Chain Reaction

What if I told you that global economics isn't as dry as it sounds? Prepare to be enlightened as we dissect the impacts of steady interest rates in the US and UK, rising energy prices, and wage increments in the US economy. We also shed light on the continuous strikes, which are threatening to disrupt economic growth, and the launch of the first green methanol vessel by Maersk Let's not...

Prepare to be captivated as we navigate the complex webs connecting advertising to supply chains. Your host, Tony Hines, kicks off this journey by dissecting the recent seismic shifts in the advertising market and how they greatly influence the demand side of businesses. Picture this: your business's demand process often starts with an advertising project - interesting, right? That's jus...

Ever wondered if you should invest in an electric vehicle? We’ve got an episode that unravels the pros and cons of the EV market, and it just might be the deciding factor in your next big purchase. We also touch on the urgent issues of climate change, the need for cleaner energy, and the infrastructure necessary to instill consumer confidence in this rapidly evolving market. Stay tuned for our new...

 Nestlé is raising the stakes, acquiring a significant share in Brazilian luxury chocolate maker, Grupo CRM. This episode uncovers the implications of this move on the global confectionery market. But it's not all sugar-coated - we'll grapple with the fluctuating prices of Brent Crude and West Texas Oil, and track Japan's economy, pulling itself painstakingly from the brink. The Ind...

Are you ready to get electrified? We're not talking about your morning coffee. We're talking about the future of cars - Electric Vehicles (EVs). With the UK government ambitiously pushing for a complete switch to EVs by 2030, we're about to see rapid change in the way we drive. Together, we'll examine the competitive landscape of EV makers, debate the pros and cons of owning an...

Imagine the ramifications of a major walkout in Tokyo, the impact of soaring food prices in India, or the unveiling of China's new South China Sea map. This episode is a lively discussion deciphering the complex interplay of such global events on supply chains. Join us as we untangle the intricate web spun by recent happenings - from the G20 meet in New Delhi to the potential thawing of US-Ir...

All things impacting global supply chains this week. Japan began pumping more than a million metric tons of treated water from the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Thursday, a process that will take decades to complete. Salt demand surges in China as a result of the Fukushima discharges into the ocean. Russia’s central bank raised interest rates. The UK Trade deal with India appe...

All things impacting global supply chains this week with Tony Hines. Oil prices have fallen this week as demand has fallen. Inflation in the UK falls as the latest CPI figure hits 6.8% a fall of 1.1% on the previous months. Gas price falls have underpinned the fall in the index. Consumer's in the UK are feeling the pinch as the cost of living crisis bites. An attitude survey in the UK showed...

All things impacting global supply chains this week with Tony Hines. South Korea protesters angry that Japan has announced discharges of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Ocean. Brent Crude hits $86 and West Texas $82. Oil prices are up because of limited supplies from OPEC+. GDP in the UK for July up to 0.02 per cent. Deflation not Inflation is China's problem as o...

Tony Hines takes a look at the benefits supply chain collaborations can bring to those collaborating. A good starting point he says is to take a look at the  research on the topic to see what is already known. First up is an article in production planning and control looking at risk management under technology turbulence. Shuting Li, Tongtong Xu, Kihyun Caleb Park & Mingu Kang (2023) The effec...

All things impacting global supply chains this week with Tony Hines The Freemantle Highway caught fire and is being towed to safety close to the Dutch coast. It has just under 4,000 cars on board. Wilko a 90 year old brand is likely to go into administration. It is a much loved family business with 400 stores and 12,000 employees. It operates in a very competitive market segment and has competitio...

All about supply chain advantage. Send us Fan Mail Support the show   THANKS FOR LISTENING PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW You can support the podcast by following the link here. It makes a big difference and helps us make great content for you to listen to. Follow like and share the Chain Reaction Podcast with colleagues and friends on social media: Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn . News about forthcoming...

