TAKING ON A WORLD IN CRISIS The current global storm of shipping delays, driver and material shortages, rising prices and general volatility have required movers to adapt their operational strategies significantly. Dominic Weaver hears from selected asset-heavy and asset-light US movers, and two industry commentators, on mitigating the worst impact on customers, staff and businesses J JOHN WARLICK, HILLDRUP ohn Warlick, Executive Vice-President and Managing Director of International at Hilldrup, cites the global supply chain as the companys biggest existing challenge. The uncertainty of business volume and all COVID-related concerns of last year were difficult, but the current situation is unlike any I have seen in my career, he says. Material and labour shortages fall into this category as well. Pricing volatility because of the supply chain issues makes it very difficult to predict what the market will look like for the next six months. With added time for every transaction in the move process, Hilldrups staff now have more to manage, he says, although this is not always a straightforward task. Finding capacity, changing schedules, and longer transit times all place stress throughout the entire 26 FF304 Dec_Jan 22 pp26-33 Special feature_Crises 2.indd 26 transportation supply chain, adding further cost and impacting on service delivery, he says. Arpins Vice-President of Global Business Development, Michael Hughes, says: Employees moving into the US will need to manage without their belongings for an extended timeframe and in some cases as much as three-plus months longer than planned; however, the real point of frustration is not necessarily the extended amount of time, but the object of the unknown. Often having no definitive answers available for customers can be a huge frustration, he says. If a shipper is informed that they cannot receive their goods at the expected timelines, they have no affirmation of a future date or timeline when they can expect delivery. The best option, and often the last thing that they want to hear, is to be prepared for the long haul and make arrangements that can cover your WW W. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 07/12/2021 16:38