Supply Chain by the Numbers
   
 

- July 28 , 2011

   
 

Supply Chain by the Numbers for Week of July 28, 2011
   
 

IKEA Says Yes to Factory Union; Department Stores Drive Inventory Down; Penn State Number 1, but not in Football; Ocean Charter Rates Well Down

   
 
 
 

221

Number of Yes votes this week in favor of forming a union at IKEA's only US manufacturing facility in Danville, VA versus just 69 No's, meaning the union vote prevailed. As is frequently the case, IKEA may be getting a union because they deserve one, as workers complained about low wages, discrimination, long working hours, eliminated raises, frenzied pace and mandatory overtime.
 
 



 
 
 

14.9%

The reduction in inventory levels when measured as Days Sales Outstanding in the multi-line retail (mass merchants and department stores) segment from 2005 to 2010, as those retailers were one of just a few industry sectors to show consistent inventory declines over the period, along with restaurants chains and chemical companies. See Inventory Performance by Industry 2005 to 2010.
 
 
 
 
 
9.3%

Decline since April in the cost of chartering a containership, according to data this week from the Howe Robinson Container Index, which tracks charter rates for a range of vessels. That is not only a negative economic sign from an overall perspective, but is especially so since the charter rates are falling in the midst of the peak season for ocean shipping.
 
 
 
 
 

 1

Rank of Penn State University's supply chain graduate and undergraduate programs, according to just released rankings from Gartner. The University of Michigan was the surprise number 2 school among graduate programs, while Georgia Tech took second place among undergraduate studies. See Let the Debate Begin Anew! Gartner Ranks Top Supply Chain University Programs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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