The recent boom in U.S. crude oil production has created transport bottlenecks that are keeping oil from reaching key markets and creating disparities in petroleum pricing that are penalizing domestic producers. What’s being done to alleviate the problem and get oil flowing to right places? Read more

A new conflict minerals regulation is expected to affect more than 6,000 manufacturing firms and have a powerful ripple effect through the materials supply chain. Although the rule has drawn a great deal of attention, many companies have done little or nothing at all to prepare for meeting the new requirements in time. Read more

Designing and building a product has never been a simple process, but as companies race to shorten time-to-market and supply chains become more complex, getting closely involved in product lifecycle management has become a priority for many manufacturing firms. Read more

A look at today’s transportation and logistics (T&L) operations reveals that information technology (IT) is becoming increasingly important for ensuring that products get from manufacturer to market on time and at the lowest feasible cost. Read more

Many feel that having U.S. consumers and businesses and especially the government buy exclusively American-made products would support domestic jobs and bolster the U.S. economy. But many others argue that “Buy American” policies are restrictive and could do more harm than good. Read more

New emissions and fuel standards introduced by the EPA could reduce air pollution and boost vehicle efficiency. While some industry groups claim the economic impact of these rules makes them impractical, others (including many automakers) support the regulations. Read more

America’s global competitors are racing to construct or expand sophisticated high-speed rail networks, while U.S. plans for high-speed rail have stalled. Should we continue to pursue construction of advanced train systems for commuting, travel, and business, or is high-speed rail a colossal waste of public funds? Read more