New GAO Report on Port Security: The Good and the Bad

Supply chain security should be as strategic for a Chief Supply Chain Officer/Vice President, Supply Chain, as reducing costs and driving value for the company. There I said it and I believe it. For any supply chain executive that is committing to anything less is selling his/her company short.

Speaking of security, the GAO published a new report today on C-TPAT and its flaws. Frankly, I'm not surprised. The endeavor is a huge one that Robert Bonner put forth in 2001 and its going to take time to make it work flawlessly. And its going to take both the public and private sector to succeed. I applaud Sen. Susan Collins from Maine, who said the report shows the importance of the private sector's continued cooperation in helping improve port security. "I will continue to work with DHS and the private sector to ensure the effectiveness of the crucial port security program."

This is critical. But corporations are going to need to make security a priority. We need to realize that their is only one supply chain for all of us around the world. If anything happens in one port it can and WILL effect us all with delays and possible extra charges. Understanding this simple premise can make dedicating the right resources to this effort much easier to invest in.

Logistics Disaster, Leads to Recycling Headache

Great article and video in the Wall Street Journal about a cargo boat that tipped over carrying nearly 5,000 brand new Mazda cars worth $100 million. Instead of reselling them for cheap Mazda decided to scrap them all and cut them up into little pieces. The pieces will then be shipped back to Asia and recycled and perhaps made into cars again. Almost an end to end supply chain right before your eyes! What would you have done?

Check out the article and video.

My New Car Exists

On April 16 I posted an article about the new BMW I had purchased after finally giving up on shipping my Mini Cooper to Europe from New York. When I purchased the car I was pleasently surprised to learn that on a regular basis I could inquire about the manufacturing status of my new ride. Last week it went into production, later in the week it was painted and as of today it's finished and ready for pick up.

I'll be picking it up myself at BMW Welt the automakers spiffy new manufacturing and customer center in Munich, Germanhy on May 30th. At the site I'll be given a tour on the manufacturing process and you can bet that I'll document the entire thing. So stay tuned.