Tag Archives: Cost

Boeing, Delta disagree regarding global supply chain impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (March 16,2012) describes an attempt by Delta to cut the extent of loans provided by the US government financed Export-Import bank to Boeing’s potential customers. While these loans help Boeing grow its exports, … Continue reading

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US low manufacturing wages and global supply chain impact

 An article in the Wall Street Journal (March 17,2012) describes manufacturing wage rates in Indiana of $12/hour with no unions in Muncie, IN, compared to twice that rate in Caterpillar’s Canadian plant. The impact – closure of the Canadian plant … Continue reading

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Mexico auto exports to Brazil capped to settle a trade spat

An article in the Wall Street Journal (March 16,2012) describes Mexican auto exports growing to 20% of all imports into Brazil. Recent agreements between the countries have planned an auto import limit of $1.6 billion, down from the current $2.1 … Continue reading

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The supply chain impact of minimum wage increases in China, Vietnam and Indonesia

An article in the Wall Street Journal (March 14,2012) describes the impact of wage increases in China on Charming Shoppes, owner of the Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherine labels. In addition to wage increases, the company realized that 60% … Continue reading

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Refining capacity mismatch and gas price impact

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (March 5,2012) describes the East coast refining capacity as dependent on Nigerian oil, but the Midwest refineries process higher sulphur content, cheaper Texas crude. Nigerian oil prices fluctuate with MidEast crisis, and thus make East Coast … Continue reading

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India, China trade flows and market access

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Feb 27,2012) describes the 43 billion dollars of exports from China to India and the 10 billion exports from India to China. This trade imbalance has resulted in 46 complaints by India to the WTO about … Continue reading

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Elpida bankruptcy and supply chain competitiveness

An article in the New York Times (Feb 29, 2012) describes the bankruptcy of Elpida, a Japanese DRAM chip manufacturer. Falling PC volumes, competition from South Korean manufacturers have caused prices to drop 85%. With the Japanese govt reluctant to … Continue reading

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GM, Peugeot Alliance

An article in the New York Times (Feb 29,2012) describes a decision by General Motors to invest in 7% of Peugeot, creating an alliance. The associated $125 billion spend of the two companies is expected to deliver synergies in the … Continue reading

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California’s Supply Chain Transparency Act and Enforcement

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Feb 27,2012) describes the California Supply Chain Transperancy Act requiring retailers with more than $100 million in sales to ensure that their supply chains do not involve slave labor. But  the article reports allegations of slave … Continue reading

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Fastenal’s variety competition

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Feb 27, 2012) describes the greatest growth compan since 1987 as Fastenal, a distributor of fasteners. Fastenal’s 10,261 pages of fasteners provides the greatest variety of fasteners, available at 2,600 outlets.  Does variety provide a distributor … Continue reading

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