The supply chain and logistics industries are focused on the movement of cargo around the world. Maybe that’s why it’s so ironic that many organizations were not prepared when they needed to switch their operations to working from home.
Our world and our work is fast paced and demanding. Here’s a look at how industry professionals will need to adapt moving forward.
Flexibility is Key
When we developed TOC’s operations, we made sure, from the beginning, that we would be capable of performing our work from anywhere. This was originally something that we did so that our team members could be home for their families if they needed to. However, when COVID-19 hit, it became obvious that our flexible nature was going to be key to our success.
For companies to thrive in the future of the logistics industry, they’ll need to be prepared to pack up and move if necessary. The irony of a static job, contrasted by moving cargo, is a little thick. Work conditions may require us to work from home, from coffee shops, or from halfway around the world. If we’re set up to accomplish that already, then in the event of something like this ever happening again, we’re prepared.
Get Creative
It’s hard to anticipate earth-moving events like the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a few backup plans, in case things get a little unusual.
As a 3PL, it’s our job to make sure that our customers’ freight gets where it needs to be when it needs to be there. That can be a bit of a challenge when ports are closed around the U.S. and the globe.
To combat this, we’ve started working with Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) around the country. We get our customers a space in the FTZ that’s closest to the port they need to ship from. Then, once the port opens, we only have to arrange the shipment from the FTZ to the port, instead of all the way from the origin. It means our customers’ shipments get sent out as quickly and as efficiently as possible. This gives our customers peace of mind and inspired our team to keep looking for new and innovative solutions to situations that pop up in the industry. After all, the point of our jobs is to put our customers and their shipments first.
Our team is innovative and ready to help get your shipments where they need to be. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer and how we can help you.