The week that was: 29 Apr 08 - 6 May 08
Many companies sourcing from China were doubtless buoyed by the news that the country’s authorities had opened the world’s longest cross-sea bridge last week. The new 22.4 mile structure was built with the aim of cutting down journey times between the province of Zhejiang and Shanghai from four hours to two-and-a-half hours – all of which sounds like good news for those sourcing from one of China’s boom regions. However, it’s unclear whether the new bridge will provide a speedier mode of transport for goods on their way to the country’s commercial hub. More than 300 drivers have already been fined for driving too slowly, or illegally parking in emergency lanes, while enjoying an (admittedly stunning) ocean view, which leads Procurement Leaders to conclude that maybe it wasn’t the fast lane to success China hoped it would be.
Quote of the week: “Every time you buy an imported handmade carpet, an embroidered pair of jeans, a beaded purse, a decorated box or a soccer ball, there's a good chance you're acquiring something fashioned by a child.” A Forbes magazine article explains how child labour is endemic in supply chains across the world.
It’s unknown whether China’s go-slow bridge motivated comments made at a sourcing event across the pond last week, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that David Hauxwell, director of global sourcing at MeadWestvaco, had been stuck on the aforementioned structure on a recent visit to China. Speaking at a Sourcing in Eastern Europe session at the ISM Conference in St. Louis, Hauxwell indicated that the time may have come for low cost country sourcing to look east, not to China, but to Turkey. “It’s a new found area, with incredible growth and infrastructure,” Hauxwell told delegates, before adding (off the record), “and there’s never any darn hold ups on the roads over the Tigris.”
= Online Global Members Only 
= Premier Members Only
