Supply Chain Management – OM in the News

Black Powder Is a Single Source Issue for the US Military

The sole domestic source for black powder, a key ingredient in the production of many military explosives such as bullets, mortar shells, and artillery rounds, was shut down nearly two years ago after an explosion destroyed much of the plant in Minden, Louisiana.

The mill is set to reopen in Summer 2023 under new ownership.

This scenario highlights a problem that has become far too common. Supply chains related to national security can be brought to a halt by […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2023-06-02T04:44:29+00:00June 4, 2023|Tags: inventory management, location planning, maintenance, supply chain|

Redwood Logistics Facilitates Nearshoring

Redwood Logistics is expanding its transportation operations to Mexico.

This move follows the nearshoring trend of manufacturers who are bringing production closer to home in order to be less reliant on overseas suppliers.

Redwood Logistics’ Mexico expansion allows it to become a logistic service gateway connecting the electronic, automotive, appliances, aerospace, and pharmaceutical industries in Mexico with the U.S.

Video Spotlight:

What is Friendshoring, Nearshoring, Reshoring and Offshoring (Annual Meeting, Davos 2023) (Jan 5, 2023, World Economic Forum)

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2023-05-28T17:40:57+00:00May 28, 2023|Tags: competitive advantage, global supply chain management, location planning, nearshoring, operations strategy, outsourcing|

Ikea Expanding Capacity in the United States

Ikea will invest $2.2 billion to upgrade existing stores, and open new stores and designer centers in the U.S.

Ikea’s expansion is in direct contrast to store closing decisions by other retailers, including Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, and Best Buy.

Video Spotlight:

IKEA plans new US stores in $2.2 billion push (Apr 20, 2023, Reuters)

This post is based on the Business Insider article, Ikea is spending over $2 billion to open 8 new […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2023-05-25T02:28:41+00:00May 24, 2023|Tags: capacity strategies, expansion, location planning|

Amazon’s Anti-Counterfeiting Exchange

Amazon launched a program called Anti-Counterfeiting Exchange (ACX) to keep counterfeiters off its e-commerce platforms and fake goods from entering its warehouses.

Retailers and others who are interested in stopping counterfeiting can share and receive information about counterfeiters on a database maintained by an independent third party. ACX’s collaborative data sharing helps to fight counterfeit crime in the online marketplace.

Video Spotlight:

What is Amazon Transparency and How to Use it as a Seller (Jan 8, 2021, AMZ […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2023-05-14T06:07:01+00:00May 14, 2023|Tags: counterfeit products, data mining, supply chain security, supply chain transparency|