Category Archives: Supply Chain Issues

Plans to fix the US Postal System to avoid closure

A New York Times article (Sept 5, 2011) describes the financial crisis at the US Postal Service, which saw volumes decline by 22 % in the alst five years and is estimated to loose another 30 % of volume in the … Continue reading

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The “Job Creation vs Environmental Regulation” debate in the US

A New York Times article (Sept 5, 2011) describes the current debate in Washington between the Federal government’s planned pollution reduction regulation and purported industry impact. Some E.P.A. studies show that regulations such as the Clean Air Act have been … Continue reading

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Changing the mix of China’s automobile production

A New York Times article (Sept 4, 2011) describes a shift in emphasis in China from increasing manufacturing volume to higher mileage cars.  Car sales increased by 5 % in 2011 compared to a 33 % increase in 2010. Officials … Continue reading

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A new report on Apple’s China Supply Chain and associated pollution

A recent report (http://www.ipe.org.cn/Upload/Report-IT-V-Apple-II.pdf, published August 31, 2011) questions whether decisions made by Apple’s suppliers continue to have a negative environmental impact.  The report identifies suppliers who release hazardous chemicals into the river or environment, the speed of ramp up … Continue reading

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The logic of producing more HP Touchpads at a loss

An article in CNN Money (August 31, 2011)  describes a possible reason HP would produce Touchpads and sell them at a loss (for $ 99, from a list price of $ 499) even though the division is being shut down.  … Continue reading

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Importing Indian rosewood to Gibson guitar plants, and customs office reaction

A New York Times article (August 31, 2011) describes a raid on factories owned by the Gibson Guitar Corporation that disrupted the company’s supply chain. The focus is on rosewood and ebony fingerboards imported from India. While Indian laws prevent … Continue reading

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Plan to tighten Clean Air Rules abandoned

A New York Times article (Sept 2, 2011) desctibes a plan to abandon improving air quality rules to reduce smog causing chemicals, thus moving to a relaxed standard set in 2008.  Worries about the impact of this new legislation on … Continue reading

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Advancing US Manufacturing Future

An Op-Ed piece in the New York Times (August 29, 2011) by Susan Hockfield, President of MIT, suggests the need for federal investments in advanced manufacturing, similar to past US govt investments to create innovation in electronics, computing, the Internet … Continue reading

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Should the US Government assist battery manufacturers ?

A New York Times article (‘Does America need manufacturing”, August 24, 2011) described the supply chain impact of federal govt investment in battery manufacturing – the potential impact on scientific research, mining, building contractors, designers, engineers and shop floor employees. … Continue reading

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Steve Jobs, Apple’s product demand and Asian supplier network impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (August 26, 2011) describes the potential impact of Steve Jobs resignation as CEO of Apple on the company’s possible new products and demand. Given that many of Apple’s suppliers are in Asia and … Continue reading

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