Tag Archives: Growth

The cocoa global supply chain and looming issues

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (February 11, 2013) describes cocoa manufacturing projected shortfalls of 50,000 tons compared to demand in 2012-13, while prices dropped 74% from 2011 to 2012. Production shortfalls were provided by a global stockpile of 1.5 years of … Continue reading

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Higher fares, fewer flights, poorer service – what is the solution for passenger air transport ?

An article in the New York Times (November 21, 2012) describes a 14% drop in flights, a 10% increase in fares and longer lines faced by passengers this Thanksgiving. But the US domestic flights continue to be off limits go … Continue reading

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Argentina’s DJIA system for imports and supply chain impact

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (November 12, 2012) describes the DJIA system (initials of the Spanish law) that requires each importer to compensate with an equivalent amount of exports. Thus, a bicycle manufacturer who imports parts compensates with the export of … Continue reading

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Do increases in accounts receivable by Chinese firms suggest anything ?

An article in CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/30/business/china-corporations-slowdown/index.html?hpt=hp_t3) describes increases in accounts receivable by Chinese firms – 83 % increase for machinery manufacturer Sany Heavy, 169 % increase for First Tractor, and a 69% increase for Zoolion. Some reports suggest that firms are … Continue reading

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Global trade slows, but continues to be robust in pockets

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 1, 2012) describes the slowing of global trade flows. The Los Angeles port claims a 10.5 % drop in US exports shipped, while the Shanghai port reports a 6 % slowdown. While … Continue reading

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Should The Japanese and European governments assist automakers with demand growth ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (September 15, 2012) describes a request by the CEO of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, to the Japanese government to intervene to make the yen exchange rate more favorable to local production and encourage alternate … Continue reading

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A global pharma supply chain as Walgreens and Alliance Boots combine forces

An article in Forbes (September 24,2012) describes a merger between Walgreens in the US and Alliance Boots in Europe to create a global supply chain serving “170,000 pharmacies, doctors and health clinics” globally. Analysts claim that providing a supply of … Continue reading

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Protocol Diversity slows wireless home energy management

An article in the New York Times (September 5, 2012) describes the slow adoption of software controlled wireless technologies to manage home energy usage and blames it on protocol diversity. Protocols refer to the codes used by devices to communicate, … Continue reading

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The impact of incompatible fast charge plugs on electric vehicle growth

An article in the New York Times (August 31, 2012) describes two incompatible fast charging plugs – one standard, CHAdeMO, developed by Nissan, Mitusbishi and others, with separate prongs for slow and fast charges, installed in over 1,500 chargers. The … Continue reading

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Volkswagen (VW) and its Modular Transverse Matrix strategy for part commonality

An article in Fortune (July 23, 2012) describes VW’s plan to standardize the 60 % of a car model’s cost – the front axle, heating, air conditioning etc across 40 car models and thus seven million units. The projected savings … Continue reading

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