Supply Chain

Designated trash bags are running low in parts of Japan. Reports of a naphtha shortage have prompted some residents to hoard the bags required for waste disposal in certain areas.

8 Mwezi wa tano, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Apple is grappling with supply constraints affecting several Mac models, including the Mac mini and Mac Studio, as demand rises and component shortages persist. CEO Tim Cook highlighted the issue during the company's recent earnings call, noting limited flexibility in the supply chain and higher RAM costs. Shipping delays have lengthened for some configurations while others remain stable.

Tapestry, parent company of Coach and Kate Spade, has signed a 10-year partnership with Swiss startup Climeworks to offset its Scope 1 emissions. The move comes amid US political backlash against ESG initiatives. Logan Duran, Tapestry's global head of ESG and sustainability, emphasized the need for long-term carbon removal solutions.

16 Mwezi wa tatu, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

US and Israeli forces struck Iran on February 28, prompting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to declare the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial passage. Vessel traffic fell by roughly 70% within hours. The closure compounds pressures on fashion supply chains already strained by Red Sea disruptions, tariffs, and rising freight costs.

A report by UK consultancy WTW identifies ongoing tariff wars and dependence on China as two top emerging risks for the global defence sector. It warns that the defence sector's reliance on Chinese materials and components, particularly rare earths and electronics, presents significant supply chain vulnerability amid geopolitical risks. The findings are based on interviews with five industry executives from Australia, Europe, and North America.

8 Mwezi wa kwanza, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Following China's January 6 ban on dual-use exports to Japan—retaliation for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Taiwan remarks—South Korea's industries face risks from interconnected supply chains. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources held an emergency meeting on January 8 to evaluate impacts and pledged safeguards against shortages.