Chemicals & Explosives
Mining And Minerals
The Mining and Minerals industry is highly fragmented, composed of many small firms serving local geographical markets. he majority of the demand for the industry is driven by spending from the construction and agricultural industries. Mines and quarries often open and close in relation to submission and completion of construction and highway projects.
Engineering & Manufacturing
The heavy engineering and manufacturing industry is highly capital-intensive, most equipment is large and very expensive. Generally the profitability of a company is dependent on the efficiency of the production and distribution processes. Outsourcing to lower wage countries with fewer regulations is becoming more popular in the industry.
Consumer Goods
The fast moving consumer goods industry is composed of both food and non-food products. The products have a very short shelf life either due to high demand or a rapid rate of product deterioration. The high demand can cause transportation and distribution costs to be quite high. Fast moving consumer goods generally have low profit margins. Large sales quantities help companies in the industry to realize significant gains on the products sold.
Foods And Cold Chain
The foods and cold chain industry is composed of goods with set shelf-lives. The goods are bought and sold first-in, first-out format to ensure quality of the product to consumers. Goods in the foods and cold chain industry often experience rapid rates of deterioration, so to prevent loss, inventory must be closely monitored. Profitability of the industry is often dependent on a good product mix and highly efficient operations.
Oils, Petrochemicals & Gases
Oils, Pretrochemicals and gases are an integral part to most all economies and daily life. These fossil fuels are used for manufacturing, heating, transportation and much more. Due to the limited supply and nature of the products there is much volatility in pricing causing sudden demand fluctuations. These fluctuations in price affect business and people alike down the economic ladder, which in turn is fueling the shift towards “greener” less oil dependent means of operation. Which has, quid pro quo, affected the oil, petrol and gases industry as well. Many companies are now conducting R&D for a more sustainable means to energy production.
Green & High Technology
Green, solar and hight technology are emerging industries. Companies are now looking for alternative sources of energy and ways to reduce consumption as oil prices continue to rise. There are many options available to companies for reducing energy consumption and dependency on oil, from something as simple as switching to low energy light bulbs to implementing a solar energy system.
Automotive
The automotive and ancillary industry is driven by employment as well as interest rates. Profitability of a company is dependent on efficient manufacturing processes, product quality and effective marketing strategies. The use of assembly lines and flexible manufacturing is prevalent in the industry. Technology has also brought to the assembly lines the use of computer automation and advanced robotics further increasing quality and efficiency.
Private Equity
Private equity is money that is invested into private companies, or money invested in the buyout of a publically traded company in order to make it a private company. Investments in private equity are often made through leveraged buyout, venture capital, growth capital, distressed investment or mezzanine capital. Typically these types of investments are realized through either an Initial Public Offering, merger, acquisition or recapitalization.
Logistics
The shipping and transportation industry is driven by the domestic as well as international demand for manufactured goods. Profitability of a given company is dependent on how efficiently operations are run, the relationship between the shipper and carrier and industry expertise. Generally companies will fit into three main business structures; freight forwarding, customs brokers and fully integrated carriers. Freight forwarding involves arranging the transportation of goods often without contact to the goods or owning any of the transportation equipment used. Customs brokers aid in the facilitation of clearing goods through international customs barriers, and fully integrated carriers combine both aspects of shipping and transportation logistics.
Topical Focus
Green Supply Chains can be seen as logistic structures that guarantee the production and distribution of products globally in an environmentally friendly manner (BarbosaPóvoa 2009). To achieve such a goal, companies must invest in the design and planning optimization of their logistic structures, while accounting for the trade-off between profits and environmental impacts.