Manufacturing and Supply Chain Expert Lisa Anderson, MBA, CSCP, CLTD, President of LMA Consulting Group Inc., predicts supply chain disruptions to continue through 2023. She suggests implementing a SIOP/S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) process to mitigate the swings associated with disruptions. LMA Consulting Group works with manufacturers and distributors on strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation to maximize the customer experience and enable profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth.

"You have to get in front of supply chain disruptions. For example, bring in strategic inventory stockpiles and gain available capacity before you need them. While this is simplistic, sometimes simple is what works best. When I was VP of Operations with a plant in a hurricane zone, we brought in excess materials before the hurricane season because we knew supplies would be delayed if a hurricane hit. Once it hits, it's too late," Ms. Anderson commented.

There is no doubt that the Ukraine crisis will create further supply chain disruptions. "Ukraine has a huge wealth of natural resources. They are a big supplier of metals and other commodities, which will impact many supply chains. We are already feeling it at the gas pump. That is why it is so important that companies look holistically at their supply chains. The supply chain is integrated within a company – meaning that every department is interconnected to the supply chain. It is also interconnected with customers and suppliers. Implementing a SIOP process (sales, inventory and operations planning) to proactively align all departments, customers, suppliers and other supply chain partners will result in predicting demand, setting customer expectations, planning resources and capacity, and smooth supply spikes while improving cash flow and increasing profitability. It can be done, and the rewards can be significant," she said.   

Ms. Anderson recently released a Special Report: Thriving in 2022: Learning from Supply Chain Chaos – Insights from 22 Trusted Advisors. This special report includes supply chain insights and perspectives from Ms. Anderson and 22 advisor experts who have supported clients through the supply chain upheavals of 2020 and 2021. The report is available at no charge from the LMA Website.