The latest supply chain risk story hitting the news this week is … pirates. Yes, pirates. With 8 pirate attacks on oil tankers off the coast of Somalia in the last 10 days, the total number of attacks this year is up 75%.
The story has all the ingredients necessary for a hyped up post-US-election week […]
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Global steel prices are dropping fast and starting to approach the magical $650-per-ton mark, which is the estimated total cost of producing one ton of steel, according to steel industry consultants World Steel Dynamics. As a result of the sharp drop in steel prices and profits for mills, raw steel production is dropping […]
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It’s impossible to avoid the headlines - nearly every industry from automotive to consumer goods is facing an increasingly difficult economic environment that shows no signs of improving anytime soon. Widespread commodity price increases, the credit crisis, and the global economic slowdown have combined to put a squeeze on both the top and bottom […]
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This week, DHL announced that as of January 30, 2009, they are halting US domestic service and focusing on “what we do better than anyone else - international shipping”. The move allows them to cut US costs by 80%, although with half of their top customers and global shipping volume based in or routed through […]
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There is no doubt that volatility in the steel market has shifted the balance of power in recent years. Granted the recent drops in steel price will change the dynamics between buyers and suppliers yet again, as mills struggle to maintain their profit margins. But during the recent price run up, mills set the precedent […]
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About the same time the maniacs were back in Massacheusetts, scarfing down Boston Cream Pies, I got a call from BizNet asking if I’d be interested in reviewing their SPM solution, which is one of the leading SRM solutions used in the Oil & Gas industry. My first thought was to send the maniacs, […]
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In our last installment of the 2008 Sourcing Maniacs Vendor Road Tour, the maniacs had just finished talking with a somewhat contemplative looking gentleman from GDM somewhere near Denver, Colorado. We rejoin them shortly after their conversation with the somewhat contemplative looking gentleman from GDM.Today’s post is a little lengthy, so it’s broken up […]
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TNT has been the center of rumors that both UPS and FedEx may be interested in acquiring the company. While all companies involved deny these rumors, similar rumors surfaced between Exel and UPS right before Deutsche Post World Net bought Exel to form DHL Exel Supply Chain.
If the rumors prove to be true and TNT […]
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I recently wrote about the dollar gaining strength and the plummeting price of steel. It’s a welcome change after years of hearing a broken record on direct materials…higher prices…higher prices…higher prices…
Naturally, when purchasing power goes up and prices go down, buyers want to act on the opportunity, and many ask “is now is the time […]
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In modern supply chains, supplier risk is no longer limited to supply disruptions or quality lapses and also includes legal, financial, and brand risk, as evidenced by recent catastrophes which have caused unequalled harm of a preventable nature to pets and people alike. Nor is supply risk limited to products, as approximately 80% […]
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