Tag Archives: manufacturing

Is exporting shale gas in the US national interest ?

Posted on March 6, 2013 by aviyer2010

In an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal (February 25,2013) , Andrew Livieres, CEO of Dow Chemical, suggests that permitting exports of shale gas, currently in abundant supply in the US, is not in the national interest. He argues … Continue reading →

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The impact of a US-Europe free trade agreement on supply chains

Posted on March 6, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (February 13,2013) describes President Obama’s plan for a free trade agreement with Europe thus impacting the 3% duty on the $646 billion in trade. But more than duties, it is the harmonization of … Continue reading →

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Apple’s supply chain transparency — what do we learn ?

Posted on February 18, 2013 by aviyer2010

A recent release of Apple’s supplier list, mapped on Google maps (http://www.chinafile.com/who-supplies-apple-it-s-not-just-china-interactive-map) provides specific locations of 74 component suppliers, of which 331 are in mainland China. A related supplier responsibility report (http://www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/reports.html) lists audits of suppliers and corrective action, along … Continue reading →

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Manufacturer’s efforts to prevent use of their drugs for lethal injections

Posted on February 10, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (February 11,2013) describes efforts by European manufacturers to prevent use of their drugs for lethal injections in US prisons (to enforce the death penalty). Because capital punishment is illegal across Europe, European governments, such as Italy, … Continue reading →

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Does “fast fashion” create safety problems for employees at global supplier factories ?

Posted on February 10, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (February 7,2013) suggests that the fast (even two week) fashion cycles at Zara, Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) create stress on suppliers in Bangladesh who need to respond rapidly or lose the business. The corresponding stress shifts … Continue reading →

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Manufacturing in Italy – choices made by the 300 year old Richard Ginori porcelain factory

Posted on February 10, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (February 9,2013) describes the travails of the Richard Ginori porcelain factory in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy and its recent bankruptcy and closure. Once a high end porcelain tableware manufacturer, the trends in Italy away … Continue reading →

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The impact of drought on corn and the beef supply chain

Posted on February 2, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (February 4, 2013) describes the impact of the drought on corn yields and thus the beef supply chain. Corn farmers were covered by crop insurance but produce worth billions were destroyed by the drought. The corn … Continue reading →

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Workshare programs to retain skilled workers during downturns and impact

Posted on January 27, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (January 28, 2013) describes the impact of work share programs that enable access to Federal funds to support a fraction (70 % or so) of a worker’s wages when the employee works at least 40 % … Continue reading →

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Quicksourcing – using manufacturing in Tijuana to support design in the US

Posted on January 27, 2013 by aviyer2010

An opinion piece in the New York Times (January 26,2013) by Chris Anderson describes his company, 3D Robotics, that has a factory in San Diego and another in Juarez, 20 minutes away but across the border in Mexico. He describes … Continue reading →

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“Earth’s Balance Sheet” discussion by Nestle

Posted on January 26, 2013 by aviyer2010

A discussion with Nestle’s Jose Lopez (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulB-ETDI2wA) focuses on the idea of the Earth’s balance sheet, a concept described by Solomon Darwin in (http://openinnovation.berkeley.edu/Solomon_Darwin_Balance_Sheet_Earth_Executive_Summary.pdf). The idea is to account for the assets that are removed from the earth and not … Continue reading →

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