Tag Archives: Margins

Hurricane Sandy, New Jersey ports and retail supply chain impact

Posted on November 4, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (November 3, 2012) describes power supply issues at the ports in New Jersey causing diversions of inbound ships to Norfolk and other locations. But shipping to Dubai from New York costs $ 3000 … Continue reading →

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Drug shortages and Medicare role

Posted on November 4, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (October 29,2012) describes reasons for shortages of drugs to treat meningitis. While the branded version of the product made by Pfizer continues to be available, generic producers shut down production for several months. The associated shortage … Continue reading →

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The buy “Made in France” campaign and consumer impact

Posted on November 4, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (October 29, 2012) describes a campaign by the French Industry minister to encourage purchase of products made in France, though they are 15 to 25% more expensive. His goal is to use increased demand as a … Continue reading →

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Drug shortages and quality issues at backup compounding pharmacies

Posted on October 5, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (October 4, 2012) describes an outbreak of meningitis caused a fungus that contaminated steriod solutions supplied by a compounding pharmacy in New England. Hospitals ordered the solution, which was in short supply, from … Continue reading →

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Lean increases productivity and profits at Harley Davidson’s York plant

Posted on September 22, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (September 21, 2012) describes the transformation of Harley Davidson’s plant in York, PA, from 41 buildings to 1, with workforce cut by 50 %, using 10 % temporary labor but with an operating … Continue reading →

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Japanese multinationals importing back into Japan

Posted on September 17, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (September 17,2012) describes automobiles made in Thailand by Nissan but ported back for sales in Japan. At 1 million yen, it is 65% of the price of a Japanese made car and 34 % of the … Continue reading →

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

Posted on September 14, 2012 by aviyer2010

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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The high cost impact of choices made for the GM Volt hybrid vehicle

Posted on September 10, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article by Reuters (September 10, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/10/us-generalmotors-autos-volt-idUSBRE88904J20120910) describes General Motors as losing $ 49,000 on each Volt it builds. The costs are due to developmnt and tooling costs, number of unique parts in the battery pack and motor as … Continue reading →

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The reported 8471 % markup for drugs in the US

Posted on September 7, 2012 by aviyer2010

A report released on July 25, 2012 by staff in the US Senate committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, examined the gray market for prescription drugs and why hospitals are forced to pay extremely high prices for some drugs. One … Continue reading →

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Google’s “Made in the USA” media player

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 27, 2012) describes Google’s new media player assembled by a contract manufacturer in California, about a 15 minute drive from Google’s office. Rising wages in China, worries about intellectual property and an … Continue reading →

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