operations strategy – OM in the News

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|

How Digital Data Enables Strategic Fit

While Carhartt traces its roots back 133 years, the company is now implementing digital tools (cloud, analytics, artificial intelligence, etc.) to improve its overall supply chain operations.

To implement process improvements, data must be timely, accurate, and relevant. A common expression amongst operations leaders: for something to be “meaningful” it also needs to be “measurable.” Hence the requirement for real-time data analytics.

Carhartt continues to improve its operational capabilities—for example increasing factory automation—as a means to further enhance a differentiated business strategy […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2023-01-04T07:24:05+00:00January 8, 2023|Tags: analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, data mining, inventory management, logistics, MRP, operations strategy, strategy, supply chain mapping, warehouse|

Pandora Closes the Box on Mined Diamonds

The popular jewelry company, Pandora, will no longer source real diamonds and will exclusively use lab grown diamonds instead.

A combination of low cost and sustainability strategies are driving this change to make beautiful jewelry that is more affordable, accessible, and sustainable. Pandora’s decision follows a larger market trend that has seen the production of lab-grown diamonds increase to approximately six or seven million carats in 2020, while mined diamonds saw demand drop.

Video Spotlight:

Lab-made diamonds are […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2021-07-05T21:21:41+00:00July 7, 2021|Tags: ethics, operations strategy, product design, sustainability|

Samsung Plans to Manufacture Semiconductors in the US

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:

Samsung eyes Texas for $17 bln chip plant (Feb 5, 2021, Reuters)

This post is based on The Hill article,

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2021-03-02T02:38:40+00:00March 1, 2021|Tags: competitiveness, facility location, location, operations strategy|