Supply Chain

Francis Fukuyama, the American political scientist who once described the collapse of the Soviet Union as the “end of history,” suggested that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine might be called “the end of the end of history.” He meant that Vladimir Putin’s aggression signals a rollback of the ideals of a free Europe that emerged after 1991. Some observers suggest it may kick off a new Cold War, with an Iron Curtain separating the West from Russia.

The expected prolonged supply chain disruptions in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus will likely add more pressure in the coming months – and maybe years – to Canada’s internal transport infrastructure.

The soaring energy prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have plunged the energy sector into a state of crisis. Europe, which ordinarily sources almost 40% of its gas from Russia, is particularly vulnerable. The price of natural gas in Europe has seen a tenfold increase since the start of 2021.

Analysts say that the ripple effects of the conflict in Ukraine will further drive up U.S. food prices. And because Russia is a main producer of fertilizer, the war could affect what is grown on American soil.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and sanctions imposed on it for doing so and new pandemic-related shutdowns in China are the latest events to rock global supply chains. Combined with the China-U.S. trade war and other pandemic- and climate-related disruptions, it is certain to accelerate the movement by Western companies to reduce their dependency on China for components and finished goods and on Russia for transportation and raw materials and to lead to more localized, or regional, sourcing strategies. If China decides to back Russia in the Ukraine conflict, it would only fuel that movement.

A medical supply company founded in the early stages of the pandemic said Wednesday that it intends to build a $350 million glove-manufacturing facility at Tradepoint Atlantic and ultimately bring more than 2,000 new jobs to the Baltimore County site through a multiphase, three-year development.

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – With rising gas prices, the hot-topic issue of domestic oil drilling is once again making headlines.

Congressman Greg Murphy (R-03) said energy independence would make us less susceptible to conflicts overseas. However, one professor of supply chain management, said the United States doesn’t have enough oil to rely only on itself.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Everyone is feeling the impact of the supply chain disruption. The disruption issues were blamed on the pandemic. Experts said the inability to get products from manufacturers to consumers quickly, and inexpensively, is causing prices to soar.

Francis Fukuyama, the American political scientist who once described the collapse of the Soviet Union as the “end of history,” suggested that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine might be called “the end of the end of history.” He meant that Vladimir Putin’s aggression signals a rollback of the ideals of a free Europe that emerged after 1991. Some observers suggest it may kick off a new Cold War, with an Iron Curtain separating the West from Russia.

Supply chains continue to be the defining economic story in the U.S. Our most basic economic inputs — energy, semiconductors, and raw materials, e.g., lumber, metals, plastics — are still hitting snags. Meanwhile, as the previous issue of electroindustry covered, the country is poised to embark on a once-in-generation infrastructure buildout. Yes, it’s time to build. But for our supply chains, it’s time to rebuild and rethink.