Canada

North America Supply Chain

Glencore appoints Jean-Marc Ducharme as North America procurement lead

Glencore has appointed Jean-Marc Ducharme as Regional Lead, Procurement & Supply Chain – North America, effective July 2026 in Laval, Quebec. With over 25 years of global procurement leadership, Ducharme previously managed more than US$1 billion in addressable spend at CAE, delivered 20% cost savings amid supply chain disruption, raised spend under management to 85% at ALDO Group, and achieved 19% average hard savings across categories. His mandate covers strategic sourcing, logistics, inventory management, supplier performance, and supply chain resilience across Glencore’s North American operations.

2026-07-22

Geopolitics

Trump imposes 50% Canada tariffs amid legal risk, spares auto and aerospace supply chains

Former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian goods, effective 19 August 2026, invoking the unused Section 338 of the Tariff Act for the first time. Exemptions cover automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical products — shielding key North American supply chains. Three targeted product lists include alcoholic beverages, dairy inputs, and broad manufactured goods, all subject to duties even if USMCA-origin qualified. Energy, potash, fish, and critical minerals are excluded. Legal challenges are anticipated following a 8 May 2026 federal trade court setback to the administration’s tariff strategy.

2026-07-22

Geopolitics

Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian wine, hockey sticks, cement

Former U.S. President Donald Trump ordered new 50% tariffs on Canadian wine, hockey sticks, cement, and other goods effective 30 days from 21 July 2026. The move relies on the untested Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act and applies to products covered under the USMCA — prompting immediate condemnation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The duties exclude energy and potash but disrupt $480 million in annual Canadian wine exports and affect 37% of U.S. hockey stick retail supply. Cement imports — critical for U.S. infrastructure — now face steep cost increases just as domestic supply meets only 62% of demand.

2026-07-22

Inventory & Fulfillment

CMA CGM acquires FedEx Supply Chain for $1.4 billion

CMA CGM has agreed to acquire FedEx Supply Chain for $1.4 billion, expanding its North American logistics presence with over 100 facilities and 30 million square feet of warehouse space. The deal, expected to close in late 2026, follows CMA CGM’s prior acquisitions of CEVA Logistics ($3.7 billion, 2019) and Bolloré Logistics (2022). Integration into CMA CGM Logistics aims to deliver $150 million in annual synergies by 2029. Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM’s CEO, emphasized the move’s role in building end-to-end ocean-to-door capabilities.

2026-07-22

AI & Automation

TIACA taps Mammen Tharakan as director general in August

Mammen Tharakan has been appointed director general of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), effective August 2026, succeeding Glyn Hughes who has led the group since 2021. Tharakan brings three years of experience as vice president at Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport Development Company—overseeing development of a new Riyadh airport targeting 100 million annual passengers by 2030—and nearly five years directing e-commerce, cargo, and aviation real estate at Edmonton International Airport in Canada. His prior roles include Air France-KLM station management across North America. TIACA Chair Roos Bakker cited his strategic vision and collaborative leadership. The association will host its Air Cargo Forum in Miami from October 26–29, 2026.

2026-07-21

Europe Supply Chain

Tariffs raise apparel costs 37% as 46% of fashion execs foresee 2026 downturn

Forty-six percent of fashion executives anticipate worsening industry conditions in 2026, up from 39% in 2025, as tariff-driven cost pressures mount — with apparel sourcing prices projected to rise 35% and leather goods 37%. USMCA’s summer 2026 review, the September 2025 expiration of AGOA and Haiti HELP/HOPE, and the Supreme Court’s pending IEEPA ruling compound uncertainty. Forty percent of leaders rank U.S. trade policy among their top three risks — up from 25% last year — while Gap targets Q2 2026 for tariff strategy benefits.

2026-07-20

Japan & Korea Supply Chain

Lululemon launches 1M-sq-ft Brampton DC for US, Canada e-commerce

Lululemon has opened a 1-million-square-foot automated distribution center in Brampton, Ontario, fully operational as of June 2026. The facility supports e-commerce fulfillment across Eastern Canada and the Eastern U.S., featuring an AutoStore robotic system. Chief Supply Chain Officer Ted Dagnese stated it enhances speed, agility, and guest service. Construction began in 2023, aligning with Lululemon’s $4.2 billion FY2025 North American revenue and broader infrastructure investments including its 700,000-square-foot Phoenix DC.

2026-07-16

Manufacturing

Rock Tech receives $262,500 to test pulp by-product in lithium processing

Rock Tech Lithium Inc. has secured $262,500 from Ontario’s Critical Minerals Innovation Fund to assess crude tall oil — a pulp and paper by-product — as a flotation reagent for lithium processing. Partnering with Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper and Queen’s University, the 18-month project aims to improve processing efficiency, cut emissions, and strengthen Ontario’s localized critical minerals supply chain. CEO Mirco Wojnarowicz emphasized innovation-driven competitiveness, while regional officials highlighted job creation in Northern Ontario. The initiative builds on Rock Tech’s prior $1.4M federal funding and refinery site selection in Red Rock.

2026-07-15

Digital Platforms

Assent acquires IPOINT to unify automotive compliance, lifecycle data

Ottawa-based Assent acquired German software provider IPOINT—the company's first acquisition since its 2010 founding. IPOINT, established in 2001 and based in Reutlingen, Germany, brings deep automotive compliance and lifecycle assessment expertise. The deal accelerates Assent’s EU expansion and unifies supply chain compliance with material intelligence on a single AI-powered platform. CEO Michael Southworth emphasized eliminating fragmented data silos. Integration supports CSDDD, CBAM, and ISO 28000 requirements, with early users reporting 40% faster audit prep. IPOINT’s 120+ employees retain roles post-acquisition.

2026-07-13

Geopolitics

USMCA Renewal Looms as Apparel Tariff Uncertainty Grows

The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) faces a critical 2026 review, creating tariff uncertainty for apparel importers. With renewal in limbo, nearshoring strategies are strained, and the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) is seeing rising use—apparel exports up 19% since Q3 2024. Compliance audits rose 47% year-on-year, and 68% of Tier-1 buyers revised 2027 sourcing maps to include DR-CAFTA contingencies. USMCA entered force July 1, 2020; DR-CAFTA’s automatic termination looms January 1, 2027.

2026-07-13

AI & Automation

AI Logistics Speeds Up as Freight Fraud Rises, $725M U.S.-Canada Losses in 2025

AI is accelerating logistics—but also enabling increasingly sophisticated freight fraud. U.S. and Canada cargo theft losses hit $725 million in 2025, up 60% YoY, with average theft value rising to $273,990. Criminals now exploit digital workflows via spoofed identities, fake carriers, and cloned domains—bypassing physical security entirely. Experts warn that AI without embedded verification multiplies risk, urging logistics firms to adopt continuous 'Know Your Supplier' practices instead of one-time onboarding. Resilience now depends on trusted data, not just speed or capacity.

2026-07-12

Inventory & Fulfillment

Lululemon, Element Logic launch 1M-sq-ft Ontario AutoStore DC

Lululemon and Element Logic have launched a fully automated 1 million-square-foot distribution center in Brampton, Ontario — the largest AutoStore deployment in Canada and second largest in North America. The facility features 525 R5 pro robots, 292,000 storage bins, and 24,000 linear feet of material handling equipment. It supports omnichannel fulfillment across Eastern Canada and the U.S., marking a 14-year automation partnership milestone. Designed for scalability and speed, the DC processes up to 35,000 orders daily during peak periods and advances Lululemon’s goal of 40% e-commerce sales by 2026.

2026-07-12