The Last Word Comment
‘Brexit is no Y2K: we still do not know what we are facing’
The UK’s impending departure from the European Union can be dealt with by businesses, but they need facts before they can act
David Jinks Head of consumer research, ParcelHero
An eleventh-hour debate for supply-chain professionals last month revealed continued uncertainty is more damaging for business than a no-deal Brexit A ‘one minute till midnight’ Brexit debate,
held as part of the Richmond Supply Chain Forum, delivered a damning indictment of government prevarication.
Little significant investment Delegates revealed that very few of the companies represented have been able to invest significantly in Brexit measures because no one knows what form it will take; and that at least a third of major companies are holding back on investment until there is more certainty. The panel heard from delegates that,
while businesses could plan successfully for major potential disruptions such as Y2K, because they knew the nature of the problem, they are unable to properly plan for Brexit because they still have no idea whether it will be hard, soft or even happen at all.
Pride Logistics professionals rightly pride themselves on their adaptability and problem-solving abilities. But both our expert panel and the delegates
from many of Britain’s exporters and retailers were shocked that our carefully timed ‘11th hour’ debate was suddenly more an ‘11th week’ debate following Brexit’s dramatic rescheduling until 12 April or 22 May or beyond! Panellists and audience alike agreed
that business can plan for all forms of Brexit, from no deal to May’s deal to a
50
www.CCRMagazine.com
Contrary to accepted wisdom, our panel revealed stockpiling is not taking place on any significant scale, with only a handful of large warehouse deals being signed with Brexit storage in mind
Customs Union; but what they cannot plan for is ongoing uncertainty.
Frank and fascinating There was a frank and fascinating discussion between the panel and delegates about what measures industry has taken so far to mitigate the impact of Brexit. Contrary to accepted wisdom, our panel
revealed stockpiling is not taking place on any significant scale, with only a handful of large warehouse deals being signed with Brexit storage in mind. Delegates and panellist agreed most
supermarkets and food retailers would find stockpiling even a week’s supplies of perishable products extremely expensive, ineffective and disruptive to existing supply chains.
Cope with anything Our debate highlighted one key take-away: supply chain leaders can cope with anything and everything that is thrown at them, but it’s impossible to make plans if you do not know what will be thrown or even if it ever will be. It is up to parliament to stop prevaricating
and get behind Teresa May’s deal or one of the alternative proposals now, before UK businesses suffer serious damage. Joining me on the Brexit debate panel
were Ian Ferguson, head of supply chain at Iceland; Neil Gould, representing the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and a director at Braid; Kevin Mofid, director, commercial research, Savills; and Alex Veitch, head of multi- modal policy at the Freight Transport Association. CCR
May 2019
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52