SUPPLY CHAINS

Companies introduce strategies to protect against Covid-19-related disruptions / Survey shows 30% of firms considering near-shoring / Euler Hermes report

LOGISTICS

Container freight rates rise / High demand for Asian products in Europe and US / Shipping business not expected to slow before February 2021

OFFICE MANAGEMENT

UK report says pandemic has companies considering renting and cutting floorspace / Over 10 times more people now working at home in UK

GLOBAL ECONOMY

Insolvencies to rise amid Covid-19 crisis / Hardest hit countries in 2020-2021 include US, Brazil, China / Euler Hermes report

SUPPLY CHAIN

Steps required to strengthen global value chains as shock events rise / Disruptions could wipe out 45% of annual profits every 10 years / Network restructuring to reshore production / McKinsey report

MANAGEMENT

Late payments rise in North America as Covid-19 pandemic bites / Mexico hardest hit / More companies using insurance and guarantees against default / Atradius report

MANAGEMENT

Mid-sized plastics processors in Germany underestimate risks of cyber attacks / One in four businesses affected

CORONAVIRUS

Pandemic to lead to major production and supply chain shift in global manufacturing industry / UK university study

GLOBAL TRADE

Covid-19 lockdowns could wipe out USD 2.4 tn of trade volume / Recovery expected in H2 2020 and 2021 / Rise in protectionism a concern / Euler Hermes report

LOGISTICS

Sharp decline in container throughput in European ports / Scheduled services suspended / Warehouses largely working at capacity / Truck spot rates plummeting / Increased number of insolvencies expected

CORONAVIRUS

Companies should act now to shock-proof their supply chains / McKinsey report

LOGISTICS

EU guidance for implementing “green lanes” to ease internal transport of goods / Major disruptions at some borders due to Covid-19

EVENTS

Postponements or cancellations due to coronavirus pandemic – PIE events list for the plastics industry

LOGISTICS

New HGV toll system in the Czech Republic / Threat of heavy fines / German environment agency wants to raise toll charges

MANAGEMENT

Insolvencies for Western Europe rise in 2019 / US-China trade war and Brexit key drivers / Nearly 30% of invoices are unpaid at due date / Atradius report

MANAGEMENT

Payment risk in German automotive industry worsens / Margins fall due to higher material and labour costs / Stiff competition challenges SMEs / More European supplier insolvencies expected / Atradius “Market Monitor” 2019

MANAGEMENT

Rising costs and weak profitability greatest challenges for European SMEs / Hong Kong most worried about global economic health / Two surveys identify key warning signs pre bankruptcy

LOGISTICS

Higher rates for heavy goods vehicles in Belgium / Toll system network to expand

MANAGEMENT

Changes in EU regulations to decrease banks' willingness to finance SMEs / Current over-reliance on bank financing / Euler Hermes report

LOGISTICS

Truck freight rates in Germany plummet