Black-Owned Distilleries Capture their Share of the Kentucky Bourbon Market

Black-Owned Distilleries Capture their Share of the Kentucky Bourbon Market

April 13, 2021
CMKaruppan

The American distilling world is becoming more diversified.

Distilleries owned and operated by African Americans are reshaping bourbon’s 200-year history in Kentucky. This is an important turning point for a beverage that was initially made by enslaved labor. The new entrepreneurs are making a difference by updating bourbon’s image and providing new economic opportunities. The competition is already intensifying as small, modest startups must fend off powerful, multimillion-dollar enterprises, and as access to capital remains problematic. Nevertheless, there are several indications that the transformation of the distilling world is underway.

Video Spotlight: The Yarbrough Brothers’ Distillery

This post is based on The Washington Post article, Black-Owned Distilleries Are Breaking Barriers that Once Surrounded the Kentucky Bourbon Industry, by J. Wood, March 26, 2021, and the YouTube video, Louisville Brothers Pour Heart, Soul into First African American Bourbon Distillery in Kentucky, by WHAS11, February 17, 2020. Image source: Shutterstock / Africa Studio.

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe the Brough Brothers type of manufacturing facility. What are its advantages and disadvantages?

Guidance: The Brough Brothers distillery is a modest operation with limited production space and equipment. With the current facilities, the output will be limited to 50 gallons Continue reading →

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Location Moved RH From Quirky to Luxury

Location Moved RH From Quirky to Luxury

March 25, 2021
David Little, Ph.D.

Homeware store RH has built its brand on luxury multichannel retail offerings.

Location is key to establishing luxury. Historic buildings with large dramatic stores topped with upscale restaurants establish the brand identity.

RH also carries substantial inventory, as evidenced by large catalogs reminiscent of pre-internet days.

Video Spotlight: 

This post is based on the CNBC article, How once-quirky homeware store RH became a skyrocketing luxury stock, by Robert Ferris,  February 17, 2021, and the YouTube videos in the Spotlight. Image source: Shutterstock / AlexRoz

Discussion Questions:

1.  Describe how the servicescape at RH locations influences the service-profit chain.

Guidance: Students should observe that RH creates a leisurely shopping experience. The atmosphere is dramatic and luxurious.  The locations evoke a sense of history and elegance from days gone by.  The restaurants allow for a longer shopping day making a trip to RH an experience to enjoy rather than endure.

Students should be directed to consider how they would feel as employees at Continue reading →

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Samsung Plans to Manufacture Semiconductors in the US

Samsung Plans to Manufacture Semiconductors in the US

March 1, 2021
Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.

Samsung is investing $13 billion in a chip-making factory in the US, which would employ 1,900 people by October 2022.

Three location alternatives are being considered: Texas, Arizona, and New York.

Samsung will be competing with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. for the top leadership position in the $400 billion chip-making industry in the US.

Video Spotlight: 

This post is based on The Hill article, Samsung considering investing billions in US chip plant, by Lexi Lonas, January 23, 2021; the KVUE article and video, Samsung reportedly considering $10B chip-making plant in Austin, by KVUE News Staff, Jan 22, 2021; and the YouTube video in the Spotlight. Image source: MS Mikel/Shutterstock

Discussion Questions:

1.  How does Samsung compete operationally in the chip-making industry of the US?

Guidance: To achieve the goal of becoming the top chipmaker in the US by 2030, Samsung needs a local presence to catch up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.. Having a chip-making factory based in the US is the first step towards that goal.

2.  What are the location factors being considered by Samsung in building Continue reading →

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