Latest news with #supplychain
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Nintendo Q1 Profit Grows 4%, Beating Estimates
Nintendo on Friday said operating profit grew 4% to 56.9 billion yen ($378 million) in the April-June quarter, beating analyst estimates. The Kyoto-based gaming company said it sold 5.82 million units of the Switch 2, which went on sale on June 5, during the quarter. The successor to the hit home-portable Switch gaming device launched in the midst of US President Donald Trump's trade war, testing Nintendo's supply chain management. Nintendo maintained its full-year sales forecast of 15 million Switch 2 units.
CNA
3 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
Nintendo Q1 profit grows 4%, beating estimates
TOKYO :Nintendo on Friday said operating profit grew 4 per cent to 56.9 billion yen ($378 million) in the April-June quarter, beating analyst estimates. The Kyoto-based gaming company said it sold 5.82 million units of the Switch 2, which went on sale on June 5, during the quarter. The successor to the hit home-portable Switch gaming device launched in the midst of U.S Donald Trump's trade war, testing Nintendo's supply chain management. Nintendo maintained its full-year sales forecast of 15 million Switch 2 units. ($1 = 150.5800 yen)
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Jurassic Flaws: Supply Chain Practices That Should Be Fossilized
Clinging to outdated processes and clunky legacy systems is like trying to run a modern enterprise on an island full of creatures from a bygone era. getty Imagine standing behind the electrified fences of Jurassic Park. The ground trembles beneath your feet as a distant rumble grows louder. From the shadows emerge majestic prehistoric creatures - powerful and immense, yet ultimately doomed to extinction. What was their downfall? An inability to evolve and adapt to a changing world. Your supply chain is much like those dinosaurs. Clinging to outdated processes and clunky legacy systems is like trying to run a modern enterprise on an island full of creatures from a bygone era. If you don't keep pace with change, you risk becoming extinct. Let's explore which antiquated supply chain practices must be extinct to ensure survival and success in the age of rapid transformation. #1 Relying on Traditional Demand Forecasting Methods The world we live in is moving way too fast to make a forecast based on last year's demand. Markets shift suddenly, consumer preferences evolve rapidly and government regulations change unpredictably. A pandemic can cause prices for medical masks to soar thirtyfold compared to a normal year. An extreme, unexpected drought in Taiwan can disrupt global semiconductor supply chains, causing a huge delay of your new car or gaming console on the promised delivery date. A single TikTok trend can skyrocket demand overnight, leading to global shortages. Take the example of the viral Dubai chocolate , and how a trend caused a pistachio shortage all over the world. Social media is not just a marketing tool but a great real-time barometer to sense demand and predict shifting consumer tastes, which change from one day to another. Forbes How The Dubai Chocolate Sensation Is Creating A Supply Chain Strain By Oyku Ilgar | Paid Program Unlike conventional methods that rely solely on past sales, AI-powered demand forecasting can help companies by using machine learning algorithms to detect viral trends and shifts in sentiment. These technologies can factor in sudden market shifts, emerging trends, and external disruptions faster than any human team could. They not only help companies to make smarter decisions, but also help them to optimize inventory, reduce waste, and more effectively meet customer expectations even amid uncertainty. #2 Measuring Performance Based on Cost-Only Metrics Evaluating supply chain success solely on cost reduction is another need-to-extinct method, as it leads businesses to ignore crucial multi-dimensional factors that are essential for long-term success and resilience. As we all know, ' tariff ' became the word of the year. And if there's one key lesson they have taught us this year, it's that you can't rely on a single supplier just because it suited your business needs for the last decade. For example, as a cost-conscious US retailer whose only supplier is in China, the choices are tough: either pass higher costs onto customers or risk losing market presence altogether. Solely being cost-conscious comes with a price that, especially in a complex market environment that literally wakes up to a new disruption every other day. Not only should companies avoid putting all their eggs in the same basket, but they also need to be transparent about where those eggs are coming from. A new generation of consumers entered the market, and they prioritize sustainability and conscious choices over cost and demand transparency. In such an ambitious market, where businesses constantly innovate to boost customer satisfaction through measures like on-time delivery and order accuracy, and where focusing solely on cost as a performance metric can put businesses at a serious risk of failure rather than bring success. The real cost often lies