Join Jeff and Sarah for your weekly direct materials news for supply chain folks working for a small or mid sized manufacturer. Jeff Brown is the talent. Sarah here to keep the convo going. Topic for today's show: The impact of the conflict between China and Taiwan on direct materials procurement peeps working in manufacturing. What Jeff is gonna discuss:1. Develop a solid understanding of your level of RISK NOW (not later when it’s too late). Do a deep review of your tier 1, 2, 3 suppliers, ABC analysis, and adjust safety stocks accordingly.2. Do not think you're safe in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam or Indonesia - conflict means shipping lanes in the entire theater will be disrupted or shut down entirely. No fly zones will impact air shipments. What to do? Consider nearshoring into countries with favorable trade agreements with the US, AND that often have lower labor rates than China currently does... this means Mexico, Costa Rica, etc.3. Strongly consider vertical integration - make your product yourself. This massively boosts your level of supply chain control and visibility, but also takes the margin you would have paid to a supplier and puts it in your pocket.