Supply Chain resilience
Our global economy is built on a foundation of unprecedented interconnection. The supply chain is now truly global, and both goods and ideas cross borders more freely than ever before. But we are also rapidly coming to understand that the infrastructure on which this worldwide trade depends is more fragile than we may have imagined.
In 2020 and 2021, pandemic lockdowns ground international travel and commerce to a halt. In 2022, the trucker convoy protest blockaded border crossings and vital roadways across Canada. In July of this year, labour disputes at the ports of British Columbia escalated to a 13-day strike that held up billions of dollars of shipping and caused existential financial damage to already struggling import, export, and manufacturing businesses across Canada. And let's not forget the strikes at the Port of Montreal in 2020 and 2021, which had a major impact
on Canadian manufacturers. Unfortunately, these are only the biggest headlines.
Small businesses across Canada feeling the pinch
Dennis Darby, President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), reports that the average cost to members surveyed during the latest port strike was $207,000 per day. These costs were compounded by the fact that manufacturing operations across the country were already strained by broader economic factors.
More critically, he says, these supply chain disruptions are raising concerns about Canada’s reputation as a safe place to invest. Business investment is a critical driver of economic growth, job creation, and productivity. If these disruptions continue to happen, Canada’s long-term prosperity will be put at risk.
In search of an equitable path to economic stability Finding a workable solution to
these valid and serious concerns from the business community is a herculean task riddled with complexities. The right to protest and the right to strike are foundational to Canadian democracy and social equity, while the possibilities of future supply chain disruptions from major global events like the pandemic or the war in Ukraine are by their very nature unpredictable. All the same, in the aftermath of these historically unique events, something must be done to
ensure that our critical supply infrastructure is less vulnerable to disruption in the years and decades to come. The health of the Canadian economy — and our nation's strong standing in the international economic ecosystem — depends on it.
At times it can seem that the needs of labour, the needs of business, and the needs of the populace at large are at odds, that we are working at cross purposes. But there is no reason it must be so. The goals and values of Canadians are more aligned than we might think, so long as we make a good faith effort to understand each other. It is past time for government to take up the mantle of mediator and guide on this issue.
Yes, finding a shared path to economic stability while honouring the undeniable rights of Canadians to strike and protest will be a monumental undertaking. With transparency and compromise, however, it should be possible to collectively pursue the common goal of a prosperous and resilient Canada.
HOW ONE CANADIAN COMPANY IS MAXIMIZING THE POWER OF SUPPLY CHAIN
Disruptions in local and global supply chain networks are becoming the norm for Canadian businesses.
While many companies struggle, Cedric Millar, a leading Canadian fourth party logistics provider, has the answer. Its unique and customized approach is easing supply chain pain, creating business efficiencies, and cost savings for their clients.
Ken Donohue
We approach our clients with an open mind. We don't have a preconceived notion of what the solution will be,” says Brian Ware, President, Cedric Millar. “What differentiates us is that we want to understand an organization’s strategic objectives — their story. There is no obligation to use Cedric Millar once the discovery work is completed, so clients trust us knowing that we want to find the best solutions to their problems.”
Comprehensive supply chain visibility
Cedric Millar’s secret sauce lies in the relationships they build with clients, as a long-term partner and the deep-dive they do to learn about an organization’s goals, operations, and cross-functional processes. This gives leaders greater insight into their organization, and empowers businesses to audit their supply chain structure, proactively identify pain points, optimize inventory levels, and enhance overall efficiency.
“There is no steady state in supply chain management, and successfully navigating the challenges requires organizations to pivot and adapt,” says Lisa Molinaro, Cedric Millar’s VP, Strategic Accounts. “This is made easier with a strategy brought by a fourth party logistics provider. We’re a consultant that executes, a long-term partner that supports and oversees the implementation of solutions.”
Invest in data driven decisions
Molinaro adds that Cedric Millar’s approach isn’t necessarily about utilizing its assets (though it has many), but rather identifying the best solutions for an organization’s needs. It could be harnessing advanced technologies, or utilizing cutting-edge tools and data analytics solutions, or even having an organization adopt new processes. And when off-the-shelf solutions aren’t robust, Cedric Millar can develop technology. “For one of our clients (a global distributor), our team of developers created a driver-delivery app that helps optimize the customer delivery experience and supports better fleet management”, she says. “This is the kind of value we bring to our customers.”
Fourth party logistics providers can benefit companies of all sizes and complexities. Businesses are good at producing and marketing their products, but they don't always invest in the most efficient way to get those products to market. And according to Ware, supply chain decisions are often made based on emotion or market pressures, instead of being driven by data.
“It’s rewarding to see the positive impact we have on our clients,” says Ware. “We get excited by the initial discovery work, and that energy continues, as we support organizations to find new ways for continuous improvement, allowing them to serve their customers better.”
