The hottest Supply Chain Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Does All Semiconductor Manufacturing Depend on Spruce Pine Quartz?

Construction Physics • 31526 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Manufacturing Materials science Supply Chain
  1. Spruce Pine, North Carolina, provides a lot of the high-purity quartz used in making silicon for semiconductors. This quartz is important because it helps produce the pure silicon necessary for making chips and solar panels.
  2. While Spruce Pine quartz is significant, it isn't the only option available. There are other sources and potential substitutes, but they may not be as good or as cost-effective.
  3. The semiconductor industry is exploring new materials for crucibles and increasing the production of quartz elsewhere, which could reduce reliance on Spruce Pine in the future. This means a supply disruption wouldn't completely stop semiconductor manufacturing.

Apple Mobile Processors Are Now Made in the USA. By TSMC

Tim Culpan’s Position • 880 HN points • 17 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Manufacturing Electronics Innovation Supply Chain
  1. TSMC is now making Apple's mobile processors in Arizona, marking a big shift for tech manufacturing in the U.S.
  2. The A16 chip, which was first used in the iPhone 14 Pro, will be the first product produced at this new facility.
  3. This move shows Apple and TSMC's commitment to making advanced chips domestically, which is a key part of the U.S. government's efforts to boost local tech production.

How American AI Chip Policy Could Lead Us Right into World War III

Future History • 190 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Semiconductors Supply Chain International relations Chip Manufacturing
  1. The US heavily relies on Taiwan and South Korea for advanced chips. If China were to invade Taiwan, it could cut off the supply of these crucial components, affecting everything from smartphones to cars.
  2. Building chip manufacturing capacity in the US is not happening fast enough. The current efforts, including the Chips Act, are insufficient compared to what countries like South Korea are investing.
  3. Current tensions and trade policies can push China towards aggressive actions. If chip trade restrictions continue, it might lead to a conflict, putting the whole world at risk.

The World of Graphite

Intercalation Station • 139 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Materials science Energy Storage Supply Chain Geopolitics Sustainability
  1. Graphite is a key material for batteries, especially in electric vehicles, and there's been a shift from natural to synthetic graphite due to supply risks.
  2. China dominates the graphite supply, which creates concerns about over-reliance and geopolitical tensions, leading to increased global interest in local production.
  3. Synthetic graphite can be made from waste materials and has the potential to reduce environmental impacts if produced using renewable energy sources.

Labor Laundering

Doomberg • 6490 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
💼 Business Supply Chain Global Trade Regulation Labor Rights Corporate ethics
  1. Many electronic devices use cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where child labor is often involved in mining. This makes it hard for companies to claim their supply chains are free from issues.
  2. China plays a major role in the solar panel supply chain, often using polysilicon that comes from regions known for forced labor. This creates challenges in ensuring products are ethically sourced.
  3. The EU has introduced a law aimed at holding companies accountable for labor and environmental standards, but this could lead to conflicts, such as threats from Qatar to stop gas exports if they face penalties.
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Is Rare Earth China's Trump Card?

Taipology • 35 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics China relations Economic Policy Supply Chain
  1. China has a strong hold on rare earth elements, which are vital for making many high-tech products. Without them, supply chains could face major disruptions.
  2. Unlike previous instances, such as the 2010 crisis with Japan, China's current restrictions on these elements are stricter and more effectively enforced.
  3. Creating a new supply chain for rare earths in the US would be hard and take a lot of time and money, making it risky for businesses to invest without a clear plan.

Stop blaming rising egg prices on market power

Economic Forces • 11 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
💼 Business Market Theory Supply Chain Competition
  1. Rising egg prices don't always mean companies are taking advantage of their market power. Sometimes, they can be explained by supply issues, like avian flu affecting chicken populations.
  2. When there are fewer eggs available due to supply disruptions, prices can rise a lot even if demand doesn’t change much. This is because people still need eggs for cooking and baking.
  3. Just because prices are high doesn't mean there’s unfair competition. It’s important to look at the whole supply chain and how supply changes can affect prices in a competitive market.

