Case Studies

Cisco has a global supply chain that supports more than 300 product families. The company strives to meet the needs of a wide range of customers, something that’s not easy to do when each customer has unique fulfillment needs. Cisco recently made several changes to improve fulfillment processes and increase profits, a total supply chain […]

Many people have grown up eating cereal across the U.S., and Kellogg’s has become a household brand. The company manufactures a long list of cereals including Froot Loops, Special K, Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini-Wheats, and Frosted Flakes. Kellogg’s makes much more than cereal, though. Some of the company’s other food products include Eggo Waffles, Pringles,

Millions of Americans grab a cup of coffee from Starbucks on their way to work each morning. In this niche market, smart business decisions mean this coffee chain stays on top in terms of sales. Starbucks leads the market with an efficient supply chain and careful attention to product sourcing.

Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company in the U.S. and the world. 60 percent of their revenue is generated from international markets, and they have a goal of doubling profits by 2020. Part of that plan involves further expansion into China. Coca Cola believes there is great opportunity there because the beverage industry is growing.

Fast food workers across the country are demanding higher pay in their “Fight for 15” campaign. Protestors claim that it’s not possible to live on the current minimum wage and that it should be raised to $15 per hour. McDonald’s seems to be getting the brunt of complaints, and it’s affecting their business clear to

Adidas is a leader in retail footwear and clothing. Customers love their sporty look, comfortable fit, and innovative designs. To achieve these results, Adidas has sought out the best suppliers around the world. Many of those suppliers were formerly in Asia, but in 2014, Adidas decided to take their business elsewhere to improve their supply

The world is starting to realize that relying on fossil fuels is not a good long-term strategy. Denmark realized this concept 30 years ago and is now leading the way in renewable energy with their wind turbine farms. They hope other countries will follow suit and change the way that power production is approached around

In 2005, Wal-Mart set an impressive three-part goal to reform their supply chain. They wanted to be powered 100 percent by renewable energy; create zero waste in their supply chain; and sell more sustainable products to customers. These goals would require a lot of change to their supply chain management. One decade later, Wal-Mart is

Apple is doing well. They had an amazing fiscal year because of iPhone 6 sales. Part of their success was a result of expansion into the mobile market in China and sales there. Apple has big plans for further business in China, and this is supported by their already strong supply chain in the country.

Bitcoin really is a brilliant idea. It is essentially a peer-to-peer currency system that allows people to transfer money to each other without the middle men of banks. Plus, there are no transaction fees , the currency can be used anywhere in the world, and anonymity is allowed. However, bitcoin has had a rough year

Most customers don’t realize the time, energy, and resources that go into making a super supply chain like Wal-Mart’s. Wal-Mart has 11,000 stores around the world and serves more than 130 million customers per week. They are able to dominate in the market because of their focus on technology, vendor partnerships, integrations, and cross docking

Hundreds of companies had problems fulfilling their supply chain needs because of the labor disputes at west coast ports. One major company affected by the delays was McDonalds. For instance, some Japanese stores went without French fries for a time. However, McDonald’s was able to quickly overcome the problem by turning to local suppliers. They

Amazon just rolled out a new program in Manhattan, New York, where customers can have items delivered to their home in one hour or less. If the program is successful, it could be added to several other large cities in the U.S. However, many people are skeptical that the one-hour delivery service will be a

Businesses are always looking for cheaper ways to ship their goods to customers while choosing sustainable options. Nestle Waters is taking a proactive approach with propane-powered delivery vehicles. They are reducing their operations costs while also lowering their carbon footprint — something that consumers are starting to care about. Take a look at the way

Fracking is a process used to extract gas from underground. Basically, it is a hydraulic system where water, chemical additives, and sand are injected into rocks to open them and release gas. Then, the natural gas is captured in containers and used for energy. Bans on fracking have been popping up around the world because

Wal-Mart is one of the most successful superstores in America. They sell everything from groceries and clothing to toys and car parts. Wal-Mart has literally become a one-stop shop for anything a family could want. The thing that sets them apart is their “Always Low Prices.” Wal-Mart’s supply chain is impressive. They take the time

Codexis is an enzyme producer that develops biocatalysts for the pharmaceutical industry. They have proven technology that reduces the cost of manufacturing drugs through sustainable processes. In July 2014, Codexis signed an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to share a technology license.

The crisis in Ukraine started over a year ago when pro-Moscow leader Viktor Yanukovych broke a trade agreement with the E.U. in favor of an agreement with Russia. This caused protests in Kiev, eventually toppling Mr. Yanukovych and causing Russia to move in and annex Crimea. Now, Russia is facing sanctions because of the situation

How much money are you willing to pay for a cup of coffee? You’ve probably seen higher prices at the chain coffee stores because the price of coffee beans has more than doubled since January. This is partially due to the major drought in Brazil and other parts of Central America where a large portion

Tesla and Fisker have similar stories. They both introduced luxury sports cars to the market around the same time — Fisker’s Karma at the end of 2010 and Tesla’s Roadster at the end of 2009. They also both got loans from the U.S. Department of Energy to ramp up production. Tesla racked up a huge

The start of the most recent U.S. recession (2008), marked the beginning of an almost unfathomable payment method: a software-based currency known as the Bitcoin. Since then, the virtual coinage has incited a spectrum of protestors and followers whose reactions range from chagrin to downright satisfaction. Currently, some companies deny its worth altogether, while others

What does it take to become the next international manufacturing hub? Many countries look to China for the answer to that question. Countries across the world will embark on this “Made In” voyage, but few will discover uncharted market opportunities.

The 2006 film Blood Diamond shed light on conflict gems mined in warzones. Often these diamonds bring death to the diggers – some of whom are children. Many of these rocks are later used in jewelry sold throughout the world. With consumers being more informed about products than ever — thanks to the Internet —

In his hit song Thrift Shop, Macklemore proclaims, “I wear your granddad’s clothes; I look incredible.” And it’s true – the part about chic attire (sometimes) excluded. These days, thrift stores do fashionably outfit consumers with goods that come from a variety of sources – your family members included.

In many cases, international corporations have an edge up on local and national-only businesses for their ability to mass produce and ship items. Off-price retail is an especially competitive industry. It’s one in which the best brand for the best deal wins; however, it seems where and how these companies conduct business matters too. Here

Trader Joes positions itself as an offbeat grocer that’s (somewhat) locally-minded, but rumors about the company’s less than honest practices have been surfacing as of late. These days, consumers want to know where their food is coming from – whether it’s farm to table or a change in the label. Trader Joes may be subject