TEPCO using realtime information to help reduce energy consumption in Japan
TEPCO, the Japanese power company who own the Fukushima nuclear power plant, are in an unenviable position. Their Fukushima nuclear power plant is the site of one of the world’s worst industrial accidents, they have been accused of not just incompetence but of falsifying safety records and yet they have to continue to supply power [...]
The Invisible Hand, The Earthquake/Tsunami, and The Toyota Prius
This Friday, we feature a story on a lighter but fascinating subject in the laws of supply and demand. Last week, I had the chance to talk to John Sternal, who runs communications for LeaseTrader, a site that serves as a secondary…
Japanese Tipping Point: Handicapping the Potential for Global Automotive Production Shutdowns
Spend Matters and other procurement and supply chain resources have been warning for nearly all of the past two weeks that companies should take action immediately if they have indirect or direct supply interests in Japan (see rec…
Firday Rant: A Post-Tsunami Survival Guide for Plugging Holes in Your Supplier Information Vacuum
Though it’s impressive how much has managed to stay online in Japan in the wake of last week’s earthquake and tsunami, one can’t help but be awash in the overwhelmingly speculative coverage of the supply chain. Apple is worried. B…
Japan’s Tsunami Disaster Brings Commodity and Product Shortages
Based on our survey of a wide range of secondary sources, it appears that commodity and product shortages have already hit Japan and will soon spread into Asia and potentially the rest of the world. For many commodities, suppliers…
The Japanese Earthquake and Tsunamis — Supplier Management and Preparing for Supply Disruptions
After the death toll is counted in Japan and potentially other countries from the massive 8.9 Richter Scale magnitude earthquake that hit this morning and the subsequent Pacific Ocean Tsunamis, today is likely to be extremely trag…
Farewell Sawada-San
Today, I am attending the funeral of Tomoaki Sawada, also known as Sawada-san. To me, he was a colleague, a mentor, and a friend. We met four years ago. Back then, I had visited Japan three times, in 1991, 1999, and 2006. Now, I live in Tokyo one week a month, and owe this lifestyle [...]
Are Toyota’s Suppliers in Collusion? Antitrust and the Automotive Supply Chain
Earlier today, the news broke that government officials in the US, EU and Japan recently searched the offices of a number of Toyota suppliers that may be involved in cartel-like activities. According to The Wall Street Journal?s summary, ?Investigato…
