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In our contemporary era, the intricacies of global supply chains have become exceedingly intricate. These complex networks drive production and international trade on a vast scale that can be hard to grasp. From acquiring raw materials from abroad to delivering finished products to consumers’ homes, these operations necessitate precise coordination across numerous stages.
What happens when these chains encounter disruptions or when a critical link fails? The pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of these systems and the serious consequences of their breakdowns. Below, we explore some of the major contributing factors to the supply chain crisis and the steps some manufacturing companies are taking to recover.
When the pandemic began, a variety of restrictions were implemented, affecting businesses across almost all sectors and altering consumer behavior, which triggered a chain reaction of supply and demand instability. As manufacturing production initially declined, many companies implemented layoffs or operational limitations. These restrictions, along with health concerns and other issues, led to an unprecedented wave of resignations.
After the initial decrease, there was a rapid rebound in demand as consumer behavior shifted again, leading to widespread shortages of products and the labor necessary to meet the increased demand. However, the labor shortage extended beyond manufacturing to impact transportation and delivery services, further exacerbating supply chain issues. Essentially, the shortage of skilled workers affected all areas of the supply chain, including manufacturing, production, and transportation.
What is needed to navigate this crisis? Many experts stress the importance of recruiting laborers and drivers to help alleviate the ongoing supply chain issues. For instance, the CEO of the American Trucking Industry has indicated a need for 80,000 drivers to counteract the labor shortfall in the U.S. trucking industry.
In addition to increasing hiring and training efforts, companies are making significant adjustments to their supply chains. Additionally, the number of organizations using modern technology for supply chain management in order to gain better visibility and insight into their supply chain operations.
For more information on the impact of supply chain shortages on manufacturing, please see the accompanying resource.
Supply Chain Shortages & Its Impact On Manufacturing, an infographic contributed by American Equipment, a provider of crane service
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