We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Supply chain versus the volcano
Perspective

Supply chain versus the volcano

June 25, 2010
James A. Cooke
No Comments

Even in daylight, Eyjafjallajökull makes quite an impression. I saw the fiery Icelandic volcano outside my airplane window as I flew back last month from the CSCMP Europe 2010 Conference. The volcano had erupted a few days earlier, threatening to cancel my flight, but it had subsided enough to permit air travel.

Last week the volcano erupted again, spewing clouds of volcanic ash that the eastward jet stream carried across the skies of northern Europe. Because the particles in that ash can knock out a jet engine, airlines grounded flights, and airports in Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, and France—to name but a few—were shut down.

Not surprisingly, the cessation of air freight movements to and from Europe has disrupted the global supply chain. Automobile plants in China couldn't get parts from Germany. Diamond cutters in India were unable to ship gems to dealers Belgium. Fruits and vegetables grown in Africa and the Middle East for European markets were left on the ground.

As of this writing, European airlines have resumed a limited schedule of flights, but it will take weeks for them to get back to normal. And who knows when—or if—the volcanic eruption will stop? What we do know is that a long-term disruption could have an enormous, costly impact on world trade.

I sincerely doubt that any supply chain manager or analyst had prepared a contingency plan for air shipment disruptions by an Icelandic volcano before the first eruption. (If you did, please contact me.) What we can learn from this is that, as more supply chains are spun out around the globe, supply chain chiefs must always be mindful of the risks of disruption, even when they come from unlikely places and in unusual form.

And if you operate an international supply chain and you haven't developed such a contingency plan, then I have one word for you, even though I can't pronounce it: Eyjafjallajökull.

  • Related Articles

    The greening of Whirlpool's supply chain

    Commentary: Modeling your competitor's supply chain: The untold story

    Opening the CEO's eyes to supply chain value

James A. Cooke is a supply chain software analyst. He was previously the editor of CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly and a staff writer for DC Velocity.

Recent Articles by James A. Cooke

Getting smart about using software intelligence

The payback challenge

A farewell, with thanks

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Survey: parcel delivery drivers are frustrated by using their own smartphones for work

  • Survey: most Americans unaware that truckers face shortage of parking spaces

  • Best practices in logistics sustainability

  • Supply chain executives not yet seeing expected results from technology investments

  • Postal Service plans to seize items mailed with fake stamps

Featured Video

20221107korber large vs

Enhancing Customer Experience with Your Supply Chain Strategy

Viewer Contributed
With the rise of e-commerce, many businesses have had to transform their warehouses to handle online orders in addition to regularly scheduled inventory shipments. This means warehouses need more information than ever before to ensure they can meet customers' needs. As a result, companies need to select warehouse...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Five tips for parcel success in 2023

  • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • A shipper's guide to navigating post-pandemic holiday freight

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing