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- How Fuel Costs Affect Logistics Strategies
Submitted by: Leonard Sahling
Freight transportation costs have become the largest, most volatile cost component of companies' supply chain/logistics operation, accounting for about 63 percent of total U.S. logistics costs and six percent of GDP. With companies under mounting pressure to contain or offset the increases in freight transportation costs, supply chain executives have been tasked with figuring out how to squeeze more capacity and efficiency out of the existing systems. They have responded in many different ways, and the objective of this white paper is to review the primary strategies that they have embraced, including: reconfiguring distribution networks; enhancing supply chain visibility; upgrading their TMS software; collaboration and pooled distribution; and improving cube utilization to name a few.
In reviewing these disparate strategies, the research will try to discern which of these strategies are the most commonly used and how and to what extent have they impacted the demand for warehouse/distribution space.
- A Development Model for the Middle Ring Suburbs
Submitted by: Alexander d'Hooghe, ORG
The middle ring suburbs of American cities have a valuable strategic asset: at various points, they are highly accessible by private motorized transportation as well as through mass transit. At intersections of public transportation and automotive freeways, there exist highly valuable nodes for retail development. The middle ring suburban zone connects the suburbs to high-density city centers. Unfortunately, the middle ring faces serious urban problems due to a lack of investment over the last 30 years. The goal of this research is to find a mature development model capable of unlocking latent real estate potential within this disinvested zone.
This research seeks to develop a model by first analyzing the complexities of the middle ring development process and then introducing templates for development (retail + others), design (built + infrastructures), and management (multi-actor processes, legal possibilities) that might unlock these sites' potential. The model may allow for the generation of substantial ROI, and the objective is for NAIOP members to do concept development studies using this new model, in order to understand the potential margins. The underlying assumption is that the relative disinvestment of these zones may make them amenable to join in a re-zoning process towards a novel productive vision, if fielded by one developer or a group of developers.
- The Complexity of Urban Waterfront Redevelopment
Submitted by: Barry Hersh, New York University
The mixed-use redevelopment of formerly contaminated waterfronts has become a key but also difficult part of urban revitalization and a significant real estate opportunity. This research project will look at the complexity of waterfront brownfields from a real estate practice perspective and suggest approaches to dealing with the organization and sequencing of design, remediation, land reuse planning, shoreline improvements, markets and feasibility, as well as the host of regulatory reviews involved. The project will analyze specific case studies and will look for a systematic concept for facilitating private sector-led urban waterfront redevelopment.
Waterfront brownfield regeneration is extraordinarily complex; incorporating ecology, land use, community benefits, hydrology, real estate economics, design and a host of associated disciplines. There's also an array of regulatory and funding agencies, at federal, state and local levels. Among the approaches that will be evaluated are: area-wide redevelopment as supported by the 2009 US-EPA-DOT partnership as well as the recently adopted New York City program for local control of lightly contaminated sites. Tools ranging from checklists to complexity analysis that might provide a pathway for redevelopment of waterfront brownfields will be considered
- Mega Trends Emerging in Retail Goods Movement
Submitted by: Curtis Spencer, IMS Worldwide
The methods by which goods are made available and delivered to consumers are changing quickly. The traditional "brick and mortar" retail store strategy is no longer a sufficient means to meet the shifting demands of today's consumers. E-commerce and the necessary delivery infrastructure to move goods quickly between the purchase and the ownership process requires a new view of how products are made, packaged, shipped, marked and delivered. This whitepaper will address trends and strategies needed and how the retail experience will change over the next five years.
Some significant drivers and supply/demand chain elements provided in this report include: order fulfillment; bulky goods delivery; supply-chain structures; off-shore security; warehouse and retail facility changes and inventory replenishment.
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