Category Archives: Uncategorized

Recycling coffee cups – why is it difficult ?

An article in the site HuffPost titled “Why can’t coffee cups be recycled” describes the challenges associated with coffee cups that have a polyethylene lining that is difficult to recycle. In addition, lined coffee cups if mixed with other cups … Continue reading

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Toyota has chips for automobiles while others do not, how ?

An article in Investing.com titled “How Toyota thrives when the chips are down” (March 8, 2021) describes the impact of the global chip shortage and associated auto manufacturer impact but has left Toyota unaffected. Toyota plans to increase vehicle output. … Continue reading

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Global Supply Bottlenecks and rethinking China sourcing

An article in APNEWS titled “Shipping snags prompt US firms to mull retreat from China” (August 5, 2021) claims that firms are worried about container capacity, shipping delays and rising prices. Many manufacturers (52%) are thus considering moving production back … Continue reading

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Manufacturers thinking holistically about opening in the New Normal

A report published by Purdue’s DCMME (https://tinyurl.com/y5579emz) describes an approach to leverage smart technology to enable manufacturers to operate as they open after the pandemic. The report describes process adjustments to prevent infection spread and rethinking the economics of technology … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, manufacturer, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

Hardware Chain Growth through the pandemic

An article in the Wall Street Journal (August 16, 2020 https://tinyurl.com/yxuaxu64) describes the impact of the pandemic on hardware chains such as Home Depot and Lowes.   From cancelling customer attracting, but low margin, promotions to ensure social distancing, to reordering … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, competitiveness, congestion, consumer, Coordination, Cost, logistics, retailers, supplier, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 49 Comments

Building resilience in supply chains

A news report (https://tinyurl.com/y55ypho3) described six ways that supply chains can build in resilience to deal with the pandemic during the early days when suppliers in China were impacted. These include adjusting shipment modes, using alternate designs, building up inventory, … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, China, Coordination, disruption, logistics, product, ship, supplier, Supply Chain Issues, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 68 Comments

MicroHospitals and fast service by St Vincent in Indiana

An article in IndyStar (https://www.indystar.com/) describes a micro-hospital by St Vincent in Noblesville, Indiana. These micro-hospitals are around 60,000 sq ft, cost $12 million, have seven emergency rooms including one for trauma, four in patient rooms and eight overnight beds. … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, congestion, consumer, emb2019, hospital, imm2018, logistics, Service Operations, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

Ecommerce custom furniture by MaidenHome

An ecommerce company (https://www.maidenhome.com) offers customizable furniture, free delivery within six weeks, lifetime warranty, 30 day money back guarantee and prices around $2000 for furniture that would otherwise cost $6000.  They claim that working directly with craftsmen in North Carolina … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, consumer, Cost, delivery, Ecommerce, emb2019, imm2018, logistics, Made in USA, manufacturer, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 32 Comments

Shoe Manufacturing moving from China to Ethiopia as costs increase

An article in the New York Times (June 1, 2017) titled “Chinese maker of Ivanka’s Shoes Looks for Cheaper labor”, describes the Chinese shoe manufacturer, Huajian International, moving some of their production from China to Ethiopia in response to decreased … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, Capacity, China, consumer, Cost, delivery, Global Contexts, logistics, Made in USA, shoes, supplier, Supply Chain Issues, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reducing Emergency Room queue time using telemedicine

An article in the Wall Street Journal (March 27, 2017) titled “Can Tech Speed up Emergency Room Care?” describes the increased use of remote care by emergency room doctors at New-York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine.  The Express care program offers emergency … Continue reading

Posted in Capacity, consumer, Cost, productivity, queue, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 28 Comments