Specialty Fabrics Review January 2021 - 28

Fisher Textile's Disenfectex DFX 5000 Soft Knit specialized fabrics have been treated
with HeiQ V-Block, a self-sanitizing antimicrobial treatment. The PPE SEG barriers can
be deployed for a variety of purposes such as counter-top barriers, desk dividers, room
dividers, and pop-up screens for restaurants (pictured). Aluminum frame provided by
REXframe. Printed/produced by Printed Ink. Photo: Fisher Textiles Inc.

Want more? We have it!
Search " textile supply chain " at
www.SpecialtyFabricsReview.com

" Arrival ports for vessels worldwide
have been closed or at reduced capacity,
and there have been missed sailings, "
Busch says. " There have been rail
bottlenecks and chassis shortages. All
of these delays have a significant impact
on the supply chain. If you aren't in a
strong position with a flexible supply
chain and the ability to adapt quickly,
these delays can be catastrophic.
" We're also starting to see major
domestic freight carriers announcing
new higher pricing for 2021, " he
continues. " This will be difficult for
businesses struggling to recover from
reduced business during the pandemic. "
The risk of supply chain disruptions
is inevitable as manufacturing
moves more toward just-in-time
inventory and production practices,
says Yokeley, adding that mitigating

these disruptions requires research
and communication, providing
transparency all along the supply chain.
Companies can reduce their chances
of experiencing supply chain issues
by forming strong, collaborative
partnerships with their suppliers, says
Busch. Don't overlook the role freight
forwarders and third-party logistics
(3PL) service play, he cautions.
" They're a major part of the chain
and this is where the biggest successes
and greatest failures can happen, "
Busch says. " Ensure your forwarder
is a good fit for your business. If
there are cracks in your supply chain,
they will only become greater during
difficult or high-pressure times like
this pandemic. "
Bennett doesn't see the situation
easing anytime soon; demand will
continue testing current capacities.
Consequently, manufacturers must
factor in longer lead times. Forecasting
to ensure orders are ready when needed
will be imperative, and companies
may need to place multiple orders with
future ship dates. They should also
consider exploring secondary suppliers
of essential raw materials, he advises,
and identify alternative products that
might be used in case of a grave supply
chain disruption.
" This pandemic has proven there
is a need for a blend of offshoresupplied and domestically supplied
products, " Busch says. " The blend
percentage is still developing. While
there have been difficulties, the U.S.
fabric industry has been surprising in
the agility it has displayed in response
to skyrocketing demand. We've seen
creativity and cooperation to ensure
that manufacturers and customers
have the fabrics needed to keep
their businesses going. "
Pamela Mills-Senn is a Long Beach,
Calif.-based writer.

28 SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW / January 2021

0121RV_p22-29_F1.indd 28

12/17/20 10:35 PM
http://www.SpecialtyFabricsReview.com
Specialty Fabrics Review January 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Specialty Fabrics Review January 2021
