A recent Supply Chain Digest piece recently covered a few of the supply chain mega-risks that you need to be prepared for, because chances are that you can statistically count on at least one of them happening in the near future.
The mega-risks highlighted by Supply Chain Digest include:
- Terrorists Attack Your Port
The article focussed on an attack at at US port, such as the Ports of Los Angeles or Long Beach, which could cripple supply chains for a number of multi-nationals, but an attack at a major port in China, for example, could be just as devastating. - A New War Breaks Out
The article hypothesized that Israel could attack Iran over nuclear capabilities, but war could break out anywhere tensions are high. Northern Ireland, Africa, Venezuala … who knows. - Pandemic
The article mentioned the Swine Flu. But it could be Bird Flu. Or SARS. Or something worse. - Rapid Inflation / Deflation
The dollar could rise, or fall, rapidly.
But those are just a few of the mega-risks. As highlighted in nine cautionary tales (which I reviewed in your supply chain is not secure I and II), you also have:
- Massive Power Failure
A targeted attack or opportune failure in a critical region of the grid can take out a city, state, or even an entire region of the country. - Toxic Atmosphere
A train wreck could unleash toxic chemicals into the air and make an entire subdivision, town, or city uninhabitable for an indefinite amount of time. - Severe Oil Shortage
A single attack on a major refinery or drilling platform could take out a sizeable chunk of global production. - Agro-Armageddon
Mad-cow could spread faster than a viral outbreak and decimate national farm populations.
And natural disasters and catastrophes, though unlikely, that are still too numerous to mention. Are you ready?