Dairy Processing - September/October 2023 - 56

SUPPLY CHAIN
" They're still working on the rules and initiatives to
implement (the Ocean Shipping Reform Act), and essentially
make sure that we don't ever have a situation where ocean
carriers just aren't picking up our goods again, " she said. " But
having appropriate rules in place for position carriers is much,
much better informed by our processors providing them input
on what they experienced and what they need to do moving
forward in order to get their exports out the door. "
Domestically, ongoing labor issues in the trucking industry
have caused numerous problems for processors moving their
products. Rasdall said advocacy of workforce solutions,
including immigration reform, is essential in tackling the
problem.
" We're absolutely not giving up the fact that we need more
drivers, and we need more workforce solutions - whether
that's in the plant, in a warehouse, in a truck - we 100%
continue to advocate for immigration reform that would
allow for more workers in all of those areas, " she said. " But I
think we also try to support any creative initiatives that this
administration has come up with, like getting a pilot program
in place to help young truck drivers go straight into their truck
driver training and apprenticeships at the age of 18 instead
of having to wait until they're 21 or making sure that those
who are seeking their CDL can have flexibilities like interstate
testing and things like that. So anything we can do at any
creative angle to make it easier to become a driver - and
become a driver younger. "
Other potential transportation solutions include
developing contingency plans for transportation disruptions,
including alternative routes and modes of transportation and
collaborating with logistics providers to ensure flexible and
efficient delivery options.
Some companies have reengineered their pallet design
and packaging designs to lower the weight of their product
in order to fit more on a truck. Additionally, increasing gross
vehicle weight limits at the federal level could help get more
product on a truck and use fewer trucks on the road. " In
dairy, we tend to weigh out a truck before you fill it up, so the
weight limit placed on a truck really, really matters, " Rasdall
said.
UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY
Investments in technology are happening across the industry at
a breakneck pace. Utilizing technology such as sensors and data
analytics can improve supply chain visibility and traceability, while
forecasting and demand planning tools anticipate fluctuations in
demand and supply.
Data is a powerful tool in supply chain management, as is
data transparency as a part of supplier partnerships in order to
monitor supply chain performance and assess vulnerabilities.
" If we can track our luggage when we fly, why can't we
track more easily than we currently are able to our goods when
they're moving across the road or across the water? " Rasdall
said. " There's some solutions in place for that, but they're not
consistent. And depending on who your transportation carrier
might be, they might not want to share that information with you
once they take possession of it, even though you're the one that's
bound to the customer at the other end. "
According to McKinsey & Company, a global management
consulting firm, one way to minimize risk when sharing data
56 SEP-OCT 2023 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
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Dairy Processing - September/October 2023

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