Monthly Archives: August 2011

Greenpeace’s Dirty Laundry report and Puma’s Commitment

Posted on August 18, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Greenpeace report ‘Dirty Laundry” (http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/reports/Dirty-Laundry/) describes results from water samples from the Yangtze and the Pearl river deltas. Their analysis suggests significant levels of chemical contamination that are potentially hazardous and can impact fish populations too.  The report urges … Continue reading →

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“Amazon Law” and supply chain impact

Posted on August 15, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 3, 2011) estimates that being required to collect sales tax would reduce Amazon.com’s sales by 1.4 % or about $ 650 million per year.   While operating without a brick-and-mortar store in all states, Amazon.com does … Continue reading →

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Expand Capacity or shrink – a decision for Bremen Castings

Posted on August 15, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 10, 2011) describes the choice made by Bremen Castings, a foundry in Indiana with $ 47.5 million in sales, that was choosing whether or not to undertake the largest capital project in their history … Continue reading →

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Ecommerce Robustness during economic downturn

Posted on August 15, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 14, 2011) describes the potential growth of ecommerce businesses (10 % in 2011 and 9 % in 2012) even as overall retail sales are expected to decrease. Increased selection, pooled inventory that can be … Continue reading →

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Decreased US Federal government spending and private supply chain impact

Posted on August 9, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (August 9, 2011) describes the impact of decreases in spending by the federal government ($ 917 billion in cuts over 10 years) and the impact of the loss of their consistency in spending … Continue reading →

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‘Green deliveries” by Office Depot

Posted on August 8, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in Sustainable Life Media (http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/news_and_views/articles/office-depot-rolls-out-greener-deliveries?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=brandsweekly&utm_campaign=august8) describes Office Depot’s delivery option to customers – receive supplies in paper bags with over 40 % recycled content – transported in plastic reusable totes with 60 % recycled plastic.  The goal is … Continue reading →

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Global Trade, earthworms and potatoes

Posted on August 6, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Saturday essay by Charles Mann (Wall Street Journal, August 6, 2011) provides a fascinating story of the impact of stowaways as a party of global trade. He describes how earthworms made their way as part of the English dirt … Continue reading →

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Toyota’s Toyotag and engaging consumers

Posted on August 3, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (August 2, 2011) describes Toyota’s use of Toyotags – a “logo inside a ring” that permits customers with smartphones to get specific product information from the mobile bar code, but also permits use of a … Continue reading →

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“Better Place” battery swapping stations in Denmark and the future of EVs

Posted on August 2, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (July 29, 2011) describes recently opened battery swapping stations by “Better Place” in Denmark. Oweners of electric vehicles lease batteries and drive into swap stations to replece batteries. A robot operated device removes … Continue reading →

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“Tide Dry Cleaners” as P&G takes downstream role

Posted on August 2, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (December 8, 2010) describes dry cleaning stores opened by Proctor and Gamble to popularize its Tide products.  A similar effort focuses on Mr Clean Car washing locations.  The goal is to use these … Continue reading →

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