Tag Archives: Capacity

Will any of the two proposed rail options or the new proposed canal option compete with the Panama Canal ?

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (July 1,2013) described a proposed Chinese-led plan to build a $40 billion canal in Nicaragua, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. But two other rail options have been proposed too. A $10 billion Taiwanese proposal to … Continue reading

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The impact of short cell phone life cycles in Japan

An article in the New York Times (June 26,2013) describes the example of Sony’s Xperia Z smartphone whose life cycle started on February 9 but ended one month later after selling 1 million units. The dominance of cell phone carriers … Continue reading

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US egg price rise (by 42%) and global supply chain impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 14, 2013) describes a 42% rise in US egg prices and explores possible reasons. One key reason is the avian influenza in Mexico that has created a dramatic demand increase in US … Continue reading

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Will Tesla’s new 90 second battery swap increase electric car demand ?

A report in PCmag.com (June 21, 2013 http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420802,00.asp) describes a demonstration of a 90 second battery swap by Tesla, thus offering consumers the choice of waiting and getting free battery charging or paying close to the price of tank of … Continue reading

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Can low shale gas prices attract new steel capacity to the US ?

An article in the Financial Times (June 19,2013) describes a new plant in Ohio built by Vallourec to produce steel tubes for the oil and gas industry. The company describes the low US gas prices, as well as the surging … Continue reading

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Should Tesla be permitted to sell cars direct to consumer ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 18, 2013) describes the electric car company Tesla’s attempt to sell direct to consumer from its own stores. The company can do so in states such as New York, New jersey, Massachusetts, … Continue reading

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Competition between railroads and pipeline operators to transport oil

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (June 17,2013) describes competition between a oil pipeline owner, Kinder Morgan, and railroads to transport oil from West Texas to Los Angeles. While pipeline operates demands long term contracts to cover their capital costs, railroads can … Continue reading

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Should Europe ban the “beaching” of old ships flying the European flag?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 13,2013) describes a move to ban the beaching of old ships (flying European flags), a method used in India and Bangladesh to recycle old ships. Instead, recycling will require use of dry … Continue reading

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The “build your own supply chain rule” in India

An article in the Business Standard (June 13, 2013 IST) describes a new rule in India that requires foreign retailers entering the country to create new required supply chain infrastructure and stores worth $100 million, with purchases of existing retailer … Continue reading

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Decreasing production to increase profits at Ferrari

An article in the Financial Times (June 11, 2013) describes a plan to decrease production by Ferrari by 400 vehicles this year, down to 6,900 cars. The plan is to continue to maintain the exclusivity of the brand, add capacity … Continue reading

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