PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE, NDSA

Pandemic, Shortages Brought the Importance of the Supply Chain and Qualified Workers to the Forefront

BY BILL ELLIOTT President, Northeast Dairy Supplier Association, Inc.

When the general public thinks of the dairy industry, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the delicious part: milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and the like. But, as someone who represents the supplier side of our association, the first thing I think of is all the work being done behind the scenes to make sure that summer days are filled with ice cream sundaes and frosty milkshakes.

You’ll get no argument from me that delicious dairy foods tend to shine, but they don’t just magically appear on the store shelves. There are countless steps along the way. Machines need parts to make them run — and someone has to know what to do if something breaks down. Containers needs to be designed and manufactured to be secure enough to carry perishable dairy products. Power needs to be generated and new technologies developed to reduce costs and create reliable forms of renewable energy. And, of course, my personal favorite: trucking. Trucks have to be available, with a qualified driver at the wheel, to make sure that the milk is on the move quickly, safely and efficiently. Those are just some of the things that make the dairy business go ‘round.

It’s unfortunate that it took a pandemic and the shortages that came with it, as well as the current difficulties and high costs of getting the products that we need today, for people to take notice of how reliant we all are on the supply chain. It’s a safe bet to say you’ve been out somewhere lately unable to find an item you’ve always taken for granted. It’s frustrating, particularly now that we’re finally able to get out of the house and enjoy life again.

While supplies are hard to get, you might argue that employees are even more difficult to find. Almost every business I pass has a “Help Wanted” sign in the window. This has had a significant impact on the dairy industry lately. As you will read in this issue of Northeast Dairy magazine, finding a qualified truck driver is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. More than two-thirds of all freight in the U.S. is moved by trucks — not just dairy, but every industry — but, at least for now, trucks can’t drive themselves (although, to a certain extent, this may be the future of long haul trucking). I struggle with why, as I see companies offering training, great salaries, more flexibility and even signing bonuses to attract qualified drives. It’s too bad that a career in trucking doesn’t seem to appeal to most people anymore because it can be a great way to make a solid living, as well see our beautiful country. Still, we’re living in a “I just want to push a button” world, where manual labor is looked down upon, as well as dealing with a labor pool that lately would rather sit home and reap the benefits than go out and put in a hard day’s work.

Working in the dairy industry has never been easy, but it is rewarding. Whether you’re a farmer, a driver, a manufacturer, a supplier or scooping ice cream, you’re helping to feed our country — and what’s better than that? Despite the negatives, I can’t help but have faith that the American spirit of “Getter Done!” will somehow surpass the problems we’ve been facing lately and prevail, just as it always has.

In closing, on behalf of the NDSA, thanks to all who attended our June Byrne Dairy plant tour and Dairy Blender and also those who golfed and ate their fill of delicious food at the Bruce W. Krupke Memorial Golf Tournament/Clambake in July. It was so good to be able to get together again, shake a few hands and see plenty of smiling faces. Enjoy the rest of the summer!