Tag Archives: Suppliers

Cambodia’s shoe factory collapse, with Japanese owners, shipping to Asian markets

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 16,2013) describes the collapse of a building producing shoes in Cambodia for Asics, a Japanese brand, that ships primarly to Asian markets. The factory moved its production from China to Cambodia to … Continue reading

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Sharing costs for inspection and dispute resolution in Bangladesh

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 13, 2013) describes an agreement between European and Canadian retailers to create a board to oversee factory inspections, resolve disputes and ensure compliance with wage standards in Bangladesh. The costs to a … Continue reading

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Can consumers force retailers to develop ethical supply chains for products?

In a discussion in the Sunday Review of the New York Times (May 12, 2013), Professor Jerry Davis suggested that consumers can demand from retailers that they develop ethical supply chains, following the deaths of employees manufacturing clothing in Bangladesh. … Continue reading

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Fair Trade clothing ?

An article in the New York Times (May 8, 2013) describes a movement to inform consumers about the supply chain used to produce apparel – termed Fair Trade clothing. This is to convince consumers that the clothing was produced by … Continue reading

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Fair Trade smartphones ?

An article in the Financial Times (May 9, 2013) describes a Dutch company, Fairphone, that intends to create a smartphone using a “Fair Trade” supply chain. This means the phone is recyclable, can be repaired, the supply chain will minimize … Continue reading

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Shifting manufacturing from China to other parts of Asia as costs rise

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 1,2013) describes decisions by Coach to reduce its manufacturing in China to 50% in 2015 (from 80% in 2011), by Crocs to reduce its footwear manufacturing to 65% this year from 80% … Continue reading

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Importing garbage to produce energy in Oslo

An article in the New York Times (May 1,2013) describes the city of Oslo’s success in using garbage, with recyclable content removed, to generate heat and electricity. With half the city and all schools supplied by garbage generated energy, supply … Continue reading

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Steel manufacturer’s competitive response to falling steel prices

An article in the Wall Street Journal (April 27, 2013) describes the decline in steel prices and the response by steel manufacturers. ThyssenKrupp is claimed to offer to pay freight costs to maintain market share. Further price discounts of 5 … Continue reading

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P&G’s claim of “win-win” by delaying supplier payments but enabling borrowing at lower rates

An article in the Wall Street Journal (April 16.2013) describes a plan by Proctor & Gamble to delay supplier payments beyond 60 days as against the current 45 days, to free up over $2 billion in cash. Suppliers would be … Continue reading

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The impact of sequestration on US supply chains

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (March 11, 2013) describes the impact of the US government sequester on food and transport. Food inspector cutbacks means that meat, poultry and egg processors may have to cut back operations as the inspectors are required … Continue reading

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