Category Archives: Materials

An update on required ‘Conflict’ Metals reporting…

Posted on June 3, 2014 by F. Robert Jacobs

Companies Detail Use of ‘Conflict’ Metals First Reports Filed to SEC on Potential Use of Minerals From a Region of War-Torn Africa By John Kester and Maxwell Murphy June 2, 2014 7:28 p.m. ET A dozen companies including Google Inc., … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Sourcing, Materials, Outsourcing, Purchasing, Supply Chain Strategy | Tagged | Leave a comment

Total Cost of Ownership–Mercedes or Ford?

Posted on March 16, 2014 by F. Robert Jacobs

Discussion Questions: Total cost of ownership is an important but often overlooked Operations and Supply Chain Topic.  This article brings the topic down to a personal level.  Study the article and consider how this idea is applied to material purchase … Continue reading →

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The Leveraging Impact of Lower Energy Cost

Posted on February 14, 2014 by F. Robert Jacobs

Discussion Questions Recalling your study of Economics, define what the “leveraging” effect is?  In your definition go beyond the idea of using a small amount of money to borrow a large amount.  Think about it relative to building a new … Continue reading →

Posted in Cost, Materials, Supply Chain Finance, Supply Chain Strategy | Leave a comment

Apple Targets “Conflict Materials” Suppliers

Posted on February 14, 2014 by F. Robert Jacobs

Discussion Questions The goal of being “conflict-free” relates to compliance with the ethical sourcing of materials used in a company’s products.  Read the following article to learn how this relates to Apple Computer products. Note that in many cases the … Continue reading →

Posted in Materials, Purchasing, Supply Chain Risk, Supply Chain Strategy | Tagged | Leave a comment