In a riveting episode of What the Duck, host Sarah Scudder engages in a captivating discussion with a panel of seasoned manufacturing experts – John, Stephen, Rachel, and Nathan. Together, they unveil a treasure trove of insights, offering a gripping narrative on conquering formidable supply chain challenges. From deftly managing customer-supplied materials to navigating the tumultuous waters of rapid expansion and surviving the tempestuous COVID-19 disruptions, they reveal invaluable lessons. Throughout this compelling conversation, a resounding theme emerges – the pivotal role of collaboration and adaptability in mastering the ever-shifting landscape of supply chain management. SHOW HIGHLIGHTSChallenges Associated with Customer Supplied Materials Managing Rapid Business Growth and Expansion How the Panelists Coped with COVID-19 Disruptions Early Procurement Involvement in Supply ChainThe Role of Collaboration in Supply Chain Management Necessity of Adaptability in a Constantly Changing Landscape MOMENTS TO DUCK AROUNDJOHN: On Stabilizing the Supply Chain Journey “My job is to make that roller coaster ride less, and it's going to have bumps, we're going to have highs, we're going to have lows, but mine's to try to smooth out that process versus trying to go on this thing that shoots up at 100 feet, you know, at 200 miles an hour, then drops back down, because that costs the company money every time you have those highs and lows.” RACHEL: On the Importance of Early Procurement Involvement “So, how much resiliency can you build in advance, right? It's much, much easier to qualify a secondary source when you're in the development process than when you have nothing on hand and are struggling to do it, right? So, I think really what I've been trying to focus the teams on is that we're not going to be able to solve every problem, we're not going to be able to forecast every problem, but what we need to be doing is taking control of what we can.” Connect with Nathan and learn what he’s been duckin’ around with:Nathan Cunningham | WippDataConnect with Stephen and learn what he’s been duckin’ around with:Stephen Drummey | SanminaConnect with John and learn what he’s been duckin’ around with:John HantzisConnect with Rachel and learn what she’s been duckin’ around with:Rachel Hassall | Harvest Hill Beverage CompanyConnect with Sarah and find out more about what the duck she’s up toLinkedIn |Twitter |SourceDay |SourceDay.com Had fun with the podcast? Leave us a like, share our content, and subscribe! See you soon on the next episode of What The Duck?!