Tag Archives: Trends

Should GMO food be labeled ?

An artcile in the New York Times (May 25, 2012) describes an unlawful effort to put stickers identifying food conatining GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) – now prevalent in most corn or soyabeans grown in the US. Proponents of GMO foods … Continue reading

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Global Twinning with a Belgian plant to improve a US steel mill

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 21, 2012) describe an approach called twinning, pairing a weaker and stronger plant to share productivity improvement methods, and thus increase productivity. ArcelorMittal paired their Burns Harbor plant in Indiana with a … Continue reading

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The logic for making $ 39 hand mixers in the US

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 22, 2012) describes a decision by Whirlpool to move production of its hand mixers, that retail for $ 39, back to its plant in Greenville, Ohio. This decision was despite US wages … Continue reading

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The ripple effect of auto sales on the supply chain

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (May 21, 2012) describes the growth in auto sales to 2008 levels (14 million) – back to 2008 levels – and its ripple effect across the supply chain. Tooling and ficture manufacturer Apex Tool claims growth, … Continue reading

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Oversupply of steel pipe in the supply chain ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 1, 2012) describes a plant expansion by Timken in Ohio and a new plant in Texas to be opened by Tianjan Pipe, both focused on steel production for pipe used by the … Continue reading

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McDonalds and their supply chain visibilty strategy

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek(April 23, 2012) describes pressures on McDonalds to identify its food supply chain. Chipotle focuses on its meat being obtained from pen free and cage free organic cources and vegetables from farms within 350 miles. Five Guys … Continue reading

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Wal-Mart, the Environmental Defense Fund and sustainable supply chains

An article in the New York Times (April 14, 2012) describes a partnership between the Environmental Defense Council (EDF) and Wal-Mart, as the retailer attempt to make its supply chain more sustainable. Wal-Mart would like to get to zero waste, … Continue reading

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“Good African Coffee” – its supply chain and sustainability

An article in the New York Times (April 8,2012) describes the efforts by Good African Coffee – a company that roasts coffee grown in Uganda, and brands the coffee rather than sell commodity coffee beans. Going up the value chain … Continue reading

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China’s export mix and target region shifts and global impact

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (April 9,2012) describes a shift in China’s exports towards heavy machinery, cars and ships from shoes, consumer electronics and clothing. Inland locations with abundant labor, targeted government loans and a focus on emerging markets like Brazil … Continue reading

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Renewable energy server farms in Iceland

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (April 2,2012) describes a server farm on solid bedrock, close to the airport, in the midpoint of the Atlantic, fueled by renewable geothermal energy and cooled by fans that blow in cool air from the outside. … Continue reading

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