Category Archives: Supply Chain Issues

Book “The Docks” focusing on the Los Angeles port

Posted on February 6, 2011 by aviyer2010

A review of the book “The Docks” by Bill Sharpsteen in the Wall Street Journal (5 February 2011) provides three thought provoking supply chain questions (a) Given the volume of shipments through Los Angeles, and the paucity of security measures, … Continue reading →

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European Commission Report on Commodities and Raw Materials

Posted on February 4, 2011 by aviyer2010

A recent report from the European Commission on “Tackling the Challenges in Commodity Markets and on Raw Materials” describes a variety of tactics including (a) increasing transparency across the supply chain and coordination with partners to monitor use of mining … Continue reading →

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Sustainability in an Indian tea cup

Posted on February 4, 2011 by aviyer2010

The BBC has  story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9385244.stm) that focuses on the clay tea disposable tea cups used to serve tea (chai) for 1 rupee in India.  Once a customer drinks tea, the cup is thrown on the ground. With rain and sun, … Continue reading →

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AML, CCC and supply chain competitiveness

Posted on February 3, 2011 by aviyer2010

A report published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce titled “China’s Drive for Indigenous Innovation” by James McGregor, describes rules regarding the Chinese Compulsory Certification or CCC mark and the Anti-Monopoly  Law or AML in China.  About 20 % of … Continue reading →

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Honda to shift car production to the US

Posted on February 3, 2011 by aviyer2010

An International Herald Tribune article (February 2, 2011) describes Honda’s CFO statement that more of Honda’s CRV production will move to its US plants.  The strong yen has hurt the profitability of producing in Japan, and Honda joins other Japanese … Continue reading →

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Strong Yen causes Nissan to shift global production

Posted on February 2, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (1 February 2011) reports that given the strong yen, Nissan will consider shifting production out of Japan to the US and other markets.  The article claims that a move of one yen (against the dollar) … Continue reading →

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Drug Shortages and Senate Response

Posted on February 2, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (1 February 2011) cites 178 drugs in short supply in 2010, requiring hospitals to scramble to find alternate drugs, new sources of supply etc.  These alternative treatments that ncrease costs or require approvals of untested … Continue reading →

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Egypt Unrest and Supply Chain Impact

Posted on February 1, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (January 31, 2011) analyzes the potential impact of the unrest in Egypt on the global supply chain for oil and cotton.  If the Suez Canal were closed, oil from the Middle East would take 10 … Continue reading →

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Rising prices in China and Global Supply Chain Impact

Posted on January 31, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the International Herald Tribune (30 January 2011) tracks the impact of rising prices in China (“20 to 50 % increases for leather shoes and polo shirts” according to the article) on sourcing decisions and shipping. Wage increases … Continue reading →

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“Windmade” product labels – consumer and product impact

Posted on January 29, 2011 by aviyer2010

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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