Are redundant supply chains unheard of? Is it to expensive to be ready for a Thailand flood and have another company, somewhere else, on standby?
@Mr. Roques I feel redundant supply will be very expensive for the company to handle. Companies should invest heavily in building infrastructure, hiring people etc if they plan to operate the supply chain from multiple places.
@Jacob, I agree with your comments about a global economic crisis. Right know you have the richer EU Countries trying to salvage the problem countries. There are a few members who have already voted no to a Greek bailout. That could spell disaster. The U.S. Congress has yet to deal with the countries debt load. And these frequent natural disasters are always throwing a wrench into things.
The supply chain running rather flat right now is actually a bright spot considering what’s going on around the world. If the analysts’ predictions are correct by stating it's not as bad as it looks, then hopefully we won't see too much disruption within the supply chain.
I think again the world is going to witness for another global economic crisis. Its symptoms are started from Greece and spreading gradually to other European nations. On the other end, natural calamities in Japan and Taiwan are adding fuel to the burning fire. In totally, its smells something bad for the semiconductor industry.
I attended the live chat and agreed with Lindsley's assessment: at my company at least, her "down to flat right now" generalization is accurate.
And I think this was a really good summary of the chat overall, although I also found her comments about why Future Electronics is perhaps better able to manage inventory than some of their competitors very interesting as well.
As for the overall health of the supply chain, I do believe that the combination of natural disasters and the downturn in the economy overall has indeed left us way better off today than 10 years ago. Much better off. I don't think anyone here would disagree?
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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