Manufacturing Today Issue - 225 June 2024 | Page 24

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Supply chain safeguarding

Building a reliable future in an unreliable world .
By Linn Storäng

If the events of the past half decade have taught businesses around the world anything , it is that nothing is ever certain . The need to strive to maintain continuity against a backdrop of global turmoil has dominated the agenda . Global supply chains have felt pressure from the pandemic , geopolitical machinations , raw material shortages and market forces dictating a change in spending habits .

Those with a rigid supply chain structure found themselves struggling to respond to the unique challenges of the pandemic era . Those operating close to the line , reliant on seamless supply and consistent alignment , were brought to their knees when raw material shortages broke a key link in the chain . Even growing regulatory challenges have highlighted the importance of creating clarity and compliance from end to end . The world must emerge from this road having learned from its past .
A new approach to supply chain management
The reasons for , and results of , recent disruption make it clear that brittle and closed supply chain structures do not align with stakeholder needs . All manufacturers must be supple , smart , and efficient in the way they approach supply chain management , with their eyes open to changes in the market and the flexibility and capacity to maintain smooth operation despite challenges to the status quo .
Investment in the three ‘ R ’ s – Resiliency , Robustness and Responsibility – has become critically important . Resiliency
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