Editor profile

Robert Vance

Editor, Supply Chain & Trade Corridors

Robert Vance reports on manufacturing reshoring and the evolution of logistics networks under the USMCA. He focuses on the efficiency of trade corridors and regional supply chain resilience.

robert.vance@northamericabiz.org

Bylined articles

Market Outlook

The US industrial wood adhesive market is experiencing three major structural changes.

The US industrial wood adhesive market is evolving from a mature chemical sector into a window reflecting the trends of greening, electronization, and regionalization in manufacturing. This article analyzes three major shifts: upgrades in formulation for high performance and low emissions, incremental demand from the electronics and electrical equipment supply chain, and the reshaping of import dependence through regionalized production layouts.

Robert Vance6 min read
Trade Corridors

North American supply chain restructuring is accelerating: The trend of "de-Canadianization" behind the US-Mexico joint negotiations

The United States and Mexico have restarted bilateral talks under the USMCA, while imposing new tariffs on Canada, marking a shift in North American trade from trilateral to bilateral. Mexico has become the biggest beneficiary, while Canada faces the risk of marginalization. Supply chain restructuring, adjustments in the automotive industry, and the China factor have become focal points. This article provides an in-depth analysis from the perspectives of corporate strategy, industry trends, and capital flows.

Robert Vance5 min read
Business North America

Canada's Internal Trade Reform: The Reality Gap Behind Progress

Canada's internal trade reform legislation scores highly, but nearly 70% of small businesses have not felt improvements. Barriers in the agricultural sector are particularly prominent, and the dividends of reform have yet to materialize.

Robert Vance4 min read
Supply Chain Network

From efficiency to resilience: North American supply chain is undergoing a fundamental transformation.

The 37th Annual State of Logistics Report reveals that supply chain management is shifting from periodic optimization to continuous adaptation. Volatility has become a permanent feature, with resilience, adaptability, and digital intelligence emerging as core competitive advantages. AI has moved from experimentation to value creation, but the gap between enterprises remains significant. Logistics costs as a share of GDP have dropped to 7.8%, yet structural pressures persist.

Robert Vance6 min read
Business North America

The Rise of the Retail "Control Economy": How Digital Channel Centralization Reshapes the North American Competitive Landscape

In 2025, global retail growth is only 2%, yet e-commerce accounts for 80% of the increment. The focus of competition has shifted from expansion to control over pricing, visibility, and consumer decision-making. AI has become the new traffic intermediary, and supply chain fragmentation is intensifying. North American retailers are facing a structural reshaping, and the winners will be those few players who can maintain discoverability and profit margins within an algorithm-driven ecosystem.

Robert Vance4 min read
Market Outlook

Why is the scale of assets under management of North American VC still growing: capital has not left, but is being repriced

PitchBook's outlook for North American VC AUM shows that venture capital has not exited the market, but is undergoing a rebalancing after a reset in valuations, fundraising, and exit pace. What is truly worth paying attention to is not "whether there is money," but rather which stages, themes, and regions the capital will flow to more heavily.

Robert Vance7 min read