not just in expenses but in the cost of having the wrong measures, leading to damaging strategic choices, missed opportunities, and increased vulnerability to disruptions. #3 Running Supply Chains on Manual, Spreadsheet, and E-mail Based Systems Nearly 60% of organizations still rely on spreadsheets to monitor and manage supply chain disruptions. Let's be honest, spreadsheets had been the duct tape of supply chains for decades, and they worked great – until they didn't . Because as soon as a spreadsheet is circulated, it is already outdated. This often leads to fragmented collaboration, inconsistent actions, and operational delays. Remember the massive Ever Given incident? It was not an accident where you could simply say, well, ship happens , but the blockage of the Suez Canal stranded around 400 ships waiting to transit during the roughly six-day disruption. The value of goods delayed was estimated at $9.6 billion per day, with maritime experts valuing the hourly delay at approximately $400 million. Many companies were still dependent on static spreadsheets and struggled to react swiftly to the cascading delays because their tools lacked real-time visibility. Shipments stalled, inventory went untracked, and rerouting decisions lagged, leading to billions in losses worldwide. The risks are becoming even more significant, especially when you consider nearly 9 out of 10 spreadsheets contain at least one error. McKinsey and related industry analyses highlight that poor data quality in supply chains causes multibillion-dollar financial losses due to miscalculations, delayed reactions, and operational mistakes. As business continues to accelerate, these limitations pose an even greater risk to supply chain resilience and efficiency. By embracing digital supply chain platforms that deliver real-time visibility, automation, and smart analytics help companies to respond quickly to disruptions or sudden changes in the global market. This digital shift transforms clunky, error-prone spreadsheets into powerful ecosystems that keep every stakeholder aligned, minimize operational risks, and ensure supply chains are resilient enough to handle crises. Those businesses that don't evolve or ditch those fossilized tools are headed for extinction. But those who adapt, get agile, and embrace the digital age don't just survive but thrive as they become the true apex predators of their industries. Learn how to evolve your supply chain today and lead the pack.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Geotab Unveils Advanced Cold Chain Solution with New Hardware and Enhanced Software
New hardware and advanced software features provide visibility and control for temperature-sensitive logistics, addressing significant supply chain losses Refrigerated Semi Trailer SINGAPORE, Aug. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In Southeast Asia, where up to 90% of food loss occurs during transportation due to poor cold chain infrastructure, tackling waste within the temperature-controlled supply chain is critical. Geotab Inc. ("Geotab"), a global leader in connected vehicle and asset solutions, today announced a significant upgrade to its cold chain solution, featuring new hardware and enhanced software capabilities designed to provide businesses with more visibility, control, and compliance assurance for their temperature-sensitive shipments. Geotab's enhanced cold chain solution addresses the evolving market need – driven by stricter regulations and higher customer expectations – for more comprehensive, simple, and granular temperature monitoring. The relaunch introduces the advanced IOX-COLD (in-cabin) and IOX-COLD RUGGED (IP67-rated for external mounting) hardware devices. These devices offer deeper, direct integration with refrigeration units from major OEMs, simplifying installation, improving data accuracy, and reducing potential points of failure compared to solutions requiring multiple sensors. Complementing the new hardware are several changes within the MyGeotab platform to further streamline processes: Near Real-Time Monitoring: Gain an up-to-the-minute view of cargo conditions for proactive decision-making. Multi-Zone Temperature Support: Ensure the integrity of multi-temperature loads with monitoring for each zone directly from the refrigeration unit – often eliminating the need for extra sensors. Advanced Alerts & Remote Commands: Set custom temperature alerts and utilise remote command capabilities (for supported units) to take immediate corrective action. Dynamic Historical Data: Analyse past shipment performance through interactive graphs, grids, and maps to identify trends and optimise logistics. Improved Installation Process: An updated MyInstall tool streamlines the configuration and verification process. "The impact of inadequate cold chain management is felt across industries, especially in regions where long distances, fragmented infrastructure and climate extremes challenge food and pharmaceutical logistics," said David Brown, AVP APAC at Geotab. "Our cold chain solution is designed to give businesses in Asia Pacific the visibility and assurance they need to protect temperature-sensitive goods, streamline compliance, and