Monthly Archives: February 2013

Apple’s supply chain transparency — what do we learn ?

Posted on February 18, 2013 by aviyer2010

A recent release of Apple’s supplier list, mapped on Google maps (http://www.chinafile.com/who-supplies-apple-it-s-not-just-china-interactive-map) provides specific locations of 74 component suppliers, of which 331 are in mainland China. A related supplier responsibility report (http://www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/reports.html) lists audits of suppliers and corrective action, along … Continue reading →

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Developing Greenland’s mining industry and resource impacts

Posted on February 17, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergsbusinessweek (February 18,2013) describes Greenland, a country protected by Denmark and with a population of 57,000, as containing 1 billion ton iron ore and the 10.5 million ton rare earth deposits that are being eyed for development. … Continue reading →

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Disaster driven product supply chains

Posted on February 17, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (February 18,2013) describes the cost of global disasters as $200 billion in 2012, while the earlier decade has an annual cost of $187 billion, caused by earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis etc. Given predictions that climate change will … Continue reading →

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A move from “just in time” to “just in case” supply chain designs ?

Posted on February 13, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (February 12,2013) describes claims that the number of distribution centers to satisfy US demand has increased from two to seven, as retailers demand quick deliveries wile cutting their own inventories. In addition, rising … Continue reading →

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The 340B discount drug program and supply chain leakage

Posted on February 13, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (February 12, 2013) describes problems with the 340B drug program that requires pharmaceutical companies to provide 20 to 50 % discount to hospitals treating low income and uninsured patients and accounts for about … Continue reading →

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The cocoa global supply chain and looming issues

Posted on February 10, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (February 11, 2013) describes cocoa manufacturing projected shortfalls of 50,000 tons compared to demand in 2012-13, while prices dropped 74% from 2011 to 2012. Production shortfalls were provided by a global stockpile of 1.5 years of … Continue reading →

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Manufacturer’s efforts to prevent use of their drugs for lethal injections

Posted on February 10, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (February 11,2013) describes efforts by European manufacturers to prevent use of their drugs for lethal injections in US prisons (to enforce the death penalty). Because capital punishment is illegal across Europe, European governments, such as Italy, … Continue reading →

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Does “fast fashion” create safety problems for employees at global supplier factories ?

Posted on February 10, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (February 7,2013) suggests that the fast (even two week) fashion cycles at Zara, Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) create stress on suppliers in Bangladesh who need to respond rapidly or lose the business. The corresponding stress shifts … Continue reading →

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Manufacturing in Italy – choices made by the 300 year old Richard Ginori porcelain factory

Posted on February 10, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (February 9,2013) describes the travails of the Richard Ginori porcelain factory in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy and its recent bankruptcy and closure. Once a high end porcelain tableware manufacturer, the trends in Italy away … Continue reading →

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Tracking lead batteries recycling supply chain from the US to Mexico

Posted on February 9, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (February 9,2013) describes lax tracking of the recycling of lead batteries exported from the US to Mexico. In the absence of treatment of used batteries as hazardous waste, shipments into Mexico are not … Continue reading →

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