Supply chain challenges have been coming at operators from all angles for some time now, and new solutions to those obstacles continue to be found. In recent weeks, we learned from conversations with multiple industry members that supply chain challenges have flared up once again, causing delays in shipments for materials and products.
“I believe this to be a national issue,” John Dammacco, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at The Ambriola Company, told me. “LTL (less than truckload) deliveries and finding the right qualified people to fill positions in manufacturing is something we all deal with. Overseas container shipping prices and pier-to-facility deliveries compound the complexity.”
We learned more about the situation from survey results presented by FourKites and Food Shippers of America, which were reported on by Global Trade Magazine. The survey evaluated the most pressing logistics challenges in the food and beverage industries, noting that 49 percent of correspondents indicated that management of labor and talent was a top challenge.
“It’s hard to pinpoint any one issue; most of what we see today are increases and complications from all angles,” John relayed when I asked if recent disruptions have been concentrated in one area of the supply chain. “As I mentioned before, hiring and keeping qualified production employees have an impact as well.”
The news source reported that additional pressing disruptions include problems with transportation capacity (39 percent) and disruptions in supply and demand planning (35 percent). The report also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted operations such as port delays and congestion, changing consumer buying patterns, and more.
“We are post pandemic; no other time in my memory have so many components of everyday life been so affected at the same time,” John concluded.
Deli Market News will continue to keep an eye on the situation, so don’t go anywhere.
