Tag Archives: Outsourcing

Managing an air traffic control tower from afar

Posted on September 8, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in WIRED magazine (http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/08/st_flybywire/) describes technology used in Sweden that can provide a 360 degree hid-def screen view of aircraft and detailed data around a control tower. The benefit is that a air traffic controller can be located … Continue reading →

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Plans to fix the US Postal System to avoid closure

Posted on September 5, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (Sept 5, 2011) describes the financial crisis at the US Postal Service, which saw volumes decline by 22 % in the alst five years and is estimated to loose another 30 % of volume in the … Continue reading →

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The logic of producing more HP Touchpads at a loss

Posted on September 3, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in CNN Money (August 31, 2011)  describes a possible reason HP would produce Touchpads and sell them at a loss (for $ 99, from a list price of $ 499) even though the division is being shut down.  … Continue reading →

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Should the US Government assist battery manufacturers ?

Posted on August 30, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (‘Does America need manufacturing”, August 24, 2011) described the supply chain impact of federal govt investment in battery manufacturing – the potential impact on scientific research, mining, building contractors, designers, engineers and shop floor employees. … Continue reading →

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“Piccolo bello” fims in Italy and regulation

Posted on July 30, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (29 July 2011) describes the challenges faced by small Italian firms (“piccolo bello”) which form the backbone of the industry in Padua, Italy.  Firms face the need to work with 10 to 20 different government … Continue reading →

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Is US Inshoring of manufacturing and services a trend ?

Posted on June 17, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in CNN Money (http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/17/news/economy/made_in_usa/index.htm?hpt=hp_t2) asks if the examples of companies inshoring i.e., bringing outsourced activities back to the US, is a long term trend. The articles identifies GE’s appliance plan in Kentucky that will produce refrigerators and water … Continue reading →

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Rethinking JIT under supply disruptions and erratic growth

Posted on April 29, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (April 29, 2011) describes companies like Terex and Al-jon Manufacturing and their increased inventories of raw material and finished goods given supply disruptions and increased sales growth.  Whil Just-In-Time inventories enable supply to be maintained synchronized … Continue reading →

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Japan Tsunami and Supply Chain Resilience

Posted on March 21, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (March 19, 2011) descibes management of the global supply chain impact of the Japanese tsunami and earthquake and likens it to triage in a hospital.  Apple is quoted as having buffer inventory to compensate for … Continue reading →

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New Rare earth supply chain

Posted on March 9, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the International Herald Tribune (March 8, 2011) describes a new rare earth supply chain.  The ore is mined in Australia and concentrated (2/3 of the dirt removed) before it is put in sealed bags inside steel containers … Continue reading →

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Electronic Component Suppliers for the iPad but OEMs too

Posted on March 4, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street journal article (March 4, 2011) describes an interesting global supply chain issue for electronic component suppliers like Toshiba, Samsung and LG Display (they supply memory chips or screens). These companies supply components used by Apple for their … Continue reading →

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