Tag Archives: manufacturing

Supply Chain Transparency for apparel by Bruno Pieters in honestby

The fashion apparel store (http://www.honestby.com) by Bruno Pieters promises to provide a full description of the supply chain associated with the garment including prices paid at each stage, material details etc. An example look at a 100% silk short sleeved … Continue reading

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WalMart’s plans to increase sourcing in the US by $50 billion over 10 years

A news release (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walmart-to-boost-sourcing-of-us-products-by-50-billion-over-the-next-10-years-186934711.html) describes plans by WalMart to increase US sourcing by $10 billion over 10 years. The steps include longer term purchase agreements for domestic sourcing stability, hosting a manufacturing summit to encourage stakeholders to coordinate including government … Continue reading

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Nokia’s sharing of 3-D print files for cellphone cases and the future

An article in the BBC website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21084430 describes plans by Nokia to make 3-D print files available to customers so they can print cases on demand on 3-D printers. The ease of access to customizable cases thus lowers the customer’s … Continue reading

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Using the new Silk Road for trade with China’s interior plants

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (December 20, 2012) describes plans by Hewlett-Packard to ship notebook computers by rail to Europe – the new Silk railroad, at 1/3 the cost of air transit, double the cost of shipment by sea, but taking … Continue reading

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Who is responsible for preventing apparel factory fires in Bangladesh?

An article in the New York Times (December 29, 2012) describes the struggle between apparel retailers who outsource manufacturing to factories in Bangladesh, labor advocates and the government. While the $37 a month wage rate makes Bangladesh an attractive sourcing … Continue reading

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Apple’s increased oversight of global supply chains and impact

An article in the New York Times (December 28,2012) describes Apple’s hiring of over 30 people in their social responsibility unit, alliances with employee advocacy groups like the Dutch Sustainability Trade Initiative and pressure on suppliers to comply with fair … Continue reading

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Coexisting roles for humans and robots

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (December 17,2012) describes a future where robots coexist with humans to deliver productivity gains. The 64 robots working with 330 humans at Quiet Logistics shows humans doing complex tasks and robots moving material. Given the increased … Continue reading

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Achtar drug price rise from $50 to $28,000 and impact

An article in the New York Times (December 30, 2012) describes the rise in price for a vial of the anti-inflammatory drug Achtar from $50 to $28,000. But patients who cannot pay given the drug free. The drug is off … Continue reading

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Ramp up delays for inexpensive Indian tablet, or infeasible plans?

An article in the New York Times (December 30,2012) describes delivery delays for the $40 tablet promised by Datawind, a Canadian company trying to grow electronics manufacturing in India. With fewer than 10,000 units shipped instead of the promised 100,000, … Continue reading

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Is manufacturing shifting away from China due to wage increases ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (January 17,2013) describes shifts in manufacturing out of China to compensate for the 20% wage increase compared to 2005, as well as an attempt by the government to shift to more value added … Continue reading

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