PwC: Supply chains will broaden, diversify in the wake of coronavirus

Top finance executives shift the conversation from meeting immediate needs to what supply chains should look like long-term.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 31, 2020

From Section 301 to COVID-19: How a volatile China changed supply chains

An ongoing trade war, and now a global pandemic, pushed U.S. businesses to diversify and raised the question: Are we too dependent on China?

By Shefali Kapadia • March 31, 2020

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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

H&M pledges to accept orders in production from suppliers

The move demonstrates a rare level of concern for the health of garment manufacturers, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 31, 2020

As coronavirus spreads, reliance on foreign sourcing strains pharma supply chains

With India on lockdown and China still ramping back up production, experts worry about the pipeline for importing critical drugs into the U.S.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 27, 2020

Digital procurement marketplace connects hospitals responding to coronavirus outbreak

The Exchange tosses out standard allocation models in favor of connecting procurement professionals through a global network.

By S.L. Fuller • March 26, 2020

What procurement managers should expect from a 'bullwhip on crack'

Slight variations in demand at the retail level grow larger until they reach the manufacturer. This bullwhip effect is playing out in real-time in the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • March 26, 2020

India, Bangladesh extend lockdowns, factories remain closed

The Indian government extended its lockdown order Tuesday, which was initially followed by multiple factories announcing closures. Factories in Bangladesh face a cascade of canceled orders.

By Matt Leonard • Updated April 14, 2020

How health systems are responding as COVID-19 squeezes the medical supply chain

Procurement of supplies will become more difficult if cases surge and federal stockpiles don't trickle down to the state level quickly enough.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 25, 2020

IHS Markit: March Flash PMI posts steepest decline since 2009

Manufacturers reported the first contraction in new business and orders in over a decade amid sharp declines in supplier capacity and customer demand due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

By Morgan Forde • March 25, 2020

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

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