Category Archives: Operations Management

Justifying the LED light bulb

Posted on December 1, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Nov 30, 2011) describes the calculation being done by companies like WalMart as they switch to light bulbs made from light emitting diodes (LEDs), which last potentially 10 times longer than regular light … Continue reading →

Posted in Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Evolving landfills into alternate energy sources

Posted on November 30, 2011 by aviyer2010

A CNN video (http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2011/11/30/javaheri-landfill-solar-methane.cnn) describes a landfill in Atlanta that uses a polyester based fabric with solar panels to cover up a landfill. the solar panels generate electricity that is fed to the grid. But the organic waster generates methane, … Continue reading →

Posted in Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Caterpillar US plant location and state level competition

Posted on November 30, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (Nov 25, 2011) describes a decision by Caterpillar to move its small excavator production fom Japan to the US, to be closer to customers. The $150 million plant, expected to generate 1000 jobs, has set … Continue reading →

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The “Save our Industries Act” Poplin agreement Involving the US and Philliphines

Posted on November 30, 2011 by aviyer2010

A report on the “Save our Industries Act” (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/342819/shorter-garment-export-categories-okayed) describes the potential agreement between the US and Philippines under which poplin cloth, exported from US producers to the Philippines for garment manufacturing, would be granted zero duties when exported back … Continue reading →

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Creston Electronics and US manufacturing

Posted on November 30, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in Forbes (Dec 5, 2011) describes Creston Electronics, a N.J. based company that creates over 1,500 complex electronic products in small volumes with low errors. The company’s founder claims that his strategy was to bring outsourced work in … Continue reading →

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Light Bulb regulation in January 2012 and supply chain impact

Posted on November 26, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in he New York Times (Nov 16, 2011) describes the impending regulation that bans manufacturing of the traditional light bulb in January 2012. While sales from inventory can continue, new light bulbs will be required to be more … Continue reading →

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Private Label growth in US grocery retail and branded goods impact

Posted on November 26, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Nov 28,2011) describes grocery retailers like Safeway and Kroger rejuvenating private label products for antibiotic free meat, frozen pizza, pasta etc.  Consultants such as Mckinsey estimate that 75% of customers who try private label brands are … Continue reading →

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Turkey vs chicken supply chains in 2011

Posted on November 26, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Nov 22, 2011) describes the impact of demand volatility on chicken and turkey manufacturers. Turkey manufacturers are smaller and spread out, while chicken has a few large manufacturers. While chicken manufacturers expanded given … Continue reading →

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U.S. multinationals global job growth in the 2000s

Posted on November 26, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (Nov 22, 2011), describes an analysis by the Commerce Department showing that US multinationals cut 865,000 jobs in the US and added 2.9 million jobs in the rest of the world.  In the manufacturing sector, … Continue reading →

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Expiring Lipitor patent, supply chain impact

Posted on November 26, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Streeat Journal (Nov 22,2011) describes a plan by Pfizer to sell Lipitor (a cholesterol reducing drug) direct to consumers once its patent expires on Nov 30. Health care plans that have contracted to sell Lipitor … Continue reading →

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