🚛 Autism at Work Triumph
Good morning! Greetings, Supply Chain Enthusiasts! As the autumn leaves fall and the days grow shorter, the world of supply chain and logistics is as vibrant as ever. Join us as we kick off a new month with the latest updates, trends, and insights from the ever-evolving landscape of global trade and efficient operations. Whether you're a seasoned logistics pro or just starting your journey into the world of supply chain management, "Workday Dash" is your trusty guide to staying ahead in this fast-paced arena.
So, fasten your seatbelts (or should we say, secure your cargo), and let's embark on a thrilling November ride together! To a month filled with smooth sailing and successful deliveries! 🍂🦃
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First-Year Success of the Supply Chain Jobs Program for Adults with Autism
Bettaway Supply Chain Services has completed its first year of partnership with We Make - Autism at Work, a local Pennington, New Jersey non-profit. During the year, they provided over 7,000 hours of vocational training to 68 adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This successful initiative has prompted Bettaway to plan an expansion for the next year.
Bettaway, a family-owned supply chain company, offers logistics services to beverage and consumer product companies in the northeastern United States. We Make - Autism at Work is a non-profit founded in 2017, focused on supporting individuals with autism and IDD through skills development and workforce management services.
Check out today’s featured article from Supply Chain Brain to learn more about this non-profit in New Jersey and what they are doing for the autistic community. Will this be a huge step forward for disability awareness? Will there be more businesses and non-profits that help out the autistic community?
Featured Article
Supply Chain Jobs Program for Adults with Autism Completes First Year | Supply Chain Brain
“Bettaway Supply Chain Services has completed the first year of a program with local Pennington, New Jersey, non-profit We Make - Autism at Work to hire, train, and develop skills for adults on the autism spectrum.”
Amazon & Robot
Amazon's Robotic Revolution Spurs Job Creation and Concerns in the Supply Chain
Amazon is increasingly using robotics, with over 750,000 robots working alongside employees, including innovations like Proteus and Cardinal. They've introduced a new system called Sequoia to boost holiday demand and announced Digit, a safety-focused two-legged mobile robot for warehouses. While Amazon claims to create new jobs alongside automation, critics like union organizer Stuart Richards worry about job losses in fulfillment centers.
In response to a challenging labor market, Amazon is turning to robotics for efficiency, deploying over 750,000 robots like Proteus and Cardinal throughout its supply chain. They've introduced Sequoia for holiday demand and Digit for warehouse use, emphasizing safety and reduced workplace incidents. While Amazon argues for job creation alongside automation, critics like Stuart Richards express concerns about job losses in fulfillment centers.
Medication & Hospitals
US Hospitals Scramble for Substitute Medications Amidst Shortages
Shortages of medicines and medical equipment in the United States are causing significant challenges for healthcare providers, as revealed by a survey conducted by The ECRI, a patient safety organization. This survey, titled the "Drug, Supply, and Equipment Shortage Survey," highlights the difficulties in providing safe and appropriate healthcare due to shortages, resulting in unsafe practices and compromised care. The ongoing shortages, which began with the COVID-19 pandemic, are now occurring at an alarming rate, making it challenging to deliver high-quality patient care responsibly.
Hospitals are considering various strategies to mitigate these shortages, including creating backup inventory, adjusting automatic replacement levels, and purchasing more expensive alternatives. The survey indicates that many hospitals have resorted to rationing drugs (86% of respondents), purchasing alternative products from secondary markets (35%), and using drugs, supplies, or equipment beyond their specified labeling (42%). Efforts are underway to educate clinical staff about the safe dosing of alternative drugs and the proper utilization of supplies and equipment. However, healthcare professionals are increasingly frustrated and concerned about the ongoing depletion of resources and its impact on patient safety.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
💨 Port of Virginia to Spearhead Development of Mid-Atlantic's Offshore Wind Logistics Hub. The Port of Virginia has taken a significant step toward becoming the central logistics hub for the Mid-Atlantic's expanding offshore wind energy sector. It received its first shipment of components for Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project. Crew members used specialized handling equipment to offload eight large monopile foundations at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT). The port has converted a former container terminal to accommodate these massive and heavy components, and its strategic location and investment in infrastructure make it well-suited to serve the growing offshore wind industry in the region. The CVOW project will involve the installation of 176 offshore wind turbines off the coast of Virginia Beach.
🛳 Hapag-Lloyd Achieves Digitalization Milestone with 700,000 Smart Containers. Hapag-Lloyd has achieved a significant milestone in its digitalization efforts, with nearly 50% of its container fleet now equipped with tracking devices. Germany’s Federal Minister of Digital and Transport, Dr. Volker Wissing, recently installed the 700,000th tracking device, turning a standard shipping container into a smart container. Hapag-Lloyd aims to equip its entire fleet of 1.6 million dry containers with these smart devices by early 2024, becoming the only steam shipping line globally with a fully-digital container fleet. The tracking devices provide real-time location data, shock event recording, and ambient temperature monitoring, and are solar battery-powered and explosion-proof, enhancing safety and supply chain efficiency.