Winning iPhone Orders is no Longer Victory

Tim Culpan’s Position • 39 implied HN points • 11 Sep 24
💼 Business Economics Supply Chain Manufacturing Technology Market Trends
  1. Luxshare and Foxconn are both working on assembling iPhones, but Luxshare's recent orders don't seem to bring in much more money for the company. Their iPhone assembly success hasn't led to significant revenue growth.
  2. Apple is a big client for both companies, but they are overly dependent on it. Luxshare's reliance on Apple for 75% of its revenue is worrying for investors, especially as Apple's overall sales have been slowing.
  3. To succeed, Luxshare might need to expand into new areas like AI servers rather than just focusing on iPhones. However, they face challenges in doing this and need to be cautious about their future strategies.

Predictable Chaos: Trump’s Tariffs and the Fragility of Global Supply Chains

Gad’s Newsletter • 23 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💼 Business Trade policy Supply Chain Economic Impact Corporate strategy Market Analysis
  1. Tariffs can hurt both businesses and consumers by increasing costs, leading to higher prices for goods. Companies that depend on global supply chains may struggle to adapt to these changes.
  2. Supply chains are fragile and can get disrupted easily. When one part faces issues, it can affect the entire chain, leading to bigger economic problems.
  3. Flexibility in supply chains is important. Businesses need to have options for different suppliers and production routes to handle unexpected changes and avoid significant losses.

More Than Meets the Eye

Doomberg • 8671 implied HN points • 31 May 23
📰 News Energy Infrastructure Policy Supply Chain Disasters
  1. The Great Ice Storm of 1998 had devastating impacts on areas in lower Quebec, parts of New England, and the Northeast megalopolis.
  2. The US power industry is facing a growing supply chain crisis, particularly with a chronic shortage of transformers, risking grid reliability.
  3. Industry leaders are urging for a $1 billion appropriation to address the transformer shortage and accelerate production via the Defense Production Act.

Let It Snow, Let It Go: The SnowVendor’s Dilemma

Gad’s Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
💼 Business Operations Economics Logistics Supply Chain Resource Management
  1. Cities need to balance snow removal resources to avoid wasting money during mild winters while being prepared for severe storms. Too many resources can cost a lot, while too few can lead to big problems.
  2. Using data to predict snowfall and plan ahead helps cities manage their snow removal strategies better. This includes estimating how many snowplows and how much salt they will need based on past snow events.
  3. Pooling snow removal resources among cities sounds good, but it can create logistical challenges. Sharing equipment and supply can be complicated during serious snow events when everyone needs help at the same time.

The cocoa question

Asian Century Stocks • 805 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💰 Finance Commodities Markets Stocks Economics Supply Chain
  1. Cocoa prices have spiked due to poor crops in West Africa, leading to challenges for chocolate producers.
  2. The tightness in the cocoa market is expected to persist, but historically, markets tend to return to balance within three years.
  3. High cocoa prices impact processors and chocolate manufacturers, who eventually pass on costs to consumers over approximately two years.

STEERing the battery industry in right direction

Intercalation Station • 719 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Energy Storage Market Trends Supply Chain Government support
  1. Sodium-ion battery technology has potential cost advantages and safety improvements but faces challenges in integration and market scale.
  2. Li-ion will likely continue to dominate the energy storage market by 2030, and the need for medium to long duration storage solutions is being assessed.
  3. Addressing material limitations in energy storage requires improved material sourcing, supply chain transparency, economic considerations, technical challenges, and community support.

October 2024 Erdmann Housing Tracker Update

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 105 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💰 Finance Housing Market Real Estate Economic Trends Urban Development Supply Chain
  1. Rents are going up because there's not enough housing supply. Even as rents rise, home prices continue to reflect this shortage.
  2. Since the housing crisis in 2008, homes in larger cities have generally become cheaper, while smaller cities have seen their prices increase. The mortgage restrictions ended up making things worse for affordable housing.
  3. The main issue with housing costs isn't about big-city advantages, but rather it's about how difficult it is to build new homes in many areas, leading to a supply problem.

