GLDPartners
Macro forces are reshaping supply chains and global logistics patterns. Rapidly fluctuating energy costs increasing environmental awareness, changes in public policy, landmark infrastructure investments and shifting markets are factors in a changing marketplace. We help our clients position their asset for success.
CASE STUDIES
FROM THE BLOG
The Next New Thing in the Apparel Industry
Last year Amazon was granted a patent for an on-demand apparel manufacturing system that is designed to produce apparel products after orders are placed and aggregated; in other words machines only start stitching once an order has been placed. This system means that the only inventory that the manufacturer holds is the fabric or raw material rather than higher-end finished products which will lower the value of the inventory. This frees-up cash and avoids the problem of "unfashionableness" that occurs so frequently in the apparel industry. It looks like Amazon is looking to disrupt the garment industry by aiming for a new standard- sell it, make it, ship it.
Is E-Commerce Good Business for the Freighter Airlines
In the May 24th edition of Loadstar, Sam Whelan writes about the ways in which the e-commerce boom is creating operational challenges for the larger airlines. Everyone is aware that air cargo development in 2017 far exceeded the expectations for the industry and that E-commerce demand for air freight led that charge. E-commerce demand shows no signs of letting up, but just as e-commerce has brought disruption to the retail industry, it is also creating disruption in the air cargo industry. There is no doubt that e-commerce has been a boom to a struggling air cargo industry but with these opportunities have come challenges, challenges that some air carriers just don’t think makes good business sense.
Bob Gollnik Joins GLDPartners
GLDPartners is pleased to announce that Bob Gollnik has joined our team as a Senior Project Manager. Bob will work on complex transportation, supply chain and infrastructure development advisory and delivery projects. Bob will advise businesses and public agencies on strategic transportation planning and policy, implementation and operations issues. One of Bob’s primary roles will be the development of the Mid-California International Trade District which is a $3B quadrimodal investment complex on a 2000 acre property.
Semiconductors – A Flashpoint in the Debate About Global Trade
A common misconception in the United States is that the majority of semiconductor manufacturing is done overseas, as is the case with other electronics products. However, this is not true and the fact is that US semiconductor companies do the majority of their manufacturing in the United States and semiconductors are one of America’s top manufactured exports, behind only aircraft and automobiles.
Autotech Testing Facility Investment Critical to Future Mobility Sector
It's interesting to watch in various settings around the world how unfolding automotive technologies are undergoing testing and market roll-out. In the two articles below, two electric road tests are explained, one in Europe and one in North America. These tests involve support for advanced propulsion technology, specifically electric drive technologies. In the Sweden example, government has created a test environment for a short-span electric roadway near Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport. The test links the Airport to a nearby logistics site. In the other example, Siemans and a major California electric utility company have joined to develop an electric roadway to test a heavy truck route at the largest seaport in North America, the Port of Los Angeles.
Caterpillar Still Paying for Sins From the Past
Bob Tita writes in the WSJ that Caterpillar is announcing another round of plant closings and consolidations. These actions follow on the heels of similar announcements that have affected Caterpillar plants globally over the past several years. In an effort to get ahead of the market the company made several strategic mistakes in spending billions on resizing their supply chain to meet a market demand that did not take into account the multiple sector disruptive influences that could derail their well laid plans. The good news is that the company is making progress in righting itself and will be prepared to move forward.