outsourcing – 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|

The Chronic Pain of Drug Shortages

Despite repeated warnings that critical drugs have been and will remain in short supply, corrective action has been painfully elusive.

A confluence of factors contribute to the persistence of the problem. These factors have been identified multiple times over the years, but addressing them and their effects on patients’ health requires overall system changes that call for full congressional and business cooperation. The current blog does not cover the policy changes needed for improvement; they are beyond its scope. However, it […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2023-04-03T19:59:23+00:00April 5, 2023|Tags: bullwhip effect, competitivness, continuous replenishment, flexible-manufacturing, inventory management, JIT, lead time, logistics, outsourcing, productivity, respsonsive supply chain design, safety stock, shortage, sourcing, strategic capacity management, supply chain management|

Instacart Gets Closer to Insta-Delivery

Instacart is building micro-fulfillment warehouses in Atlanta and Miami to provide 15-minute local deliveries to customers of Publix Supermarket.

In addition, Instacart will provide Publix with key metrics such as order volume, out-of-stocks and buying trends to help the retailer better understand its ecommerce business and performance.

Video Spotlight:

Instacart looks to offer 15 minute delivery (Mar 24, 2022, 23 ABC News | KERO)

This post is based on the Retail Wire article, Instacart is […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2022-05-17T05:47:59+00:00May 17, 2022|Tags: competitive advantage, outsourcing, strategic capacity planning|

Defective Souvenir Is Unexpectedly Popular

Tea sets, mugs, and plates are sporting a royal goof. In the run-up to Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, the celebration the 70 years since her ascension to the throne, a Chinese manufacturer produced 10,800 items for an online trader wanting to sell mementos.

These keepsakes bear the humorous inscription of “Queen’s Platinum Jubbly” or “Queen’s Platinum Jubblee” instead of “Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”

Brits are finding this goof especially humorous because a famous comedic TV character, “Del Boy,” has a favorite catch phrase, “lovely […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2022-03-03T05:48:39+00:00March 2, 2022|Tags: cost of quality, defects, outsourcing, product design, quality control|