Today's supply chains are too lean

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dangers of just-in-time principles and lean inventories.

By Rich Weissman • March 24, 2020

Food manufacturing will stay healthy during coronavirus, trade groups say

Leaders of the Consumer Brands Association and the American Bakers Association say their members are rising to the challenge and see no shortages of the basics.

By Megan Poinski • March 24, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

Here’s how companies are navigating evolving global trade and tariff policies, rising costs and operational uncertainty across supply chain networks.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

McKinsey estimates stock-outs for automotive, retail supply chains by end of March, April

Just-in-time and traditionally low-inventory supply chains could be in danger in the coming weeks as supply out of China continues to be slow and U.S. and EU factories begin to postpone production.

By Morgan Forde • March 19, 2020

US won't suspend China tariffs during coronavirus outbreak

The tariffs present a risk and additional cost to medical supply chains as the need for critical supplies becomes urgent. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 19, 2020

Redundancies, hurricane prep keeping healthcare company Baxter in stock despite COVID-19

The company is constantly monitoring the supply and the demand side to thoroughly understand supplier capacity and prevent hoarding by hospitals, said CEO Joe Almeida. 

By Emma Cosgrove • March 19, 2020

European, US manufacturers shut down as China comes back online

Factory shutdowns will quickly ripple through the supply chain to impact the suppliers, logistics partners and other businesses that work with manufacturers on a regular basis. 

By Matt Leonard • Updated March 24, 2020

How a lab facing coronavirus supply shortage signals nationwide struggles

The Western New York regional public health lab is a microcosm of the insufficient swab and reagent stocks labs face as they attempt to confirm COVID-19 cases and gauge the scope of the outbreak.

By Greg Slabodkin • March 18, 2020

53% of US manufacturers expect operational impact from coronavirus: survey

Operational changes include the implementation of business continuity plans involving workplace sanitation, limiting in-person interaction and managing shifts to account for an uptick in worker absences, according to The National Association of Manufacturers.

By Matt Leonard • March 17, 2020

PwC: Coronavirus is moving supply chain into the board room

In a survey conducted last week, 90% of 50 the CFOs said if the coronavirus outbreak disappeared today, it would take their companies three months or less to regain normal function.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 17, 2020

CDC chief: Certain materials critical to coronavirus tests​ 'now are in short supply'

Separately, the government announced funding for development of COVID-19 diagnostic tests meant to detect the pathogen in about an hour. 

By Greg Slabodkin • March 13, 2020

Making the most of the cash-to-cash cycle

Procurement's insights can be valuable when it comes time to arrange and review supplier contracts, but only if the team doesn't sit back and let finance handle things.

By Amanda Loudin • March 12, 2020

62% of procurement, supply chain managers experiencing supplier delays from China

Companies that shifted sourcing to countries outside of China, such as Vietnam, could be better positioned to weather coronavirus-related disruptions, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

By Morgan Forde • March 12, 2020

Airfreight rates from China to US climb 27% in 2 weeks as demand surpasses capacity

Flight cancellations out of China have removed 5,100 tons of capacity from China per day on average, which has led to a 36% year-over-year decline in total airfreight capacity out of mainland China.

By Matt Leonard • March 12, 2020

FDA chief warns of supply 'pressure' on reagents for coronavirus tests

Qiagen, a major supplier of RNA extraction kits, confirmed to MedTech Dive Thursday that "extraordinary demand for coronavirus testing workflows" is challenging the company's capacity.

By Greg Slabodkin • March 12, 2020

3 ways to manage coronavirus risk in the supply chain

Even as China operations come back online, the risk to global supply chains is far from over, panelists said at Modex as they offered tips to mitigate challenges.

By Shefali Kapadia • March 11, 2020

44% of supply chain pros have no plan for China supply disruption

There are signs companies are struggling with visibility and shipping out of China, but there is no indication this has resulted in U.S. factories shuttering, even temporarily.

By Matt Leonard • March 11, 2020

Costco: It could take weeks to reach routine supply chain operations

The COVID-19 outbreak is affecting multiple parts of Costco​'s supply chain, not just its procurement and in-store operations.

By Matt Leonard • March 6, 2020

4 ways to boost cross-functional sourcing team effectiveness

The collective strength of a team from roles in finance, manufacturing, planning and logistics expands the procurement department's range of expertise. 

By Rich Weissman • March 5, 2020

Nike, retail groups respond to report documenting forced Uighur labor in supply chains

A joint statement from four leading retail industry groups called on the U.S. government to form a multi-stakeholder working group to find solutions. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Updated March 12, 2020

H&M pilots supply chain service Treadler to improve industry sustainability

Treadler aims to guide smaller clothing brands through sustainable product development, sourcing, production and logistics. 

By S.L. Fuller • March 4, 2020

US manufacturing hit by coronavirus but maintains growth

Although the purchasing managers index found the manufacturing sector just within growth territory, coronavirus-related complications are causing supply delays and longer lead times.

By Morgan Forde • March 3, 2020

FDA reports first drug shortage due to coronavirus impact

Supplies of the drug, which the FDA did not identify, ran short as a result of issues at a site that produces the active ingredient. Other options are available, the agency said.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 28, 2020

How Johnson & Johnson fills its procurement talent pipeline

The Procurement Leadership Development Program has so far trained 119 employees and helped J&J fill roles when the talent pool is small. 

By Jen A. Miller • Feb. 27, 2020

Shake Shack takes on procure-to-pay, supplier management in tech upgrade

A digital transformation and new ERP systems give Shake Shack a more granular picture of its procurement operations and frees up in-restaurant teams from administrative tasks.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 27, 2020

Walmart joins store and online buying after decades of siloed operations

The move to unify buying across delivery channels demonstrates that omnichannel options are widely available to the consumer, but they are still making their way through the organizations that orchestrate them.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 27, 2020