Do you remember when most product labels said “Made in the USA”? For many decades the U.S. dominated manufacturing, both at home and worldwide, but globalization is relentless. Manufacturers are competing against companies outside the U.S. now more than ever and…
From chip shortages shuttering car plants for weeks to shipping delays and soaring costs, the pandemic has shone a spotlight on global supply chain deficiencies. Not all supply chain problems will linger. Take shipping, where freight costs along the world’s…
The U.S. is set to recover from the pandemic-induced recession faster than other rich countries thanks to its successful vaccination effort and copious relief spending. Though it might seem like weakness in the rest of the world will create a drag on…
The COVID-19 pandemic has had overwhelming impacts on our economy, not to mention the impact on lives and personal wellness. The critical lack of medical equipment to treat and protect those affected highlights the over-reliance of United States manufacturing sector…
After a year overtaken by the pandemic, many of us long for a return to normal, or at least a shift to a new normal. The global logistics sector, however, can't count on a return to normal, whether new, old,…
Tade didn't make it into the Biden administration's seven immediate priorities. It's not a subject where analysts and former trade representatives expect to see big moves or a flurry of activity. But that hasn't deterred newly-confirmed U.S. Trade Representative Katherine…
Cross-border flows plummeted in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic swept the world, reinforcing doubts about the future of globalization. As we move into 2021, the latest data paint a clearer — and more hopeful — picture. Global business is not going away, but the…
Repatriating offshore manufacturing efforts to the United States – i.e., “reshoring” – is not a new concept. The Reshoring Initiative was founded in 2010, and the Reshoring Institute, founded in 2014, conducts annual surveys of global manufacturers regarding their reshoring…
On Jan. 25th, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the Made in America Executive Order in support of domestic manufacturers, businesses and workers. Following the supply chain disruptions of 2020 and the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many organizations across the globe are prioritizing…
Should Nevada, which has only one warehouse actively using a rail siding, be relying more heavily on freight rail? The answer is yes, according to the state’s draft 2021 rail plan. The plan, currently under review by the Federal Railroad Administration,…
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has shifted large parts of the economy, most notably with new demand in urban last-mile deliveries, closeness to consumer locations and reshoring supply chains in the United States. Companies and logistics providers have vigorously worked…
Of the many things 2020 taught us, one key takeaway was understanding the global supply chain's volatility. In the blink of an eye, offshoring manufacturing halted worldwide, forcing companies to find alternative ways to meet demand and advancing the reshoring…
ZEELAND, Mich. - Residential and contract furniture maker Hekman Furniture has returned to domestic production after a decade overseas. Hekman gradually shifted its production to Vietnam and Indonesia from 2007 until about 2011. Upon closing a Grand Rapids plant in…
Supply chain vulnerabilities have long been a concern in the Pentagon, but the Defense Department’s growing dependence on small drones, semiconductors and microelectronics manufactured by adversaries has gained increased attention in recent months. To address growing uneasiness, the House Armed…
There is nothing like a global pandemic to spearhead an overhaul of the world of business. Supply chains have been hit hardest, throwing procurement teams into a sourcing frenzy — but is this really the opportunity suppliers think it could…
The global pandemic has been incapacitating international supply chains since early 2020 and continues to cause frequent delays from international suppliers. Hostile trade relations between the United States and China had been brewing even before COVID-19 hit, accelerating a reshoring…
HARRISBURG – This week, state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin was joined by state Rep. Mike Schlossberg; CEO and master distiller of This Life Forever Russell Fletcher; and Richard Hobbs, president and CEO of Manufacturers…
The impacts of virtual, online supply chain management during the COVID pandemic are still being felt. Now squarely in the first quarter of 2021, a year into this serious global nightmare, it’s time to reflect on today’s core business functions,…
Walmart Inc. today announced that it’s investing $350 billion over the next decade on products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. The retailer, which is focusing on six priority categories, including plastics, textiles, small electrical appliances, food processing, pharmaceutical…
Like many metal parts, a golf club’s head typically starts as a casting or a forging. This near-net metal shape is made using tooling, often overseas. That can mean months just to create a prototype of a new design, not to…