COVID19
OUR Emergency PPE Supply Chain
Project Kick-Off
As of March 20th, 2020, The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation launched a Team-of-Teams supply chain solution to solve for the needs of overwhelmed medical/care center procurement offices and local governments, while also mobilizing Made in USA manufacturing to fill PPE supply gaps caused by overwhelming demand and the fragility of globalized supply chains.
We’ve been working with a number of collaborating organizations to get PPE where it is most needed; minimizing the number of random inquiries that drive up costs, eliminating scams, and increasing supply chain diversity and resiliency.
“OUR MISSION: JOB CREATION. ECONOMIC STABILITY. NATIONAL SECURITY. SAVING LIVES.”
Project PASSed to rOS
We never could have imagined what this important initiative would turn into when we asked our global community to help in March. Since it has grown exponentially, we have passed the reigns and ownership of this initiative to REFASHIOND OS (rOS), our operating company.
This project now has a dedicated and growing core team and network of partners.
Together we will get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time of WE before ME.
White Glove Services
Our offering is currently squarely focused on our white glove service offering to best facilitate the de-risking of our buyers’ investment in new supply lines. We have been vetting hundreds of suppliers and will be adding our vetted suppliers to select private marketplaces, like JOOR, which are best served through USA landed products in dedicated distribution centers. It has taken us since March to establish this trusted network and we will notify buyers when any new offerings go live or become available through any new channels.
WHO PAYS FOR THIS SERVICE?
We charge fees to Supply Chain Services Companies (including brokers and wholesalers), Government Sub-contractors, and Government organizations. We DO NOT charge fees to Hospitals, Care Centers, or Donors.
We have focused on the orchestration of direct relationships with a handful of top international suppliers, while establishing viable U.S. and Mexican Manufacturer pipelines.
Our PPE Journey
Just like everything we do, started with community.
CALLED TO ACTION
COVID-19 has triggered exhaustive demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) and exposed weaknesses in the global supply chain. In the U.S., supply chains are inherited more often than they are created; leaving legacy systems unable to quickly modify supplier lists during shortages.
When approved vendors are sold out and backordered, local governments, medical administrators and procurement officers are left scrambling to secure product while avoiding scams and profiteering.
Additionally, groups of entrepreneurs and good-hearted citizens mobilized resources to source donations and facilitate purchases - this is great to see! However, it is important to ensure there is no unintended negative consequence of this effort (i.e. global price increases). We saw the need to orchestrate new supplier vetting and frictionless access, but also to coordinate across multiple grassroots movements.
The result is a team-of-teams platform that was stood up in 10-days from innovators across The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation ecosystem.
SUPPLY SHOCK, PERCEPTION VS REALITY
Since December, there have been various short-term bans on medical exports in countries such as Japan, China and India until their domestic needs had been met - creating massive supply shocks around the world.
The perception is that grassroots movements will no longer be needed when governments and the private sector steps in with supply initiatives until the infection curve flattens. Companies like Honeywell, 3M, United Technologies and Jockey announced on March 30, 2020 that they are ramping up US-based production.
However, the likelihood of more supply shocks are inevitable if we maintain the pace through May and beyond. Care centers, non-profits, street medicine, and most of the general population also need to be protected beyond the projected 360+ million masks per month required for medical workers alone. Even with the efforts by existing large companies, as well as reuse/sterilization initiatives, there will still be huge monthly shortages.
THE REFASHIONING OF SUPPLY CHAINS
The impact of this pandemic will have lasting effects on the global supply requirements long into the future. The moments of fear, uncertainty, and grave loss of loved ones has already changed consumer values.
The general public has taken ownership of supporting compassionate access to PPE and healthcare. However, the importance of jobs and family viability is taking center stage with rolling lockdowns accompanied by layoffs and furloughs. Our awareness of sustainability needs for all manufactures; apparel or medical will be a topic of ongoing conversation.
As we arrive into a “new normal” of life beyond COVID-19, supply chain transparency and environmental impact KPI’s will become as common as a nutritional label. Localized manufacturing strategies will be normalized to cultivate a circular economy that does less harm to people and our environment as well as increase supply chain agility, resilience and overall national security.
Free Downloadable Supply Chain Booklet
The World is a Supply Chain™ / by REFASHIOND Ventures / Download REFASHIOND Ventures’ FREE 36 Page PDF Booklet on Supply Chain