Tag Archives: Capacity

Using Real time truck fleet data to decrease fuel costs

Posted on October 4, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Sept 12-18, 2011) describes used by the 10,000 fleet US Xpress trucking company. By adjusting truck temperatures during a driver 10 hour break to be 70 degrees the first two hours and 78-79 degrees after, the … Continue reading →

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“Surge and Purge” contractors for defense services

Posted on October 1, 2011 by aviyer2010

A BloombergBusinessweek article (Sept 5, 2011) describes the approach in the Pentagon to use “surge and purge” services offered by CACI International and ManTech International. These companies provide the capability required for the specified time frame and are available on … Continue reading →

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The benefit of a public private response during an emergency

Posted on October 1, 2011 by aviyer2010

A BloombergBusinessweek article (Sept 5, 2011) describes how private businesses provided faster and cheaper response compared to the government. Local restaurants provided meals at half the $ 8 price per meal of FEMA rations.  Emergencies in Louisiana now routinely involve … Continue reading →

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Indian manufacturer exporting Jaguars from Britain to Asia

Posted on October 1, 2011 by aviyer2010

The Economist (Sept 24, 2011) describes the Halewood plant (near Liverpool) , part of the Jaguar Land Rover plant owned by Tata Motors. Addition of the Land Rover to the plant has increased its manufacturing capacity and associated employment.  But … Continue reading →

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Making cars in high cost Brazil in response to import taxes

Posted on October 1, 2011 by aviyer2010

The Economist (Sept 24, 2011) describes a 30 percent increase in tax on cars with an exemption for cars made in Brazil, Mexico or the Mercosur trade block. Thus, even though labor costs in Brazil are 60 % higher than … Continue reading →

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Nokia volume drops and supplier impact

Posted on September 27, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (Sept 27, 2011) describes the declining fortunes of Nokia and its impact in suppliers. These suppliers are described as finding that Apple and Android based smartphones are using custom built components that are closed to … Continue reading →

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The New Kindle vs the iPad battle

Posted on September 27, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (Sept 26, 2011) describes the impending release of a new tablet by Amazon.com and the ensuing battle with Apple. Amazon provides content – ebooks, music, entertainment – but adding email and games covers the bulk … Continue reading →

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Marvin Windows and the no layoff decision

Posted on September 25, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Sept 24, 2011) describes the”no layoff” strategy used by privately held Marvin Windows of Warroad, MN.  To reduce costs, employees saw cuts in perks like tuition reimbursement, overtime, salary cuts of 5 % … Continue reading →

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Panama Canal Expansion and US Trade and Domestic port Impact

Posted on September 24, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (August 16, 2011) describes the construction in the Panama Canal, scheduled to be completed by 2014, that will permit ships that are 25 % longer and 50 % wider to pass through while relieving the … Continue reading →

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Manufacturing Productivity and Small Business Survival

Posted on September 8, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (Sept 7, 2011) describes the labor productivity increase for a small manufacturer with labor costs holding at $ 337 per hour from 2005 to 2010 but the number of employees dropping from 20 to 40 … Continue reading →

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