#supplychain

Anybody got the inside scoop on why Gretchen McCarthy left? Chief Supply Chain Officer?

WK Kellogg Co. is permanently closing its cereal facility in Omaha, Nebraska. This closure will eliminate 451 positions through phased layoffs. Initial job cuts are expected in July 2026, with the plant ceasing operations in August 2026. The company announced this move as part of a broader supply-chain modernization plan. Ferrero acquired WK Kellogg Co. in September 2025, though the closure plan predates this acquisition.

Omaha, Nebraska

https://www.thestreet.com/retail/kelloggs-breakfast-giant-shuts-down-plant-cuts-100s-of-workers

or at least, not directly.

it’s about 100s of billions in capital investment,.. foundries, process tech, supply chains, equipment, capacity, political leverage, u name it - all of it. intel obvously cannot run without good engineers. that part is true. but the reason the market value has exploded is that everything around the engineers suddenly became much more valuable because of the tech cycle and geopolitics.

think of it this way imagine somene from the outside could take over everything the company owns except the people then hire a new workforce from scratch. it would probably take them ten years to make it work. hmmm.... maybe longer. but once they got there, they would be sitting on a money-printing machine.

i’m an engineer too, and i have a pretty high opinion of what we do. no false modesty there.

but at this valuation, i don’t think they’re looking at you and me. they’re looking at the machine.

With the oil shortage affecting supply chain and the stock price slipping. Any cuts happening on Thursdays earnings release?

US House of Representatives
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY
548 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-6002

May 2, 2023

Mr. John Donahoe
President, and Chief Executive Officer Nike, Inc.
One Bowerman Drive Beaverton, OR 97005

Dear Mr. Donahoe,

On March 23, 2023, the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a hearing entitled, "The Chinese Communist Party's Ongoing Uyghur Genocide." At the hearing, we heard first-hand witness accounts about the CCP's concentration camps and expert testimony regarding the perpetration of genocide. We also received written testimony in which an expert assessed that "American companies are financing the state-sponsored forced labor programs in the Uyghur Region."1 We seek additional information regarding this matter.

The U.S. Department of State has determined that the CCP is committing genocide against Uyghurs and other minority groups in Xinjiang. 2 In response to the CCP's atrocities, Congress passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) with bipartisan support. On December 23, 2021, the UFLPA was signed into law. The UFLPA prohibits the "importation of any goods made with forced labor, including those goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region."

1. We received expert testimony which revealed that products made by Uyghurs in forced labor camps are still entering the United States. 4 One expert told the Select Committee that Nike is "sourcing garments made not only from cotton from the Uyghur Region but also viscose, lyocell, polyester, leather, and linen from the region."5 Continuing to import goods produced in part with

1 The Chinese Communist Party's Ongoing Uyghur Genocide: Hearing before the Select Comm. on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and CCP, 118 Cong. (Mar. 23, 2023) (Written Testimony ofNury Turkel) ("CCP's Uyghur Genocide Hearing").
2 Edward Wong & Chris Buckley, U.S. Says China's Repression of Uighurs Is 'Genocide', N.Y. TIMES (July 27,
2021).
3 Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, H.R. 6256, I 16th Cong. (2021).
4 CCP's Uyghur Genocide Hearing (Written Testimony ofNury Turkel).
5 Id; According to a Sheffield Hallam University study, Nike is at high risk of having Xinjiang cotton in its supply chain due to its relationship with international intermediary manufacturers and Chinese textile companies sourcing

the forced labor of Uyghurs potentially violates the UFLPA and creates the conditions in which the CCP is able to continue committing genocide.
We would like to offer Nike an opportunity to respond to these serious allegations and to provide information regarding its compliance with the UFLPA. We therefore request that you respond to the following questions by May 16, 2023:

