Paul Brashier, vice president of drayage and intermodal at ITS Logistics, discusses the Red Sea attacks’ impact on global trade.
Category: International Trade
Global economy to slow substantially in 2023, says the World Bank.
The global economy is set to slow substantially in 2023, according to a new report from the World Bank. The lagged and current effects of monetary tightening, as well as more restrictive credit conditions, are expected to weigh on activity in the second half of the year, with weakness persisting into 2024. Excluding China, growth in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) is set to decline markedly, with the outlook weakest in countries with elevated fiscal and financial vulnerabilities. The resurgence of recent banking sector turmoil represents a serious risk. Widespread financial stress could have especially severe economic consequences.
UN Report > Global trade slows, but “green goods” grow
According to a new report from the United Nations Conference
on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global trade was worth a record $32 trillion in 2022, but amid deteriorating economic conditions and rising uncertainties, growth turned negative in the last half of the year and is set to stagnate in the first half of 2023.
The silver lining was the strong performance of trade in environmentally friendly “green goods,” says UNCTAD’s latest Global Trade Update.
“This is good news for the planet,” says Alessandro Nicita, one of the report’s authors, “as these goods are key to protecting the environment and fighting climate change.”
World Economic Forum: From Mass Data to Mass Insights @ Davos 2023
New technologies to generate insights without exposing the underlying data is ushering in a new era for value creation in the digital economy. This session at Davos 2023 focused on mapping the genome to reducing the carbon footprint, and on how business leaders unlock value from data collaboration at scale.
The session was part of the ongoing Digital Transformation of Industries Initiative of the World Economic Forum. The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.
New > Global Risks Report 2023
The Global Risks Report 2023, developed in collaboration with Marsh McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group, is part of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Initiative. The report details major risks the world will be facing in the coming years.
Forum on Global Trade and the Digital Economy 
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2nd annual Global Forum on May 10 and 11, 2022. The forum focused on how government and business leaders can address global challenges
Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of international affairs for the U.S. Chamber, set the stage for the day’s programming. He summarized three major issues affecting the interconnected global economy, as well as some significant opportunities American businesses have to impact the global economy.
MODEX 2022 Supply Chain Event Sets Attendance Record
The manufacturing and supply chain community came together in March for a return to in-person trade shows with a record-setting MODEX event, according to show producer MHI. More than 37,047 visitors connected with over 857 exhibitors across 405,000-square-feet of exhibit space at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center.
This was the largest MODEX event to date for MHI, with 20% more visitors than the last pre-pandemic show – MODEX 2018. Additionally, the direct economic impact of this event to the Atlanta area is estimated to be $45 million.
“MODEX 2022 was a huge success and a dramatic return to in-person events for the supply chain industry, said John Paxton, CEO of MHI. “After two years, exhibitors and attendees were excited to be there and energized by the opportunity to connect and get back to the business of discovering the latest supply chain technology and innovation in-person.”
The excitement on the show floor and the educational events is a sign not only of the pent-up demand for the latest solutions and technology, but also the overall strength of this industry. “Attendees representing the Fortune 500, the top 100 retailers and consumer goods firms brought large teams to MODEX to source the latest innovations and to learn leading trends impacting supply chains,” said Daniel McKinnon, executive vice president of Exhibitions at MHI. “They came to MODEX with plans in hand and budgets in place to make large deals on-site.”
The dominant trend at MODEX surrounded digital supply chain solutions including automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, the Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics. “We’re seeing a revolutionary acceleration in the adoption of these technologies in manufacturing and supply chain operations,” said Paxton. “The solutions on display this year reflected this trend.”
The next MHI-sponsored trade event will be ProMat 2023 held March 20-23 in Chicago’s McCormick Place. For more information on exhibiting at ProMat, or to register as an attendee, visit promatshow.com. The next MODEX will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in 2024.
Easing Supply Chain Bottlenecks for a Sustainable Future
World Trade Organization (WTO) members and stakeholders from every part of the supply chain shared perspectives on the underlying causes and trajectory of continued supply chain disruptions. They also discussed the resources, interventions and innovations needed to ease crippling disruptions, logjams and price hikes.
The World Ahead 2022 from The Economist
The World Ahead 2022 is The Economist’s outlook for 2002. The magazine’s correspondents and outside experts consider the new reality that is emerging in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and ask what it means for politics, economics, business, science and culture.
World of Concrete Returns To A Full-Scale Experience: January 17-22, 2022
World of Concrete 2022 has all the new products, leading-industry suppliers, resources, and valuable information necessary to the concrete & masonry industries. This is the commercial construction industry’s first, largest and most important annual international event for professionals across the globe.
World of Concrete 2022 attendee registration is now open, and expectations are this will be THE event to attend to kick off the new year. After a very successful scaled-back return to live events in June of 2021, WOC 2022 promises to return to a robust, full-scale show, utilizing three indoor halls, and 4 outdoor exhibits and event lots, in additional to its world-class education program, and 1,000+ leading-industry suppliers already committed to exhibiting at this annual meeting place for the commercial construction community.
2022 areas of the show floor will include:
WEST HALL
Material Handling: If it’s new or trusted in material handling, it’s here: find trucks, excavators, paving equipment and more for material delivery, distribution, concrete placement, and earth moving.
World of Concrete General: Find equipment, tools, products and services for the commercial construction concrete and masonry industries.
NORTH HALL
The Producer Center: Featuring a comprehensive marketplace of materials, equipment, demos, specifically for concrete producers.
Technology for Construction: The innovation showcase featuring the newest software, products and tools for the commercial construction industry from top information technology and systems providers.
Precast: Featuring the latest products and technologies in the precast/prestressed production and site erection.
Robotics LIVE!: Discover how autonomous robotic equipment, 3D printing, and other innovations that assist workers are increasing the efficiency and safety on construction sites around the world.
Concrete Masonry: This area showcases everything for the producers of concrete masonry (block, segmental retaining wall units, veneer, slabs, pavers, and roof tiles) need to cast high quality units such, production equipment, supplies, admixtures, and pigments.
Concrete Reinforcement: Features the leaders in concrete reinforcement, showcasing reinforcement fabrication such bending, cutting, straightening, and machinery, along with job site materials including reinforced positioners & locators, epoxy-coated, steel, glass fiber, galvanized bar and all types of reinforcement accessories.
World of Concrete General: Find equipment, tools, products, and services for contractors who work with concrete and masonry in the commercial and residential segments.
Cement Production Pavilion: Features the leaders of the equipment and support services used in cement manufacturing: kilns, separators, mills, dryers, silos, bagging machines, and plant automation & instrumentation.
CENTRAL HALL
Concrete Repair & Demolition: View a display of the latest surface preparation equipment, scarifying, grinding, and sawing equipment. The area also showcases all type of grouts, mortars, sealants, joint fillers, and waterproofing materials needed to provide long lasting repairs.
Concrete Surfaces & Decorative: Explore the innovations that transform concrete surfaces into attractive and long-lasting surfaces including coatings, cleaning solutions, stains, pigments, and polishing tools that will help you capitalize on this expanding segment.
STUCCO LIVE!: Showcasing best practices for flashing, lathing and cement plaster applications for residential and commercial installations. Interact with instructors, product experts and designers to learn the most current trends in stucco applications. Stucco LIVE! is sponsored by the Stucco Manufacturers Association (SMA).
World of Masonry / WOC General: Find all things masonry, from scaffolding, products, tools, information, and emerging technology that professionals need to stay on the cutting edge.
Outdoor Events: See exciting championships, skills challenges, creative demos, and events you won’t want to miss.
Outdoor Exhibits: Featuring industry-leading exhibiting suppliers, live demos, heavy equipment, & decorative concrete products.
▸ Diamond Lots (Front of West Hall)
▸ Silver Lot (Front of North Hall)
▸ Riviera Lot (Front of West Hall)
The CIM Silent & Live Auction will take place on Wednesday, January 19, at 1:00 PM, with the silent auction occurring right before the live event.
The Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program has developed into a key resource for populating the concrete industry with talented individuals with college degrees. Five universities strategically placed across the country offer four-year degrees in CIM. Today, there are more than 1,000 graduates of the program and another 500 students currently enrolled. This program is made possible, in large part, by the combined efforts of the national and local concrete industry. The National Steering Committee (NSC) for CIM, in collaboration with local patron groups at all five universities, provides both funding and oversight for the program. To date, World of Concrete has raised 13 Million-plus for the CIM program over the past 16 years.
You won’t find professional education like this anywhere else—the WOC Education Program is the best in the concrete and masonry industries. With more than 110 hands-on technical trainings and sessions that deliver useful insights into critical topics like finance and surveying (plus certification programs and interactive workshops), World of Concrete is the place to build the skills that matter now—and produce lasting success.
World of Concrete January 18-20, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
▸ January 17: Education
Register by 12/13/21 to save on Exhibits-Only fees and book your hotel through onPeak early for the best rates and locations at www.worldofconcrete.com.
For the latest show information, the WOC website is updated daily with all the latest events, educational offerings, and more.
Editor’s Note: Those planning to visit WOC 2022 must register online prior to the show, as there will be no onsite registration. World of Concrete 2022 will adhere to Informa AllSecure health and safety standards, as well as guidance from local authorities, and any venue or location-specific regulations.