Supply Chain
The Lead
Apple Discloses Suppliers, Says Child Labor Is Down
January 13, 2012 3:33 pm | by Barbara Ortutay, AP Technology Writer | News | Comments
Amid growing criticism over labor and environmental practices, especially in China, Apple said its systems greatly reduced child labor and environmental damage.
Combatting Counterfeiting On All Fronts
May 22, 2013 11:30 am | by Martin Berman, Managing Director, Micro-Pak Ltd | Articles | CommentsMany manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike might naively believe that counterfeiting is a problem that only companies like Louis Vuitton or Coach suffer from. After all, who could guess that functional packaging material could produce the same response as the latest Alma bag?
Panel: Apple Uses Firms Outside U.S. To Avoid Taxes
May 21, 2013 7:47 am | by Marcy Gordon, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsThe strategies Apple uses are legal, and many other multinational corporations use similar tax techniques to avoid paying U.S. income taxes on profits they reap overseas. But the report found that Apple uses a unique twist, and lawmakers are raising questions about loopholes in the U.S. tax code.
Walmart Pushing For More U.S.-Made Products
May 21, 2013 7:40 am | by Chuck Bartels, Associated Press | News | CommentsWalmart Senior Vice President Michelle Gloeckler said promoting in-state vendors will improve sales and help the world's largest retailer sell more U.S.-made products. Presently, 44 Arkansas suppliers produce 73 brands and 1,700 items for Walmart, according to the company.
Motorola Offers Freezer-Rated Hardware For Better Cold Chain Efficiency
May 20, 2013 2:05 pm | Products | CommentsMotorola Solutions, Inc. has developed three new products that will withstand the demands of extremely cold environments. The Omnii XG15f is the latest addition to the Psion Omnii line of rugged handhelds, while the VH10 and VH10f are new vehicle-mounted mobile computers designed specifically for freezer and heavy condensation applications.
Survey: 12-Month High In English Manufacturing SME Confidence
May 20, 2013 12:59 pm | by Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) | News | CommentsGrowth prospects amongst English manufacturing SMEs is at a twelve month high according to the latest Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Barometer, which reveals nearly two thirds (64 percent) of companies questioned are expecting to increase sales over the next six months.
Does Your Storeroom Database Do This?
May 20, 2013 10:36 am | by Mike Dyson and James Rogers, Storeroom Solutions, Inc. | Articles | CommentsQuite simply, if you can’t be sure about finding the right parts at the right time, you are putting planned maintenance compliance, if not the performance of the whole plant, at risk. Many maintenance technicians address this risk by keeping their own unofficial and potentially unauthorized stores; the practice is so common that many plants have an “amnesty day” when technicians can safely reveal those “private” stashes of parts.
Labor Group: Apple Making Progress At Foxconn
May 17, 2013 7:44 am | News | CommentsThe Fair Labor Association said Thursday that Apple's largest supplier, Foxconn, has made all recommended improvements to working conditions that were due by the end of December. The group says there have been "notable increases" in workers' participation in union committees.
hybris Named Leader In Magic Quadrant Report By Leading Industry Analyst
May 16, 2013 2:09 pm | News | Commentshybris, the world's fastest-growing commerce platform provider, today announced that for the second year running it has been included as a Leader in Gartner's latest 'Magic Quadrant for E-Commerce'. Following substantial growth in 2011, hybris has further consolidated its position as the market's dominant independent e-commerce and omni-channel vendor which it believes has helped to achieve its leadership placement in the Gartner report.
Attracting Talent: A Lesson In Battling Perception
May 16, 2013 1:09 pm | by Maria Ferrante, Vice President, Education & Workforce Development, PMMI | Articles | CommentsDespite the common preconceived notion that increasingly automated operations are eliminating opportunities in the manufacturing sector, the widespread adoption of advanced production technologies is actually creating opportunities — and demand — for more skilled professionals. But where do we find them?
How Virtualization Could Save You Big
May 16, 2013 11:54 am | Videos | CommentsWhile the benefits of server virtualization at the corporate data center are receiving a great deal of attention, its ability to address lifecycle management issues may make virtualization even more compelling at the manufacturing plant, since implementing virtualization in manufacturing environments moves the technology into the business- and mission-critical realm. But do manufacturers fully grasp the risk versus reward?
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance To Sponsor The Reshoring Initiative
May 15, 2013 10:58 am | News | CommentsU.S. Bank Equipment Finance announced today that it will sponsor the Reshoring Initiative, a Chicago-based group established to educate manufacturers on the benefits of bringing their operations and corresponding jobs back to the United States.
Business Agility In The Evolving Workforce
May 14, 2013 1:55 pm | by Bob Dean, Executive Director, Business Transformation, Cisco | Articles | CommentsEighty five percent of companies with global supply chains experienced at least one supply chain disruption in the previous 12 months. Risk is inherently unpredictable. Fortunately, the current workforce is undergoing its own transformation to be able to identify and manage risk on a global basis.
Survey: Global Manufacturers Lack Supply Chain Visibility Beyond Tier 1
May 13, 2013 10:18 am | by KPMG | News | CommentsGlobal manufacturers are putting their supply chains at the center of their business strategies to serve as the foundation for operational efficiency and collaborative innovation. Ironically though, many manufacturing executives admit that their companies currently do not have visibility of their supply chain beyond Tier 1 suppliers.
Leaving Bangladesh? Not An Easy Choice For Brands
May 13, 2013 7:58 am | by Anne D'Innocenzio and Jonathan Fahey, AP Business Writers | News | CommentsThe rising death toll may force Western brands to make a choice: Stay and work to improve conditions. Or leave and face higher costs, similar or worse worker conditions in other low-wage countries and criticism for abandoning a poor nation where per-capita income is just $1,940 per year.
Microsoft Director: 'Manufacturing Is A Hotbed Of Innovation'
May 7, 2013 11:22 am | Articles | CommentsThe fundamental DNA of our business is to unleash the potential of people and organizations. And we have a long history of success in productivity tools. So that’s what we want to continue to do for our manufacturing customers — provide the tools to unlock their potential in growth, innovation, quality and customer service and help them improve productivity by optimizing and connecting their operations.
ISM: Manufacturing Slowing, But Still Expanding
May 3, 2013 9:12 am | by Jon Minnick, Associate Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | Articles | Comments“The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) index was 50.7 in April, down 0.6 percentage points from 51.3 in March. Fifty percent is the dividing line between growth and decline and the larger the number the better,” said Daniel J. Meckstroth, Chief Economist for the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI).
Apriso Launches Packaging Solution For Global Manufacturers
May 2, 2013 4:04 pm | Products | CommentsApriso today introduced its Packaging Solution for Global Manufacturers, with the aim of helping them manage complex packaging operations and conversion processes. The company says that manufacturers that implement this solution will have up-to-the-minute visibility into plant floor systems, process and performance.
German Co. 'Surprised' By Bangladesh Clothing Find
May 2, 2013 1:35 pm | News | CommentsA German clothing company says it is "surprised, shocked and appalled" after samples of its textiles were reportedly found in the remains of a Bangladesh garment factory that collapsed on the outskirts of Dhaka last week. German news portal Spiegel Online reported Thursday that rescuers found t-shirts and tops for KiK's house brand 'okay' amid the rubble.
KUKA Systems Acquires Utica Companies’ Plant Engineering Arm
May 2, 2013 10:55 am | News | CommentsSterling Heights, Mich.-based KUKA Systems Group, has finalized its acquisition of the plant engineering business of privately-owned Utica Companies, which is headquartered in Shelby Township, Mich. As the transaction was completed, KUKA Systems became the No. 1 manufacturing systems supplier in the North American automotive sector.
Descartes Acquires Scandinavia-Based KSD Software
May 2, 2013 10:41 am | by Joel Hans, Managing Editor, Manufacturing.net | News | CommentsKSD is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and currently has more than 1,300 customers throughout the EU, with a focus on Norway and other Scandinavian countries. The company also holds offices in Sweden, Denmark, and The Netherlands. Descartes says the all-cash purchase was NOK 190 million ($33 million USD).
Steel Firm To Add Jobs To Supply Caterpillar Plant
May 2, 2013 9:38 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Times of Gainesville reports that Impulse Manufacturing will produce parts for several small excavators that will be produced at the new Caterpillar plant. The parts will be shipped by truck each day to the Caterpillar plant, where they will be assembled.
Barcoding, Inc. Acquires Miles Technologies, Inc.
May 1, 2013 10:45 am | News | CommentsThe Baltimore, Md.-based mobility solutions provider Barcoding, Inc., has today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Miles Technologies, Inc., based in Lake Zurich, Ill., to increase its presence in the central U.S. and expand its RFID offerings.
Orders For U.S. Durable Goods Fall 5.7 Pct. In March
April 26, 2013 12:01 pm | News | CommentsOrders for long-lasting U.S. factory goods fell in March by the most in seven months. The drop reflected a steep decline in commercial aircraft demand and little growth in orders that signal future business investment. That followed a 4.3 percent gain in February, which was revised lower.
Apple Stock Falls To One-Year Low On Supplier News
April 17, 2013 12:06 pm | by Peter Svensson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsShares of Apple Inc. are setting a one-year low after news from a supplier hinted at a slowdown in iPhone and iPad production. The stock is down $18.48, or 4.3 percent, at $407.76. The shares hit $403.67 earlier, the lowest level since Dec. 2011.
XenoPort Hits Supply Trouble For Drug Horizant
April 12, 2013 10:24 am | News | CommentsDrug developer XenoPort Inc. said Friday that there's a shortage of its restless leg syndrome treatment Horizant. The company said it's received word from patients unable to fill their Horizant prescriptions. XenoPort hopes that a new stock of Horizant will be in pharmacies in June, but the timing is uncertain.
