Chems industry must prepare for unexpected crises - logistics exec

06 April 2011 14:22  [Source: ICIS news]

ANTWERP (ICIS)--The chemical industry must learn to manage uncertainty in the face of unexpected crises, an executive at global logistics company Agility said on Wednesday.

“Our industry is very vulnerable from what is happening in end-user markets.

"We must learn to modify our behaviour to accommodate crises and put more flexibility in our response to them,” Mark Ridge, global director for marketing and communications at Agility Chemicals, told delegates at LogiChem 2011 - the10th Annual European Bulk and Specialty Chemical Supply Chain Conference.

Citing recent disasters in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, Ridge said that the chemical supply chain must adapt to manage uncertainty in the future as well as the changing dynamics in population and demand growth.

He added that the chemical logistics sector will continue to face increasing complexity from stricter regulatory controls, new and emerging markets, as well as customers’ calls for shorter delivery times.

Chemical companies will have to decide too between having complex and simple supply chains, Ridge said.

“Complex supply chains may deliver more value but they have greater exposure to risk and uncertainty. Simple supply chains may not deliver the efficiency desired but they are more likely to be robust in the face of uncertainty,” he said.

The conference runs through Thursday.

By: Elaine Burridge
+44 20 8652 3214

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly