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US manufacturing grew for 21st month in April
The Associated Press via Google News Share    
Manufacturing activity grew for the 21st straight month in April, fueled by a weak dollar that has made U.S. goods cheaper overseas. But the cost of raw materials rose for the fifth consecutive month, a growing concern for many companies. The Institute for Supply Management said that its index of manufacturing activity dipped to 60.4 in April. That's down slightly from March and February, the fastest month for expansion in
nearly seven years. More
Twisters a new blow to fragile economy
The Associate Press via The Seattle Times
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The tornadoes that swept the South caused widespread power outages, shut down several manufacturing plants and could disrupt the region's fragile economic
recovery. Most economists said the setback likely will be temporary. Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Toyota and Mercedes idled plants in Alabama, mostly because the factories lost power, and the plants likely will reopen within days.
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One-third of large US firms show business interruption from Japan disaster
Insurance Journal
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More than one-quarter of large U.S.-based businesses are experiencing disruptions to their supply chains or contingent business interruptions as a result of the March earthquake in Japan, says a new
report. A new Greenwich Market Pulse study says the vast majority of large U.S. companies experiencing problems have insurance coverage to cover such interruptions of normal operations and income; however, these interruptions still pose significant risk.
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Written by Demand Solutions, a leading supply chain planning software vendor, this white paper is an anecdotal account of its customers’ most common inventory management mistakes along with best-in-class solutions to the problems. “With more than 2,000 customers around the world, we have witnessed countless cases of inventory management problems,” said Demand
Solutions president Bill Harrison. more
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Durable goods data shows manufacturing sturdy
Reuters
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A key gauge of U.S. manufacturing rose in March and new orders in February were stronger than initially thought, indicating a vibrant factory sector even as the economy slowed in the first quarter. New orders for manufactured goods meant to last at least three years increased 2.5 percent after an upwardly revised 0.7 percent rise in February, the Commerce Department said.
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For lean factories, no buffer
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
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The just-in-time approach to manufacturing, which has swept the world's factories over the past two decades, has made a virtue out of keeping inventories lean. But some manufacturers think it has gone too far, and that having a little extra padding might be a healthier option.
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AGU is the premier, accredited university offering Certificates and
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Supply chain leadership and a renewed focus on
workers are key to sustained recovery
Supply Chain Management Review
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Some supply chain professionals are predicting that 2011 will see companies adopt a renewed focus on people, resulting in new efforts to recruit, develop and retain critical portfolio and planning talent. "The recent increase in talent development efforts is a strong indication that leaders are working diligently to address the talent gap and help their planning teams embrace a 'Planning for Growth' mindset," said Paul Strzelec,
CEO, Digital Tempus.
Purchasing plays growing role in shared services
Supply Management
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Procurement activity is increasingly included in the work of shared service centers as companies look to cut overheads and increase efficiency. According to a survey of 270 companies worldwide conducted
by consultancy Deloitte, 47 percent of firms have moved to centralize their purchasing processes by incorporating them into company-wide shared service centers. This shift has enabled 91 percent of businesses to cut costs by reducing overheads, with 29 percent of respondents claiming to have made significant reductions.
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Japan supply chain disruption may last all year
ElectronicsWeekly.com
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Japanese supply chain disruptions may not recover until the end of the year, says Takeshi Hattori, president of Hattori Consulting International. "Supply chains will not fully recover until this fall at
earliest or until the end of this year, according to the Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry," writes Hattori in a new report on the effects of the earthquake.
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Walmart, HP, J&J share green chemistry supply chain strategy
GreenBiz.com
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The growing demand for safer products has led to more pressure on suppliers to reveal details about the chemicals they provide and to bring cleaner goods to market. With the likes of Nike, Johnson and Johnson, HP, Method and Herman Miller demanding more of their suppliers, the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council put together a guide explaining why companies want more
information and how it can benefit the entire supply chain.
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Supply chain integration methods
Supply Chain Digital
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The case for supply chain integration has never been more compelling for manufacturers. As demand returns, they need to employ every available tool to help them carve a place in the changing industrial
world. Low-cost competitors, higher input prices and the ever-increasing demands of customers all combine to make the supply chain sector more challenging than ever. Accurate information and timely communication have always been viewed as essential; today it is not only vital within the factory walls, but out into the supply chain as well.
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Shareholders urge P&G, General Mills to step up package recycling
GreenBiz.com
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Procter & Gamble and General Mills are being asked, through shareholder resolutions, to fund recycling programs for their packaging waste. Advocacy group As You Sow plans to file resolutions with
the companies pushing them to adopt extended producer responsibility programs, in which companies take responsibility for the disposal of their products and packaging by running take-back programs or funding collection efforts.
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Shoppers should get ready to pay more at register
The Associated Press via USA Today
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Households reeling from gasoline near $4 also face bigger bills for everything from changing their babies' diapers to wiping their noses to treating themselves to ice cream. Major makers of everyday consumer products and groceries say
they have to raise prices to offset soaring costs for their fuel and the materials and ingredients that go into their products. Retailers are trying to pass that along at the cash register, adding pressure on a sluggish U.S. economic recovery.
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Japan supply chain: Winners and losers among Indian car makers
Financial Times
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The effects of Japan's devastating tsunami and nuclear crisis are starting to be felt by India's fast-growing automobile sector. However, production cuts in India by Honda and Toyota represent a golden
opportunity for manufacturers that are not dependent on Japanese car parts. The one company that seems to be in pole position to benefit from this situation is — unexpectedly — another Japanese carmaker: Suzuki.
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Indian manufacturing growth at fastest pace in 5 months
AFP via IndustryWeek
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In April, India's HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index climbed to 58 in April from 57.9 the previous month, demonstrating the fastest pace of growth in the last five months. Output growth was driven by a
growth in new orders, the PMI survey showed. Purchasing activity grew substantially during April, rising at the quickest clip since January 2008.
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Steel imports decline 16 percent in February
American Recycler
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Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported that the U.S. imported a total of 1.777 million net tons of steel in February, down 16 percent from January's final data. Finished steel import market share in February was an estimated 18 percent and is 20 percent through two months of 2011, a slight decline from the 21 percent for full year 2010.
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Bossard is a global, value-added supplier providing customers with innovative fastening solutions and leading VMI technology. Find out why we’re the trusted expert brand. MORE |
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China's manufacturing activity slows
The Independent
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China's massive manufacturing sector experienced a slight dip in activity in April, suggesting attempts by the government to prevent the economy overheating are having an impact. The purchasing managers' index, which measures conditions in manufacturing, slipped to 52.9 in April from 53.4 in March. It is the 26th consecutive month that China's PMI reading has been above 50.
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Maersk pioneers new index-linked contracts
Ifw
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Maersk Line is starting to sign multiyear, index-linked contracts, which many believe could mark a new way of pricing ocean transport. The contracts are linked to freight rate indices published by Container Trades Statistics. According to Lloyd's List, the breakthrough came earlier this year when the Danish line accepted that the CTS price indices provided a reliable and accurate reflection of the container markets.
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