Page 37 - Food&Drink Business magazine June 2022

upon us. Covid spread through the workforce and labour – rather than inventory – became the scarce resource.
The time lapse between Covid impacting the east and the west if anything, prolonged its effect in the west.
As soon as transport links reopened and the initial burst of backlogged shipments arrived, it became apparent the warehousing labour shortages in the eastern states and a scarcity of drivers across the country would hamper the ongoing flow of materials.
Many drivers were also unwilling to deliver loads to the state due to the risk of being trapped by a snap border lockdown.
Once the eastern states stabilised and many restrictions, including travel, were removed, Western Australia’s infection rate soared, consequently affecting the local industry’s ability to meet local demands.
80%
OF WA’S SUPERMARKET GOODS COME FROM ‘OVER EAST’.
FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL
Overlaying all the above has been the impact of the war in Ukraine. Manufacturing and food staples have become scarcer and more expensive, and above all the cost of fuel has rocketed, vastly changing the economics of individual traffic flows.
Once the dust has settled, from a supply chain perspective it will be fascinating to see the legacy of the last three years.
In the main, businesses and families have survived; a triumph for supply chain adaptability and resilience, and
the flexibility of its planners, managers, and operators (aided by locally generated wealth from the resources industry).
Without doubt, given how the last two years have shown its critical role in daily life, supply chain management must be given more weight as a critical discipline.
This is a key driver of the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia’s objective to support the advancement of the industry by championing collaboration, innovation, and success.
Supply chain practitioners and business leaders have (hopefully) learned to become more agile and responsive, and also more aware of the need for technology tools, and regular, detailed, and mutually beneficial interactions with supply chain partners.
The need for diverse sourcing and transportation alternatives have been noted, and (as fuel prices soar) the need for greener,
more energy efficient means of doing business observed.
The supply chain ninjas haven’t yet reached and scaled the Warped Wall and rung the sweet bell of success, but they’ve circumnavigated a vast array of shelf grabs and salmon ladders to get close to it.
All-in-all it’s been (and still is) a fascinating time to have been involved in the industry in the west and there’s plenty of material for supply chain students and leaders to train on before the next great obstacle challenge arrives. ✷
✷ ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS
Brian Lynn is the Western Australia state director for the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia. He is inventory coordinator at BevChain, with experience
in operational, technological,
and continuous improvement across multiple industries.
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