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-- Supply Chain Management Review, 7/21/2006
Welcome to Supply Chain Management Review’s China Resource Center.
For evidence of the importance of China to the global economy, you need look no further than the itinerary for Chinese president Hu Jintao’s recent trip to the United States. His first stop was not in Washington DC to meet with the president of the United States but in Washington State to meet with the chairman of Microsoft.
For years, companies have been struggling to understand how to successfully incorporate China into their increasingly global supply chain. We hope that these resources from Supply Chain Management Review can help deepen that understanding.
Articles: Author: George Stalk Jr. of The Boston Consulting Group Issue Date: May/June 2006 Summary:
Companies are being swept up in a headlong rush to source from China – without thinking much about the possible tradeoffs between lower product costs and higher overall costs and reduced profitability. A better approach is to reduce the time and variability in China-anchored supply chains.
Supply Clusters: A Key to China’s Cost AdvantageAuthors: Lifang Wu, Xiaohang Yue, and Thaddeus Sim
Issue date: March 2006
Summary:
Why does China enjoy such a huge manufacturing-cost advantage over other countries? Low-cost labor certainly comes into play, but it’s only part of the answer. Another factor—and in many cases an even bigger one – is the existence of supply clusters. These interconnected groups of companies in close geographical proximity are a big source of supply chain and business success.
The Infrastructure Squeeze on Global Supply Chains
Authors: Christopher D. Norek and Monica Isbell
Issue date: October 2005
Summary:
Increased trade from China is putting the squeeze on port, ocean shipping, rail, and truck capacity. Dealing with these pressures may require rethinking your supply chain.
What You Need to Know About Sourcing From China
Authors: Robert B. Handfield and Kevin McCormack
Issue date: September 2005
Summary:
The risks of ignoring China as a supply chain source far outweigh any of the potential pitfalls. New research and on-the-ground observations can help companies source more effectively in this industrial powerhouse.
Closing China’s Supply Chain Talent Gap
Authors: David MacEachern, Eric Melulis, Peter Roberts, and Jwee San Tan
Issue date: April 2005
Summary:
No longer is it good enough to rely purely on expatriate supply chain managers in China. But at the same time, there is not yet a sufficient pool of in-country talent to meet the demand. Executive search firm Spencer Stuart has conducted a detailed survey to learn more about the size of the talent gap and to find out what leading companies are doing to close it.
Author: John Kerr
Issue date: October 2004
Summary:
Don’t let China’s “gold rush allure,” distract you from the realities of doing business there. Here are five generalizations about China that could lead to trouble.
Webcast:
Supply Chain Management Reviewand Logistics Management present - Meeting the China Challenge - an Online Conference.
From the Pages of Logistics Management
:
Supply Chain Mastery: One Key to Success in China Accenture consultant Patrick Byrne outlines the steps that foreign companies need to take to thrive in China. These include: 1) investing in the right place, 2) focusing on value, 3) thinking end-to-end, 4) emphasizing partnerships and alliances, 4) leveraging technology, 5) managing risk, and 6) tapping talent.
Author: Patrick Byrne
Author: Patrick M. Byrne
Date: June 2006 Logistics Management
Summary:
In his June 2006 column for Logistics Management, Accenture’s Partick Byrne discusses five important trends facing companies operating in or seeking to enter China. These include: rapid growth, consolidation of a highly fragmented market, increased reliance on third-party logistics providers, greater control of downstream distribution, and competitive advantages through alliances.
China Ports Update: Seven Developments to Watch
Author: John Kerr
Issue date: Logistics Management January 2006
Summary:Here’s an interesting statistic: The world’s largest municipality isn’t Tokyo or Sao Paolo or Seoul. It’s Chongqing, a metropolitan area of more than 30 million people in the middle of China.
Logistics in China are in early development, but changing quickly
Author: Sarah Bowling
Date: Logistics Management, January 18, 2006
Summary:Logistics costs are currently about 21.3 percent of China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to 8.6 percent in the United States, according to a report entitled “State of Logistics in China,” by industry analyst ARC Advisory Group.
Air Cargo and China Supplement
Author: Karen Thuermer
Issue date: Logistics Management May 2005
Summary:Without a doubt, Asia is the world’s manufacturing powerhouse. That fact is having an effect on the world’s airfreight markets.
Choosing the Right 3PL in China
Author: John Kerr
Date: Logistics Management May 1, 2005 Summary: Two veteran China watchers explain how working with the right third-party logistics partner can help shippers navigate China's tricky logistics system.From the Pages of Purchasing Magazine
Dos and Don’ts of Doing Business in China
Author: Dave Hannon and Emma Cohen Date: May 18, 2006 Purchasing Summary:
Author: James Carbone Date: May 18, 2006 Purchasing Summary:
Buying semiconductors in China is no bed of roses as the semiconductor supply base is still limited. Global suppliers are still leery of opening fabs in China.
OEMs leverage supplier fairs in China
Author: David Hannon Date: Purchasing March 2, 2006 Summary: Buyers looking to find suppliers overseas are trying anything and everything to connect with suppliers. While the Internet has certainly made identifying global suppliers easier, in many countries face-to-face meetings are still the most efficient way to get a deal started.
Buyers search for success in China
Author: James Carbone
Issue date: Purchasing May 19, 2005
Summary: For the electronics industry, China has become an important source for many commodity components. But don't expect any high-end chips to be produced there any time soon.
Buyers look toward China—but with a degree of caution
Author: Purchasing Magazine staff
Issue date: Purchasing, January 13, 2005 Summary: One of the hesitancies: the difficulty in calculating the total cost of producing and shipping products to the U.S.
| Have a China-related question, comment, or success story that you would like to share? E-mail us at scmr@reedbusiness.com |
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