1. Do any garments imported into the United States by Nike contain inputs sourced from Xinjiang and/or inputs made with forced labor ofUyghurs?
2. Please provide a detailed description of the steps Nike has taken since the UFLPA took effect to examine its supply chains with respect to forced labor risk in the manufacture of its products. How do these steps differ, if at all, from the methods utilized before the UFLPA took effect?
3. Please provide a detailed description of the steps Nike has taken since the UFLPA took effect to ensure garments it sells that are made from cotton, viscose, lyocell, polyester, leather, and linen are not manufactured using forced labor by Uyghurs or other minority groups who are subjugated by the CCP.
4. Please provide a detailed description of the steps Nike has taken to examine its other supply chains to ensure that other products it sells are not produced by forced labor undertaken by Uyghurs or other minority groups who are subjugated by the CCP.
5. Do any of Nike's garment suppliers use fabric and/or yarn from any of the following corporations (including their subsidiaries): Jiangsu Lianfa Group, Luthai Textile, Huafu Fashion, Texhong Textile, or Weiqiao Textile?
6. Is fabric and/or yarn made by any of the corporations referenced above used in the production of Nike clothing sold in the United States? If so, please list each corporation whose fabric and/or yarn is used in the manufacture of Nike clothing sold in the United States.
7. If fabric and/or yarn from one of the corporations referenced above is used in the production of Nike clothing sold in the United States, what specific steps does Nike take to ensure that none of this material is made in, or contains cotton from, Xinjiang?
8. Has Nike contractually obligated all its garment suppliers to ensure that no inputs from Xinjiang are used in the manufacture of its clothes sold in the United States? Please provide all relevant documents to support such obligations.

cotton and employing state-sponsored labor transfers from the Uyghur Region. Most of the Chinese textile companies identified in the study have subsidiaries in Xinjiang that have employed state-sponsored labor transfers. See, Laura T. Murphy et al., Laundering Cotton: How Xinjiang Cotton Is Obscured in International Supply Chains, SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY (Nov. 2021).

1. What specific methods, other than mere written or verbal assurance from a garment supplier, does Nike use to verify that the supplier is not using inputs from Xinjiang?

I 0. What audit methods does Nike use to verify that suppliers in China-in and outside of Xinjiang-are not exploiting Uyghurs through state-sponsored labor transfers, given that workers in China cannot speak to auditors about forced labor without fear of government retaliation? Please provide all policies, guidelines, requirements, reviews, assessments, analyses, audits, PowerPoint or other presentations, or other documents that describe, govern, implement, or report conduct, processes, or results (without regard to the title of a given document) that are relevant to the conduct of such audits, as well as copies of any communications pertaining to any incident involving actual, alleged, or anticipated noncompliance with the UFLPA.

1. Has Nike conclusively identified every supplier of fabric, cotton, and yarn in its global supply chain for products sold in the United States? If yes, please provide documents and evidence to substantiate Nike's conclusive identification of such fabric, cotton, and yarn suppliers, including any documents evidencing Nike's methodology with respect to this determination. If not, please provide a detailed explanation of how Nike assesses whether its clothing imports comply with the UFLPA, including any documents describing Nike's methodology with respect to such assessments.

2. Does Nike allow cotton and/or other inputs produced in Xinjiang to be used in the manufacture of Nike clothing sold in markets outside of North America?

3. In 2020, reporting revealed that hundreds of Uyghur laborers worked in a factory that manufactures 8 million pairs ofNikes each year.6 Nike claims to have verified that this factory-owned by a leading Nike Supplier, TKG Taekwang-no longer uses Uyghur forced labor. Given its track record of using forced labor, how did Nike verify that TKG Taekwang no longer uses forced labor? And why does Nike still consider TKG Taekwang to be a suitable business partner?

4. Please provide a detailed description of the steps Nike is taking to examine and monitor its supply chains on an ongoing basis. Please provide all policies, guidelines, requirements, reviews, assessments, analyses, audits, PowerPoint or other presentations, or other documents (without regard to the title of a given document) that describe, govern, implement, or report conduct, processes, or results relevant to the conduct of such examination and monitoring.

