Apple launched its latest 3G version of the iPhone over the weekend, and the company announced that it sold one million units by Sunday, June 21, the third day after its launch.

When it comes to excellence in all around supply chain capability we have to place Apple on the top of the benchmarking list.  Year after year, and product launch after product launch, the ability of this company to execute on product supply availability is just something to be admired.

A related article in The Washington Post (free sign-up required) points out the ” rising all boats’ effect in the market, namely all the market buzz around the iPhone has raised consumer demand for other smartphones such as the Palm Pre, in spite of a severe recessionary economy.

I recently commented on Palm’s challenge with the Pre, in the attempts of its supply chain to maintain availability of product during this peak demand where consumers now have more competitive choices in which phone to buy.  The Post article indicates that analysts believe that 100,000 Pres were sold the first weekend of its June 6^th launch, a far cry from Apple’s performance, but none the less, encouraging.

Consistent supply chain execution by Apple will seem to be the biggest obstacle for its competitors, and a benchmark for all to try to emulate.

 Bob Ferrari

Well it has happened again at Boeing, another setback.  The company announced this week that the long awaited maiden test flight of the 787 Dreamliner jet will be delayed, which is certain to be disappointment to all of Boeings supply network partners. Here is a link to both the Business Week and Wall Street Journal articles.

This blog has provided many specific commentaries regarding Boeing setbacks, the latest being in February, Time to Move On at Boeing.  In that post, my observation was that while Boeing was in a highly enviable position to have over 800 planes on order backlog, recent setbacks reflected in a 10 week labor disruption, along with other incidents of supply chain outsourcing snafus, had placed the company in a negative light.  Essentially, it was time to move on, learn from the past, and get these planes delivered.

This latest delay brought on by what was reported as a need to reinforce certain sections of the aircraft is yet another disappointment for all involved.  Boeing’s supply chain partners will continue to be hurt with increasing production delays, and this is unfortunate for the entire industry.

Bob Ferrari