Sourcing – 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|

Is Shein’s Fast Fashion Sustainable?

Chinese company Shein has rapidly taken over as the world’s largest fast fashion company, raking in about $100 billion in sales last year.

Its merchandise is made by thousands of small suppliers in China, and consumers in the United States and Europe make up most of its market. While many are enamored by Shein’s cute and cheap offerings, others are sounding the alarm about the ethics of its practices.

Video Spotlight:

The dark side of Shein’s success […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2023-03-22T04:32:30+00:00March 24, 2023|Tags: ethics, inventory management, product design, strategy, supply chain, sustainability|

McDonald’s Exits Kazakhstan: Beef Sourcing Issues

Another McDonald’s casualty falls due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This time it’s Kazakhstan, home to 20 million citizens and the richest market in Central Asia, that is feeling the loss. The closure is related to a supply chain issue. McDonald’s has forbidden its stores from importing meat patties from Russia, which had provided them since the chain opened in Kazakhstan in 2016.

Video Spotlight:

Kazakh McDonald’s closes as war hits supply chain (Jan 6, 2023, Reuters)

By Lisa M. Spencer|2023-01-18T22:53:16+00:00January 18, 2023|Tags: consistency, inventory management, location planning, quality assurance, quality control, quality of conformance, strategy, supply chain|

PepsiCo UK Fueling Up With Greener Oil

PepsiCo UK will replace diesel with hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) as fuel for its fleet of trucks as a green logistics initiative.

The HVO fuel will emit 80% less green house gas than diesel per mile of delivery trips. PepsiCo UK sources the fuel from a third-party supplier now but is working with its haulage partners to supply its own HVO fuel in the future.

Video Spotlight:

300 Million Pounds of Used Cooking Oil Used for Bio-Based […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2022-12-20T20:03:45+00:00December 23, 2022|Tags: Green, logistics, recycling, responsible sourcing, social and environmental responsibility, sustainability, sustainable sourcing, transportation, triple bottom line, trucking|