Supply Chains Must Adjust Planning, Expectations To Cope With Unreliable Demand

The patchwork of reopening strategies across the country has produced unreliable demand signals for essential and nonessential items. As states reopen at different times and in different ways, demand for nonessential items is likely to grow in one region while remaining stagnant in another.

This presents a challenge, particularly for companies that have adjusted output to anticipate changes in consumer buying patterns or that have converted manufacturing resources to produce essential items.

When demand for hockey equipment came to a halt during the pandemic, Bauer started making face shields and fabric face masks. The effort allowed the company to repurpose its Blainville, Quebec, plant instead of closing it, according to MarketWatch.