Tag Archives: Cost

“Amazon Law” and supply chain impact

Posted on August 15, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 3, 2011) estimates that being required to collect sales tax would reduce Amazon.com’s sales by 1.4 % or about $ 650 million per year.   While operating without a brick-and-mortar store in all states, Amazon.com does … Continue reading →

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Expand Capacity or shrink – a decision for Bremen Castings

Posted on August 15, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 10, 2011) describes the choice made by Bremen Castings, a foundry in Indiana with $ 47.5 million in sales, that was choosing whether or not to undertake the largest capital project in their history … Continue reading →

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Ecommerce Robustness during economic downturn

Posted on August 15, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 14, 2011) describes the potential growth of ecommerce businesses (10 % in 2011 and 9 % in 2012) even as overall retail sales are expected to decrease. Increased selection, pooled inventory that can be … Continue reading →

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‘Green deliveries” by Office Depot

Posted on August 8, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in Sustainable Life Media (http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/news_and_views/articles/office-depot-rolls-out-greener-deliveries?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=brandsweekly&utm_campaign=august8) describes Office Depot’s delivery option to customers – receive supplies in paper bags with over 40 % recycled content – transported in plastic reusable totes with 60 % recycled plastic.  The goal is … Continue reading →

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Global Trade, earthworms and potatoes

Posted on August 6, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Saturday essay by Charles Mann (Wall Street Journal, August 6, 2011) provides a fascinating story of the impact of stowaways as a party of global trade. He describes how earthworms made their way as part of the English dirt … Continue reading →

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“Tide Dry Cleaners” as P&G takes downstream role

Posted on August 2, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (December 8, 2010) describes dry cleaning stores opened by Proctor and Gamble to popularize its Tide products.  A similar effort focuses on Mr Clean Car washing locations.  The goal is to use these … Continue reading →

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China’s new products – high end pearls using high tech methods

Posted on August 2, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (August 1, 2011) describes fine pearls being developed in China to compete with Tahitian pearls, but at 10-15 % of the price.   Using proprietary technology and custom equipment to sort pearls enables the Chinese firms … Continue reading →

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Walmart’s plans to buy vegetables and fruits locally

Posted on August 1, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (August 1, 2011) describes plans by Walmart to double its local purchase of fruits and vegetables by 2015 – with local defined as purchases from the state the store is located.   Thus Walmart buys jalapeno pepper … Continue reading →

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54.5 mpg by 2025

Posted on July 29, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal (28 July 2011) describes an agreement between the auto manufacturers and the US government to double the average mileage from 27.3 mpg to 54.5 mpg. Attaining this mileage can involve use of solar panels, battery power, … Continue reading →

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Dropping rare earth prices in China and supply chain impact

Posted on July 27, 2011 by aviyer2010

The Wall Street Journal (July 6, 2011) reports that rare earth metal prices in China dropped by as much as 7.2 %, a remarkable change from a short few months when China’s cut in exports created worries of global shortages … Continue reading →

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