5. Please provide a detailed description of your audit and compliance plan(s), and the steps taken thus far to implement controls to ensure that Nike products are not produced by forced labor and that all Nike products are obtained and sold in compliance with the requirements of the UFLPA. Please provide all policies, guidelines, requirements, reviews, assessments, analyses, audits, PowerPoint or other presentations, or other documents (without regard to the title of a given document) that describe, govern,

6 Anna Fifield, China compels Uighurs to work in shoefacto,y that supplies Nike, WASH. POST (Feb. 29, 2020).

implement, or report conduct, processes, or results relevant to Nike's audit and compliance plan(s).

The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party has broad authority to "investigate and submit policy recommendations on the status of the Chinese Communist Party's economic, technological, and security progress and its competition with the United States" under H. Res. 11. Upon your receipt of this letter, please maintain and preserve all hard copy and electronic documents, including electronic communications, related to the subject matter of these questions.

To make arrangements to deliver a response, please contact Select Committee majority and minority staff at (202) 226-9678 and (202) 225-2489, respectively.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and prompt reply.

Sincerely,

-
Mike Gallagher
Chairman

Ranking Member

Any impact on Global Operations Supply Chain today?
If any, location and role?

God Bless everyone. Hopefully none.

Gross. Supply chain/procurement.

Supply chain companies recently announced over 800 job cuts. These layoffs affect warehousing, trucking, and last-mile delivery operations. Contract losses, non-renewals, and facility closures are primary reasons. Saddle Creek Logistics, Ryder System, and Day & Ross USA are among the affected firms. This trend signals ongoing pressure in dedicated and contract freight markets.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/logistics-layoffs-top-800-as-contracts-unwind-across-trucking-warehousing

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson met with Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol. The meeting agenda was not publicly disclosed. It likely involved Starbucks' new Nashville, Tennessee office. Starbucks plans to relocate its supply chain teams there. Nashville offers lower taxes for the company.

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/starbucks/is-starbucks-breaking-up-with-seattle/

US logistics and trucking companies eliminated 829 positions recently. These reductions stem from shifting supply chain strategies and contract losses. Saddle Creek Logistics Services cut 168 jobs in Texas. Ryder System closed an Iowa warehouse, laying off 153 employees. Day & Ross USA also reduced 149 jobs across five states.

https://www.harianbasis.co/en/us-logistics-firms-layoffs-contract-losses

Over 800 jobs were cut across the U.S. logistics and trucking sectors. These layoffs stem from contract losses, facility closures, and changing supply chain strategies. Saddle Creek Logistics, Ryder System, and Day & Ross USA are among the affected companies. Roles impacted include forklift operators, warehouse workers, drivers, and dockworkers. This trend reflects continued pressure on contract freight and shifting customer demands.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/logistics-layoffs-top-800-as-contracts-unwind-across-trucking-warehousing

While this doesn't tell us the exact number, we saw 775 jobs cut in supply centers, so the figure will probably be less than that, especially since tech cuts turn around higher cost reduction per head than distribution centers.

Nearly 4,000 workers recently lost jobs across U.S. supply chains. These layoffs affected EV battery plants, auto parts factories, and warehouses. SK Battery America cut 958 jobs at its Georgia EV battery plant. First Brands Group eliminated 905 positions across Texas and Tennessee facilities. Other companies like Campbell's, FedEx, and Parsec LLC also announced significant reductions.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/supply-chain-layoffs-spread-across-warehouses-factories-and-rail-terminals

The global energy system has entered a prolonged period of disruption following the Iran war, with no quick path back to normal conditions.

Damage to infrastructure, shuttered wells, and tangled supply chains have created lasting shortages of oil and natural gas. Even if the conflict were resolved immediately, the loss of production capacity and logistical breakdowns mean elevated energy prices are likely to persist for years rather than months.

