The question is worth repeating: Matched against the competition, is your supply chain ready to compete? Your greatest innovation and latest products may be groundbreaking, and nothing that rivals have in the pipeline may come close to matching what you are ready to unveil. But without a world-class supply chain that is supple, cost-efficient, highly…
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{complink 2657|Intel Corp.} isn't waiting around for the development of new technologies that would accelerate the introduction of larger semiconductor wafers and thereby dramatically reduce its operating costs. Waiting for others to act is not something the world's leading semiconductor company does. It isn't hesitant to write large checks to assure its own success, as…
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After writing a number of articles about the European Union's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and other regulatory compliance issues, I have become increasingly aware that Europe is at least 10 years ahead of the United States in demonstrating and mandating concern for the safety and health of its people. I also…
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When reports surfaced earlier this year that hackers had penetrated the network of {complink 2125|Foxconn Electronics Inc.}, the news sent shivers down the spines of many supply chain executives in the electronics manufacturing industry. After all, if the contract manufacturing giant that makes Apple's iPhones and iPads can have its computers compromised, what does that…
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A group of bondholders is planning to present a counter-proposal to the planned acquisition of {complink 1769|Elpida Memory Inc.} by US-based {complink 3421|Micron Technology Inc.}. The bondholders are asking a Japanese court to approve their offer to present an alternate plan, which they say would give creditors and shareholders a better value for Elpida than…
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You've discovered counterfeit parts in your inventory. What should you do? Call your supplier and demand your money back Notify the government and turn over the parts as evidence Submit the parts to a third party for testing The correct answer: all of the above. That was the consensus of a panel at a two-day…
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The global economy is still in growth mode, but the rate of expansion is just not as good as economists and researchers would like, according to a recent research report from {complink 7426|Gartner Inc.} showing a tepid 3 percent rise in projected IT spending for 2012. In the report, Gartner said it expects worldwide spending…
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People are the most valuable piece of the supply chain puzzle. Without great supply chain folks, our supply chains would break, the wheels would stop turning, and we would end up in chaos. It is the knowledge that people hold that make them invaluable; knowledge of their supply chains, the collaborative relationships that they have…
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If your supply chain is more complex than the leading competitor's processes, you've got a major problem. The simpler a manufacturing and order fulfillment process is, the nimbler it will be and the more competitively it will help your company achieve its goals. Many people may not realize this, but {complink 379|Apple Inc.}, the world's…
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BERLIN — The 5th Annual Supply Chain Distinction Awards on Wednesday 20th June 2012, was attended by over 400 supply chain, logistics, distribution and procurement experts from over 200 leading manufacturing companies from in and around Europe. The awards were created to celebrate the achievements at the highest strategic levels of supply chain management, across…
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