Customer Courtship: Sampling

The Polymerist • 66 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
💼 Business Product Development Customer Relations Marketing Strategies Supply Chain Chemical Industry
  1. Sending product samples to customers can be a complex and crucial part of building a business relationship. It's like dating, and both parties need to understand what they want out of the relationship.
  2. Understanding how customers intend to use your product is vital. Knowing their goals will help you tailor your product to meet their needs effectively.
  3. Getting feedback from customers after they test your samples is important. This feedback may lead to modifications and adjustments, which can take time and resources to implement.

Managing Open Source and SBOM's

Resilient Cyber • 299 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Open Source Supply Chain Governance
  1. It's important for organizations using open source software (OSS) to know the responsibilities of developers and suppliers. They should track updates and manage licenses to avoid risks.
  2. Creating a secure internal repository for OSS can help organizations ensure that the components meet safety and compliance standards before using them in products.
  3. Using Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and Vulnerability Exploitability eXchange (VEX) documents helps improve transparency about the software components. This makes it easier to manage risks related to vulnerabilities.

Software Maker 3CX Was Compromised in First-of-its-Kind Threaded Supply-Chain Hack

Zero Day • 1161 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Supply Chain Malware
  1. Hackers compromised a software maker by embedding malware in another company's program, leading to a chain of infections.
  2. This breach shows the potential for threaded supply-chain hacks to infect multiple software suppliers and customers.
  3. Financially motivated North Korean hackers were behind the attack on 3CX and it's recommended that compromised software be deleted immediately.

210: It's (Not Necessarily) Fair to Mock Apple's "Mother Nature" Video

Hardcore Software • 396 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Environment Manufacturing Sustainability Supply Chain
  1. Apple's efforts to fight climate change go beyond the criticized video and involve significant, strategic initiatives.
  2. Apple's vertical integration approach to packaging optimizes materials, reduces waste, and enhances profitability.
  3. Apple's focus on sustainability extends to materials used in products, manufacturing processes, and transit efficiency, all contributing to environmental and financial benefits.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Nvidia's Goldilocks Quarter

Mule’s Musings • 295 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Technology Finance Earnings Supply Chain Stock Market
  1. Nvidia's quarterly results exceeded expectations, with significant revenue growth in the Datacenter segment despite challenges like China's revenue dropping to almost zero.
  2. Nvidia achieved its highest gross margin ever, despite expectations that it would decrease in the future, hinting at potential pricing strategies for new products like B100.
  3. Nvidia is facing supply constraints but anticipates strong demand for upcoming products like B100, suggesting promising revenue growth opportunities and potential bottlenecks in the networking industry.

A few basic truths about offshore wind

Jérôme à Paris • 510 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Offshore Wind Decarbonization Energy transition Supply Chain
  1. Offshore wind was meant to be more expensive and a side show in the energy transition.
  2. Banks took construction risks initially, leading to offshore wind being almost as cheap as onshore wind in some regions.
  3. Offshore wind is necessary in some places due to geographical constraints and can provide diversification in renewable energy systems.

90 Percent of Everything.

News Items • 275 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
💼 Business Shipping Globalization Supply Chain Geopolitics ESG
  1. Shipping is responsible for transporting 90% of everything, making it extremely efficient and cheap, which has changed the world economy.
  2. The supply of container ships and oil tankers is extremely tight, with high rates and very few new deliveries coming online, potentially leading to future disruptions and inflation.
  3. Global shipping is a critical indicator of economic activity and can be impacted by geopolitics, ESG trends, and global trade patterns like deglobalization.

Is Inflation In 2024 Fueled By Supply Or Demand?

