Tag Archives: manufacturing

Apple’s global supply chain and US jobs

An article in the New York Times (Jan 21, 2012) describes Apple’s global supply chain  for the iPhone with suppliers from Germany, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Europe, rare metals from Africa and Asia and assembly in China. The article highlights the … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Apple’s public release of its supplier audit and impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Jan 16, 2012) describes Apple’s decision to publicly release its supplier audit. The report includes 229 audits in China and problems with 112 locations and requires suppliers to (a) improve conditions at plants, … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From China to Cambodia – shifts in the global apparel supply chain

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Jan 16,2012) describes the impact of the rising yuan, environmental rule enforcement and rising wages (18 to 20% annually the past three years) driving manufacturing to locations out of China – such as Cambodia. With weekly … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Caterpillar’s US plant labor costs vs Canadian costs

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Jan 7, 2012) describes Caterpillar’s assertion tha labor costs in its US plants are 50% of the costs in Canada. Given the Canadian plant’s lack of global competitiveness due to labor rule inflexibility, … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Whirlpool dumping charge against LG and Samsung and possible supply chain response

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Jan 2, 2012) describes a claim by Whirlpool that LG and Samsung have dumped residential washing machines, at prices below production costs, and requests import duties to be levied.  Whirlpool claims that the … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Boeing production rampup and the role of supply chain examiners

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 30, 2011) describes Boeing’s backlog of 3,500 airplanes, worth $ 270 billion, and the need to rampup production by 60 % in the next three years to maintain delivery commitments. Competition from … Continue reading

Posted in Collaboration, Global Contexts, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lower wages, greater employment and capital investment in the US – a wise choice ?

An article in the New York Times (Dec 29, 20110 describes wage decreases of $ 10 to $ 15 per hour for manufacturing jobs in Kentucky – a prerequisite “competitive wage” at which General Electric moved production to Kentucty and … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mumbai slums and supply chain efficiency

An article in the New York Times (Dec 29, 2011) describes the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, India, home to a million people and generating an economic output of close to $ 1 billion. Admist the grime are thriving supply chains … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Chinese rare earth quotas for 2012 and consequences

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 28, 2011) describes China’s announcement of separate rare earth metals export quotas for 2012 – light rare earths (used in magnets) will have quotas separate from heavy rare earths (used in high … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Supply Chain Issues, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The impact of HR 2245 “Preserving Access to Life Saving Medications Act 2011”

Bill HR 2245 plans to require drug manufacturers to notify the Federal govt, 6 months in advance, of potential shortages. Shortages are defined as situations where the total supply is less than observed demand. The Federal govt is then required … Continue reading

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment