Tag Archives: Cost

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

Posted on June 19, 2013 by aviyer2010

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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How are US paintbrush makers globally competitive ?

Posted on June 19, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 18,2013) describes the competitiveness of over 139 broom, brush and mop manufacturers in the US undeterred by competition from CHina. One company, Kirschner, survives by making no changes in its manufacturing and … Continue reading →

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Should Tesla be permitted to sell cars direct to consumer ?

Posted on June 18, 2013 by aviyer2010

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

Posted on June 15, 2013 by aviyer2010

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?

Posted on June 15, 2013 by aviyer2010

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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Is blocking logistics for US coal exports good for the global environment ?

Posted on June 15, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 15,2013) describes efforts to block train shipments and port expansion for low sulfur coal from native American reservations. Environmentalists claim that train transport will result in coal dust being blown into rivers … Continue reading →

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Volvo offers Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a truck fuel

Posted on June 12, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Supply Chain Digest (June 12, 2013) describes the use of Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a truck fuel by Volvo, producing 95% lower carbon emissions than diesel and 70% lower emissions than natural gas. Volvo claims that … Continue reading →

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Oxfam assists Unilever to assess worker conditions at Vietnamese supplier locations

Posted on June 12, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Financial Times (June 11,2013) describes the use of Oxfam’s personnel by Unilever to audit its suppliers in Vietnam to assess worker management practices. Oxfam focuses on worker wages, working hours and the extent of contract labor … Continue reading →

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The “build your own supply chain rule” in India

Posted on June 12, 2013 by aviyer2010

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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London’s port expansion and volume aspirations

Posted on June 12, 2013 by aviyer2010

A video in the Financial Times (June 11, 2013) describes the expansion of London’s port by Dubai based DP World. The new port is claimed to be the largest logistics park in Europe and appropriate for the UK, given that … Continue reading →

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