Supply Chain by the Numbers: January 31, 2008

Supply Chain by the Numbers

-January 31, 2008

The Numbers Worth Knowing this Week in Supply Chain and Logistics

This Week: Securing Iron Ore Supply in China; Hershey's Supply Chain Transformation Costs; Great Expectations at Premier Farnell Following Major IT Investment; Import Price Inflation Soars in the US



10 million
The number of tons of iron ore Australian mining giant BHP Billiton this week agreed to supply China’s Baosteel annually in a new 10-year contract, up from a 6 million ton per year commitment currently, as Chinese companies and the government continue to pursue strategies to lock in commodity prices and availability over long periods.

$83.3 million

The amount of charges Hershey took in the fourth quarter of 2007 for costs associated with the company’s Supply Chain Transformation project, mostly related to plant closing and outsourcing arrangements. Hershey eventually expects to save hundreds of millions in supply chain costs annually from the changes.


99.9%
The targeted level of next day delivery for billion dollar electronics distributor Premier Farnell, headquartered in the UK but with a presence throughout the globe, according to an article this week in the Financial Times. To get there, the company had to make major investment in IT to close gaps in the quality and flow of information.




10.9%
The level of import price inflation in the US in 2007, as a combination of soaring commodity prices and the falling US dollar puts pressure on goods and materials bought overseas.