Disaster in Japan Touches Every Stop on Supply Chain

NEWARK, N.J., March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Japan's catastrophic earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis have had far-reaching effects on the supply chain, stretching beyond major manufacturers and transportation hubs to suppliers' suppliers and local transport congestion. The Journal of Commerce examines the potential for these repercussions to permanently alter business practices in today's Cover Story and recent webcast, available for download today.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110328/NY72669 )

"We no longer have supply chains. We have supply networks, and those networks are vast and clearly global," said Jim Rice, deputy director for Massachusetts Institute for Technology's Center for Transportation and Logistics. "You can be a small company in Des Moines, Iowa, that depends on a product that's made from a component that comes from overseas somewhere."

Within a week, General Motors announced the temporary idling of a Shreveport, La., plant and curtailed production at two European plants because of parts shortages. Toyota, which makes 43 percent of its vehicles in Japan, told U.S. dealers that its production stoppages would reduce March deliveries by 17,400 vehicles.

Auto parts, tires, engines, and motors account for more than 40 percent of U.S. containerized imports from Japan, according to PIERS, a sister company of The Journal of Commerce and a division of UBM Global Trade. But this catastrophe halted production at nearly two-thirds of Japan's 72 engine and transmission plants, reported forecasting firm IHS Automotive. Even Japanese plants outside of the damage zone were affected by electric power restrictions, disrupted local transportation and their own suppliers' shortages. These crises have echoed across a wide range of industries, impacting companies from Boeing to Caterpillar to Sony and Nokia.

Whether the Japan calamity will create permanent and drastic changes to business practices is yet to be seen, but it's certain that its lessons for resiliency planning are already advancing industry thinking. This week's Cover Story, written by Senior Editor Joseph Bonney, examines the ripple effects for production, as well as the recovery outlook for the world's third-largest economy.

More information on this topic can be found in the recent JOC Webcast, "The Japan Disaster: Rebuilding Supply Chains," featuring insight from MIT's Jim Rice and Senior Research Director Bruce Arntzen and JOC/PIERS Economist Mario Moreno, at www.joc.com/webcasts.

To view daily news visit www.joc.com. For all media enquires, including article reprints, please contact Editorial Director Paul Page.

Since 1827, The Journal of Commerce has been the most trusted source of intelligence for international logistics executives to help them plan global supply chains and better manage day-to-day transportation of goods and commodities in the United States and internationally.

To become a member of The Journal of Commerce click here. JOC members have access to our weekly print and digital magazine and Web site, as well as a 10% discount on all JOC events and trade shows, UBM Global Trade Directories and select PIERS products. Authoritative editorial content in the form of daily news, weekly analysis and regular features ensure our members have the information and data necessary to understand the issues facing trucking, rail and maritime transportation. Members enjoy access to "By the Numbers," an exclusive weekly compilation of key industry statistics that provides detailed views of current market trends across all modes. Regular market intelligence reports -- utilizing PIERS trade data -- include Top 100 Imports and Exporters, quarterly Top 40 Container lines, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic Maritime Forecasts and Top Container Ports and Terminals. Market-sector supplements, including Breakbulk, Cool Cargoes, 3PL, JOC Guide to Trucking and others, ensure all modes are comprehensively covered.  

About UBM Global Trade - UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of United Business Media Limited, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-952-3839 (+1-973-776-8660 outside the U.S. or Canada).

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link:

Paul Page

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=67532

SOURCE The Journal of Commerce