Supply chain continuity refers to the uninterrupted flow of materials, components, and products up and down the supply chain. The goal is preventing disruptions that could impact operations.
Continuity planning helps protect reputation, sales, customers service, and even business viability when major disruptions occur.
Common risks include transportation delays, inventory damage, production problems, shortages, IT outages, and more.
Strategies involve sourcing redundantly, buffering inventory, using multiple transport modes, finding alternate sites, backing up data, monitoring risks, communicating, and testing.
3PLs offer multi-facility networks, contingency expertise, transloading, managed transportation, visibility systems, and other continuity services.
Experienced 3PLs allow companies to focus on core operations while the 3PL handles continuity planning and crisis response.
Lack of planning exposes businesses to devastating reputational damage, lost sales, dissatisfied customers, and potential shutdowns from disruptions.
