‘Reshoring’ Broadens its Perspective
Two years of shortages – from toilet paper to semiconductors – could finally stem U.S. manufacturers’ addiction to offshoring
‘More Disruption Than Expected’ From Shanghai Shutdown
The two-phase lockdown in Shanghai that was meant to end April 5 is being extended indefinitely as the latest Covid outbreak is not contained and a massive testing campaign continues, reports cargo marketplace Freightos. The extension of the Shanghai shutdown is resulting in a larger disruption than anticipated. Although Shanghai’s air and ocean ports remain…
Analysis: War in Ukraine Will Hike Logistics Costs
For logistics, the most widespread impact across all modes will likely be rising fuel costs. As oil prices soar, expect carriers to pass increased costs
Air & Sea Shipments Cost More; Port Delays Remain
As the Christmas holiday approaches, consumer awareness of the supply chain has heightened. Global supply networks have actually been struggling for 18 months. Continual disruptions have elevated the rates of ocean shipments and air-cargo costs are now on the rise. Additionally, delays at U.S. seaports have not abated. Transatlantic air cargo rates climbed this week,…
Component Prices Rise 10% to 40%
Increased component prices are inevitable when demand outstrips supply. But the electronics supply chain is being hammered on all sides – from materials to logistics — with rising costs. As one freight expert put it: “In 2020 and 2021, global logistics just can’t seem to catch a break.” For months, the Institute for Supply Management…
Minimizing Expenses in Industrial Supply Chain Operations
The world-shaking event of the coronavirus pandemic has led to an economic downturn in many markets, on top of unpredictable supply and demand shifts. Due to these challenges, industrial supply chain operations are looking to trim the fat. Minimizing expenses in supply chain can be handled in a variety of ways. Currently, new technology solutions…
U.S.-China Trade War: Supply Chain Crisis or Opportunity?
Editor’s note on Special Project U.S.-China Trade War Damages Done: A permanent trade war with China has already thrust the supply chain in a mad scramble. Procurement costs have increased; partnerships have been severed; and companies have been forced to relocate manufacturing. Still, some companies see the conflict as a path toward differentiation President Trump’s…
Tariffs: Will the Electronics Industry get What it Needs?
Editor’s Note: This is the second of two articles examining the impact of tariffs — positive and negative–on the electronics industry. For political pundits, the United States government’s tariff strategy is about political leverage. For electronics OEMs, however, tariffs are about business. “As a United States patron, I look at it through the lens of…
OEMs Should Commit to Inventory During Component Shortages
The causes, effects and implications of “The Great Component Shortage of 2018” have been thoroughly analyzed. The automotive and IoT industries have been driving unprecedented demand for smaller and more efficient passive electronics, which in turn has stretched lead times for these once- commoditized components to the breaking point. What hasn’t been discussed, however, is the equal…
How Businesses Can Control Costs in an Uncertain Trade Environment
U.S. trade policies are making headlines as the Trump Administration re-examines international trade agreements and implements tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. Cost increases in raw materials, trade compliance or the transportation of goods disproportionally impact small and midsized businesses, according to research by Freightos, an online freight marketplace. Among companies that import infrequently –…