Global Supply Chain Management

The Changing Role of the Business Forecaster

June 4, 2012

There are two major challenges that companies face today in forecasting, says Bob Leonard, vice president of sales with Forecast Pro. One is the push to drive down to more detail, including smaller time buckets. The other is the need to treat forecasting as an analytical task, instead of just clerical work.

Manufacturing Growth in China Remains Strong, Survey Finds

June 1, 2012

Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium

More than 60 percent of respondents to a recent Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium survey say manufacturing is still on the rise in China. The report, China Supply Chain Perspectives: Operations and Future Investments, reveals the results of a survey completed by nearly 100 North American supply chain executives across all major industry segments that have supply chain operations in China.

What It Takes to Be New Market Leader in Commercial Vehicle Industry

June 1, 2012

Ernst & Young

Six mega trends have been identified that will significantly impact the revenues, costs and profitability of the commercial vehicle industry as demand for trucks and buses evolves with globalization, technology development, regulation and emerging market growth, according to a report from Ernst + Young.

As ERP Market Bounces Back, What Kind of Companies Are Spending Their Money?

June 1, 2012

Technology Evaluation Centers

Since the 2008 economic crisis hit, many firms have been forced to cut back in order to keep their businesses afloat. Enterprise software spending is one area where cutbacks have been most noticeable. But now that the global economy is starting to rebound and information technology budgets are unfreezing, companies are evaluating upgrade or replacement enterprise resource planning systems with added functionality to support their changing business needs.

Senate Ratification of Law of Sea Treaty Strongly Urged by Military, Political Leaders

May 31, 2012

Maritime Executive

In the strongest terms possible, defense and diplomatic leaders have urged the U.S. Senate to ratify the Law of the Sea Convention. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta along with Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. All three urged the committee to approve the treaty.

Evolving Requirements for Supply Chain Visibility

May 31, 2012

SupplyChainBrain

Avnet provides leading-edge supply chain visibility solutions to OEM customers that have extended global supply chains and significant contract manufacturing operations. These supply chains often are highly complex and very geographically dispersed.

Maintain Quality in a Complex Supply Chain With Better Information Management

May 31, 2012

John Fishell, Vice President of Product Management and Training, Apriso Corp.

The growing complexity of products, along with the continued globalization of business, has made the supply chain more sophisticated and difficult to manage than ever before. Add to this the threat of unexpected natural disasters - such as the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan last year - and suddenly manufacturers face challenges that are so complicated they warrant re-thinking the fundamental principles of supply chain management that have guided businesses for years.

Pickle Packager Pares Plant to Pump Up Production

May 31, 2012

Pinnacle Foods

In a move it says will improve its supply chain efficiency, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC announced plans to consolidate its Vlasic pickle production into one plant in Imlay City, Michigan. The company's decision to focus on its branded Vlasic business and de-emphasize its lower-margin, un-branded pickle business was the catalyst for this consolidation.

Class 8 Used Truck Volumes Down, Pricing Up in April

May 31, 2012

ACT Research

April saw a turn-around in the trend of the prior two months in the used Class 8 truck market, as volumes sank and pricing rose. The update on the used market was reported in the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research.

Open Borders, Integrated Supply Chains Break Down Global Trade Barriers, Report Says

May 30, 2012

World Economic Forum

East Asian economies have recorded marked improvements in their ability to enable trade, while traditional frontrunners Singapore and Hong Kong retain a clear lead at the top of the global rankings, according to the Global Enabling Trade Report 2012, released by the World Economic Forum.