Tag Archives: Supply Chain

Indonesian illegal tin mining and the smartphone and tablet connection

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (August 23, 2012) describes the dangerous conditions faced by miners at illegal mines in Indonesia, with demand and price increased riven by the collateral impact of bans against “conflict materials” in the Congo. With the tin … Continue reading →

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Making shoes for the world in Ethiopia ?

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Economist (June 9, 2012) describes demand for $2 shoes in Ethiopia, as protection against injuries, worms etc that affect bare feet. The population of Ethiopia is expect to double by 2040, chronic hunger impacts fewer Ethiopians … Continue reading →

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Manufacturing hubs with entire supply chains in Ohio to be competitive

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Fortune (June 11, 2012) describes a plan proposed by Mark Kwamme to create Manufacturing hubs consisting of entire supply chains to compensate for higher labor costs. The goal is to reduce logistics costs and thus decrease overall … Continue reading →

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Should natural gas filling stations be subsidized ?

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 21, 2012) describes the abundant availability and low prices of natural gas, even though it could provide a cheaper, less polluting alternative to oil if available widely. A move to enable natural … Continue reading →

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A shortage of jute bags hurts storage of a bumper wheat crop in India

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 23, 2012) describes the large wheat harvest in India, but a shortage of jute bags. Indian law specifies that 100% of the wheat should use jute bags, to protect the industry and … 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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WalMart’s supplier workplace allegations by third party activists and impact

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 29, 2012) describes allegations by the National Guestworker Alliance against WalMart’s seafood and vegetable suppliers regarding worker wages and working hours. But WalMart and the suppliers allege that the data was aggregated … Continue reading →

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Topshops within Nordstrom stores – a beneficial alliance for both ?

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (July 12, 2012) describes a decision to open Topshop stores within Nordstrom’s stores. The limited line of Topshop fashion apparel, with new items delivered weekly, will enable Nordstrom to increase the speed of … Continue reading →

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Private Equity ownership and bulk purchasing savings

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times(July 12,2012) describes the private equity firm, the Blackstone Group, which owns 74 companies with a combined 700,000 employees. Across its companies, the firm buys 15 million reams of paper, 35 million FedEx shipments … Continue reading →

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Fracking in the US and guar seed farmer impact in India

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (July 16,2012) describes how growth in fracking for oil has resulted in increased demand for guar, a water absorbing seed grown primarily in India. With prices rising dramatically amidst growing oil company demand, … Continue reading →

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