Category Archives: Global Contexts

Caterpillar’s US plant labor costs vs Canadian costs

Posted on January 10, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Jan 7, 2012) describes Caterpillar’s assertion tha labor costs in its US plants are 50% of the costs in Canada. Given the Canadian plant’s lack of global competitiveness due to labor rule inflexibility, … Continue reading →

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Whirlpool dumping charge against LG and Samsung and possible supply chain response

Posted on January 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Jan 2, 2012) describes a claim by Whirlpool that LG and Samsung have dumped residential washing machines, at prices below production costs, and requests import duties to be levied.  Whirlpool claims that the … Continue reading →

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Court Blocks California use of life cycle greenhouse gas estimation for fuel producers

Posted on January 1, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Dec 29, 2011) describes a Federal judge’s decision to block the state of California from computing the life cycle impact of greenhouse gas emissions by furl producers. The plan was to include the … Continue reading →

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Defining organic agriculture – include sustainable water and energy too ?

Posted on December 31, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Dec 31, 2011) describes the growth in organic farms in Mexico that comply with US definitions of organic farming – a ban on use of synthethic fertilizers, hormones, pesticides etc. But Swedish certification … Continue reading →

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iPad 3 rumors, product transition and possible supply chain impact

Posted on December 30, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article by Louis Bedigian (Dec 29, 2011 http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/11/12/2231119/ipad-3s-most-significant-upgrade-will-be) describes rumors regarding a new iPad 3 and possible design choices. Will the new iPad 3 replace the older iPad 2 – as suggested by the Apple supply chain’s participants noticing … Continue reading →

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Boeing production rampup and the role of supply chain examiners

Posted on December 30, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 30, 2011) describes Boeing’s backlog of 3,500 airplanes, worth $ 270 billion, and the need to rampup production by 60 % in the next three years to maintain delivery commitments. Competition from … Continue reading →

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Lower wages, greater employment and capital investment in the US – a wise choice ?

Posted on December 29, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Dec 29, 20110 describes wage decreases of $ 10 to $ 15 per hour for manufacturing jobs in Kentucky – a prerequisite “competitive wage” at which General Electric moved production to Kentucty and … Continue reading →

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Indian Reverse Auctions for Solar Power and Impact

Posted on December 29, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Dec 29, 2011) describes the reverse auctions run by the Indian government, with solar power providers bidding to win the contract, that decreased costs 30 % compared to the previous year. These lower … Continue reading →

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Mumbai slums and supply chain efficiency

Posted on December 29, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Dec 29, 2011) describes the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, India, home to a million people and generating an economic output of close to $ 1 billion. Admist the grime are thriving supply chains … Continue reading →

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New Chinese rare earth quotas for 2012 and consequences

Posted on December 28, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 28, 2011) describes China’s announcement of separate rare earth metals export quotas for 2012 – light rare earths (used in magnets) will have quotas separate from heavy rare earths (used in high … Continue reading →

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