The hottest Supply Chain Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Software Supply Chain Security Future

Iceberg • 0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Supply Chain
  1. Open source software is commonly used to solve industry problems and dependencies are essential when developing a web app.
  2. Relying on auto updaters and scanners for security can be reactive and not fully effective in preventing issues.
  3. Implementing capability based security in programming languages could provide a solution to software supply chain security concerns by limiting the permissions of imported code.

Equal's 2023 Research POV

Equal Ventures • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 23
💼 Business Supply Chain
  1. Retail sector is shifting focus from growth to fundamentals due to choppy economic conditions in 2023. Brands outsourcing non-core competencies like brick & mortar retail.
  2. Supply chain disruptions persist in 2023. Opportunities in restructuring manufacturing supply chains, filling labor gaps, and managing freight market downturn.
  3. Insurance sector sees focus on profitability, capital efficiency, and product differentiation. Trends in specialty lines, embedded solutions, and broker digitization.

Equal Ventures Focus Area: Logistics

Equal Ventures • 0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
💼 Business Supply Chain
  1. Amazon's impact on the supply chain has forced industry players to modernize their systems to meet customer demands
  2. The growth of eCommerce and rising return rates have put stress on traditional supply chains, necessitating digital infrastructure for efficiency
  3. In the logistics sector, there is a need for new business models, digital solutions, and financial services providers to enable existing players to compete effectively with Amazon

Supply of Rapid Tests

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 21 Aug 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Supply Chain
  1. Abbott destroyed millions of rapid test products due to a mistaken prediction of decreased demand, leading to supply shortages when demand surged again.
  2. Public health recommendations, like CDC's guidance on testing, heavily influence the demand for rapid tests.
  3. Vaccine mandates and the requirement for negative tests are increasing the demand for testing, highlighting the importance for governments to act promptly to ensure sufficient supply.

It’s Group Buying, Jim, but not as we know it

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
💼 Business Supply Chain
  1. The group store model in China has evolved into a unique form of community group buying where group leaders act as platform franchisees, attracting residents through low prices and generating revenues via a gross margin on goods sold.
  2. Group store chains are expanding rapidly across China, with varying store sizes and monthly sales figures, aiming to attract customers to physical stores with limited SKUs and low prices.
  3. To ensure sustainability and profitability, group store companies are diversifying their offerings by adding higher-margin products and services like fresh food, entertainment vouchers, and local services, aiming to create a comprehensive platform for community businesses.
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Interesting things in robotics this week - Issue #16

Robots & Startups • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 21
🕹 Technology Supply Chain
  1. It's important for the public to have a say in the creation of autonomous robots for the agricultural sector.
  2. Reports directed by President Biden highlight vulnerabilities in supply chains for semiconductors, batteries, critical minerals, and pharmaceuticals.
  3. Consider subscribing to Robots & Startups for more insights and a 7-day free trial.

No Foxy Business 🦊

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
💼 Business Supply Chain
  1. The term 'Foxconned' reflects how people might feel tricked by promises of jobs and progress that don't turn out as expected.
  2. In India, there are changes to labor laws allowing longer hours and shifts, making it easier for companies like Apple to operate there instead of in China.
  3. These changes are part of a larger strategy by the government to attract tech companies, but they raise concerns about workers' rights and job security.

Financial Management: Costs

Logos • 0 implied HN points • 30 Jul 20
💼 Business Supply Chain
  1. Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) includes all costs related to making a product, like raw materials and manufacturing expenses. Companies should always look for ways to reduce these costs to improve profitability.
  2. Gross profit is different from gross margin. While gross margin is a percentage, gross profit is the actual dollar amount made after costs. It's important for managers to focus on absolute profit rather than just margins.
  3. Direct costs are specific to a product, while allocated costs are shared expenses across divisions. It's crucial to understand these differences when making financial decisions, as misclassifying costs can lead to poor business choices.

Securing the Software Supply Chain

Resilient Cyber • 0 implied HN points • 22 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Supply Chain
  1. Software supply chain security is becoming more important due to recent cybersecurity incidents. Developers, suppliers, and customers all play key roles in keeping software secure.
  2. Using secure development practices, like threat modeling and regular security testing, helps prevent vulnerabilities from being introduced. It's crucial to have proper processes and training for developers.
  3. Organizations should verify third-party components and ensure a secure build environment to avoid compromising software. Having clear policies and tools in place can significantly reduce the risk of software supply chain attacks.

Microsoft’s Secure Supply Chain Consumption Framework (S2C2F)

Resilient Cyber • 0 implied HN points • 22 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Supply Chain
  1. Microsoft created the Secure Supply Chain Consumption Framework (S2C2F) to help organizations manage their use of open-source software securely. Its goal is to improve safety when using external code libraries.
  2. The framework has three main goals: to ensure good governance of open-source software, to quickly fix known security issues, and to avoid using harmful software packages. These goals guide the practices that organizations should adopt.
  3. S2C2F also emphasizes the need for continuous learning and improvement in security practices. Organizations are encouraged to regularly assess their security measures and adapt to new threats as they arise.

Food Safety News and Resources | December

The Rotten Apple • 0 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Supply Chain
  1. US inspections of imported foods have dropped to their lowest levels in years, which could weaken oversight of overseas food safety.
  2. Peanut allergy rates in children are declining, likely because new guidance encourages introducing peanuts earlier in life.
  3. A revamped IFS Foreign Body Management guideline is now more operational and risk‑based, with practical checklists and greater focus on optical systems and plastics as detection priorities.

@adlrocha - Semiconductors: Why the 21st Century is Fought Over Sand, Not Fuel

@adlrocha Weekly Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Supply Chain
  1. The semiconductor supply chain is extremely concentrated and fragile, with a handful of companies controlling the hardest-to-do steps and huge capital and expertise barriers to entry.
  2. Advanced packaging and the specialized toolmakers have become new chokepoints — limited packaging capacity and ultra-precise equipment are now throttling the production and rollout of advanced chips.
  3. Geopolitical pressure is turning chips into strategic assets, pushing countries toward "chip sovereignty" while also opening opportunities for innovations like chiplets and AI-assisted design to lower barriers and spawn new entrants.

231 | What's in store for 2026? | Tariffs + food fraud risk + mitigations |

The Rotten Apple • 0 implied HN points • 23 Mar 26
🍲 Food & Drink Supply Chain
  1. Expect several new food-safety risks in 2026 including changing demand from GLP-1 drugs, novel and psychotropic ingredients, shifting allergen concerns, AI-driven product development, and climate-driven microbial and toxin threats like algal blooms and heat-linked Salmonella.
  2. New or increased tariffs raise food-fraud risk by creating price pressure, lengthening complex supply chains, and encouraging transhipment and origin-washing, so affected ingredients should be flagged as higher risk in vulnerability assessments.
  3. Fraud tactics are evolving — AI-made fake certificates, stolen-to-order schemes, packaging-artwork theft and e-commerce sales make counterfeits easier — so re-verify suppliers and documents, monitor trade routes and tariffs, and use targeted analytical testing to verify authenticity.