Supply chains 2022: A year in pictures

Rising inflation, strike threats and slowing demand triggered a wave of business uncertainty following months of growth. Take a look back at 13 memorable moments.

By Edwin Lopez , Kelly Stroh , Sarah Zimmerman , Shaun Lucas • Jan. 10, 2023

Automakers face Senate probe over forced labor in supply chains

The chamber’s finance committee is questioning major manufacturers following reports of materials linked to the Xinjiang region of China.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 5, 2023

Why Ohio is attracting more manufacturing investments

Growing investments from companies like Ford and Intel highlight the state's tax and talent benefits.

By Sakshi Udavant • Jan. 3, 2023

‘Tripledemic’ drug shortages: When surging demand meets static capacity

Parents are straining to find children’s cold and flu medicine as companies also struggle to keep up with demand for amoxicillin.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 22, 2022

FMC examines shipping line compliance on anti-retaliation

The agency is asking some of the largest carriers to provide information on how they're adhering to provisions of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.

By Alejandra Carranza • Dec. 22, 2022

7 ways the Biden administration intervened in US supply chains this year

The government took multiple actions this year, including legislation to oversee ocean carriers and funding for domestic EV battery supply.

By Alejandra Carranza • Dec. 22, 2022

3M to discontinue use of ‘forever chemicals’ by end of 2025

The decision follows increasing regulatory and legal pressure on the company to stop the use of the potentially harmful chemicals.

By Sara Samora • Dec. 22, 2022

Postal Service to acquire 66,000 EVs by 2028

The electric delivery vehicles will start hitting the streets by the end of next year.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 21, 2022

USTR extends China tariff exclusions another 9 months

The exemptions on more than 352 products have caused concern among some in Congress who worry about the trade representative picking “winners and losers.”

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 19, 2022

USTR blasts WTO after panel rules against steel, aluminum tariffs

The trade organization rejected U.S. claims that the duties were necessary for national security reasons. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 15, 2022

Biden visits new TSMC plant in push to expand US chip production

The visit came as the chipmaker began construction of another plant in Arizona, and the U.S. advocates for a more resilient chip supply chain.

By Sara Samora • Dec. 8, 2022

FMC to review over 175 shipper complaints against ocean carriers

The agency unveiled preliminary guidance on how it would handle potential charge violations of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.

By Alejandra Carranza • Dec. 7, 2022

OSHA’s top 10 workplace hazards and how to prevent them

Towards the end of every year OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) releases its list of the top 10 safety violations, which includes the specific number of violations reported in each category. Why is this list essential? 

Dec. 6, 2022

Biden signs legislation preventing rail strike, lockout

The president said the law avoids “what, without a doubt, would have been an economic catastrophe at a very bad time in the calendar.”

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 2, 2022

Senate sends bill avoiding rail shutdown to Biden’s desk

The divided chamber shot down an amendment to give workers seven days paid sick leave.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 1, 2022

House passes bills to avert US rail shutdown, add paid sick leave

The vote comes just two days after President Joe Biden urged congressional intervention, warning “a rail shutdown would devastate our economy.”

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 30, 2022

Zinc-based storage manufacturer delays production to capitalize on federal tax credits

Eos Energy Enterprises is pushing this year's orders to 2023 to take advantage of energy storage benefits outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act, CEO Joe Mastrangelo said.

By Stephen Singer • Nov. 29, 2022

Biden calls on Congress to prevent rail shutdown

The president said he’s been advised that “there is no path to resolve the dispute at the bargaining table” before the Dec. 9 deadline.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 28, 2022

Potential for rail shutdown rises as largest union rejects labor deal

An impasse over guaranteed sick leave is likely headed to a congressional showdown.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 21, 2022

Biden proposes new sustainability rules for federal suppliers

Companies with more than $7.5 million in federal contracts would be required to disclose emissions.

By Kelly Stroh • Nov. 15, 2022

Deadline to avoid rail strike or lockout extended to December

The country’s third-largest rail union agreed to a longer “cooling off” period in an attempt to avoid congressional intervention and service disruptions.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 9, 2022

Major railroads mandated to keep reporting service restoration progress

Regulators will continue to monitor BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific after noting they are unlikely to reach their improvement targets before the end of the current reporting period. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 9, 2022

ESG backlash unlikely to derail SEC proposal requiring climate risk disclosures

One expert said the agency has "vastly underestimated" the amount of money needed for businesses to comply.

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 3, 2022

Rail labor negotiations: Tracking the path to ratification

A strike or lockout was avoided after Congress intervened to impose an agreement. Here’s how we got there.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Dec. 2, 2022

How the US plans to transform its lithium supply chain

With just 3.6% of global reserves, access to the critical mineral is vital to the country’s sustainable energy plans.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Oct. 27, 2022