Category Archives: Supply Chain Issues

Refining capacity mismatch and gas price impact

Posted on March 6, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (March 5,2012) describes the East coast refining capacity as dependent on Nigerian oil, but the Midwest refineries process higher sulphur content, cheaper Texas crude. Nigerian oil prices fluctuate with MidEast crisis, and thus make East Coast … Continue reading →

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India, China trade flows and market access

Posted on March 6, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Feb 27,2012) describes the 43 billion dollars of exports from China to India and the 10 billion exports from India to China. This trade imbalance has resulted in 46 complaints by India to the WTO about … Continue reading →

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Elpida bankruptcy and supply chain competitiveness

Posted on March 6, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Feb 29, 2012) describes the bankruptcy of Elpida, a Japanese DRAM chip manufacturer. Falling PC volumes, competition from South Korean manufacturers have caused prices to drop 85%. With the Japanese govt reluctant to … Continue reading →

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GM, Peugeot Alliance

Posted on March 6, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Feb 29,2012) describes a decision by General Motors to invest in 7% of Peugeot, creating an alliance. The associated $125 billion spend of the two companies is expected to deliver synergies in the … Continue reading →

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California’s Supply Chain Transparency Act and Enforcement

Posted on March 6, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Feb 27,2012) describes the California Supply Chain Transperancy Act requiring retailers with more than $100 million in sales to ensure that their supply chains do not involve slave labor. But  the article reports allegations of slave … Continue reading →

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Fastenal’s variety competition

Posted on March 6, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Feb 27, 2012) describes the greatest growth compan since 1987 as Fastenal, a distributor of fasteners. Fastenal’s 10,261 pages of fasteners provides the greatest variety of fasteners, available at 2,600 outlets.  Does variety provide a distributor … Continue reading →

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iPad Accessory makers and race to be ready for the new version

Posted on March 6, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in USA Today (March 6, 2012) describes a race by accessory makers to be ready with products for the new iPad 3, debuting on March 7.  The market for iPad and iPhone accessories is estimated to be $ … Continue reading →

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$ 8 billion in fines but still suppliers

Posted on March 6, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in USA Today (March 7, 2012) describes the $ 8 billion in fines paid by pharmaceutical companies accused of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, but with no impact on their supplier status – thanks to them being sole suppliers … Continue reading →

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Sustainable chemicals sourcing at P and G

Posted on February 9, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the website Sustainable Brands (http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/articles/procter-gamble-developing-sustainable-chemicals-biofuel-company) describes Proctor & Gamble’s use of Zeachem, a cellulosic biorefinery manufacturer that uses raw material from poplar and agricultural residues and uses natural bacteria that produce no Co2 during fermentation. The consumer … Continue reading →

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Mexico’s gain at China’s rising cost expense ?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Feb 6, 2012) describes data that trains and trucks carried 9 % more freight last year from Mexico to the US, while container traffic from Asia dropped 0.2 %. As we have heard … Continue reading →

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