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Global Supply Chain

Nov 6, 2021

Human-machine Tradeoffs in Supply Chain Decisions (and the LA Port)

The current set of supply chain disruptions is bringing increased focus on the need for digital transformation of our supply chains.  Nowhere is digital transformation needed more than the Los… 

Oct 30, 2021

Los Angeles Port Bottlenecks Don’t Have Any Short-term Fixes

There is no question that the LA port is one of the biggest economic bottlenecks facing the United States.  The success of the port is undeniably tied to the success… 

Oct 6, 2021

Rob Handfield Breaks Down the Many Factors of Global Supply Chain Shortages

Rob Handfield, professor of operations and supply chain management, explains how container shortages, protein production issues and natural disasters have impacted and will continue to disrupt global supply chains as… 

Jul 15, 2021

Rob Handfield Explains the Complexities of Re-Shoring Manufacturing to the U.S.

Rob Handfield, professor of operations and supply chain management, provides a realistic view of the Biden Administration’s plan to redesign global supply chains to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.… 

Jun 3, 2021

Can we re-shore and create a US semiconductor industry? Maybe…

I participated today in the National Academies of Engineering, Science, and Medicine’s “Logistics and Manufacturing under Attack Virtual” Workshop, that involved a number of Department of Defense, private sector companies… 

Apr 22, 2021

Rob Handfield Explains the Ocean Container Shortage

Rob Handfield, professor of operations and supply chain management, says the increased volume of product the U.S. buys from China is a major reason behind the worldwide ocean container shortage.… 

Apr 21, 2021

Despite Recent Brexit Trade Agreement, Challenges Persist

After years of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) now see eye-to-eye on a trade agreement. Nevertheless, the withdrawal of the UK still presents obstacles for… 

Mar 29, 2021

‘Ever Given’ is Free, but the Cargo Industry Still Faces Congestion

Though Ever Given has officially been dislodged, the expectation of resumed passage through the Suez Canal has the maritime cargo industry bracing for the next phase of the plight: over… 

Mar 25, 2021

A ‘Beached Whale’ in the Suez Canal: Stuck Working Capital

By now, many of you have heard about the “Ever Given,” which has been stuck in the Suez Canal since Tuesday, and is blocking all container ships trying to get… 

Feb 25, 2021

Biden’s Executive Order on Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: A Reality Check

President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday that will result in a 100-day review of supply chains by the executive branch for pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, semiconductors and large capacity batteries.…