Last month, Texas got hit with a cold snap that left Texans in fear of a repeat of the ice storm of 2021. While we are enjoying some warmer weather in February, more cold is predicted as we head into an extended winter in March and potentially April.
Even sunny California has seen some insane rain that has left areas like Los Angeles and San Diego in states of emergency.
With everything going on, we think it’s important to point out that severe weather can wreak havoc on supply chains, causing shipment delays, production slowdowns, and missed customer delivery dates.
However, with proper preparation and help from an experienced third-party logistics (3PL) team, companies can minimize the impact of inclement weather on their operations. Let’s discuss the best practices that supply chain managers can employ to keep their supply chains running smoothly when bad weather is forecasted.
Monitoring the Forecast for Upcoming Shipments
Supply chain managers should closely monitor weather forecasts and projections from the National Weather Service, AccuWeather, and other reputable meteorological agencies.
By keeping abreast of the latest predictions, supply chain managers can make contingency plans well in advance of any storms. For example, if a blizzard is projected to hit a major logistics hub in two days, shipments can be rerouted and inventory stockpiled today to circumvent delays. In order to prevent delays, a team like GFS Logistics can help your team pay attention to forecasts for areas where their facilities, suppliers, logistics providers, and customers are located.
Collaborating with Partners
Communication and collaboration with partners throughout the supply chain is critical when bad weather looms. Supply chain managers should reach out to suppliers to confirm inventory levels and transport capability.
They should touch base with manufacturing partners to discuss adjusting production schedules, if necessary to build inventory buffers.
Collaborating with logistics providers like GFS Logistics can help secure alternative transportation where needed. Customer service representatives should be looped in to provide shipment status updates and manage delivery exceptions. By working together across the supply chain, companies can develop coordinated contingency plans.
Rerouting Shipments Strategically
When a storm is headed for a logistics hub like a seaport or distribution center, shipments may need to be proactively rerouted through alternate facilities outside the impact zone.
Supply chain managers can work with transportation partners like GFS Logistics to redirect inbound shipments via transloading or complete reroutes to other warehouses or distribution centers where inventory is needed.
Predicting the storm allows outbound deliveries to be shifted to avoid crossing storm paths en route to the customer. While rerouting shipments increases transportation costs in the short term, it alleviates more expensive downtime and obviates the need for expedited shipping to recover lost time.
Boosting Inventory Levels
In anticipation of weather disruptions, supply chain managers may need to increase safety stock inventory levels temporarily at key nodes in the network.
Extra inventory buffers near manufacturing facilities and distribution centers can sustain operations if shipments from suppliers are delayed.
Higher stock levels at distribution centers ensure sufficient product remains available to fill customer orders on time. By preemptively boosting inventory at strategic points in the supply chain, companies can ride out short-term weather disruptions with minimal impact on customer service.
Securing Expedited Transportation
Despite the best-laid plans, bad weather may still cause delays that threaten to impair customer delivery commitments. In these cases, securing expedited transportation can make all the difference in recovering lost time.
Partners like GFS Logistics can help evaluate all expedited shipping options and be ready to execute as soon as delays arise.
While air freight is typically the fastest option, it is also the most expensive. Other expedited options like team drivers and extra pickup/delivery legs can often achieve the necessary time savings at lower cost. The key is having relationships and plans in place with logistics providers to activate expedited transportation at a moment’s notice.
Updating IT Systems
During weather disruptions, it is critical that supply chain visibility systems provide an accurate picture of inventory across the network.
Supply chain managers should ensure transportation management systems, warehouse management systems, order management tools, and other IT infrastructures are equipped to handle reroutings, expedited shipments, and other exception scenarios.
Digital warehouse management may need to be reconfigured to support contingency response plans. For example, automated replenishment parameters may need adjusting to temporarily suppress orders until after the storm passes. IT teams should be put on standby to handle any system updates required to execute contingency plans.
Leveraging 3PL Expertise
3PL providers like GFS Logistics offer valuable expertise to help clients navigate supply chain disruptions from severe weather.
Our experienced staff and advanced technological capabilities can provide vital support.
For example, we can leverage our advanced software we implement within our projects to help rapidly reroute shipments around storms and secure expedited transportation to uphold your commitments.
When you work with us, you gain control tower visibility across the supply chain and logistics infrastructure, no matter the severity of any storm (literally and metaphorically).
Weather Any Storm With GFS Logistics
While storms are inevitable, their impact on supply chain operations can be minimized through proper preparation and agility in responding to changing conditions. At GFS Logistics, we say “Expect Delays, Plan Early and Deliver.”
With strong contingency planning and our team of logistics experts on your side, even the most damaging storms need not cripple the supply chain.
By putting contingency plans in place before storms arise, leveraging our expertise, and acting decisively when delays occur, you can keep your customers satisfied and supply chains flowing smoothly no matter what the weather brings. Is your supply chain storm ready?
Contact us today to learn more about our services.
