Chip shortage drives up payment card costs

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is affecting card chip prices because Ukraine is home to two companies that produce half of the world’s neon supply, a key ingredient in chips.

By Jonathan Berr • June 1, 2022

How an infant formula plant shutdown unraveled into a national crisis

A timeline shows how safety issues at a plant in Sturgis, Michigan led to inventory shortfalls nationwide.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated June 23, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Sony forecasts PS5 supply won't meet demand

China-based procurement issues continue to plague the electronics maker's manufacturing plans.

By Kate Magill • May 26, 2022

5 ways to lower supplier costs in an inflationary environment

Supply pressures provide a golden opportunity to separate price from cost.

By Rich Weissman • May 26, 2022

Toyota plans 'rolling pauses' on production as Shanghai lockdowns drag

The automaker is halting production on a rolling basis in May and June as it struggles with supply shortages.

By Kate Magill • May 25, 2022

'A lot of room for improvement': Lithium-ion battery makers explore better recycling amid supply woes

The Russia-Ukraine war and booming EV demand are contributing to surging battery commodity prices. 

By Katie Pyzyk • May 25, 2022

Food manufacturers shift sourcing tactics to stay ahead of edible oil turmoil

From substitutions to diversifying suppliers, companies have to stay flexible as war, weather and other disruptions pressure ingredient supplies and prices.

By Samantha Oller • May 24, 2022

World wheat stocks expected to drop to 6-year low

Production has been hampered by drought and flooding in the United States, a brutal heat wave in India and the war in Ukraine.

By Samantha Oller • May 19, 2022

Motorola pays premium on secondary markets for semiconductors

By procuring chips from the secondary market and airfreighting them, Motorola received some parts sooner than expected, its CEO said.

By Colin Campbell • May 19, 2022

Clorox sheds suppliers as COVID-19 inches toward 'endemic phase'

With service levels improving, the cleaning products company is now focused on cutting costs.

By Colin Campbell • May 19, 2022

Crop diversity, resiliency needed to prevent next global food crisis: report

An overreliance on staple crops is partly responsible for huge price spikes following the Ukraine invasion, according to IPES-Food.

By Samantha Oller • May 17, 2022

Rising fats and oil prices have Colgate-Palmolive looking to mitigate costs

The costs of fats and oils have doubled since 2020, and will continue to rise according to executives.

By Alejandra Carranza • May 12, 2022

Diversified sourcing helps Levi's avoid disruption from China lockdowns

Less than 1% of the apparel maker's products come from China, after a yearslong strategy to diversify its supply.

By Alejandra Carranza • May 12, 2022

Tootsie Roll could pause production lines due to delayed supplier deliveries

Ingredients and packaging suppliers have failed to meet promised delivery dates due to rail and truck constraints, the candy manufacturer said.

By Alejandra Carranza • May 11, 2022

With chip supply tight, trade group says White House should prioritize medtech

Medical device companies are competing with consumer electronic companies, automakers and other businesses for limited stocks, AdvaMed says.

By Nick Paul Taylor • May 10, 2022

Ballooning spot rates deflate Party City's helium business

Even after diversifying its sourcing, the retailer expects to pay higher helium prices to meet graduation season demand.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 9, 2022

Maersk aims for net-zero steel in ships

The ocean carrier is the first shipping company to join SteelZero, a global initiative to expedite decarbonization in the steel industry.

By Alejandra Carranza • May 5, 2022

Tempur Sealy diversifies sourcing to mitigate risk from China lockdowns

The mattress company also shored up its inventory in order to keep delivery times in line with retailers' expectations.

By Kate Magill • May 5, 2022

Supply chain constraints could limit electric vehicle adoption, Elon Musk says

The soaring price of lithium, a battery feedstock, led the Tesla CEO to urge entrepreneurs to enter the lithium business on an April earnings call.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 3, 2022

Sherwin-Williams deploys private fleet to ease supplier transportation snarls

The paint maker is also prioritizing certain products and formulations "to make the most of the raw materials that are available to us," said CEO John Morikis.

By Sarah Zimmerman • May 3, 2022

Indonesia's palm oil export ban takes effect as supply pressures mount

The world's largest supplier of the popular ingredient widened its restrictions at a time when alternative sources and substitutes face their own challenges.

By Samantha Oller • April 28, 2022

5 ways to manage suppliers during disruption

Contract clauses and long-term deals are some ways large organizations can deepen vendor relationships and ensure supply. 

By Praveen Kumar Soni • April 28, 2022

McCormick's diverse supplier network helps shield it from Ukraine impacts

No single raw material makes up more than 5% of the company's total cost of goods sold, according to CFO Mike Smith.

By Alejandra Carranza • April 28, 2022

Indonesia to end palm oil export ban

The country will resume exports May 23. Prices should see "downward pressure," one analyst said.

By Samantha Oller • Updated May 20, 2022

Furniture retailers forge new supply chain practices as backlogs, delays prevail

Improved inventory management is just one practice — executives are also looking at new sourcing destinations to mitigate risk.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 25, 2022