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Line 19: − + − + − + − − =="Kanban" Just in Time: Interdependent Fragility of the Wal-Mart Distribution System== − The Wal-Mart chains of [[supply]] are lengthy and [[fragile]]. The Wal-Mart model is based on a "[[just in time]] delivery" or "JIT" or "Kanban" as the [[Japanese]] inventors called it in the [[1960s]]<ref>The [[Japan]]ese invented the "[[just in time]] delivery" or "JIT" inventory control system called "kanban" in Japanese.</ref>. The JIT inventory control of the [[retail]] and [[food distribution system]] is both [[interdependent]] and [[fragile]]. − − Wal-Mart is proof that we live in a fragile [[society]]. The kanban or "Just In Time" [[inventory]] system was developed in [[Japan]] and became popular in [[America]] starting in the 1970s. It is now ubiquitous in nearly every [[industry]]. The concept is simple: Through close coordination with subcontractors and piece part suppliers, a manufacturer can keep its parts inventory small. Kanban is a key element of lean [[manufacturing]]. Manufacturers order batches of parts only as needed, sometimes ordering as frequently as twice a week. Companies now hire Six Sigma consultants and Kaizen gurus, they buy sophisticated [[computer|data-processing]] systems, and they hire extra purchasing administrators, and these expenses actually save them [[money]] at the bottom line. − − Just In Time inventory systems have several advantages: less [[warehouse]] space, less [[capital]] tied up in parts inventory, and less [[risk]] of parts obsolescence. − − The downside is that lean inventories leave companies vulnerable to any disruption of [[supply]], for instance in the [[food distribution system]] or [[food production system]]. If [[transportation]] ([[UPS]], [[post office]], [[Fedex]], [[truck]]s, [[ship]]s, [[railroad]], and [[airplane]]s) gets snarled due to a [[Labor strike#Trucker Strike|trucker strike]] or bad [[weather]] or a [[disaster]], or if [[communication]]s get disrupted, or a parts vendor has a [[strike]] or a [[production]] problem, then [[assembly line]]s grind to a halt. Just one missing part means that no finished products go out the door.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Christopher-Steiner/e/B001UO7HUG/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Christopher Steiner], ''20 Per Gallon: How the Inevitable Rise in the Price of Gasoline Will Change Our Lives for the Better'', http://www.amazon.com/20-Per-Gallon-Inevitable-Gasoline/dp/B0046LUJCS Accessed December 15, 2014</ref> − − The kanban concept has also been taken up by most of [[America]]'s [[retail]]ers (with Wal-Mart leading the way), most notably its grocery sellers. − − ===Threats to the "Wal-Mart" System of Distribution=== − Some examples of [[threat]]s to the Wal-Mart style goods and [[food distribution system]] include: − * [[Labor strike#Trucker Strike|Trucker strike]] − * [[Labor union]] [[strike]] − * Prices of a barrel of [[crude oil]] and hence the price of [[gasoline]] and [[diesel]] − * [[Man-made disaster]]s such as [[war]] and [[terrorism]] − * [[Natural disaster]]s such as [[storm]]s, [[tornado]]s, [[hurricane]]s, [[earthquake]]s, etc. − − ==Wal-Mart: America's Largest Arms Trader== − In general a strong supporter of the [[Second Amendment]], Wal-Mart is America's largest [[firearm]]s retailer or "FFL" ([[BATF|Federal Firearms Licensee]]) due to the shear number of its mostly [[rural]] and [[suburban]] stores that sell [[rifle]]s and [[shotgun]]s and "ammo". Wal-Mart is famous among "[[gun nut]]s" (gun enthusiasts) for the lowest price on [[ammunition]] ("[[bullet]]s" in laymen's terms).<ref>Ammohaulics Annonymous, [[Calguns.net]], http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=902274&highlight=walmart Accessed December 15, 2014, Wal-Mart Milpitas ammo in stock! http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=544052&highlight=walmart+milpitas http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=714078&highlight=walmart+monterey</ref> − − ==See Also== − * '''[[Food distribution system]]:''' [[Transportation]] ([[truck]]s, [[ship]]s, [[railroad]], and [[airplane]]s), [[warehouse|warehousing]] (such as [[Amazon.com]], [[Costco]]), and [[retail]] facilities (such as Wal-Mart) which move [[food]] from the [[food production system]] to [[consumer]]s. − * [[Essay:Systems of support|Systems of support]] − * [[Essay:Alternative systems of support|Alternative systems of support]] − * '''[[Food production system]]:''' Modern industrial big [[Agriculture|Agri-business]] versus [[Permaculture]] − * [[Essay:Invest in tangibles|Invest in tangibles]]: [[Food]] and [[Goods]] − * [[Essay:Buy Made in America]] − * [[Preparedness movement]] and [[Survivalism]] Line 61:
Line 30: − * http://walmartshootings.blogspot.com/p/running-list-of-2013-walmart-shooting.html List of 2013 Walmart Shooting Incidents − * http://www.walmartshootings.blogspot.com/p/running-list-of-2014-walmart-shootings.html Running List of 2014 Walmart Shootings Incidents − * http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1015421&highlight=walmart Interesting Walmart Shooting Stats − − − − {{reflist|2}}+ − [[Category:Business]] − [[Category:American Inventions]] − [[Category:China]] − [[Category:Systems of Support]] − [[Category:Food]] − [[Category:Agriculture]]
clean up back to Dmorris version
Wal-Mart is America's premier example of free market economics
Wal-Mart is America's premier example of free market economics
* when Wal-Mart opens its supercenters -- variety plus [[grocery store]]s -- in a community, the average grocery prices in that community fall by 13 percent. Even the people who don't shop at Wal-Mart benefit from its presence. [http://americandreamcoalition.org/automobility/automobility.html]
