Solving & alleviating supply chain pressure

With the changing times, the supply chain process has been into a great spin especially during the pandemic. Most of the manufacturers still have concerns on the packaging materials. Therefore, industry is looking for alternatives to ease, solve and alleviate supply chain pressure.

- Jake Rheude

Increased globalisation stretched supply chains to their furthest extents, and then like a rubber band pulled past its limit, a snap quickly sent everything spiralling out of control. The supply chain pressures preceding that snap continue, and today’s manufacturers and their partners must learn how to adapt to that strain.

Review existing vulnerabilities

It’s time to refresh those SWOT analyses and critically examine your supply chain.

• Where are the threats that can’t be seen

• Where does the reliance on specific partners create issues?

• What does one own that is not been optimised? 

• Where does one lack visibility to know if there is a threat?

Most companies had to throw out demand planning and forecasts from 2020 and then again in 2021. That has been frustrating, especially as supply chains continue to shift and the bullwhip effect creates long-standing uncertainty.

Unfortunately, there’s no shortcut here. Perform those same projections and analyses again. Update the understanding and see where the risks are. Then look for short-term and long-term ways to address them. Plans are required so that adaptation can be started and then have a plan for consistency whenever supply chains finally land on what is now “normal.”

Shore up alternatives for raw materials & supplies

Manufacturers have had a mantra of finding alternatives and backups for decades. Today’s conventional wisdom is just asking to expand this coverage. Boost the options whenever it’s possible and share when there are restrictions around items such as batteries.