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No matter the size of your business, supply chain networks can change quickly, and you must be able to react just as fast. Time-sensitive, fresh-food deliveries, lean supply chains, increased demand uncertainties and shorter product lifecycles all necessitate the ability to adjust food and beverage operations when change arises. Having an agile supply chain can give you a strategic advantage over your competition and allow you to handle disruptions or take advantage of new opportunities.

Here are three scenarios where the ability to address rapid change is critical:

Unexpected Changes to Consumer Demand

Sometimes it is hard to forecast what consumers will want or when they will want it. When the pandemic first hit, for example, there was a surge in demand for toilet paper packaged goods. Severe weather, such as a hurricane, can also cause a run-up in demand as consumers stock up on food and beverage supplies to make it through the storm. Even a chicken sandwich that goes viral or a hot toy that takes off at Christmas can leave shippers scrambling to ramp up production as well as transportation capacity.

Seasonal Spikes

Some industries have expected, distinctive peaks and can plan ahead. Grocers anticipate an increase in purchases around holidays, particularly Thanksgiving, Christmas and Memorial Day. Home improvement stores know that spring and summer tend to be busier. If you know you have seasonal spikes coming, preparing in advance can help you ebb and flow seamlessly with shifts in demand.

Network Disruptions

Natural disasters, factory shutdowns, port closures or even a supplier failure can cause companies to seek out alternative suppliers, which can create dramatic shifts in transportation needs. If this happens to you, you may experience longer lengths of haul, need to find capacity in new routes or regions or seek out a new mode. You could also experience different equipment needs and transition to a larger or smaller piece of equipment depending on your capacity requirements.

How Penske Can Help

We have several options to help you flex quickly with food and beverage market transitions, including commercial rental trucks, truck leases (including some short-term options), logistics services and used trucks. Our team of experts can also help you if you are suddenly faced with a crisis or opportunity, and they can assist in proactive planning, so you're ready before the next surge or shift hits.