Tag Archives: Global

Conflict Materials Ban and Electronics Supply Chain Impact

A Wall Street Journal article (April 27,2011) describes the impact of the portion of Dodd-Frank law that requires companies to inform the SEC if any if their sources of tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold are from the conflict regions in … Continue reading

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Retail paint price increases and titanium dioxide cost link

An article in the Wall Street Journal (23 April 2011) describes a 16 % increase in retail price of paint.  The cause is an increased demand for titanium dioxide, a paint ingredient that is also used in toothpaste, paper and … Continue reading

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Apple and supply chain capability

An article in CNN Money by David Goldman (http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/22/technology/apple_supply_chain/index.htm?hpt=T2) describes how Apple exercises its supply chain power. The author claims that since Apple has five main products (iPad, iPhone,iPod,Mac, AppleTv) and 15 variations total , and that these designs have … Continue reading

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Swatch sales growth and its component supply impact

A New York Times article (April 23,2011) describes the 42 % net profit increase and sales growth at Swatch, the Swiss watch company. The company is rushing to satisfy demand in Asia and expects to add over 2,000 employees in … Continue reading

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Smithsonian and “Made in America” requirements

An article in the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/smithsonians-made-in-america-mandate-not-easy-to-achieve/2011/04/13/AFFA2RqD_story.html?utm_source=eMail_OMNow_utm_medium=eMail_utm_campaign=OMNow__2011422) describes the impact of a “Made in America” requirement, spurred by Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep Nick Rahall, to require the Smithsonian to sell only products made in America in its gift shops. … Continue reading

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The diminishing impact of clusters in global supply chains

An article in the Economist (April 16, 2011) describes the diminishing fortunes of clusters in Italy – cotton fabrics, jewelry, brass fittings etc.  Italy has over 100 such clusters, developed around generations of skill development and access to natural resources. … Continue reading

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US Companies ramp up to fill Japanese supplier delivery issues

An article in BloombergBusinessweek (April 11-17, 2011, page 18) describes the impact of the Japanese tsunami and consequent supply disruptions. US suppliers such as Microchip Technology claim to be ready to ramp up production to meet demand, with a preference … Continue reading

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Nissan’s Recovery from the Japan Earthquake

A Wall Street Journal article (April 8,2011) describes how Nissan rallied after the Japan earthquake to restore its supply chain. Immediately after the quake, the disaster team took stock of the supply chain and, in one hour, got a read … Continue reading

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The Food vs Fuel tradeoff,biofuel regulation and global impact

An article in the New York Times (April 7,2011) describes the impact of rules regarding biofuel use (36 billion gallons by 2022 in the US, similar goals in China, India, Indonesia and Thailand).  The article focuses on cassava, a root … Continue reading

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Recycled boxes, export growth and global supply chain impact

A Wall Street Journal article (March 30, 2011) describes exports of recycled cardboard boxes from the US to China.  With the increased use of online shopping – US consumers have a growing number of such boxes, with 15 % of … Continue reading

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