In the 59th episode of Burning Platform, we (again) host Bob Ferrari of Supply Chain Matters.
We have a wide ranging conversation around supply chains - the challenges in the semiconductor sector, the chaos at the California ports, the labor shortages.
It's not all bad - we discuss the massive scaling of micro-fulfillment and last mile delivery. We discuss why after years of talk, we may see large amounts of manufacturing move back, why the Panama Canal widening may drive a lot more traffic to other N American ports, why the trend of direct-to-consumer is likely to accelerate.
We also discuss shifts in supply chain philosophies - away from lowest cost to resiliency focus and from just in time to just in case. We discuss sustainability and impact on supply chains, and we discuss technology - SCM software and automation in fulfillment.
Lots of ground in half an hour. More to come as supply chains will continue to dominate attention for several more months. Hopefully, it will not be because Santa had to deliver many lumps of coal instead of gifts stuck in containers.