Global Supply Chain

Jul 5, 2012

What does B stand for in BRIC Logistics Trends?

Prior discussions I’ve had with supply chain executives have alluded to the many challenges that exist in the BRIC economies.  Brazil is the first letter in BRIC, and perhaps also… 

Jun 20, 2012

Emphasizing PEOPLE and PROCESS in Beiersdorf's global supply chains

I sat in on a panel debate today at the World Trade Group meeting for Supply Chain and Logistics Europe in Berlin.  During the panel, I had an opportunity to… 

Apr 24, 2012

The Global Phosphate Supply Market: Risky and Getting Riskier

An MBA student team in my supply market intelligence class  this week presented their supply market intelligence study on phosphate production.  One of the key points was the volatility of… 

Apr 4, 2012

Random Thoughts on the Impact of Frugal Innovation on the Supply Chain

In this week’s Economist, an article by Schumpeter provides some interesting views on the emerging concept of “frugal innovation”.  He cites the example of the Tata Nano, a $2,000 car… 

Apr 2, 2012

Lean Aerospace Supply Management Developments

In a recent set of interviews, I had an opportunity to learn about some of the recent developments in the aerospace industry, that is happening in both commercial and defense… 

Mar 22, 2012

Prediction: More volatility in oil and commodities

There appears to be more unrest in the world this week, which of course brings with it the increased nervousness of analysts and speculators.  One of the real questions arising… 

Feb 25, 2012

Senator Raymond Burr Shares His Thoughts

I sat on a panel this week in Charlotte on “Strategic Transactions – Planning for 2012 & Beyond”, hosted by Moore & Van Allen.  One of the first speakers was… 

Feb 15, 2012

Just when you thought the global economy was stabilizing…

Many economic forecasters have a certain number of “givens” in their economic projections, including the fact that the economies of Brazil, China, and India will remain stable….let’s take a look… 

Feb 1, 2012

Applying supply chain thinking to the supply chain talent problem

In a recent white paper published in October 2010, Jim Rice from MIT argues that there is a potential crisis for supply chain talent brewing.  A speaker from a large… 

Jan 27, 2012

The Lowly UNSPSC Is Moving up in the Supply Chain World!

The inauspicious UNSPSC (United Nations) code began as a historical marriage between the UN code set and a code set with a commercial concern (Dunn & Bradstreet).  The focus initially…