Several top energy executives have voiced concern about the severity of the situation:

• Mike Wirth has warned that oil markets are not fully accounting for the real physical disruptions already underway, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
• Vicki Hollub has emphasized efforts to reduce exposure to geopolitical risk, reflecting broader industry caution.
• Shaikh Nawaf Al-Sabah has highlighted that even when conditions stabilize, restarting production will take months due to shut-in wells.
  Their comments collectively underscore that the challenges are structural, not temporary.

The effects are spreading unevenly across the world, beginning in Asia where countries are already cutting energy use through emergency measures, and gradually moving toward Europe and beyond. A significant share of global oil and gas supply has been taken offline, forcing governments and industries to adapt through rationing, higher costs, and reduced activity. Unlike previous crises, this disruption involves physical damage to key facilities, making recovery slower and more complex while also contributing to rising inflation in major economies.

Industry leaders warn that markets may be underestimating how severe and long-lasting the situation could become, especially with critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz affected. While energy companies are currently benefiting from high prices, the underlying instability is unsustainable. Attention is shifting toward faster-to-deploy sources like U.S. shale, but emergency reserves are being depleted quickly, suggesting a future defined by tighter supply, structurally higher prices, and ongoing uncertainty in global energy markets.

https://www.barrons.com/articles/oil-shock-chevron-energy-stocks-4f65c8b1

Per latest IDC forecast, the global smartphone market is expected to decline by 13% this year—roughly a drop of 160 million units—driven in part by memory shortages and supply constraints.

Recovery isn’t anticipated until mid-2027, and even then, not to prior peak levels. This report predates the current geopolitical tensions I guess, so a prolonged conflict could lead to an even sharper downturn.

So, overall we're all cooked nicely folks!!

Nearly 4,000 workers across various US supply chains have been affected by recent layoffs. These job cuts span EV battery plants, auto parts factories, warehouses, and rail terminals. SK Battery America laid off 958 workers at its Georgia EV battery plant due to shifting demand. Bankrupt First Brands Group cut 905 jobs across facilities in Texas and Tennessee. Campbell's will eliminate 205 jobs in Texas as it retools a plant for sauce production. Several logistics and distribution operators also announced significant workforce reductions.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/supply-chain-layoffs-spread-across-warehouses-factories-and-rail-terminals

The only benefit is if we move we will finally be able to afford a house. Let’s be honest allot of us at corporate are renting and cannot afford Seattle. We have a choice either move or get laid off.

“According to The Wall Street Journal, the roles moving to Nashville will include direct and indirect sourcing teams, with the company expecting to move additional jobs to Tennessee down the line.”

I am going to move if I get the offer. What about everyone else?

With Anthropic being labeled a supply chain risk by the US government and government contractors like Palantir having to cut ties with Anthropic or lose business with US agencies, how does this affect our AI systems? Does AIG stand behind Anthropic's decision or do they support the US government's decision?

The west coast refineries run a lot of Middle East crude slates, their on hand stocks are probably good for a week or so depending on where they on the resupply cycle. Assume there is some business continuity plan for supply disruptions.

I know most of this is happening company wide but something extra seems to be happening in these groups due the brashness and severity of the morale crushing decisions.

1. Revolving leadership door. CPO was demoted, Head of Sourcing left for another bank and I personally have had 4 bosses over the past 3 years. Constant cycle of having to "re-tell the story" for the new execs that come and go.

2. The approved location strategy hubs have already changed once, with multiple locations being REMOVED from the list. STL, Delaware are no longer approved . No "real" reason was given other than the needs of the business.

3. Forced and inaccurate IM performance ratings are commonplace/standard practice and this is widely known by the entire group including ICs. Most of us hate the idea of destroying someone's career path, merit raise, and bonus trajectory just to hit a quota but our CAO seems to gravitate towards things that really create pain and anxiety for the folks keeping the lights on.

4. November town hall segment was dedicated to favorite thanksgiving day deserts, just 1 or 2 days after several hundred STL and Delaware employees were told that they are no longer in a hub and that they're going to be displaced by early 2027 and possibly late 2026. Good times! They could either spare us the sweets talk or move the meeting out a week or two until folks have recovered from the terrible news.

