Providing up-to-date news on the developments in operations, supply chain, and other sectors from around the globe.

Mitsubishi Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsui & Co. and Marubeni Corporation dominate Japan's raw material business, and with the global commodity slump these trading houses will have $13 billion in charges in 2016. (The Japan Times)

US manufacturing PMI of 48.2% shows the trend is contracting and slowing based on data from January Manufacturing ISM® Report on Business® .

Here are what the respondents are saying;

"The oil and gas sector continues to be challenged by low oil and gas prices. Risk of suppliers filing for bankruptcy and reducing their workforce is becoming an increasing risk. Our company workforce is also declining." (Petroleum & Coal Products)
"Business this month [is] better than last month and better than this period last year. Reduced oil and basic chemical prices providing favorable margin comparisons." (Chemical Products)
"Huge rollout in wireless in 2016 across all markets. We should be very, very busy." (Computer & Electronic Products)
"We are a bit slower, but staying busy." (Fabricated Metal Products)
"Business is still strong, but slowing." (Transportation Equipment)
"2016 starting off with strong orders." (Primary Metals)
"Market is sluggish to start the year." (Wood Products)
"Medical device continues to be strong." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)
"Overall demand is higher than expected for post-holiday season." (Plastics & Rubber Products)
"Much worldwide macroeconomic uncertainty affecting our business. Business confidence seems low." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products). (Institute for Supply Management)

BP has taken a US$3 billion fourth-quarter loss as a result of lagging oil prices. The company will be cutting 4000 jobs from its exploration and production unit ... 3000 jobs from marketing and refining business by the end of 2017. (The New York Times)

UK manufacturing PMI data was better than expected due to the rise of domestic orders. (The Guardian)

Port of New York and New Jersey experience traffic delays following the walk off staged last Friday by the East Coast dockworkers' union. (The Wall Street Journal)

Alcoa, aluminum company has closed a major multi-year contract with Boeing. Alcoa will supply with materials to the aerospace company for components on the 777X (new product), 787 Dreamliner, and the 737 MAX. First delivery is scheduled for 2017. (Nasdaq)

FedEx has customized its offering in mainland China with a service called FedEx Customised Freight (FCF). The new service is for outbound shipments from China to the rest of the world, and inbound shipments from the US and some Asian markets to China. (The Stat Trade Times)

Exxon Mobil Corporation's fourth-quarter profit declined due to over 40 percent loss in value of crude oil and natural gas from global oversupply. (Bloomberg)

Blockchain tech. companies want a piece of the over US$ 40 Trillion annual global supply chain market. (Brave New Coin)

Amazon is no longer just an e-commerce company, it is officially a transportation service provider. (Business Insider UK)

UPS quarterly profits soar on the wings of international package delivery. (Market Watch)

Mergers and acquisitions deals in the works from Stryker Corp., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Coca-Cola Co., Abbott Laboratories, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. and many more... (Reuters)

Current Events - Ops & Supply Chain