While companies are concerned about inflation, they continue to increase investments in automation. In 1Q22, they purchased the most robots ever in a single quarter according to the Association for Advancing Automation. North…
Governments hit by food/fuel shortages due to the Ukraine war are less focused on climate change. Businesses are taking a bigger role to cut rising temperatures. Climate startups raised >$20 Billion in 1H22….
MIT researchers say they have found a potent new tool in the fight against #globalwarming . It is basically cat litter. Their findings could greatly reduce the amount of methane in the atmosphere…
A.T. Kearney’s Reshoring Index highlights a shift in sentiment. Thanks to the pandemic, trade wars, tariffs and supply chain snafus, American companies are getting serious about reshoring. Companies are now pursuing best cost…
A big risk to the economy is the inventory swing. Companies worry about not having enough inventory, so order a lot. As demand softens, they end up with too much and have to…
Volkswagen AG has faced a cascade of crises – COVID, brittle supply chains, chip shortages, rising raw material prices, now war. They are rethinking globalization to adapt. Constant shocks cut VW production by…
The oil industry is running out of workers, cash and equipment to produce more oil. Inflation is also hitting hard, raising prices for everything. Drillers face delays and high costs for roughnecks, steel…
As risks to global supply chains grow, it is important to cultivate multiple sources for parts/materials. The U.S.-China trade war, COVID-19, then the Russian invasion of Ukraine have driven this point home. Modern…
The Wendy’s Company’s and Chipotle Mexican Grill are testing new experiences in virtual worlds to explore the potential of the metaverse, a virtual environment where people can use digital avatars to work, play…
Inflation hit a 40-year high of 8.5% in March. Prices for used cars/trucks, energy, air travel and food were 35%, 32%, 24% and 9% higher, respectively, than a year ago. Prices were driven…