Isometric illustration of the worldwide supply chain

Contributed By AFFLINK

The non-profit Institute for Supply Chain Management (ISM) has just released its third survey on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting supply chains around the world.

 The first two surveys were published in March and April. This latest survey was published towards the end of July 2020. The study involves 675 managers, directors, and vice presidents involved in U.S. supply chain management and manufacturing.

Most work for companies making less than $500 million in annual revenues.

“Overall, it shows supply chain disruption is still impacting most industry sectors,” says Michael Wilson, vice president of marketing and packaging for AFFLINK, a leading sales and marketing organization for the jan/san, healthcare, packaging, and related industries. "While healthcare, food and beverage, tobacco, and [the] computer and electronics sectors are doing well, most others continue to struggle due to the pandemic.”

Among the latest ISM findings are the following:

- Most (97 percent) say they have or will be impacted by supply chain disruptions.

- Severe disruptions are reported in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Korea, parts of Europe, and “most particularly,” China.

- Average lead time - the amount of time between ordering a product and its delivery - has improved, but still lags pre-COVID operations.

- Seventy-seven percent say it is taking longer to get products from Chinese manufacturers.

- U.S. domestic manufacturing is operating at 74 percent of normal capacity; Chinese production is at 76 percent of normal capacity.

- Most respondents say they have enough inventory to support current operations. However, confidence this will continue is on the decline in the U.S. (64 percent), Mexico (49 percent), and Canada (55 percent).

- Most respondents report they are delaying hiring new staffers; instead, 31 percent will reduce work hours, and 27 percent will decrease headcount.

“While the survey did not specifically address the jan/san industry or other service industries in the North America, we know many of the components and equipment used in cleaning and related industries are made in China and Europe,” says Wilson. “Because of this, cleaning professionals should expect delivery delays for some machines.”