operate more sustainably. It's about making smarter, data-driven decisions that improve outcomes every step of the way." The integrated hardware and software solution supports businesses across various sectors, including food and beverage, to mitigate the risks of spoilage, help meet regulatory compliance, protect brand reputation, and gain peace of mind. To know more about this, please visit About Geotab Geotab is a global leader in connected vehicle and asset solutions, helping fleets boost their efficiency and management. We use advanced data analytics and AI to transform fleet performance, safety, and sustainability, reducing costs and driving efficiency. Supported by top data scientists and engineers, we serve over 55,000 customers worldwide, processing 80 billion data points daily from more than 4.7 million vehicle subscriptions. Geotab is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized fleets, and the biggest public sector fleets globally, including the US Federal Government. Committed to data security and privacy, we hold FIPS 140-3 and FedRAMP authorisations. Our open platform, network of excellent partners, and Marketplace deliver hundreds of ready-to-go third-party solutions for fleets. This year, we are celebrating 25 years of innovation. Find out more at and follow us on LinkedIn. Media Contact Joseph Chung josephchung@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tax credit could boost competition among Gulf coast ports
WASHINGTON — New tax incentives proposed by Republican lawmakers aimed at protecting US supply chains from Chinese market power could also boost competition among Gulf Coast ports. The Port Crane Tax Credit of 2025, introduced recently by U.S. Reps. Mike Ezell, R-Miss., Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., would establish tax credits to incentivize the domestic production of port cranes, 'a critical step toward strengthening U.S. supply chain security and revitalizing American manufacturing,' according to the bill's sponsors. 'I'm deeply concerned that so many of our ports are forced to use cranes manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries [ZPMC], a Chinese state-owned company,' Kiggans said in a press statement. 'It makes no sense to let our top adversary build and maintain the very equipment that powers our supply chains. The work our ports do is imperative – we cannot afford to leave that in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.' The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) sees the incentive as a counter to levying tariffs on Chinese-built cranes to achieve economic and national security policy goals. Last year the Biden administration imposed a 25% tariff on Chinese cranes, and the Trump administration has proposed raising it to 100%. 'Instead of levying unfair taxes on port development, the Port Cranes Tax Credit Act is a tangible first step on the supply side towards incentivizing the reshoring of key [container handling equipment] in the coming years since there are currently no domestic STS [ship-to-shore] crane manufacturers,' said AAPA President and CEO Cary Davis. Gulf Coast ports have been particularly vocal about the cost increases they face due to existing and potential new tariffs on Chinese-made container cranes. The Port of Houston, Port Freeport in Texas, and the Port of New Orleans all have invested in the past several years in container cranes built in China, which dominates the U.S. and international container gantry crane markets. Their rivals in the Eastern part of the Gulf – the ports of Gulfport and Pascagoula in Mississippi, and Port Tampa – see the tax credit as a way to help compete for business as well as incentivizing domestic manufacturing. The proposed tax credit 'is exactly the kind of forward-thinking support Gulf Coast ports like ours need to stay competitive and meet the demands of a modern, American-made supply chain,' said Port Pascagoula Port Director Bo Ethridge. 'As manufacturing continues to return to U.S. shores, our port is experiencing increased demand and new growth opportunities. Yet we remain the only major Gulf Coast port without cargo cranes, which is an infrastructure gap that limits our ability to diversify commodities. This legislation is a vital step toward closing that gap.' Jon Nass, executive director at the Port of Gulfport, said the legislation 'creates a path to bring new skilled jobs to Mississippi and reinforces our ability to compete globally while supporting our maritime and port industries.' Port Tampa Bay, which installed Chinese-made cranes at its container terminal in 2016 to help compete for larger container ships, supports the tax credit because it 'addresses urgent national security concerns,' said Paul Anderson, the port's president, by incentivizing U.S-made port equipment. Supply chain pain may lurk in container crane bill US targets Chinese-made container cranes in spy crackdown Ports call out 'sensationalized' targeting of foreign container cranes Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post Tax credit could boost competition among Gulf coast ports appeared first on FreightWaves. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
