A look at the global supply chain problems

[Kapitan]

The global supply chain network has over the last few years suffered massive disruption not just from the pandemic but also disrupters in the industry itself

Wall Street journal has a look at the logistic and supply chain industry as a whole including final mile deliveries and shows how companies like Amazon are changing the way the industry operates (not always for the better)

Really good look at how the stuff you order gets to your front door

Note this has ramification to militaries as well as a lot of items are shipped via commercial carrier these days

https://youtu.be/1KtTAb9Tl6E

[Skybird]

No reserves anymore, but delivery on time. Supply chains. Globalization. Computer networks.



It all maximses luxury and comfort - at the cost of redundancy and safety. Or yo save a few pennies - while going head over heels into unimaginably deep risks.



I like computers. I hate computer networks. I'm in prominent company.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPKGbg16ulU

[Jimbuna]

Used up some spare time last year doing work for Hermes and what an eye opener that was.

Got to know the guy whose round included my address and politely told him that if I ever found a parcel that had obviously been thrown over my fence "I know where you're at every morning" :)

[Kapitan]

The likes of Amazon have been killing the LTL side of the industry for years and now they are muscling in.

They transfer all the risk to the contractor and here's something you should really know if your planning on doing any work for them in the UK specifically.

First off does your car insurance allow you to do this type of work its usually called a business policy.
I would bet that many don't bother with checking that tiny fact, but it does mean if you get into an accident you open yourself right up to prosecution as the insurer has legal grounds now to not pay out or indeed insure you at all as you have breached the terms of the policy.

Secondly some drivers have double wheel rear axle vans rated to 5.5t hopefully they are aware that even though they don't physically exceed 3.5t they still require a category C1 license.

Also as that type of vehicle is beyond 3.5t it falls into the scope of being required to have an O license, as well as a tachograph.

So you get caught and then what does amazon do ?

Nothing because they are not liable in their contract its all on you.


Other sectors have also suffered greatly due to fuel prices, lack of staff wanting to do the job, in truth the transport side is a bit of a s**t show

[Skybird]

More and more often I find mysel in actual NEED to order something online because in town there are no shops and department stores offering what I am looking for. Or the prices. I accept that something for the oridjnmary dialy household use, say thing shtta cost in the two diogiot range, cost up to lets say 10% more in shops than it costs online, and maybe sometimes even more. But when they start to charge twice as much and more, my tolarenc wears out quickly. Finally, with online orders you are often in a better position regarding legal aspects like warranty and especially rights to give something back without depending on the good will of the seller. It legally binding. Many depoarzment stores will show good will, but that is something different than legal oglibation - at the end of the day you are oin the weaker position, and some real life shops shops use this against you. For online sellers this is legally more difficult, they are bound by laws.


The logistics contractors obviously have no fun day when they do their tours, but have plenty of stress, exhaustion and bad payment. I know that, thats why I try to be kind to them when meeting them personally (not often these Corona days) and they are not unfriendly from their side. But then, when I could quit jobs in my past and look for another one, others can do the same, or not?! Abuse always has two sides involved: one who abuses another, and one who lets himself getting abused. I had bad, lousy jobs, I had better, easier jobs. I tried to replace the first for the latter, and I did. (Granted, I was lucky and could escape the treadmill earlier than most, although at a cost, but to me its worth it).

[Kapitan]

Contractors don't have fun at work, there's always the pressure of the clock and not to mention other regulations that hamper their day.

In all its not a brilliant job but a much needed one, just think nearly everything you buy will have come either by ship plane train or truck at some point in its journey or a combination of them all.