Monthly Archives: June 2013

Is blocking logistics for US coal exports good for the global environment ?

An article in the New York Times (June 15,2013) describes efforts to block train shipments and port expansion for low sulfur coal from native American reservations. Environmentalists claim that train transport will result in coal dust being blown into rivers … Continue reading

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Volvo offers Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a truck fuel

An article in the Supply Chain Digest (June 12, 2013) describes the use of Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a truck fuel by Volvo, producing 95% lower carbon emissions than diesel and 70% lower emissions than natural gas. Volvo claims that … Continue reading

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Oxfam assists Unilever to assess worker conditions at Vietnamese supplier locations

An article in the Financial Times (June 11,2013) describes the use of Oxfam’s personnel by Unilever to audit its suppliers in Vietnam to assess worker management practices. Oxfam focuses on worker wages, working hours and the extent of contract labor … Continue reading

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The “build your own supply chain rule” in India

An article in the Business Standard (June 13, 2013 IST) describes a new rule in India that requires foreign retailers entering the country to create new required supply chain infrastructure and stores worth $100 million, with purchases of existing retailer … Continue reading

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Decreasing production to increase profits at Ferrari

An article in the Financial Times (June 11, 2013) describes a plan to decrease production by Ferrari by 400 vehicles this year, down to 6,900 cars. The plan is to continue to maintain the exclusivity of the brand, add capacity … Continue reading

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London’s port expansion and volume aspirations

A video in the Financial Times (June 11, 2013) describes the expansion of London’s port by Dubai based DP World. The new port is claimed to be the largest logistics park in Europe and appropriate for the UK, given that … Continue reading

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Shortage of TB drugs in India – a major producer of these drugs

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 6,2013) describes severe shortages of tuberculosis (TB) drugs in India, a country that is a major producer of TB drugs. TB kills a significant number of Indians and the government has been … Continue reading

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Tracking medicines to prevent counterfeits in the US

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (June 3,2013) describes a plan to install a digital ID on tablet bottles to track them as they move through the supply chain. Individual companies would have to be registered in the Federal licenses and subject … Continue reading

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Should the US restrict LNG exports to assist higher margin plastics exports ?

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (June 3,2013) describes efforts by chemical companies like Dow Chemicals to argue against US exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) given the abundance of natural gas in the US. These chemical companies produce polymers and plastics … Continue reading

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Improving airline travel in Europe

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 3,2013) describes the delays in Europe caused by the 37 countries with 63 air traffic control units that do not have a common authority. Improving performance requires coordinating landings and takeoffs with … Continue reading

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