A portion of the January TH was dedicated to our CAO's love of travel. It was great to hear about their plans for trips to Morocco Japan and god knows where else. Very valuable information. huge morale booster too! maybe if we all work harder the CAO can take even MORE trips in 2027!

Soooo much toxicity. Intentional empathy void. I am worried about what's coming next, any guesses??? I have begun my search despite how tough it is out there.

If you're at the gates (to H3ll) looking in, you may want to keep movin'. this place will not treat you fairly.

Confirmed in the supply chain town hall today.

The room was quite sparse and "questions" were clearly staged.

Walmart mgrs in meetings down here in Texas , was told by Keebler rep ,they had a call and was discussed on call ,nabisco is leaving dsd in Walmart only in 6to 8 weeks!

Can anyone share which supply chain roles are being eliminated? Are roles in FCs being affected too?

Is it just Xerox being cheap…. We’re not in a COVID situation so what’s the excuse?

Macy's Leads Thousands of Supply Chain Job Cuts
The freight market continues to struggle in early 2026. Over 3,100 job cuts have been announced since mid-January across various sectors. Macy's is closing its Owasso, Oklahoma, fulfillment center, affecting 993 employees. Alton Steel and Continental Tire also announced significant layoffs. Weak consumer demand and excess capacity contribute to these widespread reductions.

https://www.freightwaves.com/?p=570118

The freight market continues to struggle in early 2026. Over 3,100 job cuts have been announced since mid-January across various sectors. Macy's is closing its Owasso, Oklahoma, fulfillment center, affecting 993 employees. Alton Steel and Continental Tire also announced significant layoffs. Weak consumer demand and excess capacity contribute to these widespread reductions.

https://www.freightwaves.com/?p=570118

I can’t wait to hear Farley’s voice reading from the script. From the DN:

Ford aluminum supplier not back at full output after September fire

Detroit — Production of aluminum at Ford Motor Co. supplier Novelis still has not fully resumed more than four months after a devastating fire disrupted supply of the metal to Ford's lucrative pickup trucks, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Following a massive blaze in September at the New York facility, Ford cut its 2025 profit guidance and said it would lose the output of up to 100,000 F-Series pickup trucks through the end of 2025. The company estimated the cost would be up to $2 billion, and it planned to mitigate about half of that. Novelis said it expected to resume full production by the end of December.

An additional fire in late November upset that timeline. Ford at the time said the November fire did not change its projections for its 2025 core profit. It is now unclear how the prolonged shutdown at the facility's hot mill might affect Ford's results for the fourth quarter or the first quarter.

A Ford spokesperson said the company would provide an update when it reports fourth-quarter earnings on Feb. 10. A Novelis spokesperson pointed to the company's November statement, in which it said it "will continue to leverage alternate sources, including its global network of plants and industry peers, to mitigate impact."

The automaker is buying aluminum from other Novelis facilities, Ford executives have said.

Ford's F-Series line, which includes the F-150 and larger Super Duty truck, is by far the company's top seller and generates the bulk of its global profit, analysts estimate. While Novelis also supplies other automakers, Ford is a major customer because its trucks use a largely aluminum body.

The automaker said last year it would increase production of its F-150 and Super Duty trucks by more than 50,000 vehicles at plants in Dearborn and Louisville, Kentucky, in 2026 to recoup some of the lost production from the Novelis fire. It has axed production of the F-150 Lightning electric truck, which also used aluminum from the supplier, as part of a $19.5 billion write-down on its EV programs.

Novelis said the projected costs of rebuilding damaged plant areas and equipment would total $255 million, in an application for financial assistance from Oswego County, New York.

Among current and previous employees. Current workforce mostly has quietly quit and Dell is going to be squeezed by current suppliers in 2026, deaths by a thousand paper cuts.

