that enables importers and exporters to advance their decarbonization efforts—and we think this will make an immediate impact. By bringing best-in-class technology providers, shippers, carriers and stakeholders together on one platform, we can provide carriers with a clear demand signal on adopting green technology in the market while allowing shippers to decarbonize quicker.
This article was originally published by Sourcing Journal. To continue reading, visit sourcingjournal.com.
