The need to know
The need to know for the week ending 23rd October 2020
The need to know from Reuters global network of journalists
Airbus tells suppliers: plan now for post-crisis output hike
Airbus has asked suppliers to be ready to support a conditional 18% increase in production of its best-selling single-aisle A320 jet family once demand recovers from the coronavirus crisis, the European planemaker said on Thursday.
Port of Rotterdam sees recovery in trade after pandemic shock
Freight volumes in the Port of Rotterdam improved in the third quarter after the deep slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the first half of the year, Europe’s largest sea port said on Wednesday.
Japan's unorthodox household goods champion rides a pandemic boom
Iris Ohyama, whose goods are ubiquitous in Japanese homes, has relied on its usual offbeat methods during the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S.-China trade tensions to ride the teleworking wave and bring production back from China.
Amazon announces $100 million logistics investment in Mexico
Amazon.com Inc said on Thursday it has invested $100 million in opening new warehouses in Mexico, including its first shipping centres outside the populous capital area, in a bid to offer faster deliveries.
Detecting slave-made goods from China is growing harder, U.S. says
Major brands face a growing challenge to root out forced labour in Chinese supply chains, the top U.S. anti-human trafficking official said Friday, as the United States stepped up the blocking of imports of goods made in Xinjiang.
Most small UK factories take on debt to cope with COVID hit - survey
More than half of Britain’s small and medium-sized manufacturers have taken on debt to cope with reduced demand and disruption to supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey showed on Monday.
UK's Boohoo starts search for new auditor as PwC stands back
PwC will not compete to be the new auditor of online fashion group Boohoo, confirming media reports of a shift as the company rejigs its corporate governance apparatus following a report into working conditions at its suppliers.
Britain steps up haulage preparations for busiest trade route post-Brexit
Britain said on Thursday it would bring in legislation to try to minimise major delays and disruption at one of its busiest trade routes when it fully leaves the European Union.
Union Pacific posts soft quarterly profit, shares sink
Union Pacific Corp UNP.N on Thursday reported a bigger-than- expected drop in quarterly profit, after demand for e-commerce and beer shipments failed to offset weakness in coal and petroleum carloads, and shares fell 6%.
Alibaba shops for hypermarket chain Sun Art in $3.6 billion deal
Alibaba Group Holdings BABA.N9988.HK said on Monday it will invest $3.6 billion to acquire a controlling stake in hypermarket operator Sun Art Retail Group Ltd 6808.HK, gaining further ground in China's retail market.
Alibaba Group and Israeli shipper Zim partner on sea freight
Alibaba Group Holdings BABA.N9988.HK and Israeli shipping group Zim have entered a strategic cooperation agreement for the direct purchase of sea freight, which will improve logistic services to merchants selling on Alibaba, Zim said on Monday.
Volkswagen raises Navistar bid to $44.50/share to clinch trucks deal
Volkswagen's VOWG_p.DE trucks business Traton 8TRA.DE said on Friday it had agreed to raise its takeover bid for Navistar International Corp NAV.N to $44.50 per share from $43, closing in on a deal that would extend its reach into North America.
Breakingviews - Virus tests faith in food delivery economics
Just Eat, Takeaway.com and Grubhub are now joining forces to fend off competition from newcomers such as Uber Technologies and Deliveroo.
E-commerce boom delivers rare jobs boost to Irish economy
Parcel delivery firm DPD said on Friday it would add 700 new employees in Ireland to keep up with a boom in online shopping, a rare jobs boost in an economy where COVID-19 disruption has tripled the unemployment rate.
Ant Group to launch $35 billion IPO after final nod from China regulator
China’s Ant Group has won the final nod from the country’s top securities watchdog for the registration of its Shanghai offering, the regulator said on Wednesday, clearing the last regulatory hurdle for its $35 billion dual-listing.
Japan export decline slows dramatically as U.S.-bound car shipments jump
Japan’s exports fell in September at the slowest pace in seven months as U.S.-bound vehicle shipments rose from lows brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating easing pressure on the world’s third-largest economy.
Analysts sharply raise EU carbon price forecasts on tougher climate goals
Analysts have significantly increased their European carbon market price forecasts on expectations tougher climate targets for greenhouse gas reductions in the bloc will drive up the cost of permits.
Polyester from pollution? Fashion's next generation goes green
From using custom-made, biodegradable fabrics and ‘living’ clothes that photosynthesize to polyester created from planet-warming carbon dioxide, European start-ups are on a quest to transform one of the world’s most polluting industries: fashion.
From elsewhere around the web:
Could AI Be the Key to Successful Supply Chains? [SDC Executive]
Car design is about to change forever. This video encapsulates how [Fast Company]
Happy Returns quadruples product return sites with FedEx Office deal [DCVelocity]
India’s first multimodal logistics park in Assam to create 20 lakh jobs [Hindustan Times]
The Pandemic Guts Airbus. It’s Worse for Thousands of Suppliers [Bloomberg]
COVID priority containers could mitigate humanitarian crisis [Port Technology]
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