* when Wal-Mart opens its supercenters -- variety plus grocery stores -- in a community, the average grocery prices in that community fall by 13 percent. Even the people who don't shop at Wal-Mart benefit from its presence. [http://americandreamcoalition.org/automobility/automobility.html]
Wal-Mart is often the subject of criticism for allegedly paying low [[wage]]s with insufficient [[fringe benefit|health benefits]] and allegedly forcing "Mom and Pop" stores out of business. It was also criticized for supporting [[homosexuality]]<ref>[http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/08/21/4 "Wal-Mart launches gay-friendly initiative" August 21, 2006]</ref> and for not dispensing [[abortion]] inducing drugs at its pharmacies. The company's defenders reply that Wal-Mart tries to uphold a family value system and is a well-known provider of decent employment and affordable merchandise across America and the rest of the world. Wal-Mart's wages average significantly higher than minimum wage, which may explain why nearly 2 million people choose to work for Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart is often the subject of criticism for allegedly paying low [[wage]]s with insufficient [[fringe benefit|health benefits]] and allegedly forcing "Mom and Pop" stores out of business. It was also criticized for supporting [[homosexuality]]<ref>[http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/08/21/4 "Wal-Mart launches gay-friendly initiative" August 21, 2006]</ref> and for not dispensing [[abortion]] inducing drugs at its pharmacies. The company's defenders reply that Wal-Mart tries to uphold a family value system and is a well-known provider of decent employment and affordable merchandise across America and the rest of the world. Wal-Mart's wages average significantly higher than minimum wage, which may explain why nearly 2 million people choose to work for Wal-Mart.
In 2006 Asda-Wal-Mart were ordered to pay $1.66 million for breaking U.K. law by offering illegal inducements to workers to quit a trade union. Around 340 drivers and warehouse staff at a distribution depot in the north-east of England were offered a 10% pay rise if they left the union. The members rejected the offer. A court established that the legislation had been breached and the company was ordered to pay every worker at the depot almost $5000 each in compensation.<ref>''Asda fined for trying to make workers quit union'' [http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2006/feb/11/supermarkets.tradeunions The Guardian], 11 February 2006. Accessed 22 January 2008</ref>
In 2006 Asda-Wal-Mart were ordered to pay $1.66 million for breaking U.K. law by offering illegal inducements to workers to quit a trade union. Around 340 drivers and warehouse staff at a distribution depot in the north-east of England were offered a 10% pay rise if they left the union. The members rejected the offer. A court established that the legislation had been breached and the company was ordered to pay every worker at the depot almost $5000 each in compensation.<ref>''Asda fined for trying to make workers quit union'' [http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2006/feb/11/supermarkets.tradeunions The Guardian], 11 February 2006. Accessed 22 January 2008</ref>
In December 2007 Asda-Wal Mart was one of several companies that were fined over $225 million after admitting that they fixed the price of [[milk]], [[cheese]] and [[butter]] in a scandal estimated to have cost U.K. [[consumer]]s about $526 million.<ref>''Supermarkets fined for price fixing'' [http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/dec/08/supermarkets.asda The Guardian], 8 December 2007. Accesed 22 January 2008</ref>
In December 2007 Asda-Wal Mart was one of several companies that were fined over $225 million after admitting that they fixed the price of milk, cheese and butter in a scandal estimated to have cost U.K. consumers about $526 million.<ref>''Supermarkets fined for price fixing'' [http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/dec/08/supermarkets.asda The Guardian], 8 December 2007. Accesed 22 January 2008</ref>
==Political Contributions==
==Political contributions==
Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated and its employees generally favor [[Republican]] candidates in terms of campaign contributions. In 2012, 53% of donations from the company (including employees) went to Republican candidates, vs. 47% to Democrats. 100% of major contributions from Wal-Mart [[Pharmacy]] associates went to Republican candidates in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000000367&cycle=2012|title=Wal-Mart Stores: Totals|accessdate=2012-12-05|work=Opensecrets.org|publisher=The Center for Responsive Politics}}</ref>
Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated and its employees generally favor Republican candidates in terms of campaign contributions. In 2012, 53% of donations from the company (including employees) went to Republican candidates, vs. 47% to Democrats. 100% of major contributions from Wal-Mart Pharmacy associates went to Republican candidates in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000000367&cycle=2012|title=Wal-Mart Stores: Totals|accessdate=2012-12-05|work=Opensecrets.org|publisher=The Center for Responsive Politics}}</ref>
==External Links==
==External Links==
*[http://www.samsclub.com Sam's Club website]
*[http://www.samsclub.com Sam's Club website]
*[http://www.asda.co.uk ASDA website]
*[http://www.asda.co.uk ASDA website]
==References==
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Retail]]
[[Category:Retail]]