Supply Chain Issues Lately?

The supply chain is the backbone of any organization, ensuring that goods and services reach your facility in a timely and efficient manner. However, in recent times, the supply chain has been facing major disruptions due to various reasons such as natural calamities, economic crises, geopolitical tensions, and even pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the supply chain, causing delays, shortages, and logistical challenges. Who remembers the TP shortage of 2020…? We do! The current state of our supply chain is precarious, and it is essential to take proactive measures to handle these disruptions.

According to industry experts, in order to handle disruptions in the supply chain, organizations need to adopt a multi-pronged approach. First, they need to invest in a way to manage and track their inventory and in some cases in real-time. This can help organizations anticipate potential disruptions and take preventive measures. Second, organizations need to prioritize risk management and have contingency plans in place. They should identify potential risks in the supply chain and develop strategies to mitigate them. This can include maintaining safety stocks, identifying alternative transportation routes, and having backup suppliers.

Another key strategy to handle disruptions in the supply chain is to diversify suppliers and vendors. By having multiple options, organizations can reduce the impact of disruptions caused by a single supplier or vendor. Organizations need to build robust relationships with their suppliers and vendors. By working collaboratively with their partners, organizations can share information, mitigate risks, and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.

The current state of our supply chain is volatile, and organizations need to be prepared to handle disruptions proactively. By investing in technology, building strong relationships with partners, diversifying suppliers, and prioritizing risk management, organizations can minimize the impact of disruptions and ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods and services. Organizations that take these steps can emerge stronger and more resilient from disruptions and position themselves for long-term success.

Thankfully for you and your organization, we at KB already have inventory management systems in place. However, if you are reading this and are currently looking to make a supply management change, we can work very closely with you on special events, or to anticipate times of the year that gets higher traffic, and we’ve made lasting relationships with our vendors to diversify our product options when disruptions occur. One of the functions of our brand-new proprietary software, SIMONServe (more to come on “SIMON”), is inventory management. It allows us to track in real time par levels, overall usage, orders, and back orders. It gives us the ability to be more proactive than others out there. We can manage your supplies better, and pivot to other options quicker. Supply chain problems in the janitorial space shouldn’t fall solely on you or your organization. You have enough to worry about already.