COVID-19

Shipper-Owned Containers: The Future of Shipping in a Post-Pandemic World

Posted: 04/01/2022 - 00:01
The disruptions in the shipping container industry driven by COVID-19 have created the need for alternate sourcing strategies.

Before the onset of the pandemic, the shipping industry operated with an abundance of capacity at par with the demand patterns. More than 80% of the market needs were met by three major shipping alliances — 2M (Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co.), THE Alliance (Ocean Network Express, Hapag-Lloyd and Yang Ming), and OCEAN (CMA CGM/APL, Cosco Shipping and Evergreen Line).

Sourcing Disruption to Continue In 2022

Posted: 03/04/2022 - 00:00
While 2021 was a bust for many who hoped that supply chain disruptions would abate, it appears the trend will continue well into 2022.

Sourcing Disruption to Continue In 2022 

A volatile 2021 taught businesses a tough lesson about the fragility of supply chains. Just when many thought we were out of the woods, the promising trends toward recovery reversed. Supply chains quickly snapped amid the resurgence of COVID-19 outbreaks, China’s utility crisis, logistics woes, labor issues, and mass supply shortages.

Do You Want Chips With That?

Posted: 02/21/2022 - 01:01
While the shortage of semiconductor chips has been dominating news headlines and roiling corporate earnings, demand for chips has been steadily increasing prior the the COVID-19 pandemic.

The semiconductor industry has an atypical problem: everybody wants their product. Semiconductor chips are the basic component of the digital products used in our everyday lives, from mobile phones to televisions to washing machines, but it doesn’t end with consumer products. As many as 169 industries have been impacted by the current mismatch in demand and supply.

A Fresh Perspective on Supplier Relationships

Posted: 02/14/2022 - 09:00
Procurement must prioritize true supply chain resilience and addresses the imbalance and barriers plaguing most customer-supplier relationships.

This year, business leaders are making it a priority to build resilience into their supply chains. In doing so, their relationships with suppliers are coming into view, and what’s being exposed are some significant fault lines.

But within the volatile landscape we continue to face, having supplier relationships that are strong and healthy is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a business imperative. So, what can enterprise leaders do to put things right?

Why the Just-in-Time Supply Chain Model is Failing

Posted: 10/13/2021 - 09:00
Why the Just-in-Time Supply Chain Model is Failing

The shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a direct result of one of the biggest supply chain management disruptions in recent history -- the COVID-19 pandemic. These shortages aren’t just bad news for hospitals and retailers, but can often mean the difference between life and death for healthcare workers and their patients.

How to Recognize and Manage Supplier Red Flags

Posted: 09/13/2021 - 09:00
How to Recognize and Manage Supplier Red Flags

Global trends, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have taught procurement professionals the value of identifying supplier red flags and mitigating the risks they may pose before it’s too late. To do this, some organizations are making local buying their top priority, while others are committing to consolidating their supplier lists or further diversifying as their needs demand.

Business Continuity Planning: Are You Planning for Tomorrow or Yesterday?

Posted: 08/31/2021 - 00:00
Business Continuity Planning: Are You Planning for Tomorrow or Yesterday?

Recently DATAMARK, Inc., held a webinar on Business Continuity Planning. The three panelists discussed what was missing or did not receive sufficient attention in business continuity plans and the repercussions it can have for businesses worldwide.

The panelists were largely in agreement that many plans fall short when assessing the human impact of a potential disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Most plans tend to place a disproportionate emphasis on physical things like buildings, transportation arteries, communication networks and data centers.

Turning the Corner on Digital Transformation with GBS

Posted: 08/18/2021 - 00:00
Turning the Corner on Digital Transformation with GBS

The COVID-19 pandemic made an already challenging marketplace even more complicated, forcing businesses to seek out value in every corner of their operations—including in their extended networks. As a result, Global Business Service (GBS) organizations are increasingly investing in new capabilities, demonstrating to parent organizations their ability to improve business outcomes as a true strategic partner.

5 Insights to Drive Your Procurement Priorities

Posted: 07/28/2021 - 09:00
5 Insights to Drive Your Procurement Priorities

Just as there was no roadmap for navigating a crisis like COVID-19, there is no formula for the best way to come out of a pandemic, either. However, if anyone has proven that they are up to charting the way forward, it’s procurement professionals. As resourcing experts, procurement is known for finding strategic solutions that satisfy diverse stakeholder needs — and fast.

Keeping Employees Safe in 2021 and Beyond

Posted: 07/02/2021 - 09:00
Keeping Employees Safe in 2021 and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the global workforce in a variety of ways, with employee health and safety catapulted to the forefront of business concerns. Even with vaccination rollouts and months of experience navigating a worldwide pandemic, the future of the global workforce remains uncertain.

When Alibaba.com surveyed 5,000 SMB decision-makers in September 2020, keeping employees healthy and safe while reopening in-person operations was reported as the number one concern among employer firms in 2021.

COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Supply Chain

Posted: 06/26/2021 - 09:00
COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Supply Chain

Remember when the U.S. was virtually held hostage by OPEC? If they raised the price per barrel, U.S. consumers were stuck with higher prices at the gas pump. And then along came fracking. Boom! The U.S. took the alpha role in energy production. Carbon emissions notwithstanding, this new power freed the U.S. economy from dependance on other oil-producing nations. 

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