Category Archives: Supply Chain Issues

Incompatible plug-in for electric car battery charging

Posted on August 27, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (August 26, 2011) describes the incompatible standards for fast charging 480 volt chargers that can charge a Nissan Leaf in half an hour. The issue is that standards for these fast chargers are not set, … Continue reading →

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China rare earth exports policy and new plant location

Posted on August 25, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (August 24, 2011) describes the impact of China’s policy to limit exports of rare earth metals on new plant location decisions by Showa Denko of Japan and Intematix of the United States. Showa produces alloys … Continue reading →

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Resolving Shortages of Cancer Drugs

Posted on August 21, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (August 19, 2011) describes the problem of shortages of several cancer drugs that are now made by generic manufacturers.   These drugs are used for breat cancer, colorectal cancer and bacterial infections.  The article claims that … Continue reading →

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Nurse Navigators and patient service supply chains

Posted on August 21, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 16, 2011) describes the role of a nurse navigator to assist patients from start of the diagnosis through completion of treatment. The nurse navigator starts with the patient right from initial diagnosis (in one … Continue reading →

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Mosquito Net distribution in Africa

Posted on August 21, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times review of a book “Lifeblood” by Alex Perry describes the role of Ray Chambers, an industry CEO, in coordinating the distribution of mosquito nets, 300 million to date, in Africa. It describes how disorganized efforts and … Continue reading →

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Triclosan antibacterial worries and supply chain impact

Posted on August 21, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times artcile (August 20, 2011) describes an FDA investigation of triclosan – an antibacterial ingredient used in hand soaps, toothpaste and kitchen cutting boards. The FDA and EPA are investigating whether the chemical is safe – now … Continue reading →

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Struggling with recovery from the Tsunami – Honda vs the rest

Posted on August 18, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 17, 2011) describes differences in the recovery from the tsunami across Nisaan, Toyota and Honda. While Nissan has 54 days of inventory in stock, Toyota has 34 days and Honda 18 days of supply.  … Continue reading →

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Greenpeace’s Dirty Laundry report and Puma’s Commitment

Posted on August 18, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Greenpeace report ‘Dirty Laundry” (http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/reports/Dirty-Laundry/) describes results from water samples from the Yangtze and the Pearl river deltas. Their analysis suggests significant levels of chemical contamination that are potentially hazardous and can impact fish populations too.  The report urges … Continue reading →

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“Amazon Law” and supply chain impact

Posted on August 15, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 3, 2011) estimates that being required to collect sales tax would reduce Amazon.com’s sales by 1.4 % or about $ 650 million per year.   While operating without a brick-and-mortar store in all states, Amazon.com does … Continue reading →

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Expand Capacity or shrink – a decision for Bremen Castings

Posted on August 15, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 10, 2011) describes the choice made by Bremen Castings, a foundry in Indiana with $ 47.5 million in sales, that was choosing whether or not to undertake the largest capital project in their history … Continue reading →

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