After the economy has picked up speed again, it is slowed down by material shortages and disrupted supply chains. Economists are already talking about a "bottleneck recession". What to do? How should companies transform their sourcing and secure their supply chains for 2022?

Excerpts from a recent article in the Creditreform magazine on the topic of "How to stabilise supply chains". with an article by the Managing Director of Management Angels, Erdwig Holste, and the interim manager from the Management Angels Pool, Peter Grosse.

"Reducing working capital and the just-in-time philosophy only make sense as long as the economy is running like clockwork."
Peter Grosse, supply chain consultant

Another link in the supply chain also lends itself to adjustment. "Many companies are planning to expand their warehousing," observes Lisandra Flach, head of the Ifo Center for Foreign Trade. Peter Grosse thinks this is right. Although a larger warehouse ties up capital, it strengthens the security of material supply. "The fixation on reducing working capital, which has led to the just-in-time philosophy, only makes sense as long as the economy is running like clockwork. If there are major problems like those triggered by Corona, you're just stuck in a traffic jam and production comes to a standstill."

"Experts for innovative supply chain solutions are desperately needed at the moment."
Erdwig Holste, Management Angels

Companies can also optimise their supply chains through external support. Erdwig Holste, Managing Director of the personnel consultancy Management Angels, which places managers like Peter Grosse on a temporary basis, knows: "Experts for innovative supply chain solutions are desperately sought at the moment. What is needed are experts who can quickly bring in operational experience and at the same time think outside the box, bring new ideas, bring a breath of fresh air to established organisations. 

Interim managers are used to rolling up their sleeves and getting started." Holste is convinced that a manager who comes to a company as a freelancer for three, six or nine months or longer pays off very quickly: "Those who reorganise their supply chains now make themselves more resilient for the next crisis, which is guaranteed to come." Added benefit: The supply chain know-how that an external manager brings with him remains in the company even after the project is completed.

You can read more here.