Tag Archives: Capacity

The improving competitiveness of US toilet manufacturing

An article in the Wall Street Journal titled “America’s Toilet Turnaround”(September 25, 2013) (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303983904579093463623447196.html) describes plans to add capacity to the Mansfield Plumbing Products plant in Perrysvlle, Ohio and Toto Ltd’s plans to increase its capacity in the Morrow, Georgia … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

High Speed trains and productivity impact in China

An article in the New York Times, on September 23,2013, titled “Speedy Trains Transform China”, (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/business/global/high-speed-train-system-is-huge-success-for-china.html?_r=0) describes the impact of the trains that travel 186 miles/hour and connect 100 cities. For individual textile manufacturers, the fast access to customers enables … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

How should data from smart meters be used to improve the power supply chain ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Utilities Try to Learn from Smart Meters (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324123004579055070644003780.html) describes the continuous flow of data from smart meters in consumers homes. That data, coupled with sensors in power generating equipment owned by utilities … Continue reading

Posted in Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Is P&G’s plan to cut package contents to increase prices a winner ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (September 8, 2013) describes a plan by Proctor and Gamble (P&G) to reduce 8 diapers from a box of 140 while maintaining the price, thus raising prices by 6%. This policy follows the … Continue reading

Posted in Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Lulemon’s CEO’s blame on supply chain issues for poor performance a stretch ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (September 12, 2013) describes a conference call in which Lululemon’s CEO blamed supply problems associated with Luon, a stretch fabric that was the cause of see through black yoga pants that had to … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sarin antidote stockpiles, supply problems and extension of expired drugs

An article in the Wall Street Journal (September 13, 2013) describes supply problems for antidotes for Sarin due to manufacturing issues, that result in less than the stated dosage, in prefilled syringes made by Pfizer. The impact is possible erroneous … Continue reading

Posted in Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Does fast fashion enhance poor garment manufacturer working conditions in Bangladesh ?

An article in the New Yorker by James Surowicki (May 20,2013) quotes MIT political scientist Richard Locke as suggesting that fast fashion, with short cycle times, high variety and demands for quick turnaround, force garment manufacturers to demand poor working … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Auto supply shortages in the US and impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (September 3,2013) describes supply constraints faced by US auto dealers for cars made by Nissan, Ford, Toyota and Honda. Dealers report having significantly lower inventories, one car instead of the normal 15 in … Continue reading

Posted in Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Will consumers pay a premium for ethical transparent supply chains ?

An article in CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/26/living/aj-zady-ethical-fashion/index.html?hpt=hp_c3) describes two companies, Small Trades and Zady.com, who focus on providing all details of their supply chain – from the factory location to the employee sewing the apparel. The hope is that fashion conscious consumers … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Are there lessons to be learned from the manufacturing of the Pagani Huayra automobile ?

An article in the New York Times (July 26, 2013) describes the $1.3 million Pagani Huayra, produced one at a time with an annual volume of 20 vehicles and a life time run of 125 cars. Each car’s engine is … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment