Supply Chain by the Numbers: September 12, 2007

Supply Chain by the Numbers

-September 12, 2007

The Numbers Worth Knowing this Week in Supply Chain and Logistics

This Week: Today's Fabric Has More Stretch; Iran's "Strait" Jacket on Crude Oil Supplies; Port Congestion in the USA; Put it In Reverse to Go Faster



-25%
Unbelievably, the change in prices on fabric and clothing imported to the U.S. since 1995, as major retailers have used their growing procurement clout, and China has more recently entered the market as the dominant global supplier.

17 million

The average number of barrels of crude oil moved through the Strait of Hormuz, volumes that represent more than a fifth of the world's total production. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that the Strait could be vulnerable to a blockade by Iran.


0
The number of U.S. ports operating under congested conditions from the harbor to gate, according to the most recent Port Tracker report from NRF and Global Insights.




15%
Percent efficiency gains in split case picking achieved by sports and apparel retailer Sports Chalet from simply having operators pick in reverse location order for the next carton after reaching the end of the pick zone for the first carton. See Supply Chain Tip of the Week: Improving Piece Picking Productivity by Reversing Picks in a Zone.