Supply Chain Research

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Supply Chain Edge: Early peak evidence, AI chip delay, Chile’s woes

August 9, 2024

– US seaborne imports of containerized freight surged 14% year over year in July, with sequential growth of 8% in consumer durables suggesting peak season is arriving early. Further evidence includes a pull-forward of Prime Day goods and comments from container line A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S. It... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Building on the ‘70s, delaying tariffs, shipping slips

August 1, 2024

– In new research this week, we look at Malaysia’s future as a reshoring center, which has been building since the 1970s but now faces stiff competition as labor gets more expensive and a new round of electronics investments is needed.
– Mainland China’s “Third Plenum” meeting brings a n... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Olympian sourcing, Mexican metals, expensive memories

July 26, 2024

– The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games present an opportunity to revive the declining sports equipment and apparel supply chains, which saw US imports drop from US$20.97 billion in 2021 to US$14.85 billion in 2023.
– Elsewhere in consumer goods, there are protests in Bangladesh an... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Surge protection, managed de minimis, forestry failings

July 19, 2024

• In new research this week, we investigate the evidence for early shipping in US supply chains ahead of the peak season amid slow retail sales. We also take a data-driven deep dive into bicycle supply chains, which are coming out of a supply chain bullwhip. Elsewhere in the consumer goods sec... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Three speed semiconductors, auto tariffs bite, hurricane hazards hit

July 12, 2024

– The semiconductor sector is seeing varied recovery rates, with AI applications and Nvidia driving growth, but supply chain challenges persist with sector revenue growth expected to fall to 24% in Q1 2024 from 44% in the same period the prior year. Consumer devices have mixed prospects, with ... Read more →

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Supply Chain Edge: Eyes on the horizon, UK election prospects, the electric bandwagon

June 28, 2024

• Our latest supply chain outlook finds that activity growth remains slow and there are considerable uncertainties ahead of peak season ranging from hurricanes to tariffs. We dig into network design alternatives and raise a red flag about corporations’ focus on their supply chain issues.
... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: India’s future, pork’s tariffs and Sonos Inc.’s headphones

June 21, 2024

• In new research this week, we dig into the impact of the Indian elections on the country’s attractions as a reshoring location and find that an attractive domestic market, production incentives and active trade policy are likely to continue, albeit with some adaptations.
• Tensions bet... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: EV tariffs arrive, dealing with droughts, Apple adds to the AI wave

June 14, 2024

• The EU launched long-awaited duties on imports of electric vehicles from mainland China – we dig into the next steps and key data, as well as looking at the slowdown in production of EVs in Europe and beyond.
• Drought conditions in Mexico are disrupting chemical supply chains ranging ... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Corporate focus on supply chains wanes, tariff details matter

June 7, 2024

• Consumer goods supply chains no longer face the demand pressures that they used to, leading to a reduced focus on supply chain issues by company managers and investors. Performance is markedly different across sectors, with footwear expanding and home appliances contracting. Shipments of “Sq... Read more →

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Supply Chain Edge: Under the EU influence, spinning up electronics

May 31, 2024

• The EU may delay its initial judgment on mainland China’s electric vehicle supply chains, reducing geopolitical pressures, although firms are still looking at reshoring strategies to reduce their reliance on mainland China as a production center for vehicles and parts. India is one winner. T... Read more →