In 2021, the electronics manufacturing services sector went all-in on resilient supply chains.
In manufacturing, there is always a fear of unscheduled downtime, which brings a line down. Global shipping is a machine, and the COVID-19 pandemic was the unscheduled downtime.
With downtime you may plug a leak or replace a part, but underlying problems are usually lurking. Following one problem will lead to and point out multiple problems. COVID-19 was a catalyst that spearheaded the discovery of multiple problems in the global shipping machine.
Shippers and transportation providers continue to be exhausted and humbled by all the disruptions. As supply chain fatigue sets in, what were once considered major problems now seem like bumps along the road.
While chasing a balance between consistency and price, shippers and their carrier partners must focus on agility. Service providers and customers must be willing to make decisions quickly and stick to them.