The last entry looked at supply chain security in reference to containers crossing borders. There is another interpretation of the phrase supply chain security. It can also mean the assurance of an uninterrupted supply chain.
Businesses are no longer content to buy items from the mom & pop store down the street. "Global" Sourcing is one of the hottest topics around. See my own entry Sourcing In China as well as the 2006 Global Industrial Strategic Marketing Summit For MROP Manufacturers/Suppliers information located listed under the banner Unlock the Secrets of Doing Business in China and Other Markets.
Therefore, what happens in one part of the world may very well affect your supply chain in a way that you think at first glance is totally unrelated.
For example, political turmoil leads to higher oil prices which in turn lead to higher prices for vinyl (an oil derivative). Then the price of binders goes higher as does your office supply budget. What if you manufacture products that rely on raw materials from an unstable area? It may not be a case of higher prices, it may be a case of complete product unavailability.
What is your company doing to combat this type of supply chain INsecurity?
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