Category Archives: Global Contexts

“Windmade” product labels – consumer and product impact

An article in the International Herald Tribune (January 28,2011) reports a proposal in the Davos 2011 conference made by clean energy companies to introduce a “Windmade” label consisting of three blue swooshes.  The label will be on products that use … Continue reading

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The Impact of competitors imitating each other

A New York times article (January 25, 2011, B1) describes a decision by Sealy to start using a technology prominently advertised by its competitor, Simmons. The technology is a closed coil system used by Simmons, as against the traditional Sealy … Continue reading

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Global Trade Rules and Remanufactured Products

A Wall Street Journal article (January 24, 2011, A3) describes efforts by US manufacturers to press for changes in laws in China, Japan and Brazil that ban or restrict the import of used medical equipment. Manufacturers claim that rising commodity … Continue reading

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Apple’s Global Supply Chain Changes

A New York Times article (January 24, 2011, B1) describes changes to Apple’s global supply chain orchestrated by the COO, Tim Cook.  It claims that when Apple owned plants in California, Ireland and Singapore, the supply chain had 90 days … Continue reading

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Understanding Rare Earths Supply Chains – a DOE Report

For supply chain managers interested in rare earth supply chains, a DOE report, available at  http://www.energy.gov/news/documents/criticalmaterialsstrategy.pdf provides a comprehensive summary. Currently, 97 % of the world’s rare earth metals are sourced from China. A few highlights of the report (a) … Continue reading

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Rising Prices for Coffee, Cotton and Cocoa

A Wall Street Journal article (January 22, 2011) describes rising prices for commodities such as coffee, cotton and cocoa. Reasons for this estimated price increase, as reflected by rising prices of futures, are global.  Significant rainfall in Colombia is expected … Continue reading

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China Control of Rare Earth Mines

A New York Times article (January 21,2011, page B1) describes the takeover of 11  districts in China that have rare earth deposits.  This increased control will let the government be more strategic regarding exports of rare earths but also reduce … Continue reading

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U.S.Manufacturing jobs grow 1.2 %

A report in the Wall Street Journal (January 19, 2011) describes a 1.2 % growth in manufacturing jobs in the US in 2010, with a projected increase of 2.5 % in 2011. The article also states that while manufacturing output … Continue reading

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Incorporating Manufacturing efficiency in Japanese farms using IT

An article in the Wall Street Journal (January 18, 2011, page B5) describes the head of a Japanese commercial farm who uses information technology to optimize his farm’s output. The article describes the use of sensors to monitor temeprature, soil … Continue reading

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Initiatives to protect the Global Supply Chain

Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, wrote an Op-Ed piece in the Wall Street Journal (Januray 6,2011) describing the challenges and efforts to protect the Global Supply Chain. Products ordered by consumers today may often involve components, subassemblies and packaging … Continue reading

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