Global Supply Chain Management

GlaxoSmithKline Goes to Once-a-Month Vendor Payment System

January 30, 2013

The Forum for Private Business, a British small business lobbying group, recently sought to publicly shame GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) after the drugmaker told suppliers it would pay invoices only once a month, rather than on a rolling basis as they come due.

Marketing to the Emerging Consuming Class of Africa

January 30, 2013

BCG Perspectives

Africa is not easily pigeonholed, and making generalizations about its consumers is a risky proposition. The continent has 1 billion inhabitants"”speaking more than 2,100 languages and spanning 54 countries that cover an area larger than China, the U.S., India, and Europe combined. Despite this diversity, one thing is clear, however: a new consumer class is emerging across Africa"”one with increasing purchasing power and a hunger for products and services that once seemed unattainable.

Interest in Omni-Channel at Fever Pitch, But How Do You Employ It Optimally?

January 30, 2013

ChainLink Research

For many years, people have been talking about the rising importance of multi-channel and using the term omni-channel to describe the complete and seamless integration of the customer's experience across multiple channels.

Study Suggests Shorter, Intra-Regional Routes Develop as Near-Shoring Becomes More Attractive

January 30, 2013

Air Cargo World

Shorter supply chains resulting from near-shoring could have an impact on future airfreight volumes, if new research from logistics provider BDP International proves to be an accurate indicator.

People Management Key to Improving Global Competitiveness in Manufacturing

January 29, 2013

Manufacturing Business Technology

No matter what we automate in manufacturing, or how flexible and effective a supply chain we develop, it's how we manage the people in the business that will make the difference between good and world class.

Laser Structuring Method Reportedly Embeds RFID Tag Antennas in Goods

January 29, 2013

RFID Journal

Some RFID label manufacturers, as well as vendors of goods tracked via radio frequency identification, are taking advantage of a new technology developed by LPKF Laser + Electronics AG that enables the laser-printing of an antenna and circuit board for RFID transmission.

Signs Point to 2013 Being the Year of Resurgence in U.S. Manufacturing

January 29, 2013

Industry Week

Will 2013 be the year of the manufacturing renaissance? Plenty of groups are hoping so. NAM issued its "manufacturing renaissance" strategy over a year ago. Willy Shih and Gary Pisano of the Harvard Business School, as well as Craig Giffi at Deloitte, are leading advocates for policies that will encourage manufacturing innovation on our shores. And Boston Consulting Group has issued a series of reports pointing to a steady rise in new investment in American manufacturing over the next five years.

Reducing Supply Chain Barriers Might Boost Global GDP Six Times More Than Ending Import Tariffs, Report Finds

January 29, 2013

World Economic Forum

Reducing supply chain barriers could increase global GDP and world trade much more than reducing all import tariffs, according to a new report released by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Bain & Company and the World Bank.