Process Interruptions

Multiple Factors Create Auto Industry Aluminum Shortage

A shortage of aluminum is impacting the entire auto industry. Especially impacted are trucks, where aluminum is the key material used in making truck bodies.

The aluminum shortage is attributed to the Iran war, a 50% US tariff, and supplier production outage. Ford, being the auto industry’s biggest aluminum buyer, has the largest exposure in the aluminum shortage, limiting the company’s ability to replenish inventories for downstream retail dealers.

Video Spotlight:

Ford Sees $1.3B Tariff Refund, But […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2026-06-29T04:02:51+00:00June 28, 2026|Tags: downstream suppliers, global supply chain management, shortage, supply chain disruption, upstream suppliers|

Strait of Hormuz Connects Global Supply Chains

The Strait of Hormuz has seen 90 to 95% of oil tanker and cargo ship traffic grind to a halt since Operation Epic Fury began.

An estimated 20% of the world’s crude oil supply normally passes through the strait. Shipping companies are unwilling to move vessels through the strait while Iran threatens to attack them and set vessels on fire, and insurance companies will not protect the vessels if they do attempt the journey.

Global supply chain disruptions in the near-term as […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2026-03-15T06:46:23+00:00March 15, 2026|Tags: inventory management, logistics, supply chain disruption, supply chain management, supply chain risk|

Ford’s Aluminum Supply Stabilizing in Early 2026

Ford Motor Co. recently announced it will add about 900 jobs in Michigan and 100 in Kentucky to boost production of its top-selling F-150 and F-Series Super Duty trucks.

Ford expects strong sales in early 2026 to make up a 3Q2025 hit, as its primary aluminum supplier, Novelis, returns to production sooner than expected.

Novelis’ factory in Oswego (NY) will resume operations by the end of December 2025. A major fire in early October was originally expected to lead to […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2025-11-12T05:20:29+00:00November 12, 2025|Tags: risk, sourcing, supply chain disruption, supply chain resiliency|

McDonald’s and Reusable Dine-In Packaging

McDonald’s has 21 reusable containers for dine-in customers in France, including red plastic containers for fries, clear plastic beverage glasses, and white plastic cups for chicken nuggets.

French law mandated these changes, which were implemented in 2023.

While McDonald’s has worked hard over the years to be more environmentally conscious with its packaging, it firmly believes that this new model “doesn’t work.” Cost, convenience, sustainability, and operational issues related to this law are complex, and the overall impact remains to be seen.

By Lisa M. Spencer|2024-03-07T17:58:44+00:00March 7, 2024|Tags: external environment, inventory management, product design, productivity, quick serve restaurants, service design, strategy, sustainability|