Author Archives: aviyer2010

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About aviyer2010

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How many domestic automakers does China need ?

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Dec 19, 2011) describes China’s auto sector has having 70 automakers with 55 of them accounting for 11 % of sales.  Foreign automakers account for 58% of sales.  The Chinese government plans to further concentrate the … Continue reading

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Swatch’s plans to cut back component sales to competitors and supply chain impact

A New York Times article (Dec 10, 2011) describes a decision by the Swatch Group to cut back sales (to 85 % of 2010 levels and ultimately to zero) of components to competitors. Buying these components from Swatch had enabled … Continue reading

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Balancing Wind, Water energy and salmon interests

An article in the New York Times (Dec 7, 2011) describes the coordinating role played by a Federal power agency, Bonneville Power Administration, that was faced with accepting power from hydroelectric and wind sources during stormy weather.  The agency dropped … Continue reading

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Used US car batteries, EPA regulation and Mexican pollution

An article in the New York Times (Dec 9, 2011) describes the EPA regulation of lead recycling from the 97 % of batteries recycled, the consequent cost impact of these regulations of $ 20 million in capital investments to comply, … Continue reading

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Toyota’s Supply Chain and Currency and Global Risk Impact

An article in the New York Times (Dec 9, 2011) describes Toyota’s announcement of a 54 % profit drop due to the appreciation of the yen and the floods in Thailand. The strong yen affects Toyota more than other automakers … Continue reading

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US Canada border delay easing and impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 8, 2011) describes the US-Canada border delays as costing the Canadian economy $ 15.8 billion.  A new plan is expected to simplify clearance, with goods entering by ship to a US or … Continue reading

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FDA Supplier Shutdown and Cancer Drug shortages

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 8, 2011) describes overdue preventive maintenance, quality issues (such as urine in a can in the storage area) not invetsigated enough and excessive defects in some products.  The result – the Bedford, … Continue reading

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Managing retail customer queues to decrease dissatisfaction

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 8, 2011) describes retail queues and consumer perceptions of waiting time.  While a single queue is mathematically ideal as an approach to decrease average wait times, consumers perceive any waiting time greater … Continue reading

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US Battery companies “shocked” by low demands and high costs ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 5, 2011) describes the plight of US battery companies, funded by over $ 2.4 billion in Federal grants, but struggling to win contracts from automakers. In the case of Ener1, low sales … Continue reading

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Eliminating USDA oversight of “fresh” meat labels – a good idea ?

An article  in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 7, 2011) describes a proposal by the USDA to eliminate their oversight of claims like “fresh”, “low-fat” or “Italian style” for meats.  The claims will thus rest on the credibility of the … Continue reading

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