welcome 2 IN THE CHAIR


THE FUTURE MAY BE UNCERTAIN BUT ONE THING WILL NEVER CHANGE


There are far more questions than answers for global supply chains right now and more uncertainties in the world of business than most of us can ever recall.


Speculation is rife about how companies and governments will react to the lessons they have been forced to learn from a global pandemic that has taken the whole world by surprise. We read about a future of onshoring, near-shoring and even some bids for the acceleration of 3D printing technologies to make products locally. We can expect digitisation, artificial intelligence, robotics, automation or just plain old technology to reduce the dependency of businesses on humans who have proven to be so susceptible to a virus that has left entire workforces locked down at home or furloughed from their places of work. We should also expect to see long-term consequences on the modes of transport we need to move goods around the world, with airlines, shipping lines, road and rail businesses faced with high costs and very uncertain demand.


In some cases, the changes will be beneficial. The need to invest in new technologies will make sense to more and more business leaders so long as they can fund the investments required and motivate their employee groups to carry on performing vital roles until the day automation takes over. Jobs in factories and warehouses will be especially vulnerable to this shift while, surely, the case


for autonomous vehicles has never been greater.


As supply chain resilience professionals, one thing we can be sure of is that these changes and uncertainties will bring risks for businesses and, almost certainly, new opportunities for organised crime groups and individuals who associate change with opportunities to penetrate security infrastructure. More than ever, we will all have to be at the top of our game.


Even during many weeks when entire communities around the world have been in lockdown and virtual isolation, cargo thieves have continued to operate freely. In the EMEA region alone, hundreds of new cargo thefts have been recorded at a time when most of us have been restricted to only leaving our homes to buy vital food and medical supplies, or for one form of daily exercise.


There will clearly be many lessons learned from this unsettling moment in history and we have to make sure that, from a supply chain security and resilience perspective, we emerge even stronger than before, whatever changes lie ahead. TAPA has proven its ability to stay ahead of the curve, to keep one step ahead of criminals, and is not afraid of change. We will do whatever is in the best interests of our members to help you manage future risks.


‘Even during many weeks when entire communities around the world have been in lockdown and virtual isolation, cargo thieves have continued to operate freely.’


Intelligence sharing will be a key part of this process and we hope many of you will be willing to exchange your experiences, challenges and solutions with us for the greater benefit of the entire TAPA Family as we all move forward together. That’s the power and value of one association that represents everyone in the supply chain.


Right now, we have to stay safe and well as well as safe and secure. With this uppermost in our minds, on behalf of TAPA, I am sending you all our very best wishes and hope you, your families and friends remain in the best possible health.


MARCEL SAARLOOS Chair TAPA EMEA


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