How to Build Supply Chain Resiliency: The Ultimate Guide

Business White Papers
July 4, 2022
0
3 minutes read

Crazy times call for…supply chain resiliency.

It’s an unprecedented time for shippers. Supply chains that were so routine and reliable no longer make sense. Factories in China and Vietnam still face unexpected shutdowns. Retailers can’t keep store shelves stocked. Suppliers can’t meet manufacturers’ deadlines. Cargo ships are backed up, with the Pacific Ocean starting to resemble a rush hour highway. Not enough trucks to handle an increased volume of shipments. A severe truck driver shortage that is making a bad situation even worse. And an ongoing need to satisfy customer expectations.

Businesses have their plates full in trying to create resilient supply chains to meet this dramatically changed environment. But in thinking about these serious issues, shippers must also prioritize customer expectations. Customers have largely returned to “pre-pandemic” expectations for fast, free, and flexible deliveries as discovered in our 2021 sustainability research report. Businesses that fail to meet those expectations run the risk of disappointed customers, and ultimately, lost sales.

So, on top of everything else, businesses find themselves in need of supply chain resiliency that prioritizes customer expectations. This task is even more challenging for U.S. businesses that ship to Canada. Cross-border shipping involves extra care during the best of times. But those extra steps now require even more attention. The solution? A carefully-crafted logistics strategy with a resilient supply chain that accommodates a business’s changing needs.

The cornerstone of any resilient solution must be a comprehensive logistics strategy. This means an innovative plan based on new thinking that accommodates changing needs. Our white paper provides a solid overview of options available for forward-looking businesses.

Logistics options discussed in the white paper include:

Benefits of an air-based solution, or a “hybrid” air/ground solution.
Ensuring last-mile efficiency to guarantee on-time deliveries.
Rethinking SKU listings to prioritize fast-moving, profitable products.
Reducing the number of shipments used to fulfill customer orders.
Adopting a multi-supplier strategy to reduce risk if a primary supplier is unable to perform.
The need for comprehensive end-to-end logistics services, especially for cross-border shipments.

For many businesses, the road to supply chain resiliency begins with a fresh look at logistics options, and a willingness to try new solutions. Our white paper outlines several exciting options. Purolator is helping businesses develop the strategies they need to overcome today’s challenges. We are ready to help your business too.