All things impacting global supply chains this week with Tony Hines:- Bank of England continues its fight against inflation - interest rate rise likely. Savings rates remain low but why? Chip maker demand falls allowing some respite and normality to return. Meta losing the thread? Gasoline demand peaks in China. Special edition coming up on the EV Market. Fire onboard a car carrier ship near the D...

All things impacting global supply chains this week. Russia stops grain deal which means no grain will be exported by sea from Ukraine. Threats to land between Lithuania and Poland Europe's green energy plans under pressure. Tessla in the news as US regulator is investigating a crash in Lake Tahoe. Tata invests in UK battery plant in Somerset for Jaguar-Landrover. Renault and Geely invest £7...

All things impacting global supply chains this week with Tony Hines.  The UK economy contracted by 0.1 per cent in May after the coronation of King Charles according to the ONS. The loss of one working day has been put forward as a cause of this result. Fresh wave of strikes in the UK in July. Pay offers from government may not be sufficient to stop the action. Inflation and cost of living is addi...

Trailer featuring Jenny. Send us Fan Mail Support the show   THANKS FOR LISTENING PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW You can support the podcast by following the link here. It makes a big difference and helps us make great content for you to listen to. Follow like and share the Chain Reaction Podcast with colleagues and friends on social media: Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn . News about forthcoming programme...

What if the vehicle you're driving has a hidden danger that could put your life at risk? Discover why car recalls are more important than ever as we dive into the world of automotive safety. In this special episode, we discuss the recent Ford Motor Company recall of 125,000 sport utility vehicles and trucks due to potential engine failures and fires. We also explore the increased complexity o...

All things impacting global supply chains this week. In the news this week: Thames water gets a fine of £3 million for allowing raw suage to enter the river near Gatwick Airport. Taxpayers and Billpayers will pick up the tab eventually. I suspect more utility companies will be in the news for similar reasons in the near future. Mercedes Benz agrees to share Tesla super chargers in North America. J...

Tony Hines talks about all things impacting global supply chains this week. Strange times in Russia Fossil fuel still supplies eighty per cent of energy so can climate change targets be realized by the target dates? Have you heard of de minimis?  Well it creates competitive advantage for some, find out more. Shell is still buying Russian LNG despite committing to not doing so. Will hydrogen strate...

Tony Hines explains why last mile delivery has become such a hot topic to achieve a competitive advantage. Last mile logistics refers to the final stage in the delivery process. It's the final step in the  chain where the goods or the services move from the hub or a warehouse facility to the end user which maybe a customer or a consumer, So it could be a business to business transaction or it...

Ready to uncover the challenges of transitioning to a green supply chain? This week, in the News Round Up  we dive into the shortages of essential electrical grid components that are hindering the development of electric truck charging points. With the demand for electric vehicles skyrocketing, we discuss what could be in store for the supply chain as governments and companies race to secure micro...

What's the future of work going to look like, and how will it impact global supply chains? This eye-opening episode uncovers the findings from the World Economic Forum's report on the future of skills in the workplace and the critical implications for supply chains. We discuss the effects of supply shortages, the transition to green energy, and the labor market churn resulting from sever...

Ready to discover the latest updates on the automotive industry, and how Ford and GM are electrifying their futures? Join us as we discuss the Longshore Union and employers' recent agreement, which aims to stabilize the US supply chain, and explore the crucial issue of data security in the age of chatbots. Coping with inflation is on everyone's mind, and we're here to help you navig...

Ready to revolutionize your supply chain decision-making? Prepare for a deep dive into artificial intelligence with our latest Chain Reaction Podcast episode, where we explore the intricacies of chat, GPT, and generative AI solutions that are changing the game for supply chains everywhere. And if you're curious about benchmarking, we've got you covered too! Learn how to measure and impro...

What happens when engine failures cause a massive vehicle recall and tensions rise over chip technologies? Join us for an enlightening discussion on the latest supply chain news, from Ford Motor Company's recall of 125,000 vehicles to the ongoing U.S.-China dispute over semiconductors. We also share South Korea's efforts to maintain its lead in the semiconductor industry and the ambitiou...