A few years ago, the phrase “supply chain” was known only to industry professionals. With a global supply chain crisis affecting every sector of industry, it’s become a term within the common vernacular. A variety of factors have contributed to supply chain fluctuations over the past three years. The global pandemic caused factory shutdowns that…
When the supply chain doesn’t work, products get delivered late or not at all. It’s inconvenient if it’s that desk ordered two months ago. It can be deadly if the product is a ready source of light for Ugandan mothers giving birth in darkness. During the past three years, a variety of factors have rocked…
We all know everyone has been affected by the shortages in the supply chain. Everyone is tired of talking about it, but it doesn’t make the problem go away. For companies with physical products, their survival is dependent upon their ability to navigate unpredictable part shortages. This session will be a conversation about the challenges,…
Reshoring seems simple: bring manufacturing back home. The counterargument—offshoring saves money—is also simple, and for decades has been perceived as a winner. Reality lies somewhere in between, as the total cost of ownership needs to be considered, including intangibles. Conceding for the moment that there is real cost savings from low–cost offshore labor, let’s look at the other factors…
Growing companies often struggle with managing their inventory in the following ways: The production line is down because it’s out of one component Someone thought they could save money by buying in bulk, and now it takes up way too much space The company is short on liquid assets yet sitting on excess raw materials…
In my 20+ years working in supply chain, I’ve visited hundreds of suppliers in multiple states and countries. Qualifying suppliers is essential both in building a relationship with the supplier and ensuring that customers’ needs are met. But what happens when global travel restrictions shut down trips to qualify a new supplier? Like many other…
Let’s talk toilet paper. We all know there’s a shortage, but where does toilet paper come from? What is its supply chain and how is it made? As a company full of supply chain and engineering professionals with spare time on our hands for a change, we want to know. Like every product, it starts…