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 11 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
💰 Finance Inflation Economics Monetary Policy Supply Chain
  1. Inflation in 2024 could be caused by supply issues, like hurricanes and strikes, which disrupt the availability of goods and services.
  2. Much of the high inflation seen after the pandemic was actually driven by demand rather than just supply problems.
  3. As supply conditions improve, inflation rates might decrease, but currently, tighter monetary policy and slowed spending suggest that inflation could remain high.

164 | Food Fraud Special |

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Food Fraud Quality Assurance Supply Chain Regulations
  1. Food fraud prevention needs dedicated teams. These teams should include members from various departments to effectively address fraud risks.
  2. Underweight ingredients can be a form of food fraud if there's intent to deceive. If companies consistently deliver less than what was ordered, it could be seen as cheating customers.
  3. Staying informed about food safety and fraud trends is crucial. Changes in supply chains and economic conditions can create new opportunities for fraud.

The Sequence Chat: The One Area in Which China can Dominate the US in the AI Race

TheSequence • 49 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Manufacturing Supply Chain International relations
  1. China has a unique advantage in robotics due to its strong supply chain and manufacturing capabilities. This gives them an edge over the US in producing and developing robots.
  2. The US and China are in a competitive race in the field of robotics and AI technology. It's important to understand both countries' strengths and weaknesses.
  3. Robots will become a bigger part of daily life for future generations. This makes the race in robotics crucial for both countries.

Five Lessons from Walmart's Innovative Approach to Network Design

Mike Talks AI • 157 implied HN points • 09 May 23
💼 Business Supply Chain Innovation Visualization Project management
  1. Walmart's innovative approach to network design involved building a second model for transition planning.
  2. Linking strategic design to load planning and using simulation for execution is crucial in network design.
  3. Visualization is important in gaining approval and support for large-scale network design projects.

Not all BOM's are Created Equal

Resilient Cyber • 119 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Compliance Supply Chain Open Source
  1. Not all software bills of materials (SBOMs) are the same, and they are important for software supply chain security. They help provide transparency about the components within software.
  2. The BOM Maturity Model can help evaluate how complete and useful a BOM is. It measures difficulty in obtaining data and assesses how well the BOM meets certain standards.
  3. As the industry works towards better SBOMs, tools and resources like the OWASP guides are crucial. They aim to improve understanding and detail in software management, similar to standards in food or pharmaceuticals.

168 | What's Going on With Italian-Chinese Tomato Puree? | GM to the Rescue |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Safety Food Fraud Agriculture Consumer behavior Supply Chain
  1. Some Italian tomato purees sold in the UK and Germany might contain Chinese tomatoes, raising questions about food labeling and consumer trust. It's not clear if this is legally fraudulent or just a complicated supply chain issue.
  2. There are concerns that tomato suppliers from China may use forced labor, which complicates the legal responsibilities for retailers. Supermarkets need to be aware of their suppliers' practices to avoid compliance issues.
  3. Sugar taxes in some American cities have shown to effectively reduce purchases of sugary drinks, especially among lower-income households. This indicates that financial incentives can change consumer behavior.

Redefining Fresh: Alibaba's Freshippo and the New Frontier in Grocery Business

Tech Buzz China Insider • 119 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
💼 Business Retail E-commerce Supply Chain Revenue model
  1. Freshippo utilizes Alibaba's big data to make strategic decisions such as new store locations.
  2. Freshippo has multiple revenue streams with its primary operations focused on its original brand, Freshippo, and membership-driven hypermarkets.
  3. Freshippo aims to increase private label SKUs and profit margins, particularly through supply chain optimization and new store formats.

Elon Musk Book Review (Part 2 of 2): Operations Excellence

Mike Talks AI • 58 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Operations Supply Chain Efficiency Product Design Cost reduction
  1. Operations excellence is key: Musk focused on improving efficiency and revolutionizing industries through operational excellence.
  2. Design the right factory: Musk emphasized the importance of well-designed factories and involvement of design engineers in manufacturing processes.
  3. The Algorithm for operations excellence: Musk's framework involves questioning requirements, deleting parts/processes, simplifying, accelerating cycle time, and automating last.