GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGIES: CERTAIN UNCERTAINTY
redundancy, such as extra inventory and productive capacity, and multiple supplier and logistics partners. Agility builds on resilience by using these attributes to quickly adapt to disruption, Zimmerman says. For example, a company may work with a partner to shift to a new logistics route and avoid delays. Modern supply chain technology. Trying to make informed, timely decisions in a dynamic supply chain environment without robust technology is becoming dif cult, Rajagopal says. A modern technology platform should be able to connect the supply chains of the company and its suppliers, providing a digital thread across entire transactions. The platform should also provide a system of record, visibility to the goods in the chain, and the ability to address challenges and exceptions before they balloon. The platform’s forecasting ability should help determine the amount of warehouse and transportation capacity needed. It also should identify opportunities to save money by, for instance, identifying transactions eligible for any bene ts from
Dangerous Goods Shipping: Make Certain You are Compliant By ERIN GAUL , Senior Consultant, Labelmaster Here’s a hot take from someone who has worked in dangerous goods (DG) for 30 years: the secret to maintaining a strong compliance function is simple—employee education and training. A well-trained and confident workforce means a safer supply chain and a more compliant and profitable company. To build a knowledgeable workforce that takes ownership of safe practices, companies should: Invest in employee training. DG shipping can come with high pressure situations that require serious accountability. Regular education on regulations ensures compliance and builds confidence within teams, allowing them to shine. Develop the right DG leaders. Appointing a knowledgeable DG ambassador within your organization helps drive best practices and fosters an ongoing culture of compliance. Provide hands-on learning. Practical experience with modern DG tools and technologies helps teams stay ahead of regulatory changes and industry advancements. This also increases employee satisfaction and reduces overall stress, as employees will feel that they are properly equipped to understand shipping requirements. Shipping incidents—such as leaking packages, improper labeling or packaging failures—can result in serious safety
hazards. We’re talking danger to the public, environmental damage and negative press for your brand. Well-trained and educated employees are critical thinkers, able to recognize potential shipping risks early and take preventative action to avoid accidents that could tarnish the company’s image. And when employees receive the right
trade agreements, Rajagopal says. Sourcing and product design. As companies look for new sourcing
options, procurement—historically, a support function—is shifting to a more strategic role. “Today, procurement has a seat at the strategic table, all the way up to the C-suite,” says Priya Anand, director of logistics services at Jabil, a provider of supply chain solutions. Procurement leaders are driving new investments in supply partners, as well as dual- or multi-sourcing strategies that can mitigate risk and help their companies get ahead of disruption, she adds. Product design can also minimize the risk companies will be subject to a tariff or run afoul of regulations, Colehower says. For example, apparel producers often are restricted from importing cotton from certain parts of the world, such as the Uyghur region in China. Technologies including AI can help them redesign their products with alternative materials.
education on DG shipping, they feel empowered to deliver better service and stronger overall job performance. This also means they are less likely to make mistakes that result in disciplinary action, which also helps reduce employee turnover. Here are three proactive steps to improve your compliance. 1. Work with a DG specialist and ask for an assessment of your shipping operation. An assessment will help identify deficiencies that could lead to errors and violations. It will also identify your modal training needs. Even if the assessment results in No Deficiencies, you will have peace of mind in your operation. 2. Create a corrective action log and commit to it. This shows your due diligence and allows your quality management system to become engaged. It also proves to any federal auditor to you are actively working on a solution to a problem they’ve identified. For example, consider installing DGIS, a hazmat shipping software, to avoid paperwork errors. 3. Train your employees to the regulations and to the processes you’ve established. Audit your processes twice a year and try to poke holes in them with dierent scenarios.
24 Inbound Logistics • March 2025
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