Nike Plans 775 Job Cuts in Mid-South Distribution Centers

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/business/2026/01/27/nike-layoffs-memphis-tennessee-mississippi/88376939007/

Nike Cuts 775 US Jobs in 2026

https://www.fastcompany.com/91481694/nike-layoffs-2026-hundreds-of-job-cuts-shoe-giant-cites-supply-chain-automation

Nike will lay off 775 employees in the United States. These job cuts are scheduled to begin in 2026. The affected positions are primarily at distribution centers in Mississippi and Tennessee. This marks the third consecutive year Nike has reduced its workforce. The company aims to strengthen operations and streamline its supply chain.

Nike Cuts 775 US Warehouse Jobs

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/nike-cut-775-jobs-us-distribution-centers-cnbc-reports-2026-01-26/

Nike to Lay Off 775 Employees in Two States

Nike expects to lay off approximately 775 employees. These job cuts will impact operations in Tennessee and Mississippi. The company is streamlining its supply chain footprint. The plan includes consolidating distribution centers and using new technology. Nike aims to reduce complexity and achieve long-term profitable growth.

https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/nike-expects-to-layoff-more-than-700-employees-in-tennessee-and-mississippi/522-c7e1188d-7fb6-4616-8e57-f60a678eb74a

Memphis, Tennessee

Nike Lays Off 775 Staff in Automation Push

https://www.sneakerfreaker.com/news/nike-755-job-cuts-elliott-hill-explained

SC re-org starts today. Post what you know below!

With Trump threatening retalitory tariffs up to an additional 25% on every country that doesn't support his seizure of Greenland. Germany & other EU countries are massive suppliers for a plethora of chemicals for semi manufacturing. How are we going to be able to afford yet another set of increases?

A source inside Boeing told KING 5 the company held a mandatory call Friday morning, during which employees were told Boeing plans to cut about 10% of jobs in Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) Supply Chain.

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/aerospace/source-boeing-layoffs-defense-supply-chain-work-group/281-415aa055-b8c0-48df-86e6-0a066775a6e6

I’m at a loss. Don’t even know what to say.

U.S. logistics, manufacturing and supply-chain firms have started 2026 with a surge of layoffs, facility closures and bankruptcy filings, affecting more than 2,200 workers nationwide.

State notices and court records show job cuts spanning rail support services, parcel networks, food manufacturing, packaging, last-mile delivery and e-commerce, as companies grapple with lost contracts, high costs, excess capacity and tighter credit conditions.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/layoffs-bankruptcies-batter-u-s-logistics-and-manufacturing-at-start-of-2026

• Over 4,200 jobs are being cut nationwide across manufacturing, logistics, and transportation sectors, continuing a trend of industrial employment strain into 2026.
• The layoffs impact diverse areas such as EV supply chains (e.g., Ford's 1,600 job cut at a battery plant pivoting away from EV production), food processing, trailer manufacturing, and warehousing.
• These job losses are driven by structural shifts, including recalibrated EV demand, automation pullbacks, and prolonged market weakness, putting pressure on labor-intensive operations in the freight industry.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/from-factories-to-fulfillment-centers-more-layoffs-hit-u-s-supply-chains

Due to not pating our vendors many shipments are not coming in. I wonder how long this will last.

Any cuts in away from home commercial org?

Or is that pending the GTM and supply chain stuff mentioned in the new release? If so that will happen end of next year?

What has anyone heard about supply chain field for layoffs? My site director said they are looking at getting rid of operations directors positions. There also seems to be too many operations managers positions.

Franco seems to think Nick Jonas is going to save us! To move fashion watches again we need three things: Fossil must lead in innovation, clearly prove value (quality + price), and consistently deliver. Right now it’s a train-wreck with poor leadership, no positioning, and zero value.

The consultants (notably Laks) obviously lack watch/jewelry and supply-chain experience and have replaced a once rock-solid unique supplier base with inferior vendors, creating an operational disaster. Bottom line is that without a rapid and decisive reset, we’re sinking!