The global supply chain landscape is dynamic, rapidly evolving in response to economic conditions, geopolitical events, technological advancements and more. Producers are familiar with disruptions and understand both when and how to adapt, but the need for increased stability and reliability remains ever-present.
One sector on which many industries rely: coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers (CASE), compounders, master batch and resin production and plastics. These materials surround us and should be created with durability in mind. One key link in the supply chain for these products is anti-aging additives—namely UV stabilizers and antioxidants. While the rest of this blog can and does apply to the supply chain across the board, our focus is on addressing and remedying gaps for these manufacturers specifically.
Relying on a volatile supply chain creates significant vulnerabilities for manufacturers. While specific concerns can vary, there are a few key causes of fluctuation within the supply chain worth mentioning.
As witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, unforeseen circumstances and factors can significantly impact manufacturing capacity. Factory closures, labor shortages and more affected the availability of both raw materials and finished products, and significantly reduced confidence in the supply chain.
At its core, a successful supply chain requires movement. When that movement can’t happen—whether due to shipping container shortages, port congestion, disruptions in air freight services, etc. —every link in the chain deals with the consequences.
Basic supply and demand principles paint a simplified but clear picture of the global supply chain. Shortages create price fluctuations for even the most basic raw materials, impacting production schedules and increasing production costs.
Logistical factors are highly dependent on the greater picture of geopolitical dynamics and require producers to navigate a specific and demanding set of parameters. Changing regulations, customs delays and increased paperwork related to import and export all have an impact on supply chain success.
With those factors in mind, what can producers do to protect their supply chain risk? The first step: reevaluate supply chain strategies to build resilience and mitigate risks. That’s no small task, but it is possible—and the Barentz + Rianlon model can help. Here’s how:
There is great risk associated with single-sourcing critical components and relying heavily on suppliers in specific regions. The good news is, producers in need of UV stabilizers and antioxidants for CASE and plastic products have a different option: Barentz.