🇨🇳 Clothing Manufacturers Struggle to Diversify from China's Supply Chain. Clothing manufacturers, including major brands like Adidas and Nike, have been relocating their supply chains away from China due to geopolitical tensions and cost considerations. However, they are now encountering challenges in finding suitable alternative production hubs. Some are even reconsidering and returning to China. The well-established and mature ecosystem in China, built over decades, provides competitive pricing, stable quality, and efficient mass production that is challenging to replicate elsewhere. Apparel makers and factory owners interviewed by Bloomberg News share this view, highlighting the difficulties of breaking away from China's supply chain.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
⛽️ Diesel Price Sees 9.1¢ Drop, Reaching $4.454 per Gallon. The national average price of diesel fuel has decreased by 9.1 cents to reach $4.454 per gallon, following a recent 10.1-cent increase, which was driven by a 25-cent spike in the Midwest due to Magellan Pipeline system outages. Compared to the same period last year, the cost of a gallon of diesel is 86.3 cents lower. In the Energy Information Administration's weekly survey, diesel prices dropped in all 10 regions, with California experiencing the steepest decline of 12.6 cents, bringing the state's average price to $5.890 per gallon. Meanwhile, gasoline prices also decreased by 6 cents per gallon nationally, with an average price of $3.473 per gallon.
💻 Slump in Major Purchases Contradicts Positive Government Consumer Data. Manufacturers of high-value items like refrigerators, boats, and orthodontic products are facing reduced demand despite positive macroeconomic indicators in the U.S. Consumers are exercising caution in their major purchases, impacting industries relying on discretionary spending. Companies like Whirlpool have reported weaker demand for appliances in home improvement and construction settings, leading to increased industry-wide discounting. Align Technology has also seen lower demand for teeth straighteners, reflecting consumer reluctance to undergo such procedures. These trends appear to counter the generally robust consumer spending data and may signal a shift in consumer sentiment influenced by factors like inflation, rising interest rates, economic uncertainties, and geopolitical concerns.
🚗 UAW and Detroit Automakers Reach Landmark Labor Deal, but Leave Implications for Industry and EVs. A tentative agreement between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Detroit automakers, including General Motors, has put an end to a six-week labor strike and resulted in significant contracts for 146,000 UAW members. The deals offer substantial benefits, including 25% compounded raises, reinstated cost-of-living adjustments, increased 401(k) contributions, and improved profit-sharing bonuses. While UAW members and local union leaders must still approve the agreements, the negotiations have garnered attention from UAW President Shawn Fain and received support from President Joe Biden. However, the "Big Three" automakers may face higher labor costs, potentially impacting their electric vehicle plans, while Tesla could benefit from delayed electric vehicle rollouts by competitors.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
⛓️ Limited Progress in Tackling Modern Slavery Risk. A Gartner survey reveals that 71% of sustainable procurement leaders prioritize addressing modern slavery risk, but only half of them are making effective progress in this area. Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) are encouraged to take proactive measures beyond achieving supply chain visibility to combat modern slavery, particularly involving forced labor. To address this challenge, CPOs should focus on building visibility across multiple tiers of suppliers, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers at higher risk based on geography or commodity sources. Gartner advises CPOs to set clear policies, conduct supplier training, assess suppliers effectively, rectify issues discovered during audits, and integrate risk mitigation into the entire supplier lifecycle to continue addressing modern slavery risks.
👨🏻💻 New Speaker Johnson Faces Array of Pressing Issues as Leadership Transition Takes Place. The new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, is facing a busy fall agenda with various critical issues on the table. These include decisions about foreign aid for conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, avoiding a government shutdown, and addressing aviation industry and water resources policies. Other priorities highlighted by key figures in Congress include addressing energy and supply chain challenges, reauthorizing agencies like the FAA and Coast Guard, and managing funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has also emphasized the need for supplemental funding for disaster relief and foreign policy matters, along with advancing transportation legislation for fiscal year 2024 before the November 17 government funding deadline.
👮🏼♀️ Estes Cyberattack Leads to Temporary Disruption in Freight Industry. Estes has successfully recovered from the recent cyberattack, according to President and COO Webb Estes. Despite the attack, the Richmond-based carrier managed to maintain its freight operations throughout the month as it worked diligently to respond to the cyber incident, which had disrupted its systems, terminal phones, and email accounts. Estes expressed gratitude for its employees' hard work and customers' support in keeping America's freight moving. The company's systems are now fully back online, with a focus on meeting its customers' freight needs. Estes enlisted the help of GuidePoint Security to safely restore its systems, enabling the recovery of its website, "My Estes" program, shipping applications, and API connections. Specific details about the extent and duration of the freight disruptions caused by the cyberattack were not provided.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 22, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.