SPRING 2022

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THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Chris Donnell
Chris Donnell is the National Sales Director for Scanwell Logistics International (CHI)
Inc., specializing in Supply Chain Management, Inventory Control, Logistics Sales and
Management. Chris excels at selling the “Solution” to advanced program analysis and
implementation. A highly ambitious and effective team leader who thrives on the challenges
of this industry, Chris currently oversees a National Sales and Partnership Program consisting
of more than 100 Sales executives who focus primarily on SCM and Logistics development in
most vertical markets. Contact Chris at 847-228-6789 or email: chrisdonnell@scanwell.com.
2022 TRANSPORTATION AND
SUPPLY CHAIN OUTLOOK
Is it just me, or does the transportation world resemble
the Bill Murray movie, “Groundhog Day” – the same
struggles over and over again, day in and day out? Just when
we thought there would be some sort of let up, something
comes around the bend and throws us back into the fray.
For most people I’ve spoken to, they all reiterated
how glad they are knowing that 2021 is over, kaput, in the
rear-view mirror. There was no supply chain on planet earth
that was not negatively affected by Covid and the resultant
turmoil it unleashed on the transportation world in 2021.
From extended lead times, to extensive transportation
bottlenecks; from inflated transportation costs and asinine
surcharges to political unjust, all that have left an indelible
mark on the global transportation world.
Now the question, are we really looking forward to
2022 and what it will bring? Do any of you think it’s going
to get any better? Well, let me highlight some things we all
need to keep an eye on, things that will have a dramatic
impact on the transportation market as a whole.
US And China Trade Tensions
Without going into who’s at fault or responsible,
make no mistake about it, this will certainly have a major
impact on the global supply chain and the economy of both
countries, here are a few issues surrounding this topic.
[a] Renewal of the Trump Tariffs
[b] China’s reluctancy to fulfill their agricultural
agreement to purchase 200 billion dollars’ worth of product
from the US in the years 2019 and 2020. As of February
18th they still are not working towards an amicable
solution.
[c] Territorial rights of Taiwan and Japan and the
alliances between the US and those countries.
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
[d] US Customs paying more attention to forced
labor and buying from manufacturers who use this type of
business practice. This focus kicked off in late 2021 and
is becoming more and more of an issue, especially for the
garment and textile industries (WRO).
Covid Continues To Wreak Havoc On The
Labor Force Globally
Just look at the almost intolerable conditions the
athletes in the Winter Games are going through. Many
countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and others are just
coming back and there are rumors that Europe is seeing a
massive spike in covid related cases and deaths. Look for
Covid to continue hindering the transportation world - if not
directly then indirectly.
We recently received word out of Vietnam that they
are shutting down again and people are being forced back
into their homes and back to the virtual workforce. We are
also seeing portions of Ningbo and other cities go into
quarantine recently. It is not any better throughout Europe.
Russia And The Ukraine
This dilemma currently unfolding is Europe is something
to keep and eye out for. The Russians have been amassing
a large troop and equipment concentration at the border of
the Ukraine, this is rattling the NATO powers. Today we’re
already feeling some of the impacts this stalemate has
caused such as fuel and oil prices are on the rise. Oil has
shot up to about $100 dollars a barrel and the impact we
are seeing is everywhere petroleum and oil is used such as
in plastics, gasoline prices increasing and others. Should
an invasion take place the economic impact would be felt
globally.
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