Technical demands are prompting big companies to take design back in-house while others are pursuing environmental aims
One-off supply-demand mismatches during the Covid shock don’t justify widespread government intervention
US plane maker’s withdrawal of pay offer threatens to compound industry problems
Decision to base plant in Guadalajara shows ‘nearshoring’ of supply chains away from China
Unreliable suppliers can modify devices, yet companies devote few resources to verifying the origin of components
Business estimates stoppage could cost nearly $5bn a day after ‘impasse’ over wages and automation
Analysts say a stoppage from next week could cost the economy $5bn a day and raise prices for consumers
Director at Japan’s Icom stresses company discontinued devices 10 years ago
The flat-pack furniture giant Ikea has successfully ridden the shocks of Covid and Ukraine
Supplier Spirit AeroSystems will begin furloughs in three weeks if a strike at its largest customer continues
Business groups warn of ‘devastating impact’ on economy if dockworkers walk off the job
Move follows FT report on an audit clearing the carmaker of forced labour at its plant in western China
Co-operation would be part of wider western ‘de-risking’ because of security fears over Chinese products
New data analysis from the US Department of Commerce shows that it’s not always where we think
Western customers say restrictions on supply could hit production of advanced microprocessors and optical products
Factory workers are deserting the garment industry as the population ages
Industrial action at Canadian railways and Indian ports risks compounding trade problems ahead of Christmas season
Britain risks an emerging regulatory gap with the EU on supplier due diligence
Industry groups and companies call on Ottawa to help avert potentially disruptive stoppage
‘People would rather have Christmas goods already in the warehouse,’ says chief of container shipping group
Container shipping group forecasts higher profits for third time since May
Clothing, toy and furniture factories hit by anaemic orders, trade restrictions and growing competition
Tufan Erginbilgic says crunch could persist for another two years
The longer bottlenecks last, the higher the risk of another inflationary jolt for the world
Shift in logistics forces importers to move shipments earlier in the year and drives up freight rates in the process
