Search Results for: America

BY LEAH GERMAIN

THE USA Chamber of Commerce and America’s National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) have launched a legal challenge to a Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule requiring companies to list the use of "conflict-minerals" in their product supply-chain. Finalised by the SEC in August, the rule requires US-listed companies to disclose if their products contain minerals, such as tantalum, tin, gold or tungsten, originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or an adjoining country.…

BY MJ DESCHAMPS, IN CALGARY, AND PACIFICA GODDARD

New demands on North America’s beverage industry are prompting manufacturers, distribution chains and logistics professionals to think more strategically, and make supply chains more efficient. According to the 2011 paper ‘A Taste of Warehouse Automation’ from Retrotech Incorporated – a US company specialising in automated material handling systems – beverage manufacturers are facing a myriad of business pressures impacting on their logistics: "On one hand, globalisation and health-conscious consumers have created remarkable opportunities to develop new products, attract new customers and explore new markets.…

BY HELEN CLARK, IN HANOI

21 SEPTEMBER, 2012

A FASHION for eating in branded fast food outlets such as America’s KFC is helping to drive increased meat consumption in Vietnam, where pork remains king but chicken dominates menus in quick-meals chains.…

BY ROBERT STOKES, IN MALAGA

12 SEPTEMBER 2012

SPAIN’s ailing book industry has seen things go from bad to worse throughout 2012 as the country moved centre stage in the Eurozone crisis, government austerity measures hit hard, and unemployment hovered around 25%.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE LAWYER for a banker granted the largest ever US whistleblower payment – of USD104 million – has welcomed improvements to the whistleblower programme run by America’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Dean Zerbe was speaking ahead of the IRS decision to reward Brad Birkenfeld, a former UBS banker, who since 2007 has given detailed information to the IRS on how the Swiss bank aided tax evasion.…

BY MJ DESCHAMPS, IN CALGARY, AND PACIFICA GODDARD

But while the USA offers a degree of complexity within its states, drinks companies face much sterner logistics challenges in Latin America, Marcelo Nascimento, spokesman for leading New Zealand-owned but international system supplier of carton packaging and filling machines for beverages, SIG Combibloc, which has been focusing on Brazil.…

BY LEAH GERMAIN

INTERNATIONAL architects are developing blueprints for an improved international airport in Greenland as the autonomous Danish territory considers economic growth and possible independence in the future. The plans for a multi-modal airport with an air plus harbour component were unveiled at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, which runs from August 29 to November 25.…

BY MJ DESCHAMPS

CLOTHING labels worldwide are usually a standard read, with fibre names such as ‘cotton,’ ‘nylon’ and ‘polyester’ – apparel compositions which remain generally constant from season to season. When it comes to luxury textiles and apparel, however, there seem to be more evolving trends in terms of fibres used – along with more dynamic changes in supply and demand.…

BY KITTY SO

Confectionery consumers worldwide are moving away from the traditional, sugary lollipop to other sweets, driven by health concerns and greater spending power. Market researchers say they are flocking to innovative, functional soft candies offering health benefits while consumers with more money turn to chocolates.…

BY LEAH GERMAIN

RESEARCHERS in America have revealed a novel way to transport molecules into algae, paving the way to harness such microorganisms to produce commercially viable biofuels, drugs, and other compounds. Algae are an increasingly popular ingredient in drug and vaccine manufacture.…